Bergen Off the Beaten Path Tips by FletteMette

Herdla is a small island (1.6 square km) to the north of Askøy - Askøy is the island you'll see just across the fjord from central Bergen. (Stand at the fish market and look out over the bay - you'll see the southern part of Askøy... :o)

Parts of Herdla are a nature reserve, well known for its many species of birds (about 220 species have been registered here). Paths in the area make the lovely, flat fields and gravel beaches of Herdla and the nature reserve just perfect for a leisurely walk... :o) The flat landscapes of Herdla differ quite significantly from the rest of Hordaland county - most of Herdla was formed by the end moraine of a large glacier, during the latest Ice Age.

During WW2, Herdla was used as a military base by the German Luftwaffe, and you can still see the old landing strip here, as well as ruins of military installations. Visit Herdla Museum to learn more about the nature and history of this area - there's also an exhibition about the WW2 German airbase. See the link below for more info about the museum.

At Herdla you'll also find a small golf course (6 holes), a café beautifully set by the sea (Herdlevågen Gjestehus, which also offers rooms for rent), and a quite interesting church that was rebuilt in 1861 after a storm ruined the old 12th-century one. Fishing opportunities are excellent at Herdla - hire a boat or go fishing from the shore. For some more info about this island, please have a look at my little Herdla page.

To get here: cross the Askøy bridge and drive as far north as you get on Askøy, then cross the small bridge to Herdla... ;o) The drive from Bergen to Herdla takes ca 45 mins.

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Website: http://www.museumsnett.no/herdlamuseum/english.html

Fedje is a tiny municipality about two hours journey to the north of Bergen. (1 1/2 hours by car, then 30 minutes by ferry from Sævrøy - straight out to sea) The main island of Fedje, where most of the 650 inhabitants live, is surrounded by around 125 smaller islands and tiny islets, among them Hellisøy with the lighthouse.

A visit to Fedje makes an interesting day trip from Bergen if you've got a car. It is also doable by public transport, but you need to plan well if you're going by bus - buses all the way out here don't run very frequently, and the bus ride takes around two hours. If you'd like to stay longer there are rooms or modern, comfortable cabins for rent - see fedje.org for more info. Boats are also available for rent.

The lighthouse at Hellisøy is occasionally open to visitors - contact Fedje tourist info if you're interested in a lighthouse safari. (And if you want to spend the night at the lighthouse, the former lighthouse keeper's quarters are available for rent - but you need to book well ahead.) Don't miss walking the North Sea Trail - a very nice hiking trail, great for birdwatching. Kræmmerholmen was a trading post and inn as early as around 1650, and the restored buildings now house a restaurant - but unfortunately it is hardly ever open - see website below or contact Fedje tourist information. Don't forget to try the small, weird cable ferry across the bay, and if the pewter workshop is open (summer only) a visit there is recommended. And of course - go fishing, either from the shore or from a rented boat.

Have a look at my Fedje page for more pics and more detailed info... :o)

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Website: http://www.fedje.org/default.asp?sprak=3
Other Contact: turist@fedje.org

The Heathland Centre is a unique knowledge- and experience centre focusing on the oceanic heathlands which used to exist all along the coastline of western Europe - but these characteristic cultural landscapes are now in danger of disappearing.

The Heathland Centre at Lygra authentically manages the area as a living cultural landscape, in cooperation with five local farms, and the University of Bergen.

There's a network of paths in the Heathland Centre area, and it really is a lovely place to go for a walk. You'll notice several stone huts formerly used for turf storage, and other old restored buildings in the area - as well as many burial mounds dating to the younger Iron Age. A particularly hardy breed of sheep stay outdoors in the area all year, grazing on heather in winter.

Information centre, gift shop & café opening hours May 1st - Sept 30th:
Wednesday - Friday 12 - 16
Sunday 12 - 18

Exhibition / film admission prices:
Adult: 40 NOK
Student / Senior citizen: 30 NOK
Children aged 6 - 16: 20 NOK
Guided tour of the area: 50 NOK per person
Just going for a walk in the area won't cost you a krone, but I do recommend the tour & exhibition!

How to get here:
* By car, around one hour's drive from Bergen. Drive to Seim, and follow the signs towards "Lyngheisenteret" from there.
* Every Sunday between June 20th and August 22nd, the veteran boat MS Granvin does a day trip from Bergen to the Heathland Centre + the Emigration Centre at Sletta. Departure near Bryggen in Bergen at 11, back in Bergen at 18.35. Price 325 NOK adults, 250 NOK students / senior citizens, 150 NOK children (one child per adult free of charge) - including admission fees to the Heathland Centre. Contact the tourist information office in Bergen for info / tickets.
* The Express Boats from Bergen to Sogn and Nordfjord stops at Lygra. Book at least one day ahead. Contact Fylkesbaatane / Fjord1 at Strandkaien in Bergen for info / tickets.

See my Lindås page for more!

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Phone: +47 56356410
Website: http://www.lyngheisenteret.no/index.htm

The monastery of Lyse was founded in 1146 by a Bergen bishop. This was the first Cistercian monastery in Norway, and the first monks at Lysekloster came here from Fountains Abbey in England.

The monastery grew big and powerful, and at the time of the Reformation it was one of the most important property owners of the country. After the Reformation the buildings of the monastery were gradually destructed - and stone from these buildings was used when constructing the Rosenkrantz Tower (finished 1560) in central Bergen.

Open daily, free of charge.

The ruins are situated quite near Ole Bull's villa at Lysøen, in the municipality of Os - to the south of Bergen. Do take the time to visit the ruins if you're going to see Lysøen.

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