Drive it Yourself: The Coastal Road Day 4 – Sandnessjøen – Forøy

The Coastal Road that runs from Brønnøysund to Bodø is one of Norway’s 18 national tourist roads. At 433km (269 mi), it is also the longest of all the tourist roads. You can’t do it in one day: some websites will recommend up to a week. In June 2021 Sean (the husband) and I did the coastal road in three days. It definitely felt quick and we couldn’t make all the detours we wanted, but we did it!

I’ve put together a guide breaking down the coastal road. My guide includes the history & everyday life of the region, plus options for your own customisations. 

Kystriksveien vs. Helgelandskysten

The road has two names, and this can be pretty confusing. Kystriksveien begins in Steinkjer just outside Trondheim and provides more options for detours to the islands. 

On the other hand, Helgelandskysten begins in Holm just south of Brønnøysund, where my guide begins. It features more-so on the one highway, known as the Fv17. 

When driving the road, the brown tourist signs will follow the path of the Helgelandskysten national tourist road, which is on the Fv17. However, you can get a free guide online for the Kystriksveien. 

Both roads end in Bodø. 

Highlights of today’s section

  • This stretch of the road is pure nature: there aren’t many towns or settlements that we pass today, but the scenery is absolutely stunning.
  • On one of the ferries, we cross the Arctic Circle! You will see a marker to indicate where the Arctic Circle is.
  • For those interested in World War II history, we pass one of the remaining coastal forts: Grønsvik

In this article...

Download this Guide

All of our guides can be downloaded via our online store. 

We offer downloadable versions of our self-guided drives on our online store. 

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Online Guide

  • Information about points of interest
  • Images of each point of interest
  • Historic overview of the neighbourhood
  • Directions between points
  • Historic photos
  • Information about facilities along the way

Downloadable Guide

  • Information about points of interest
  • Images of each point of interest
  • Historic overview of the region & towns
  • Directions between points
  • Historic photos
  • Facilities including supermarkets, toilets, petrol, hotels, cafes, restaurants with addresses.

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All of our roadtrips are available on YouTube to watch. They include information about the area provided in text and voiceover form, plus they show the drive in full (sped up in some spots!) so you can get an idea what the drive is like. 

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The drive: Sandnessjøen to Forøy

Sandnessjøen

Sandnessjøen is a small town on Norway’s coast. Here you’ll find a cosy town centre, some incredible murals, and even some Viking history!

Sandnessjøen Travel Guide

Helgeland Bridge

Bridge

The Helgeland Bridge is a cable-stayed bright that crosses the Leirfjorden between the mainland and the island of Alsta (where Sandnessjøen is).

Facts:

  • Built 1989 – 1991
  • Officially opened in July 1991
  • Construction cost 200 million kr
  • Was a toll bridge until 23 June 2005
  • 1,065m (3,494ft) long
  • 12 spans – the longest is 425m (1394ft)
  • Maximum clearance below the sea is 45m (148ft)
  • Foundations extend to a depth of 31m (102ft)
  • In 2010, it was named Norway’s most beautiful bridge

Leirfjord

Population (2020): 2294

Population density 5.1 inhabitants per square kilometre (13 sq/mi).

Population has increased by 7.2% over the previous 10 years.

The name comes from the Leirfjorden. The old name of the fjord is probably just Leiri, derived from the river Leira, which has its mouth at the end of the fjord. Leirr means ‘clay’. The Leirfjord is 20km (12 mi) long.

The coat of arms represents forestry and agriculture in the municipality. Those are the main industries, along with fish processing.

Levang - Nesna Ferry

Ferry

Levang is a small settlement. We are here to take the ferry to Nesna. 
Timetable (PDF)

Nesna

Nesna is a small town with a population of 1761 spread over the municipality. The town has a long history of education, and one of the first higher education centres for teachers was here. The college, Nesna University College, is still in the town.

Nesna Church is from 1880, though the earliest existing church is from 1589. Nesna is one of the ports of call on the Hurtigruten: the northbound ferry arrives at 5:30pm and the southbound at 11:15pm.

Roadside Stops

Scenic Overlooks

The stretch of road between Nesna and Myklebustad is gorgeous. The best photo stops are on the opposite side of the road, and the best views are behind you. Trust your instinct and stop as much as possible!

