Explore Måløy (Maloy) in 48 hours with this nifty guide that delivers gorgeous beaches like Refviksanden, Kråkenes Lighthouse, the place that breaks wind records in Norway. Or maybe hike to the scenic Skogenes Lighthouse. And also, you must visit the extraordinary shaped rock Kannestein in Kvalheimsvika. Or perhaps you want to feast of the best seafood in divine sushi? The options are many when exploring Måløy.
Travel to Explore Måløy
Måløy is located in between Bergen and Ålesund. There are many ways to arrive in Måløy from around Norway. One option is going by the express boat from Bergen to Måløy (Nordled – Price: 825 NOK) At either 08:00 in the morning or 16:30. Or from Oslo take the Vy bus that will deliver you at Måløy Harbor.
“On a blasting winter’s day in the teeth of an Atlantic gale, the isolated fishing port of Måløy feels like the end of the earth – but catch it on a rare sunny, windless day, and it’s as peaceful and pleasant a small town as you could hope for.”
– Lonely Planet
Explore Måløy in Vågsøy with a Lighthouse Vacation
Måløy town is an important part of Norwegian Coastal stories and Western Norway. It has made its mark as the perfect place to explore some of Norway’s most notorious lighthouse due to breaking wind records during winter storms and hurricanes.
Explore the Lighthouses in Måløy at Western Norway
- Kråkenes Lighthouse
- Skongenes Lighthouse
- Ulvesund Lighthouse
- Hendanes Lighthouse
There are four famous lighthouses in Måløy that guide ships safely around Stad, one of the worst sea passages in Norway. Some of the lighthouses have more TLC than others. Kråkenes Lighthouse and Skongenes Lighthouse are today handled by DNT, known as the Norwegian Trekking Association, and you can stay the night. Kråkenes lighthouse break wind records and can visit by car. Skongnes Lighthouse requires a two-hour hike.
Ulvesund Lighthouse is a great place to follow the boat traffic that comes through Ulvesundet and continue to Sildagapet against Stad and is reachable by car. Hendanes Lighthouse is the abandoned lighthouse, no TLC, and the road has almost disappeared to the lighthouse; it can be walked to, but be careful due to the way being in terrible shape.
Explore Kråkenes Lighthouse in Måløy
Kråkenes lighthouse the place that breaks wind records like no tomorrow. The storms are blowing in from the furious Stad Ocean, the most dangerous sea in Norway, due to the sharp changes in the weather.
The phrase “Storm at Stad” every Norwegian knows this phrase due to the weather reports on TV. “Storm at Stad” is when the wind is blowing in from the big ocean with a storm or hurricane that shakes houses and make the windows bend inwards, and sometimes means no electricity on Christmas Day. The raw nature is mesmerizing and must be respected.
Exploring Kråkenes Lighthouse on a sunny day is a blessing and a rare experience. If exploring Kråkenes in bad weather, be cautious and alert to the dangers of the ocean and wind. Exploring kråkenes in any weather is still a powerful experience of raw nature on it’s best.
Spend the Night at Kråkenes Lighthouse
When exploring Måløy, you also need a place to sleep. Why not spend the night at Kråkenes Lighthouse? And by this, you can experience the change of the light and the wind during your stay at Kråkenes Lighthouse? Remember to book your stay at DNT homepage. DNT stands for the Norwegian Trekking Association.
Explore Måløy’s most Beautiful Beach: Refviksanden
Many times the Beach of Reviksanden has been nominated to the most beautiful beach in Norway. That’s why you want to explore Måløy when visiting Norway. The beach is snow-white sand and sparkles in the sun.
If having 48 hours in Måløy, maybe spend one entire day at the stunning beach of Reviksanden or even spend the night camping?
The camping at Refviksanden is a stunner; there are facilities with shower and WC. The tent is easily put up right at the beachfront, and, also, you can bring your caravan camper.
The Beach of Reviksanden is very kid-friendly due to the long walk out to the ocean before actually swimming. If having only a day in Måløy, continue towards Skongenes Lighthouse after a quick swim and a stroll at the beach, and don’t forget to check out the street art on some of the farmer’s walls.
Depending on your time schedule, I would recommend a walk on the beach and enjoy the view before hustling further on to Skongenes Lighthouse. If having less than 48 hours in Måløy.
Explore Skongenes Lighthouse in Måløy
Skongenes Lighthouse is the perfect day hike. After exploring Kråkenes Lighthouse and Refviksanden. Do you want a big ocean view and salty lips? Take the 3 kilometers hike to Skongenes Lighthouse, roughly an hour walking in scenic ocean landscape, and you will arrive at Skongenes Lighthouse in Måløy. Enjoy walking around on the property and make sure to soak in the glorious view of the big ocean.
Skongenes Lighthouse lay on the north end on the island Vågsøy between the villages Vedvik and Halsør and was established in 1870. Skongenes Lighthouse is located at spearhead against the Stad Ocean, and the lighthouse assists the ship to the entrance or passing this furious part of the Norwegian coastline.
The starting point for the hike is at Halsør, you will see a sign on the road, in a hard turn on the road. Parking is at the side of the road. The hike is well marked.
