West coast of Norway - Vestlandet - selection

From Stavanger to Sogn og Fjordane

This post is a photo selection. Please check: Sailing the fjords (home).

Waters: Sunnhordland, Haugalandet, Ryfylke North, Ryfylke west, Ryfylke central, Ryfylke south, Stavanger region, West coast

West Coast Essays on: Sailing Vestlandet and  The art of Humble exploration

The Ryfylke fjords - Sør-Hildle, off Stavanger

Kvitsøy, Ystabøhamn

Linehamn, off Stavanger.

Stavanger, Vågen.

Høgsfjord, towards Lysefjorden.

Økstrafjorden.

Rennesøy, Utstein Abbey

Nord-Talje, Sjernarøy.

Nord-Hidle, Sjernarøy.

The island Rott, off Tananger

Skudeneshamn, Karmøy

The Viking farm, Avaldsnes

Karmsundet.

Romsa islands, Bjoafjroden.

Skånevik

Lammavågen, the Sveio coast, south of Bømlafjorden.

Espevær, Bømlo south.

Espevær

Brandasund, Bømlo north.

Nille på Skjæret, Brandasund

Ringholmen, Bømlo

Agahamn, Austneset, Bømlo northeast.

Fitjar, Teløyhamn.

 

 

 The impressing Alden, hidden in mist. Sogn og Fjordane.

 From Buskøya, south of Buefjorden. Sogn og Fjordane.

 Hurtigruten passing in Ytre Steinsund, east of Ytre Smøla, Sogn og Fjordane.

From Nyleia, Bømlo/Fitjar. Sunnhordland.

 

Indre Steinsundet, Nord-Hordaland.

Bulandet, Sunnfjord.

Bulandet, Sunnfjord.

From Alden, towards Værlandet, Sunnfjord.

From the island Fedje, north-west of Bergen.

Old storehouse, Fitjar.

Bogsfjorden / Hattavågen

Natural harbour , sea chart

 "Leikaren" - entering Hattavågen.

Hattavågen is sheltered and idyllic, situated behind Hattaøya, southeast in Bogsfjorden. This fjord stretches north from Erfjorden. In Hattavågen forest-clad mountains surround you. In the calm water sea trouts leap and along the wooded shore, birds sing. You can swing at anchor or make fast towards Hattaøya. If you sail further into Erfjord you’ll reach Erøyholmen with a guest harbour. At Hålandsosen, at the opposite shore, there is a shop.

 From Hattavågen

 The mouth of Bogsfjorden

 Erfjord-holmen, another nice natural harbour

Guest harbour, behind Erøy-holmen.

 

Stavanger

Map , Guest harbours in Stavanger (summery), Guest harbours/Port of Stavanger, Guest harbours Region Stavanger,  Tourist info. office Stavanger, Tourist info. Region Stavanger, Ship chandlers: Maritim Båtutstyr, Leirvikbrygga 6. Jama Marina, Sandvikveien 8, Hillevåg.

  Stavanger offers several guest harbours in or within walking distance to the city centre. Vågen and Børevigå (see links above) are run by the local authority, others are private (most of them are run by local yacht clubs). See Bekhuskaien/Badedammen, Stavanger Motorbåtforening Hillevåg (inside of bridge! - 9 m), Stavanger Seilforening - Stavanger Sailing Club). From the sailing club, you must walk (30 min.) or take a bus, crossing the city bridge. The Vågen harbour (summer only) is exposed to winds from the northwest and swell from ships. In summer there is always a lot of people in the streets around the bay, and the evenings might become noisy. If you prefer more rural surroundings, a day or two in Lundsvågen is an alternative (see also the posting Lundsvågen).

Guest harbour, Vågen (summer only)

Vågen (the city  bay)

The waters off Stavanger probably are among the best in the world for those sailors who enjoy intra-costal waterways, archipelagos and fjords. But Stavanger is worth a visit also for other reasons. As a center for the Norwegian petroleum industry, the city has gained an international character, but still has retained much of a small town's charm with narrow streets and small, white-painted wooden houses. The city has a rich cultural life, and the region offers a varied landscape with many opportunities additional to sailing (see Region Stavanger, and The Tourist Office).

Summer life at The Hansen corner, Skagen.

The Norwegian Petroleum Museum, Stavanger.

Stavanger, my recommendations:
Art/Sculpture/Sightseeing. Explore the city trough Antony Gormley’s Broken Column.
Map, Broken Column (pdf).
http://www.antonygormley.com/

Blue Promenade

Stavanger Art Museum
Stavanger Consert Hall (No)

Stavanger Cathedral

Tou Scene. Avant-garde, music, art, dance (East district)
The student society - "Folken"
Stavanger Jazzforum (No./Eng.)
Stavanger BluesClub (No.)
- in the pub "Ovenpaa", Skagenkaien, Vågen.

