Brønnøysund - Torghatten bus

Welcome to this bus tour that takes you from the lively coastal town of Brønnøysund to one of Norway’s most famous attractions, Torghatten. Along the way, you’ll get to know the town, the islands, and the people who live here on the outer edge of the Helgeland coast. The journey takes about 25 minutes, depending on traffic. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

Right now, you are actually located in the very middle of Norway. If you look toward the sound, you can see the marble marker showing that it is exactly 840 kilometers in a straight line both to the North Cape in the north and to Lindesnes in the south. Like many coastal towns in Norway, Brønnøysund has opened its waterfront to the public. Areas that once held industry and warehouses are now designed for recreation, art, and local experiences. We are now passing the promenade and the footbridge leading to the new Folkeparken, with its three striking and beautiful steel “sails” used for play, gatherings, and cultural events. Out in the sound behind the park lies the small islet Åbåskjæret with its distinctive stone sculpture—a massive monkfish rising from the deep. It is called Steinar Breiflabb and symbolizes both the coastal culture and the mystery of the sea, reminding us of how essential the ocean has always been for life here in Brønnøysund.

We are now passing Brønnøy Church, one of the most prominent buildings in Brønnøysund. It was built in 1870, constructed in stone on the foundations of earlier churches that have stood here since the 1100s. Throughout the centuries, the church has served as an important gathering place for people along the Helgeland coast. On the opposite side, you can see the old vicarage. Brønnøysund has long been known as a lively trading post and a natural stop for both road and sea travelers along the coast. But the history of this place stretches much further back—more than 10,000 years—and already in Viking times, the sound here was a natural crossroads along the coastal route. The name Brønnøysund comes from the old days, when this really was an island. Seafarers knew they could find spring water—brønn—on the islands around the sound. Hence the name: Brønn – øy – sund, meaning “well – island – sound.” Later, the shallow area between the island and the mainland was filled in, and today the former island is classified as a peninsula.

The town has always been closely connected to the sea, but a growing business sector, increasing tourism, and later the oil industry created a need for faster transport options. The airport we are now passing was established in 1968 and is part of Norway’s regional short-runway network, developed through political decisions aimed at improving infrastructure in rural areas. The standard runway length on this short-runway network is 800 meters, while a regular airport runway is typically at least 2,000 meters. The airport also includes a helicopter base serving the oil installations in the Norwegian Sea, especially the Norne oil Field.

We will soon cross the Brønnøysund Bridge, which connects the islands to the mainland. The bridge is an impressive structure, opened in 1979, and stretches more than 550 meters. From here, you get a fantastic view of the island landscape, with its 10,045 islands, islets, and skerries scattered across the sea. This mosaic of land and water is what gives the Helgeland coast its unique character—a landscape that both protects and challenges, and that in calm weather seems endless. If you look to the north, you can see the island of Ylvingen, known from the TV series Himmelblå. West of it lies the Vega archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where people have lived in harmony with nature for more than a thousand years. Far to the north, you may glimpse the mountain range known as The Seven Sisters. If you turn your gaze southward, you can see Sømna, the island of Leka, and not least the destination of our journey: Torghatten. It is part of the UNESCO Trollfjell Geopark, which encompasses the entire panorama you see from the bridge—spectacular nature shaped by the ice ages, filled with stories about the landscape and the people who have lived here since the last Ice Age.

The sea has always been our most important source of food. Out here, where saltwater meets mountains, people have gathered fish, shellfish, and seaweed for thousands of years. Today, the same continues—supported by modern technology and knowledge that help make the ocean a sustainable resource for the future. On the other side of the island, at Toft, you’ll find the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre, an experience and knowledge centre that shows how aquaculture has grown into one of Norway’s most important export industries. This is also where Campus Blå is located—a school and competence centre for the “blue sector,” dedicated to education and training connected to the sea and marine industries. The centre is a popular destination for visitors. You can walk out to the floating exhibition facility, enjoy fresh salmon on the pier, or stay overnight in a traditional fisherman’s cabin or the atmospheric waterfront hotel. Many choose to paddle a kayak at sunset or simply enjoy the quiet as the sea sparkles around the islands. The Norwegian Aquaculture Centre and Campus Blå demonstrate how tradition, technology, and competence development go hand in hand. Here you can experience the coastal culture of the future—a place where the sea still provides life, but also offers space for learning, recreation, and inspiration.

