Ålesund – Runde bird island (round trip)

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Ålesund - Hareid - Runde - Ålesund This tour by fast-speed ferry and bus takes you from Ålesund via Hareid and Fosnavåg to the bird island of Runde. The island is a popular destination all year round but is spectacular in the summer due to its teeming bird-life. Runde is located right at next to the ocean with about 150 permanent residents. In the season there are between 500,000 and 700,000 seabirds on the island, most of them live on the bird mountain. Around 80 species have been found breeding, and more than 230 species have been registered on the bird island. The bird mountain is the southernmost in Norway and is the most species-rich seabird area in the country. There is an active birdlife all year on the island, and in the winter you can study the toughest species, which thrive in the harsh and wild climate. It is also possible to see the colonies by hiking up the mountains along marked paths. It is important to remember that conservation regulations apply due to the vulnerable nature. The area is fantastic for diving and fishing, and also offer great opportunities for hiking. https://travellikethelocals.trekksoft.com/en_GB/activity/57135/rundtur-til-fugleoya-runde

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Points of interest

#1

Ålesund high-speed ferry terminal

You are now arriving at Ålesund high-speed ferry terminal and Skateflua, which is a traffic hub in Ålesund. From here, a boat goes to Hareid and the neighbouring islands, and buses to whichever destination you choose. A stone’s throw away lies the ferry quay, the starting point for an exploration of a large portion of the beautiful Norwegian coastline. Walking right out of the terminal will take you straight into what is arguably Norway’s most beautiful town. The sight that greets you here is a mixture of Art Nouveau architecture and twisting waterways. The whole town was almost lost in the dramatic fire of 1904, but the determined citizens received help to rebuild it, stone by stone, in a style inspired by the Art Nouveau movement of the time. In the area around Skateflua, you will find several renowned restaurants and stately hotels, in addition to malls and shops. We recommend a trip with phone guiding around the harbours and Brosundet, whether you’re interested in the history of the town, the best routes for children, or war history.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#2

Boat traffic hub

The area we are now passing is a hub for local boat traffic. We find ourselves right between Breidsundet, Valderhaugfjorden, Heissafjorden (leading into Borgundfjorden) and the inlet to Sulafjorden and Storfjorden. From this point, you can access the whole of Sunnmøre, or the rest of our magnificent planet, if you so wish. The county of Møre and Romsdal contains 88 of the country’s 1732 named fjords. The innermost part of Storfjorden becomes the Geirangerfjord, where the waterfall ‘Frieren’ proposes to the ‘Seven Sisters’. This fjord is on Unesco’s world heritage list for culture and nature. There has been boat traffic here since man first mastered the seas. During the Viking Age, longships and ‘knarrs’ (merchant ships) frequented Borgundkaupangen in Ålesund. In the museum there, you can see a faithful reproduction of a Viking ship. During WW2, the Germans positioned batteries at Hessa and Hareidlandet in order to defend the area.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#3

Kvitneset coastal defence battery

We are now passing Kvitneset battery at Hareidlandet. The German occupation of Norway during World War II brought the war to the Norwegian people, and has left traces in folk memory and on the landscape. In Hareid, the Germans built fortifications at Kvitneset. These were fairly extensive structures, and included, among other things, 9 gun enplacements, 19 barracks, 4 bunkers and much more. Building work started in the spring of 1941, and at its height there were 140 men working here. Many Norwegians were employed in building the fortifications - unemployment had been high in Sunnmøre before the occupation, so the opportunity to earn money proved too tempting for many. More than 50 people were convicted of abetting the occupying forces in trials after the war. From 1942, Russian prisoners of war were used as forced labour at Kvitneset. A prison camp with 4 barracks was built just south of the fortifications, where up to 105 prisoners lived during the construction period. The fortress was part of 'Festung Norwegen', which was in turn a part of the Atlantic Wall defences that stretched along large parts of the European coast facing the Atlantic Ocean, from the North Cape to the Bay of Biscay. Today, most of these positions are still visible despite some being ruined and overgrown. Today, the area is a popular hiking area that also provides pasture for sheep. At Kvitneset you can experience history, nature, sea air and fantastic sunsets, and watch the big waves rolling in from the ocean on stormy days.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#4

Ferries

You can probably see one or two ferries on the fjord right now. Between Hareid and the Sulesund ferry quay at Sula, there are two to three ferries plying these routes at all times. Since ancient times, the Norwegians have been a seafaring people. Today, people in western and northern Norway are particularly dependent on car ferries, as the fjords cut deep into the landscape and make it impossible - or at least difficult - to travel directly up or down the coast. Especially in Western Norway, where there are so many long fjords, travelers depend on the ferry to get around. In this fjord alone, there are at least 6 ferry routes, if one includes the smaller fjord inlets. Most ferries and speedboats run so often that queueing is rarely an issue. In addition to regular ferry services, several boat companies offer fjord cruises. A ferry trip on the idyllic fjords of Sunnmøre is a unique experience. There are about 130 ferry connections in Norway, and ferries are a major part of the Norwegian transport system. 20 million vehicles and 40 million passengers are transported annually on Norwegian car ferries.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#5

