Osen: Experience the Coast, Nature and Culture

Osen lies on the coast of Trøndelag and combines walks by the sea with trips into the forest and mountains, as well as fishing in the fjord. This makes it an interesting destination for a trip that includes time outdoors and cultural discoveries. When choosing your holiday home, consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: the coast, fjord and fishing, or hikes through varied landscapes.

Coastal Landscapes and Special Natural Sites

An exceptional cultural monument is the rock art site at Strand. This Stone Age site is open to visitors and features eight figures, including a naturalistic depiction of a 2.9-metre-long pilot whale. This specific detail makes a visit an encounter with an early depiction of animals in the region. If you are interested in cultural history, you can make the rock art site a focus in its own right alongside nature experiences.

The landscape around Svesfjord also offers a range of places to explore. Halvikhula on Svesfjord has a cathedral-like opening about 100 metres wide. Svesøya lies at the outer end of Svesfjord, in the northern part of Osen. The island covers 160 Daa and has been highlighted as an area of ornithological conservation value. These two places represent different aspects of the surroundings: a striking cave opening and an island area whose significance is linked to bird conservation.

Hiking options include the Håmannsvika–Estenvikhallin route in Vingsand, a hike featuring cave bouldering. The circular route from Osen via Lakrillan to Øyan passes through a different landscape, following roads and paths across marsh, forest and mountain terrain. If you like to spend your days taking in a variety of scenery, these descriptions offer two distinct ways to explore, each with its own type of landscape.

At Sandvatnet, there is a designated recreation area with a fire pit, benches and a campsite. From there, a path about 3 kilometres long leads to the small mountain lake Skåna. The approximate distance can help you include the walk in your day’s plans. There are specific access and parking instructions for the hike up Gjeltheia: from the centre of Osen, you can reach the hike via Sørmelansveien. A barrier blocks access to the mountain road; you must park at the junction before setting off uphill. Another option is Gammelveien, which has several signed parking areas. From a viewpoint, the view extends as far as Halten in clear weather.

Culture and Local History

Osen Bygdatun is in the heart of Vingsand. In summer, you can learn about the history of coastal farmers there; dinner and coffee are also served. Bjørnørspelet is also performed in summer at a Bygdetun in Vingsand. An offshore fishing festival is held annually in Seter.

You can find other historical landmarks in various places around Osen: Osen kirke is a wooden long church built in 1877. Kvennfossen on the Skipelva is the site of Osen’s last mill. Buholmråsa Lighthouse was built in 1917 on Sønnaholmen, a few kilometres outside Sætervik in Osen. These places complement the rock art and Bygdatun with stories of church, mill and lighthouse history.

You can reach Osen via the Fv715 coastal road, by express boat from Trondheim, or by flying into Trondheim Airport Værnes and continuing by car. Your choice of route can go hand in hand with deciding which excursions you want to prioritise. You can also explore Steinsdalen as another place in this destination.

Discover More Places

Other places at the same destination level: Oppdal, Meldal, Hemne, Rissa, Rennebu, Frøya and Malvik.

Go to the main travel overview: Sor-Trondelag.