Holmøyane on Lake Hornindalsvatnet

Holmøyane lies on Lake Hornindalsvatnet, which is considered the deepest lake in Northern Europe. The water and the surrounding forest and mountain scenery give the place a distinctive character. You can explore the area on foot along a variety of paths; there is also a cultural glimpse into the history of the place. Fishing is possible in Lake Hornindalsvatnet. The lake is also associated with the possibility of a boat berth.

Along the lakeshore and out on the trails

A gravel path about 2 kilometres long runs from Holmøyvik to Holmøy Utigardsaga. Much of it follows Lake Hornindalsvatnet, linking the route with views of the lake. Holmøyane also has about 20 kilometres of marked paths through forest and mountain scenery. For a shorter outing, there is an easy circular route of about 4.5 kilometres. Another loop follows forest roads and the lakeside promenade along Lake Hornindalsvatnet. This circular route is about 5.5 kilometres long, has just under 200 metres of elevation gain, and is considered relatively flat and suitable for children. This gives you a choice of different route lengths and types, with varying levels of difficulty.

Elevation gain and destinations in the mountain landscape

Three marked trails from Holmøyane lead to Glittereggja, the highest mountain in Stad municipality. Another hike runs from Grendahuset Vonlund to Utigardssetra: the route is about 2.5 kilometres long and gains around 300 metres in elevation. The forest road there is suitable for walking and cycling; strollers and mobility scooters can use a longer section of it. This makes it possible to distinguish between a hike with elevation gain and the accessible section of the forest road when planning your day. A low-traffic road in Holmøyane is also suitable for walking and cycling as a non-motorised route through the area.

Utigardssetra and Sonjahytta

Utigardssetra belongs to the Holmøy farm in Holmøyane. This small mountain pasture has a dairy hut; from its cleared meadow, you can see Lake Hornindalsvatnet and the villages of Navelsaker and Otterdal on the opposite shore. The path to the pasture starts at Grendahuset Vonlund. Another destination is Sonjahytta: the first cabin was built in 1932 as a joint project by the people of Holmøyane. The path from the main road to Sonjahytta is just under 5 kilometres long and climbs about 700 metres. Several other hiking routes continue from the cabin. These details help distinguish between outings with significantly different amounts of elevation gain.

Cultural history in Holmøyane

Holmøy Arbeidsskule was founded in 1858 and was the first school of its kind in the country to teach practical skills and carpentry. Together with its cultural landscape, it is one of the selected cultural heritage sites in Eid. The history of the school thus complements the outdoor experiences with a specific insight into the area’s past. If you want to consider cultural history as well as trails and the lake when choosing a holiday destination, Holmøyane offers another distinct point of interest.

When searching for a holiday rental, the types of outings available can help guide your choice: would you mainly like to walk along the lakeshore, choose a circular route described as suitable for children, or plan a route with more elevation gain? The marked trails, mountain pasture and Sonjahytta offer different options. The activities that suit you can therefore help shape your choice of holiday destination.

For more travel ideas, you can also include Stårheim, Hennebygda, Torheim, Kjølsdalen, Eid, Heggjabygda, Nordfjordeid and Haus in your search.

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