Explore Stad or Stadlandet in 48 hours with this dandy guide that delivers famous Hoddevik Beach with surfing & yoga. West Cape plateau is the westernmost mountain plateau in Norway, and the spectacular mountain hike with an oceanview is Mosekleivhornet or Revjehornet.
Maybe you want more beach? Ervik is right next to Hoddevik, another breathtaking beach. At Hovden in Ervik, yon can walk through tunnels and constructions from the second world war. In Ervik, you will find the Sanct Svithun memorial church for the 50 people that died in 1943 when Sanct Svithun was bombed.
Stad Overview in the West Coast of Norway
Around 1700 people are living at Stad. Most people work with the sea as the provider of work, either on fishing boats, oil platforms, or facilities preserving fish.
Stad has several small villages to know about:
Leikanger
Ervik
Hoddevik
Honningsvåg
Eltvik
Borgundvåg
Tungevåg
Årvik
Drage
Indre Fure & Ytre Fure
Selje
Storm at Stad in Western Norway
Stad is the place in Norway with most Storm days during a year. All Norwegians know the saying “Storm at Stad” at the weather report. The notorious Stad Ocean is known for its strong currents and rapid change in the weather. From a sunny day to strong wind blowing in by the furious ocean pushing people and trampolines over the road. That is Storm at Stad.
On the few kilometers from the herring map in the south to Ervik in the north, a total of 58 shipwrecks are located.
Exploring Stad is all about the ocean and the power in nature. It is also about the local community that has made a living along with the Stad peninsula, the most rigid coastlines of Norway.
For thousands of years, the inhabitants of the rugged Stad peninsula on the West Coast of Norway have made a living from the sea through fishing.
Talking to the locals in Stad and the West Coast in Norway can be fascinating by how many ways they can explain the weather. Sometimes they smell the change of weather, sometimes they feel the vibration of the wind is changing for rain, what a skill?
People on the west coast can seem strong on edge, but you will most likely have a long time friend when you get to know them.
Travel to Explore Stad in Norway
Stad is located between Bergen and Ålesund, right next to Måløy. Traveling to Explore Stad can be realized in many ways. Most people prefer a car, due to having the flexibility to drive around the area. If not, you can catch 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 Bryggja.
From Ålesund to Explore Stad
The latest option is to fly to Ålesund (Vigra Airport – AES) and from their take the express boat to Stad. This route starts in August 2020. If flying into Ålesund, remember a day in Norway’s most elegant town.
Explore Stad’s Famous Beach Hoddevik
When Storm at Stad, is having a break and the sun is shining after a week of rain, the favorite place to go is Hoddevik Beach. The small village with only a few inhabitants. Hoddevik is a 35 minutes drive from Leikanger, the town center of Stad. If you want paradise, that is a short drive. Entering Hoddevik, you wonder why the secret has been hidden gem for so long, well back in the days there was no phone reception in the area, and also no surfers, only locals like me trying to catch surf with the body.
Explore Stad & Hoddevik Today
Today Hoddevik is one of the main attractions when exploring Stad. Because Hoddevik beach has some of the best waves in Norway, also the ocean is warmer than the standard due to the Gulf Stream passing by the bay. The best waves of the year are from October to January. If you are a beginner, the summer is perfect for more smooth waves.
More about: Surfing in Hoddevik
More About: Yoga in Hoddevik
Don’t you like surfing? Then hang out with Gry and do some outstanding Yoga performance. Or maybe grab a Cappuccino at Stad Surfing Café called Strandro. The beach is 1500 meters long and with white sand that you most likely will bring home since it sticks to your body.
Explore Stad with Mosekleivhornet
Mosekleivhornet is a dazzling hike, if you want that picture-perfect picture of Hoddevik for your Instagram account, we know you do! Mosekleivhornet is around three hours hike in total. It is 1,5 hours to reach the top and the return in an hour. At Mosekelivhornet, you will get a panoramic view of the ocean and Stad, Måløy, and even the Alps of Sunnmøre.
The hike can be performed from Dragseidet, Ervik & Hoddevik. If you want a local guide, I recommend Grete from Stad Nature Guiding.
Our Preferred Start-Point of the Hike to Moskeleivhornet
We stopped after Dragseidet, but right before descending to Hoddevik. Parking at the edge of the road at this SPOT. Crossing over the road to the right, and you will see the red pins sticking out, marking the way to Mosekleivhornet. This Route is around 4 kilometers one-way. Natural slope upwards to the mountain, it is no steep to walk like it is from Hoddevik.
Explore Stad at Ervik
If you feel that Hoddevik is too crowded, go to the neighbor village Ervik. The beach of Ervik is super eye-catching with white sand and excellent surf waves. Ervik also has camping opportunities. If you are surfing check out Ervik Surfshop.
Explore Hovden at Ervik
If you been around Stad, you will know that the crossing of the Stad Ocean is a crucial part of products going South and North of Stad. During the second world war, Stad was strategically essential to control, by this Nazi Germany started their operation at Hovden 1942-1943 and built tunnels as well as places for artillery to protect their ships crossing the Stad Ocean from airborne attacks.