The hike towards Skongenes Lighthouse is short, and if the children are used to hiking, they can come along. The walk is full of sights, sounds, and maybe you spot the sea eagle? Also, from Kråkenes Lighthouse and Skogenes Lighthouse, you can look over to Outer Fyre and Inner Fyre, another spectacular hike of the Stad region.
Coastal Walk Back to Halsør from Skongenes Lighthouse
If the weather is stunning, you can make the return along the coastline, be aware that stones can be slippery, and you need to be more able to jump and clime around to rocks. You will then reach a cave with a remnant from the stone age. The cave is enormous and opens up about 100 m from and 20 m above the sea. The cave is about 20 m wide and 30 m high at the entrance.
Full description of the return hike: Skongshellaren (Tilt Cave)
Spend the Night at Skongenes Lighthouse in Målø with Self-service DNT Cabin?
DNT stands for the Norwegian Trekking Association. And is the organization all Norwegians love and use for their outdoor adventure in Norway. Remember to pre-book with DNT on their homepage, if you want to stay the night at Skongenes Lighthouse in Måløy.
Explore Måloy’s Unknown Beach: SÆTRASANDEN
After the hike to Skongenes Lighthouse, why not take a swim in the crystal clear blue fjord of Maloy? This beach is a hidden gem, and mostly only locals using the beach. You will need to walk down to the beach, due to being a private road. The beach is stunning, and the water so clear you can spot a crab walking along the shoreline.
Splurge on the Feast of the Best Seafood in Divine Sushi
After a long day with exploring, make sure to call and order sushi as take- away from La Voile in Måløy Town. What’s better to have an outdoor dinner at the famous rock of Kannesteinen? When being in the town center, make sure to walk around a grab an Instagram wordy photo of the street art in Måløy.
Explore Måløy’s Street Art
by TelmoMiel
Local history of Måløy in painting
by Stepan Bares and Gaute Haugland
Location: Måløy – Street 1 nr. 26 next to the store Bekka
by TelmoMiel
Based on the local history.
Location: At the beach of Refviksanden
The Famous Rock Kannesteinen
When being in Måløy, you must explore the famous rock of Kannesteinen. Only a 15-minutes drive from Måløy town on a narrow road. Arriving in Kvalheimsvika, and make the way down to the ocean, and there you will find Kannesteinen.
The rock of Kannesteinen was formed by loose stones and the pounding of the waves throughout thousands of years and stands today as a 3-4 meter high monument in Kvalheimsvika on the island of Vågsøy, Western Norway.
The bay is exposed to prevailing strong westerly winds and heavy breakers. Kannesteinen consists of Ecolgite, typically for Western Norway. Make sure to climb the rock and get photographed standing on the top. From Kannesteinen on the road back to Måløy, you can see Hendanes Lighthouse.
Explore Måløy when Visiting Norway
Why should you spend some days in Måløy? If you want to explore the raw and unique nature of the Norweigan coastline and most of all our history with the ocean, you should spend days in Måløy, Stad & Nordfjord.
We are Vikings. We are a seafarer, and to understand our nature, you need to explore our nature and surroundings. Our history is shaped by the oceans, the storms, and the kindness of our neighbors.
To the sea my heart return, to heal in the salt, to rest in the silence and to be cradled in peace.
Accommodation in Måløy Town
After exploring Måløy, you will need to relax and catch a moment, and in the town center of Måløy you have Thon Hotel Måløy and Torget Hotell to choice between for spending the night in the town of Måløy.
The Stop Along the Road by Car
Exploring Måløy in Western Norway
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8 Comments
How excellent, I will assume that the cruise has arranged an excursion. However, if you want a more private exploration rental car could be a good option.
We ended up changing ports to Stravanger so we didn’t get to Maloy. Before it changed we had booked an excursion through the cruise ship to take a boat ride to some old monastery ruins. They also had drives out to the hiking points to the windmills. Seems like there are excursion operators out there so you don’t need to rent a car, especially if you’re on a cruise
Dear Petrina, you will need a rental car for exploring the area around Måløy like AVIS Leiebil – Måløy or something similar. However, I will assume that the cruise has arranged an excursion. Yes, the drive from Stadlandet to the West Cape is stunning, and so is Selje Beach.
Dear Tamra, then you will need to get a rental car in Måløy. So you drive to Refviksanden and the lighthouse. For distance, you can use google maps.
Thank you for the great information! We will be in Maloy for one day, August 31, via a cruise ship. We will be in port from 8:30 am – 7 pm. Can we hike/walk from the cruise port to Refviksanden and one or two of the lighthouses in that amount of time? What would the total distance be from the cruise port to Refviksanden and one or two of the lighthouses, and could you please provide specific directions?
We are also visiting Maloy on a cruise. Is there any public transport in Maloy or is car rental the only way to get around? The cruise line has an excursion where they drive from Stadlandet to the West Cape and then continue on to Selja beach Have you done this drive? Is it a scenic drive? Also, are you aware of any boat trips or hikes in the area (in addition to the hike to the lighthouse you mention in your post). We will be in port for 13 hours so we have quite a bit of time.
Hi Hugo😊 I don’t know about bike rental, however if you have 4-6 or more hours in Måløy it could be worth to have a rental car.
Awesome run down! We are visiting Maloy on a cruise so we won’t have a car. Do you recall if there were people renting bikes? I see there’s an Avis car rental about 30 minute walk from the port, so we could try that too.