Drive it Yourself: The Coastal Road Day 2 – Namsos to Brønnøysund
This is part two of Norway’s coastal road.
Namsos is a historic timber trading town. The city was founded officially in 1845 and played a prominent role in the 19th century timber export trade of Norway. The city suffered two devastating fires at the end of the 19th century and was heavily bombed during World War II, but still retains a lovely charm and some interesting historic sites.
Latitude: 64.2 degrees north
Population: 15,000
Namsos Municipality
Here are some things that you must do and try in Namsos
This museum pays homage to the disproportionately large numbers of artists from Namsos who have made it big in music.
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Namsos
The Namsdal Museum is an open-air museum with 24 buildings collected from around the region, including a schoolhouse and a blacksmithery. In the summer months you’ll find guides and shops here.
Before World War II, there were seven sawmills around Namsos. This one (Spillum Dampsag & Hoyler) has survived and is noted as being the first place in Norway to make prefabricated houses. The visitor centre has displays about the industry and how the timber was floated down the river.
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are my recommendations!
This easy 20 minute walk gives you a lookout over the town. A third of the way up, a sign identifies a track to some WWII Nazi bunkers.
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Namsos
The Coastal Road is the longest of Norway’s 18 national tourist roads, and covers the length from Trondheim to Bodø.
No self-guided walks are currently available for Namsos
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Namsos
The location by the river and the large forests made the town ideal for sawmills. There were eleven sawmills in their heyday, but today only one remains.
Namsos was declared a town in 1845.
The town has been severely affected by fire three times: 1872, 1897 and then during World War II when the town was bombed by the Nazis on 20 April 1940.
The Namsos river is one of the richest salmon rivers in Europe.
Namsos has a hospital that serves the entire region.
Fly: Namsos Airport has direct flights to Oslo, Trondheim and small towns along the central coast.
Drive: County road 17 runs through the area. This is the road that becomes the Coastal Road, one of Norway’s 18 national tourist roads.
Train: No train access
Ferry: No ferry access.
Namsos town centre is walkable.
Cafes & Bakeries
Hamstad Bakericafe – traditional bakery in Namsos with delicious fresh bred and coffee.
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
Mintage Sushi – Nordic-Asian fusion restaurant with sushi and warm Asian dishes.
Onkel Oskar – English-style pub with tasty food and relaxed setting.
High End & Unique Eats
All my hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. I don’t recommend somewhere unless I think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences.
Camping
Namsos Camping is a well-kept campsite next to a lake.
Cabins & B&Bs
High End & Unique Properties
Sunrise: 9:45am
Sunset: 3:01pm
Average Temperature: -1.5C (29F)
Sunrise: 8:12am
Sunset: 4:45pm
Average Temperature: -2.1C (28F)
Sunrise: 6:34am
Sunset: 6:13pm
Average Temperature: -0.1C (32F)
Sunrise: 5:42am
Sunset: 8:47pm
Average Temperature: 4C (39F)
Sunrise: 3:57am
Sunset: 10:26pm
Average Temperature: 7.9C (46F)
Sunrise: 2:35am
Sunset: 11:54pm
Average Temperature: 11.5C (53F)
Sunrise: 3:20am
Sunset: 11:16pm
Average Temperature: 15C (59F)
Sunrise: 5:01am
Sunset: 9:33pm
Average Temperature: 14.2C (58F)
Sunrise: 6:35am
Sunset: 7:41pm
Average Temperature: 10.3C (50.5F)
Sunrise: 8:04am
Sunset: 5:54pm
Average Temperature: 4.9C (41F)
Sunrise: 8:44am
Sunset: 3:11pm
Average Temperature: 1.5C (35F)
Sunrise: 10:07am
Sunset: 2:10pm
Average Temperature: -1C (30F)
This is part two of Norway’s coastal road.
Drive it Yourself: Trondheim to Namsos on the E6 Welcome to my guide for the drive between Trondheim and Namsos. This drive primarily takes place