Hareid

You are now in the centre of Hareid. The municipality of the same name is one of two municipalities on the island of Hareidlandet, and is home to well over 5,000 inhabitants. Most of them live in the idyllic villages of Hareid, Hjørungavåg, Bigset or Brandal. Here you will find a beautiful, varied coastal landscape, exciting history, one of the most beautiful beaches in Sunnmøre and lots of friendly people. Hareid has a rich history. A number of prehistoric finds have been made, dating all the way back to the Stone Age, and dramatic Viking history took place here, including the battle of Hjørungavåg. Brandal is home to the Arctic Ocean Museum, which relates the proud Arctic history of the village. Kvitneset, at the mouth of the fjord, is interesting historically - the Germans built coastal defences there with the help of Russian prisoners of war during World War II. The area has a diverse business community with close links to maritime industry. Voluntary organizations contribute significantly to the rich cultural and outdoor life of the area, to the benefit of both residents and tourists.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#6

Hareidlandet

Hareidlandet comprises the municipalities of Ulstein and Hareid. The towns of Hareid and Ulsteinvik dominate the island, which have bridge connection swith Dimna and Eika in Ulstein and with Gurskøya across the Dragsund bridge. In the south, the island is connected to the mainland by a bridge to Eika and a tunnel to Ørsta / Volda. The Eiksund tunnel runs 287 metres below sea level and is the world's second deepest underwater road tunnel. There are several gems scattered around the island - Brandal, Hjørungavåg and Flø are exciting towns that offer beautiful landscapes, inviting sandy beaches, magical mountains, and a rich history. The harsh island climate has fostered hardy and efficient people since the Viking Age. Ever since the battle of Hjørungavåg, and right up to the present day, the islanders have shown an aptitude for productivity and development. There is world-class industry here as well a growing tourism sector. The island has also produced several international sports stars, most notably long-time professional and national team coach Åge Hareide and several times world champion and world record holder, hurdler Karsten Warholm.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#7

Grimstad lake

We now pass Grimstadvatnet, which is a nutrient-rich lake with a clear surface, lush surrounding vegetation, and adjacent bog areas. The lake is home to a colony of hooded gulls and offers a pleasant habitat for overwintering and resting wetland birds. The lake is one of the island's treasures, a place where locals and tourists can enjoy birdsong and the rustling of the wind in scenic surroundings. In summer, you can hear the sound of children splashing and laughing at the beach Raudsanden, which is located at the end of the lake. The beach is named after the red sand at its bottom. From the mouth of the river Hareidselva there is a landscaped nature trail that winds all the way down to the village. This is a fantastic area for hiking, and it also hosts a running race, 'Grimstadvatnet rundt'. In winter, the surface ice often freezes thick enough to tempt children and adults to get their ice skates on. In winter you can also see overwintering song swans, with their characteristic orange and black beaks, in the ice-free zones.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#8

New and old Høddvoll

We are now driving past New Høddvoll Stadium, home ground of the legendary football team Hødd. They were named Norwegian Champions in 2012 after beating Tromsø. Hødd has hovered in and around the Norwegian Elite Series since the 1960s and has had well-known national players such as Kjetil Hasund, Åge Hareide and Jan Åge Fjørtoft in its stable. Hødd's fan club, 'Blåsarane', supports their team through thick and thin. New Høddvoll was opened in 2015, replacing the old grounds, which were opened in 1963 and are located opposite. The audience record is an incredible 12,000 spectators, and almost the entire island's population showed up in 1981 in a cup match against Oslo club Vålerenga. That particular match ended in a loss for Hødd, but they have always been a formidable team at home games. ('Heimebane' - 'home ground' - was also the name of a popular NRK TV drama in 2018, and it was filmed in Ulsteinvik and Høddvoll.)

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#9

Inner Herøy Church

Not many people know that the Norwegian Seaman’s Mission, or the Norwegian Church abroad, began its work in Tjørvåg in Herøy in Sunnmøre. Sevrine Klungsøyr visited Bergen in the summer of 1864 and discovered that there was a need for a Norwegian Seaman’s Mission. Sevrine was quick to act, and when she returned home, women gathered for the very first meeting of the Norwegian Seaman’s Mission, before the organisation was officially founded. With her husband and five sons at sea, Sevrine knew all about what it meant to have her loved ones absent – and what it meant to lose them. Three of her sons died at sea. Outside Inner Herøy Church is a memorial to Sevrine Klungsøyr. Another memorial has been erected to commemorate the sea as a hard master and the tragedy in the Arctic Ocean. 79 people from Troms and Sunnmøre died when seven fishing ships sunk in Vestisen in a violent hurricane in 1952. One of the ships was MS Pels from Tjørvåg. The ships went down, and the entire crew disappeared. The church also has a monument dedicated to those who gave their lives for their country in World War II.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#10

