Torghatten – Brønnøysund

Torghatten on the island of Torget, just south of Brønnøysund, is the mountain with a hole right through it: a tunnel 160 metres long, 35 metres high and 15–20 metres wide, carved out by the sea thousands of years ago. A trail leads up to and through the hole, with a view out over the Helgeland coast on the other side.

The hike: from the large car park on the southeast side, by the visitor centre, the trail to the hole is easy – about 2,8 km each way with about 100 metres of ascent, 1–2 hours, partly on stone steps. Wear hiking shoes. If you want more, a steep and somewhat airy path climbs on to the summit (about 1,5 km each way, 250 metres up, 45–90 minutes). Walking through the hole is not recommended from November to March because of ice and falling rocks.

Local legend: Hestmannen, the Horseman, was chasing the maiden Lekamøya and shot an arrow at her. To save her, a troll king threw his hat in the way – the arrow went straight through it, and at that moment the sun rose and turned them all to stone. The hat is Torghatten, and the hole is where the arrow went through.

Tips for campers: Torghatten Camping with its beach restaurant lies by the mountain. Good to combine with the Vega archipelago and the coastal route through Helgeland.