Eikefjord – Fjord, Rock Art and Hiking Trails

Eikefjord lies at the end of a fjord that stretches 16 kilometres east and then southeast. A wooden cruciform church in the village, Bronze Age rock art at nearby Ausevika and hiking trails towards Eikefjordstøylen each offer a different experience. You can get to know Eikefjord through its landscape, history or active days outdoors, depending on your interests.

Fjord scenery and distinctive places

The Eikefjord continues from Vassreset and Solheimsfjorden and reaches the village of Eikefjord at the head of the fjord. Road 5 runs along the north shore between Eikefjord and Florø. Nearby, the barren, west-facing Stakaldeneset rises steeply from the Eikefjord at the Helgøysundet strait. Diabase was quarried at this headland for more than 4,000 years—a distinctive historical connection to the landscape.

Ausevika is also a distinctive destination near Eikefjord. The rock art site lies between Eikefjord and Stavang and is one of the largest in Norway. More than 300 Bronze Age depictions show boats, animals and people. There is a clear rule for visitors: use only the paths and walkways. This makes Ausevika a place where viewing the rock art goes hand in hand with treating the site respectfully.

Church history in the village

Eikefjord Church was completed in 1812. A wooden cruciform church, it is among the oldest churches in the Sunnfjord region and represents the first generation of Norwegian wooden churches built in the 19th century. Its completion established the county’s first new church site since the 17th century. This history gives the building significance beyond its distinctive wooden architecture.

One notable feature inside the church is the altarpiece from 1874. It contains a copy of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s 1829 sculpture of Christ; the corresponding sculpture in Eikefjord is carved from wood. If you are interested in church art and 19th-century history, the church offers a distinct cultural focus alongside the prehistoric rock art at Ausevika.

Hiking trails and water

A circular hike via Eikefjordstøylen, Ytrestøylen or Ytre Knappstadstøylen, and Betnene starts and ends at the rest area in Eikefjord on Road 5. North of the rest area, a sign points to a well-marked trail towards Eikefjordstøylen. A new section reinforced with stones has been built at Lona along the route, so hikers can pass through the area with dry feet even after rain. The route from Eikefjordstøylen to Knappstadstøylane is marked red at first, followed by orange.

Eikefjord has been found to have excellent bathing water quality. Another connection with the water can be found in the small boat harbour inside the breakwater: there is a floating dock as well as guest berths with water and electricity. There is also an anchorage with a muddy bottom and several mooring bolts in Kyrkjebukta at Eikefjord.

Choose Eikefjord as your holiday destination

When looking for a holiday apartment in Eikefjord, consider which aspects of the village you want to shape your stay: the hiking trails and Støylane, the church’s history, the rock art at Ausevika or the fjord waters. The destinations described offer options for different interests when planning your holiday, without requiring you to settle on just one focus.

The pages for nearby places Tansøy, Barekstad, Svortevik, Rognaldsvåg, Florø and Stavang also invite you to explore further.

For the wider travel overview: Flora.