Rana Municipality

This is the third largest municipality in Northern Norway (4,460km2 or 1,720 sq mi).

Population 26,083 (2021) with a population density of 6.2 inhabitants per sq km (16/sq mi).

Population has increased by 3.6% over the past 10 years.

Most of the population lives in Mo i Rana.

The name Rana is either Norse or Sami origin. It may come from the Norse river name Raðund, with Raðr meaning ‘fast’. The name is also associated with the Ume Sami legend of Sala Niejta (“daughter of the sun”) and Rana Niejta (“daughter of the earth”). In that case, Rana was the summer’s green ground for the reindeer husbandry. A Sami settlement near the Swedish border was called “Ranbyen”.

The municipality is located just south of the Arctic circle, on the southern side of the Saltfjellet mountains. The main city Mo i Rana is so close to the Arctic Circle that parts of the sun are continuously over the horizon from early June to early July. There is no true polar night, though. There is often a lot of snow here in the winter, while summer days are among the warmest in Northern Norway.

Rana municipality is rich in iron ore and has an industrial history dating back to 1799. The coat-of arms represent the forest (green) and the wealth of minerals (yellow). The Mo Industrial Park is from 1991 and was a result of the restructuring of the Norwegian Ironworks.

Sjona Church

Church

On the right is Sjona Church. This church is from 1896 and was built as a small chapel. In 2003, the chapel was upgraded to full parish church status. It seats about 170 people. 

Lurøy Municipality

The municipality has a population of 1,890 with a density of 7.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (19/sq mi). The population has decreased by 0.5% over the last 10 years.

Lurøy municipality is located just south of the Arctic Circle. The Lurøygården farm on the island of Lurøya is more than 200 years old and has a renaissance-style garden.

Stokkvågen

Village

Stokkvågen is where you can take a ferry out to the islands that are part of Lerøy municipality. You don’t take a ferry here – keep going straight!

Grønsvik Coastal Fort

Historic Site

The Grønsvik coastal fort was built by Soviet prisoners of war in the period 1942 to 1945 as part of the Atlantic Wall. The Atlantic Wall was designed to protect the German occupied territory from the British and American attacks.

The main task of the fort was to defend the fjord areas towards Mo i Rana and Mosjøen, thus protecting the main road (now the E6) and the Nordlandsbanen (Nordland Railway) from attack.

The main equipment at the Grønsvik fortress was four 155mm field cannons of French origin. The fort had ship cannons and could follow sea targets.

After the war, the fort was subject to major damage. Most of the equipment was repurposed, while the cannons were melted down.

Today it has been partly rebuilt and is now a museum. The exhibitions inside educated about World War II in this part of Norway. Outside you can follow marked trails to explore the ruins of the fort. There are information boards explaining what everything was. There is a memorial to the 77 Soviet and 65 Polish prisoners of war who were forced to participate in the construction of the fort.

The indoor exhibitions are open in summer, while the surrounding area is open and free to walk around throughout the year.

Kleivhalsen

Scenic Overlook

Park your car here and walk up the hill to get some amazing photos.

Kilborghavn - Jektvik

Ferry

The ferry journey takes a little over an hour. Normally the staff onboard will announce when you cross the Arctic Circle, and you’ll see the globe by the water!


Timetable (PDF)

Ågskardet - Forøy

Ferry

It’s time for the last ferry of the day! This ferry takes you to Forøy, where the day’s tour ends. 

We spent the night at a nearby campground before continuing north to our final destination, Bodø. 


Timetable (PDF)

Continue the drive

Norway's Coastal Road Part 5: Forøy to Bodø

Be sure to take the final stretch of the Coastal Road, which goes all the way to Bodø.

Forøy to Bodø

Previous Route

Norway's Coastal Road Part 3: Brønnøysund - Sandnessjøen

The previous day, we drove from Brønnøysund to Sandnessjøen on the second part of the coastal road. 

Brønnøysund to Sandnessjøen

This drive is part of the multi-day series “From Trondheim to the Lofoten Islands & Back Again”, where we travel from Trondheim to Lofoten via the Coastal Road, and then take the E6 back south to Trondheim. You can view the entire drive below. 

From Trondheim to the Lofoten Islands

If you liked this drive, or if you have any travel tips, please leave a comment in the section below!