Ullandhaug district
University of Stavanger
Stavanger Botanic Garden
The Iron Age farm/Museum of Archeology
Organic farming, Ullandhaug (No)

Stavanger museum
(The Natural History exhibition, The Canning Museum and The Children Museum are especially nice for children. The Maritime Museum is just by the harbour, Strandkaien.)
Stavanger Culture Centre, Sølvberget
The Norwegian Petroleum Museum, Stavanger.

Stavanger Culture Centre, Sølvberget (No): library, literature, art, cinema, cafés

Stavanger Antikvariat (No), Tidegeilen 4, Second-hand bookshop
Løvås Second-hand shop, books, comics

Lagård graveyard / famous persons (pdf)

Bathing/Swimming:
Nearest beaches: Godalen (Badedammen - the swimming pond, under the city bridge - and Emmausbukta not listed), all on the south-eastern shore, towards Gandsfjorden. Vaulen, farther south is nice. Take your boat (chart), a bus (nr. 1 stand 8, nr. 2/3 stand 10), or the train to Mariero station, north of the beach.

Swimming pools (No.)
Stavanger svømmestadion (Gamlingen), is an outdoor pool (No.). 15 min. walk from city centre.
Vålandsskogen (forest) nearby is nice for walking or jogging.)


Sandnes
Sandnes (Eng.): 13 min by train from Stavanger. 1 hour by sailboat, at least. Sandnes has a charming town centre, perfect for shopping or eating out. Sandnes has an spacious and excellent guest harbour. But the water unfortunately, does sometimes smell.
Potter Stein Em. Simonsen
Science Centre, Sandnes (recommended!)
Sandnes Culture Centre (No.) - by the guest harbour.
KinoKino - centre for art and film.

Hiking/Cycling
Hiking, region Stavanger
Hiking, Sandnes
Hiking Randaberg, see post Tungenes lighthouse
Cykling, Map/region Stavanger (No., pdf)
Cykling, Map-Sandnes (No., pdf)

Public transportation:
Bus service, routes Stavanger, (bus stand map), Train, Airport, Airport Express Coach
Bus: Stavanger-Bergen - Stavanger-Kristiansand -  Kristiansand - Oslo
Fast boat - Stavanger-Bergen, Ryfylke

Famous writers and artists from Stavanger

Alexander L. Kielland
(The statue on the marked square)
Some works:
Garman & Worse (1880)
Skipper Worse (1882, exerpt)
Available at: Amazon
Costomer Review
Tales

Sigbjørn Obstfelder
Two poems in translation:
Regn/Rain
Jeg ser/I look

Lars Hertervig
Painter. See also the posting Hattarvågen/Borgøy
(Several works and exibition catalogue at Rogaland Museum of Fine Arts)
Some works
Essay on Hertervigs paper works (No.)
Trond Borgen: Et indre eksil. Lars Hertervigs papirarbeider:

Magnus Vigrestad (No.)
Sculptor, among other works, the statue of Kielland on the marked square.

Eidssund, Ombo

Guest marina (Eng.) (No), natural harbour, chart

The ferry, Eidssund

59°14,104’N 05°56,302’E. Eidssund is located southwest on the island Ombo. The sound is well protected by Eidsholmen and has a spacious and well equipped guest marina with grocery and post office. In the bay northeast on Eidsholmen you'll find a natural harbor if you prefer this. North on this island, you'll also find a nice swimming spot. Near Hole, north of Eidssund, you can visit a rock carwing field with 5 ships and some giant oak trees.

Eidsholmen

Eidssund

The marina

Lundsvågen Hundvåg

Guest harbour / small boat harbour, map, sea chart

Lundsvågen. An Alo 28 set afloat.

Lundsvågen. 59°00,04’N 05°45,34’E. Stavanger offers several guest harbours in or within walking distance to the city centre (see Stavanger). If you prefer more rural surroundings, a day or two in Lundsvågen's guest harbour  is a recommendable alternative. Normally maximum stay is tree days, shower/toilet and longer stays to be agreed upon. Lundsvågen is one of Stavanger's largest small boat harbours, and normally there is plenty of berths for visiting boats along the guest pier.

Junk-rigged Oslo dinghy "Broremann". Guest harbour behind the pier.

A disadvantage with Lundsvågen is that the bus connection (from Kisteneset to Hundvågkrossen and downtown) is meagre, but if you're willing to walk only 10 minutes, you'll reach the main road where the buses towards downtown runs frequently. One advantage with Lundsvågen is that there are always many people in the harbour, so if you like to chat with local yachters, you will have plenty of opportunities. In addition, Lundsvågen is situated far out in the fjords, and therefore is a good starting point for your sailing trips around islands nearby or towards central or southern Ryfylke. If you need some exercise after weeks in your boat, Lundsneset, close by, have nice footpaths along the shore.

Free breeze. An Albin Alpha 29, approaches Lundsvågen.

Sailing logger Nortun AE 87 of Stavanger, privately owned yacht, landing in Lundsvågen.

