Korssund: Stone Cross, History and Hiking Trails

Korssund brings together an exceptional cultural monument and a history of former inns and maritime traffic. The 3.84-metre-high stone cross is one of the tallest stone crosses in Norway; the area also has marked hiking trails. This offers different ways to plan your trip, with a focus on cultural history, outdoor activities and the maritime history of the place.

Stone Cross and the History of the Site

The Korssund stone cross is generally dated to Norway’s official period of Christianisation, from 950 to 1050. This refers to a period, not a specific year of origin. At 3.84 metres tall, the cross is one of the tallest in the country. The site beside the stone cross also has its own historical role: it was used as a marketplace. A religious monument and a place of former trade thus come together here. If you are particularly interested in culture, Korssund offers both a remarkable scale and a specific history of use; together, they give the place more depth than a date alone.

Inn, Post Stop and Maritime Traffic

Korssund was already an inn station in the 17th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was described as an old, privileged inn and post station. Korssund was also described as a necessary harbour for jekter and boats. These roles, from inn and post station to harbour, reveal different aspects of the place’s history. If you would like to discover Korssund beyond its stone cross, you can also take these historical functions into account when planning your trip.

A specific detail about former maritime traffic dates from 1877: Korssund was marked with an asterisk in the Fylkesbaatane timetable as a request stop. The ship stopped only if cargo or passengers were bound for the place or coming from it. This condition shows that the stop was not scheduled on every trip at the time, but depended on actual demand. The timetable entry thus adds a specific rule of the traffic of the time to Korssund’s history as a harbour and post station.

Hiking Trails and Maritime Activities

There are marked hiking trails in the Korssund area. One of them is a Nordsjøløype; other well-maintained hiking trails are near the guest harbour. These are useful points to consider when choosing a destination if you enjoy including time for hiking in your trip. Cultural history also remains a focus in its own right: the stone cross, marketplace and former roles as an inn and harbour station tell other sides of the place’s story. If your travel group has different interests, these themes may help you decide whether Korssund could be a suitable destination for everyone. When looking for a holiday rental, you can first choose a destination based on the interests of your travel group.

The guest harbour has about 30 berths. From Korssund, small boats can sail through the narrow Lammetusundet into the Vilnesfjord. This adds a specific maritime activity to the hiking and cultural history on offer. For boating enthusiasts, the narrow passage through Lammetusundet is a particularly distinctive detail of the place; the route leads from Korssund into the Vilnesfjord. An interest in sailing can therefore also inform your decision about whether Korssund is a place you would like to explore further.

Discover More Places

You can also consider Værlandet, Stongfjorden, Askvoll, Holmedal, Atløy, Bulandet and Kvammen as other places to visit.

Return to the main travel overview: Askvoll.