The archipelago of Austevoll offers a great outing for the whole family. With child-friendly hikes, shallow sandy beaches and mystical paths, everything is ready for a nice day trip from Bergen by car.
Distance: 41 km each direction + ferry
Driving time: 1 hour and 35 minutes one way. (3 hours and 10 minutes round trip)
Best time of year: Austevoll can be visited all year round, but spring, summer and autumn are best for outdoor activities.
Exploring the Bergen region by car is perfect as a day trip. Get the whole family in the car and head south from Bergen to Bekkjarvik in Austevoll municipality, a great start of an amazing day. From the center of Bergen you drive to Krokeide ferry quay in just over half an hour. The crossing with the ferry takes 35 minutes, and from Hufthamar on the other side it takes 25 minutes to drive to Bekkjarvik.
Bekkjarvik in the municipality Austevoll. Photo: Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri
Kongskleiva and the trolls by "Berget det Blå"
The new stairs up Kongskleiva - called "Kongsen" by locals - is a popular hike for both young and old. Behind Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri you follow the signs past the school and kindergarten. The stone stairs meander up the terrain between heather and juniper, and quick children's feet move swiftly upwards.
Photo: Visit Bergen
Along the hike are small nice motivational messages, probably just as much for the adults! (Snart oppe mean "almost up"). At the top, which is at the height of Himmelbjerget, one of the tallest moutains in Denmark, you get a beautiful view of Austevoll and the sea. (Norwegians joke about this, because it is not really considered a mountain in norway, more like just a hill..!)
Photo: Visit Bergen
And when you are on the top, remember to look down to the ground and onto the pile of stone. This is a burial mound from the Stone Age.
If you have younger children who do not want to walk all the way to "Kongsen", Trollskogen (Troll forest) and the wooden trolls in Berget det Blå near the kindergarten is a great alternative.
Photo: Visit Bergen
Picnic, barbecue or restaurant?
Back down at sea level, it's time for lunch. On the new walkway along the shore, a barbecue area has been set up close to the church. If one of the adults wants to show off their barbecue skills, this is a great spot with a nice view of the sea. If, on the other hand, the whole family wants to take a well-deserved rest and have their food served, Smakeriet Burgerbar on Bekkjarvik Torg is an excellent alternative. As the name suggests, burgers are of course on the menu, but they also have other tasty dishes. The children's menu, which includes pencils for drawing, is a hit among the youngest. Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri also offers lunch, both in the restaurant or as a picnic basket with food from local producers. The latter must be ordered in advance.
Walk a nautical mile
By Vinnesvatnet on Huftarøy, a gravel road of exactly 1852 meters has been built around the lake. This is the length of one nautical mile, and reflect the importance of the maritime in the municipality. By the way, did you know that a knot equals one nautical mile per hour? With a fast pace, the hike is done in approx. 20 minutes, but there are several reasons to slow down a knot or three.
Lake Vinnesvannet. Photo: Visit Bergen
Along the trail there are bridges and climbing obstacles that are fun for children. However, even adults might feel a few butterflies in the stomack when venturing out on the moving bridges!
If you walk over the completely stable and massive suspension bridge to the small island that has been named Greenland, a barbecue hut has been set up with the possibility of barbecuing both inside and outside.
Photo: Visit Bergen
There are lots of trees along the water, which are perfect for hammocking, an increasingly popular trend in Norway. Relax while watching the children play in the water, with nature's bird chorus in the background.
On one of the detours off the gravel road you will find an animal trail, where the trail is marked with various animal figures in wood as signs. If you choose to follow the path all the way up through the forest, you end up at Veten (212 masl), but it is possible to only walk parts of the hike in search of animal signs.
If you visit Austevoll on a day the evenings are not as bright as in summer, the road around the lake is lit by lamp posts. You can also bring a flashlight and walk the reflector hike for a diffrent hiking experience.
Boat trip and ice cream, and maybe a dip in the sea?
If the children are more keen on boats than hiking, the local boat M/S Tjelden can take you to some of the smaller islands in Austevoll. Take a two hour round trip and see how the landscape whizzes by, and experience life on the quay when the boat docks to drop passengers off or on.
Or get off along route on the island of Møkster, for example. If you join the boat back on the return trip, you have one hour on the island. Just enough for an ice cream from the local shop and a walk on the sandy beach nearby to wade or take a quick bath. You may also meet some of the hairy locals - the wild sheep - who are out grazing.
The island of Møkster. Photo: Arild Sunde
The time schedule can vary on different days, so be sure to check the times for the day you are planning a trip. There is also a limited number of departures, so if you want to include the boat trip then it is wise to plan your visit with this in mind.
The beach at the island Møkster. Photo: Visit Bergen
Not quite done with swimming? Then you can stop by Storebø on the way to the ferry, which has good bathing opportunities both inside and out. Here you will find Austevollbadet which is popular with the locals. If the weather turns out for the best, there is also a small lagoon with a sandy beach just across the road for a refreshing bath in the sea.
Photo: Visit Bergen
Driving back to Bergen you can start planning what else you would like to see and do in Bergen or perhaps check out other great road trips and driving routes to Bergen.
Not quite ready to leave Austevoll yet? Then stay overnight at the historic Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri.
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