Fisterfjorden / Hjelmeland / Fisterøyane

Guest harbours, natural harbours, map, sea chart Hjelmeland

59°10N 06°01E. Steering to the northeast in Fisterfjorden, you’ll pass Fisterøyane on the port bow. Many consider this group of islands to be the most tempting in Ryfylke, unfortunately it is threatened by planed bridged connecting the islands. Fister is on your starboard bow, and offers a guest pier, grocery, fuel, a camping site and more. Farther on, Fisterfjorden stretches out, but never becomes boring with its many coves an inlets. A popular spot is Børøyholmane. On southern Børøy, a nice place for families, you’ll even find a guest pier and a toilet, a barbecue stand and footpaths. Another popular place is Sandangervågen (59°10,44’N 06°00,31’E ) a beautiful bay, though new, cabin constructions might ruin your expectations of unspoiled landscape and solitude. Another option is Kvaløysundet, entering from southwest, or the islet Espholmen. Here you can chat with the locals (probably only a school of sheep). A better option probably is spending the Esphomlen evening with your friend or lover, planning the next day’s leg.

Espholmen

Espholmen

Hjelmelandsfjorden, Ombofjorden far-out.

Heading for Hjelmeland, you’ll pas Ølesundet, northeast of Randøy, with a grocery, fuel, overnight accommodation and a cafe with traditional dishes. You might also follow an old footpath, now reopened as a culture trail. 2,5 nautical miles farther to the northeast, you’ll find the center of this part of Ryfylke, Hjelmeland (59°14,25’N 06°10,25’E). Hjelmeland offers a few reasonable guest berths in the local small craft harbour. They are the outermost berths. Farther on, the harbour is shallow. Toilet and shower is available. Bigger boats can make fast outside of the breakwater. You’ll also find larger berths - -and more expensive – in the private Hjelmeland Spa Hotel harbour – a good option if you really need to grease your lovers palm after some “combing sea” (water, electricity, restaurant, bar – and Spa.). You can also refuel and moor in Sande, just east of the ferry pier (see sketch map). Old Hjelmeland is a protected block of houses, just behind the small craft harbour. Town hall and the public square are just around the corner. Unfortunately, many shops now are situated outside of the old centre, by the new ferry quay. However, this will give you an excuse to take a stroll alongside the waterside.

Old Hjelmeland and small craft harbour.

In Hjelmeland, an old spinning mill close to the town hall is transformed into an interesting museum. Early in September, a festival is held in the town, celebrating the local products, fruit and salmon –the two cornerstones in Hjelmeland’s business activity. Another product is the “Jæren chair”. So, if you are tired of standing at the helm, Helmeland has a tasteful cheer to offer.

Hjelmeland's spa hotel

Brimse

Guest pier , Brimse info (No.), map, sea chart

Herb garden, Brimse.

59°05,33'N 05°48,15'E. Brimse is a relatively small but fertile and charming island, located eight nautical miles north-northeast of Stavanger. To the west lies the larger island Rennesøy. To the northeast, across the beautiful Brimsefjorden, lies Talje (her, from Gardsvågen in the south, you can follow great hiking trails along the Talje coastline). Brimse was populated as early as the Viking period, and still is, mostly by vacationers, though.  In the 17th and 18th century, the island was in the possession of Utstein monastery, as grazing land. Today Brimse offers the visitor a guest pier on the northern shore, but unfortunately outside a breakwater shielding a private small craft harbour. Here you will be exposed to winds from the north and waves from passing ferries. Use your largest boat fenders. On Brimse you can stroll along the winding country road crossing the island, or follow well marked trails around the whole island. The trail leading to the eastern shore starts close to the harbour, to the western shore a bit farther up the road. Southeast on the island you’ll find a nice beach, near Trollholmen (The Troll islet), used by the locals. You might anchor here, at least in relatively calm weather. The Island has a farm and a marked garden, and in summer, they offers agricultural products, even organic. Mind the livestock - act considerately. More pictures if you follow the Brimse info link above.

Tungenes lighthouse

Small craft harbour , Tungenes lighthous (No.) , lighthouses (Eng.) ,  Map, Sea chart

Tungenes lighthouse

59°02,27'N 05°35,40'E. Tungenes is a cape, located on the northern edge of the Jæren coastline. If you are crossing Jæren from the south, this is where you turn to starboard and enters the city fjord (Byfjorden). Around the Tungenes headland, the sea occasional turn heavy due to strong currents. Stavanger is located six nautical miles to the south-east, but Tungenes is also worth a visit.

Near the harbour in Tunge bay, there is an interesting lighthouse, built in 1882 to serve the herring fisheries, but closed in 1984. The lighthouse is now a cultural centre with art exhibitions and a cafe. In the lighthouse building, you can also experience how the keep and his family lived. The centre is open every Sunday during summer, call Randaberg municipality, +47 51414100 for information. Near the harbour there is a Fishing museum. The harbour is shallow, but it is possible to make fast just inside the breakwater.

Sande bay

 From the harbour, you might enjoy great hiking around the headland, following trails along the coastline. The landscape is a bit like Jæren, but is richer an more gentle. The trail passes cottages, houses and farmland. Show respect and keep your husband and his dog in chain.

Randaberg bay and the city fjord

Tungenes harbour