Atløy: Rock Art, Views and Traces of History

Three white bands of limestone cascade down the slope at Brurastakken like a veil. The distinctive rock formation on the south side of Atløy is both a landmark and a viewpoint. Its unusual shape gives the landscape a striking feature: it is not only its height but also the pale lines on the rock that make Brurastakken a distinctive landmark on the island.

Heights and hikes

Atløyna lies in Vilnesfjorden. At 636 metres, Skredvarden is the island’s highest point. There are opportunities for hiking on Atløyna; if you enjoy spending time on foot in the countryside, you can take this into account when planning your trip. Skredvarden provides a specific point of reference: its elevation and status as the highest point are clearly stated. This means hiking and the island’s distinctive rock formations are available as different aspects to explore.

Rock art and local history

Atløyna’s rock art is located near Leirvåg. It is spread across six panels, making it a distinct cultural theme alongside the island’s landscape features. If you are interested in rock art, you can make Leirvåg a focus when planning your trip. The six panels give the rock art its own structure without restricting it to a single motif.

Sauesund lies in the southeast, an old trading post right on the coastal route. The crab factory is also part of its history; it is said to have been among the first in Norway. The trading post and the factory offer two perspectives on the area’s past: Sauesund as a place of trade and the special role attributed to the crab factory. The cautious wording “is said to have been” is part of this account.

Another historical trace can be found on Veten, which is 326 m high: the stone remains of a former watch hut are believed to be located there. Its elevation, building material and former function give the site a different character from the old trading post at Sauesund. For travellers interested in local history as well as the landscape, Atløyna offers a range of historical themes.

Getting here and other interests

The ferry from the Gjervik ferry terminal to the centre of Askvoll takes about 10 minutes. The exact route matters when planning your trip: the stated time refers to the crossing between these two points. This lets you consider this leg as a separate part of the journey without confusing it with travel time to another destination.

There is also a sporting attraction: a facility with an artificial turf pitch is located by Atløy School and the Atløy Cultural Centre. It adds another specific place to the themes of hiking, landscape and history. For families who want to include a range of interests in their holiday plans, this information may help when choosing possible activities, although nothing can be inferred from it about access to or use of the facility.

When choosing a holiday apartment on Atløy, your preferred focus may be the deciding factor: hiking opportunities, rock art, distinctive rock formations or historic sites can lead to different ideas of what a trip might involve. You can choose the island based on the themes that interest you most, rather than solely on a general idea of it as a holiday destination.

Discover more places

More places: Værlandet, Korssund, Bulandet, Kvammen, Stongfjorden, Holmedal and Askvoll.

Return to the main travel overview: Askvoll.