You have now learned a bit about the history, the spectacular nature, and the people who have held on out here for thousands of years—long before Gutenberg, Google, or ChatGPT existed. They saw the same things you see today. Beautiful nature! But what happened when the days never became bright, and the mountains faded into vague silhouettes while the Northern Lights flickered across the sky? That opened the door for imagination—and for a touch of childhood guidance. Torghatten, with its hole through the mountain, and many other natural formations have fascinated people from the very beginning. They inspired tales and legends, both above and beneath land and sea. These stories were carried by word of mouth for thousands of years and were eventually written down in one form or another. They entertained both young and old, but there was almost always a moral hidden within—warnings or guidance for children about what might happen if they broke the rules of society, especially by venturing into dangerous or unknown places.

UNESCO has selected Brønnøysund and the surrounding region as one of the most valuable coastal landscapes in the world. This is no coincidence. Here you find a unique meeting between nature, history, and lived coastal culture—so distinctive that the international community believes it must be preserved for the future. Out at the edge of the sea lie the Vega Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For over a thousand years, people here have practiced eider farming, a gentle tradition in which small houses are built for the eider ducks, and the soft down is collected only after the birds have left their nests. UNESCO highlights this practice as a rare example of sustainable interaction between humans and nature. Brønnøysund is also part of the Trollfjell UNESCO Global Geopark, an area that shows how ice ages, volcanic processes, and the movements of the seafloor have shaped this landscape over tens of thousands of years. Here you can find mountains that resemble trolls, ancient ocean floors, and geology that tells the story of our planet. At the heart of this landscape rises Torghatten, one of Norway’s most iconic mountains. The famous hole cutting straight through the rock makes it a natural focal point—both in the geopark and in local legends. It has fascinated people for generations, and there is a very special story about how that hole came to be.

Now you will finally hear the correct, fact-based version of the legend of the hole in Torghatten – the one officially told in this region. Long ago, there were two mighty troll kings in northern Nordland. One had seven unruly daughters, and the other was the father of the notorious son Hestmannen, a troll boy known for his fierce temper. One day, the seven sisters were baking troll flatbread together with their cousin Lekamøya. After a long day they went out for a midnight swim. They should not have done that, for Hestmannen was lying in wait. When he caught sight of the beautiful Lekamøya, he became instantly obsessed and gave chase. All eight maidens fled south along the Helgeland coast. The King of Sømna watched the drama unfold from his mountains. Near Sandnessjøen, the seven sisters had to give up, but Lekamøya continued alone, with Hestmannen right behind her. Finally, Hestmannen realized he could not catch her. In his rage, he decided that if he could not have her, no one else should either. He raised his bow, drew the arrow, and aimed at Lekamøya. At that moment, the Sømna king intervened. He hurled his enormous hat into the air to protect her. The arrow shot straight through the hat, creating a great hole—the very same hole you see in Torghatten today. Lekamøya ran on and managed to leap to safety on the island of Leka. At the same time, the sun rose. And as all trolls knew: the moment sunlight touched them, they turned to stone. Thus Hestmannen, the kings, the sisters, and the hat all became the mountains and islands scattered along the Helgeland coast. And that, according to the locals, is the unvarnished truth.

We are now approaching Torghatten. The mountain rises to 258 meters, and the hole itself is 160 meters long, 35 meters high, and 20 meters wide. Some researchers claim that the hole was created during the Ice Age. Ice and water slowly carved their way through the softer rock layers, while the harder rock at the top of the mountain resisted the erosion. You are free to believe whichever story you prefer—but we wish you a wonderful hike, and welcome you back on the bus afterward. When you return, you can download a new tour filled with fresh stories about the local people, the landscape, and the kings and queens who have passed through this region.