The Folks that Controls the Stad Ocean also Control All Ocean Traffic in Norway
The Memorial of Sanct Svithun in Ervik
In the fall of 1943, during the second world war, the ship D/S Sanct Svithun got bombed by allied at Stad Ocean. More than 50 people died in the tragedy. People from Ervik were making a heroic effort to save as many lives as possible In 1970, a memorial chapel was constructed, and the bell from “Sanct Svithun us used at the church bell in the chapel.
Explore West Cape in Norway
Get back on the road and explore Norway’s westernmost mountain plateau in Norway. West Cape or as the locals call it Kjerringa. West Cape at Stad is 496 meters above the sea. The West Cape viewpoint is one of the most spectacular in Norway, with a 365-degree view, you will see Kråkenes Lighthouse, Stad and alps of Sunnmøre.
Why not dine with a view? The West Cape Restaurant invites for local food with seasonal vegetables on the menu.
The West Cape is One of the Most Spectacular View Points on the Coast of Norway.
Hike From Inner Fure to Outer Fure
Suppose you want a breath-taking coastal walk with spectacular nature and rich fauna. Then the hike from Inner Fure to Outer Fure is a hike for you to explore when being at Stad.
The Viking History of Dragseidet
Since the beginning of the Stad Ocean, it has been notorious for the dangers of the crossings with boats. In bad weather, ships might lie weather-bond to the North of South of Stad. In older days, if the waiting time were too long, the boats would be hauled over Stadlandet through the pass of Dragseidet.
The highest point is called Kongshaugen. In 997 on Kongshaugen, Olav Tryggvason summoned the landowning farmers from Sogn in the South to Romsdalen in the North to a meeting. In Snorre’s Tales of the Kings
(about1120 AD) we read: “When the king came to the moot, he offered them Christendom, as he had done elsewhere, and because the king had a great army with him, they were afraid and since the landowners said that it wasn’t wise to fight against the king, it was decided that the people should become Christian.”
St. Sunniva at Selja Island
Even before the Viking Age, the island of Selje south of West Cape was a relevant staging post. Boats sought shelter here in stormy weather, and over the years, Selje grew to be the most crucial port between Bergen and Trondheim. The story of St. Sunniva will always be associated with this beautiful little island. Just like Dragseidet, the ruined monastery from the 12th century holds a key place in Norwegian history. Our forefathers knew they could seek shelter at Stadhavet. The concept of a shipping tunnel through Stadlandet – a tunnel big enough for the biggest coastal steamers – remains very much alive.
Source of information: Visit Norway
The drive to Selje from Stad is around 35-45 minutes depending on your location at Stad. Every summer you can take the boat out to the Monastery of Selja.
More Places to Explore at Stad
The Postal Walk from Eltvik to Honningsvåg
The Postal Route from Eltvik to Honningsvåg or the other way can be done in a relatively easy walk and give you a perfect view of the two small villages placed on each end of the Stad Ocean. The road to Honningsvåg was built in 1933, and the drive to Eltvik was opened in 1959, to give the people of Eltvik access to the port in Borgundvåg.
The Spectacular Sea Cliff : Revjehornet
Revjehornet is about 426 meters above sea level. A hike to the top is recommended if you would like the 365-degree view of Stad, the fjord of Vanylven, and north to Sunnmøre – Ålesund.
The hike is relatively steep, but the reward is well worth the trek. When being on the top, you can easily see the village of Eltvik and out in the ocean, the lighthouse of Svinøy Island. It takes two hours for a round trip.
Storeneset at Eltvik & Second World War
If you are going to Eltvik, you will drive pas Storeneset, a strategic place during the Second World War. In 1942 Nazi Germany built a large fort with six French canons to protect and block the seaway to the fjord of Vanylven and to safeguard ships crossing the Stad Ocean.
There was probably a crew of about 127 persons, of these 26 officers. They lived in 9 barracks on the fort, guarded by barb wire and 2.456 mines. After the war, a German under-officer died during demining of the area.
Accommodation at Stad
Stad Hotell at Leikanger
Ervik Havfiske Group – Norway’s biggest longline company, has built Stad Hotell after several years of good fishing. Stad Hotell is located at Leikanger, which is the town center of the Stad peninsula. Hotell includes 32 rooms and the restaurant named Furebuda.
Stad Surfing at Hoddevik
Stad Surfing has a beachfront view of Hoddevik. I highly recommend them if you are going for surfing and yoga. Stad Surfing probably the hippest place to be in Hoddevik and Stad. They have stone-baked pizza and also an excellent coffee machine on site.
Also in Hoddevik, you have Lapoint Surf Camp and Akka Surf.
Hoddevik Beach Camping
If you want even closer to Beach at Hoddevik, I recommend Hoddevik Beach Camp and you can put up a tent or bring your campervan. They have toilet and shower facilities. Camping outside the camping area in Hoddevik is from 2020 forbidden.
Eltvik Camping
The neighbor village of Hoddevik is Eltvik, and also has a beautiful beach with camping on site. Toilet and shower facilities as well. Camping outside the camping area in Eltvik is from 2020 forbidden.
Explore Stad when Visiting Western Norway
If you want to feel the power of Mother Nature and it’s rawness, you should explore Stad and the scenic surroundings. Stad has sea eagles, ocean fishing, big waves, small waves, surfing, yoga, coastal hikes, and pristine nature. If you are planning 48 hours, you will have a short time exploring Stad, why not stay a week? Other close places to explore next to Stad are Ålesund, Måløy, and Bergen, and they are all located in Western Norway.
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