Bike ride from Bodø to Kjerringøy trading post
Kjerringoy trading post is one of Norway's best preserved trading posts from the 19th century. You can cycle here from Bodø city center in one day, through one of the region's most beautiful coastal landscapes.
The route
From the north side of Bodø you cycle on road 834 towards Festvåg. The road is well-trafficked in Bodø and a bit out of town, but traffic decreases with every kilometer. Along the stretch between Bodø and Festvåg you pass a number of beaches and natural gems such as Mjelle or Ausvika. At Festvåg you take the ferry across to Misten. The crossing is short and offers great views. From Misten to Kjerringøy the road is quieter and the traffic slows down.
On Kjerringøy trading post you can take a well-deserved break with a historical refresher, recharge your batteries in the café and relax by the sea in historic surroundings. We recommend joining a guided tour where you will learn the history of the trading post and the people who lived and worked here. Also stop by Kramboden for local products and souvenirs.
Distance: 41 kilometers one way (28 km to Festvåg, 13 km from Misten)
Elevation: 429 m ascent, 446 m descent
Time: between 2 and 4 hours one way depending on your fitness level and bike
Surface: Asphalt all the way
Ferry: Festvåg to Misten, check timetables at reisnordland.no
Season: Mid-May to mid-September
Photos above by Marta Anna Løvberg
If you want to explore more of the peninsula, you can cycle further to Tårnvik along road 571. Another option is to head towards Nevelsfjorden or walk the prepared path to the top of Kvarven for views of Kjerringøy, Vestfjorden and Lofoten.
On Kjerringøy
Kjerringoy trading post has been an important hub along the coast since the 1770s. The trading posts marked a turning point in the history of Northern Norway, where for the first time the profits from the fish trade remained in the north instead of going to the cities in the south.
The 15 buildings were listed in 1942 and were transferred to Nordland County Museum in 1959 with over 8,000 objects. Today, the facility stands as it did in its heyday in the 19th century, with the Olavsrosa quality mark.
In the Main House you will find a unique French wallpaper and historic bedrooms. In Heimbrygga and Stornaustet a maritime collection awaits, including a Nordland boat from 1820, one of the oldest preserved in the country. In Kramboden, parts of the 19th century collection are still on the shelves. Here you can take a tour, visit the café and museum shop, and enjoy the view of Kjerringøysundet, the same surroundings that inspired Knut Hamsun for his novels. Take your time.
Pictures below by Karoline OA Pettersen