Dimnøya island

Dimnøya is a beautiful, larger island with lush vegetation and lovely beaches curving around beautiful bays. There are well over 1000 enterprising inhabitants, who are proud of their island, its nature and not least the world-famous industrial giant Kleven, which is based at the far end of the headland towards Ulsteinvik. This shipyard has a history that stretches back many decades. Throughout this time, its employees' work ethic and continual search for improved methods and results have been their hallmark. A road runs around the island, winding its way between small idyllic villages. Here, you can also explore Norway's most exciting hiking trail for children, 'Uglesetra', along which families with children can walk in beautiful nature with delightful views of the ocean, in search of animals, or trolls that are hidden in the trees, behind rocks or under stumps. Boat owners love Dimnøya! Sailing around the island among the countless small skerries, islands and islets in summer is an experience to cherish.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#11

Dragsund bridge

We are now on Dragsund bridge, which connects the islands of Hareidlandet and Gurskøya. The small towns of Dragsund and Myrvåg overlap and are located in Herøy municipality, surrounded by fjords. There are a few hundred permanent residents, and there is also a large industrial area. From the bridge you can catch a glimpse of Ulsteinvik behind beautiful Dimnøya, and if you look the opposite way, you will see Haddal and Haddalshornet rising to 607 metres above sea level, and the magical Sunnmør alps in the distance. There is another historical coastal gem to be found among the Sunnmøre skerries. Kjeldsund, a former trading post and inn, dates from the 17th century. Today it is mostly used to teach schoolchildren about coastal history. The first bridge over Dragsundet was built in 1875. That bridge was movable, and laid out only when needed so as to allow boat traffic to pass freely. Today's bridge was built in 1953 and the strait deepened by 4 metres. During World War II the bridge was of strategic importance, and in 1942 fighting broke out when Norwegian soldiers were sent to secure the area in order to allow MTBs to sink a German cargo ship in the Syvdefjord. A German non-commissioned officer was killed, but the Norwegian boats did not succeed in crossing the strait. Later, the guard was heavily reinforced and firing positions were established on each side of the bridge.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#12

HERØYBRUA BRIDGE

It’s like an elegant, giant tiara in concrete, soaring high and free through the air. The longest stretch is 170 metres, and with 32 metres of sail height, even large ships can pass underneath. It is this concrete structure that is referred to as Herøybrua, but in folklore the name also refers to the almost 2.5-kilometre long stretch of bridges, rock fills and the road that cuts through islets and reefs. This could be because the this area in itself constitutes a bridge to the inner and outer parts of the municipality, a bridge that meant that the vast majority of the inhabitants had ferry-free movements in between the neighbouring communities. But this particular bridge belongs to a new era. Now we can only reminisce about endless ferry queues, and the old ferry so packed that the cars hung over the edge. And while we're at it, lets not forget the little kiosk with Alf the friendly ticket man who sold us paper tickets, or the local party in 1976, when King Olav opened the bridge, and the helicopter he arrived in made the red carpet float into the sky. But Herøybrua is not there for reminiscing. It marked a crucial step into the future for people in Havlandet.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#13

RUNDEBRUA BRIDGE

Herøy is the bridge municipality. Ten bridges link the islands in the municipality together, and the king of the bridges is Rundebrua, which is right by the ocean. Once the wind was so strong here that it turned over a lorry. Fortunately the railings stopped the lorry from going any further and the lorry driver survived. Sometimes the sea fills the road with rocks and water. As you cross, look out for the small holes at the bottom of the side walls, which serve as outlets for the sea when there is flooding. Sundet under Rundebrua are good fishing spots, and you rarely see fishermen at the top of the bridge. If you happen to get a catch, you can only hope that the fish has latched on well because you'll need to carry it twenty metres back up.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#14

REMØYBRUA BRIDGE

A jetboat used to sail a fixed route between the islands, transporting people, mail and goods. Many had their own motorboat or rowing boat. The car went on to change people's habits and caused the islanders to rethink their lives. Even before the Second World War, the islanders had wanted to build bridges between the islands. But it would take a while, and it wasn't until March 1967 that you could drive across Remøybrua bridge. It was a long-awaited moment. Several people on Remøya had cars before the bridge arrived, despite the fact that they could only drive on the two kilometres of gravel road on the island. In September of the following year, there was an official joint opening together with Nerlandsøybrua, the twin bridge a little further south

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#15

RUNDE ENVIRONMENT CENTRE

Local fishermen know the ocean like the back of their hand. When this knowledge meets the research environment, exciting things start to happen. And that’s probably the idea behind Runde Environment Centre. The goal of the Environmental Centre is to raise more awareness about Mørefeltet, a key maritime area outside Runde. It is known as the rainforest of the sea and is one of the largest biological processes on the planet. This is an important breeding area for herring, cod and other species that live in the sea. One percent of all fish that are fished in the world are born outside Runde, and the herring roe that lies beyond the seabed here has a weight of two to three times the entire population of Norway. Runde Environment Centre is an international environmental research station, a communication centre and a location used for courses, seminars and conferences. Visitors include researchers, tourists and locals who want to see the exhibition about the Runde treasure, the rich collection of seabirds, or learn more about the Mørefeltet, the ocean’s rain forest.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

Ålesund – Runde bird island (round trip)

Points of interest