Stad
Stad is a surfing paradise and a historical gem. You can surf at Hoddevik or experience one of the world’s largest Viking ships. Did you know that the name Stad comes from the Old Norse staðr, which probably means “to stop”?
©Ulf Rugumayo Amundsen
©Silje Reed
©Saltnwax
©Saltnwax
Stad is home to the iconic surfing paradise Hoddevik, Vestkapp – the westernmost mountain plateau in Norway, one of the world’s oldest horse breeds, the Fjord Horse, the Myklebust ship – one of the world’s largest Viking ships, Selja monastery, and Norway’s only female saint, Saint Sunniva.
Nordfjordeid is the municipal centre of Stad and is located in the middle of Nordfjord - a perfect “Base Camp” for your Nordfjord adventure, with a short distance to “everything in one fjord”.
Take a stroll along Eidsgata when you are in Nordfjordeid. This is an idyllic shopping street with a unique wooden-house environment that is listed in the Directorate for Cultural Heritage’s NB! register. The street consists of several small, charming shops and cosy cafés. Here you can smell the aroma of freshly baked goods from Minibakeriet, or stop by the popular restaurant China Restaurant Chen.
Selja monastery © Helle Frogner
In the middle of Nordfjordeid town centre, right by Eidsgata, lies one of the most spectacular Viking graves in Norway. Here, a Viking king was buried and burned together with his ship, the Myklebust Ship – the largest Viking ship ever found traces of in Norway.
Today, the Myklebust Ship has risen from the ashes just a few metres from the fjord where it sailed more than 1000 years ago. You can experience it in all its glory in the impressive boathouse “Sagastad”. Here you can step aboard the ship and feel like a true Viking.
Right next to Sagastad is Sagaparken, where you can barbecue, relax, or take a swim in Nordfjorden. Here you will also find a small town beach and the popular Nordfjord sculpture. A walk along the Saga Trail takes you through Nordfjordeid’s history from the Viking Age up to today.
In Nordfjordeid you will also find Norway’s first military training ground, Malakoff, established in 1649. Soldiers from across the entire region streamed here to train for recruit school and battalion exercises.
Today, young people stream back to the old drill ground when the Malakoff Rock Festival takes place every summer. The festival is one of the largest in Norway and brings together around 30,000 visitors and artists from all over the world.
If you’re ready for a bit of activity in the Nordfjord landscape, you can take a summit hike to Trollenykjen. The hike starts in Nordfjordeid town centre at 0 metres above sea level and climbs to 898 metres. The ascent is a bit steeper than Skåla in Loen itself.
When you reach this enchanting mountain peak, you are rewarded with a magnificent view over seven parishes and Nordfjorden on both sides of the summit. A magical experience is to do the hike on a bright summer night, sleep under the open sky or in a tent – and wake up to the sunrise.
Malakoff 2018
Vestkapp © Ruben Soltvedt
Nordfjordeid is also home to the fjord horse – one of the oldest and most distinctive horse breeds in the world. Here you’ll find the Norwegian Fjord Horse Centre, the national centre of expertise for the breed. Here you can meet this beautiful and strong horse up close and join a riding tour in the beautiful fjord landscape in Nordfjord. A fjord horse ride through green hills with views of the fjord gives a truly special experience of the nature and cultural landscape in the area.
If you’re ready for a little Nordfjord adventure up at the summer mountain farm, you should head to Lotsstøylen. Traditional summer farming is still active here, and both cows and fjord horses graze on the green hills around the farm in summer. The idyllic mountain farm is like a postcard from a bygone time, where traditions and nature go hand in hand. From the farmstead you get a fantastic view over Nordfjorden and the snow-covered mountains that frame the landscape.
From Lotsstøylen you can follow the farm road further up to the top of Trolledalsegga (1020 m a.s.l.), also called Sagtindane. The hike is relatively easy and suitable for many. When you reach the top, you are rewarded with a mighty view in all directions. To the east you can see Hornindalsvatnet – Northern Europe’s deepest lake with a depth of 514 metres – while to the west you get one of the finest views over Nordfjorden, where the fjord branches stretch out on both sides of the mountain ridge. This is one of the easiest summit hikes in the area, but with a view that really makes an impression.
Hiking in Nordfjordeid
Nordfjordeid offers several great hikes in the town center. Here you can stroll through the idyllic Eidsgata with historic wooden houses, take a promenade along the fjord, or walk to Malakoff and continue along the Eidselva River where the wild salmon swim. Jektehola by the Eidselva River is perfect for a small picnic – the grill is ready for hikers.
From Nordfjordeid you’ll find many easily accessible summit hikes, and you don’t need to gain many meters of elevation before you get panoramic views over Nordfjorden. From Trollenykjen (998 m a.s.l.) you can see down to Nordfjordeid town center and Nordfjorden on both sides of the summit. A favorite for young and old is the hike to the Day Trip Cabin at Naustdalskamben.
If you’re in Nordfjordeid, you should experience the magical sunset from Hornet. Here Nordfjorden splits into two fjord arms, and you’ll see fjord and mountains in every direction.
Photo: Lotsstøylen © Tine Melk / tine.no
© @photolads
Stad municipality begins by Hornindalsvatnet, which is Northern Europe’s deepest lake with a depth of 514 meters. It is a powerful experience to paddle a kayak across this mysterious lake. You can also try your luck fishing in Hornindalsvatnet, in the well-known salmon river Eidselva, in Nordfjorden, or out at sea.
Stad is, of course, home to the world-famous surfing paradise Hoddevik, and the winding road down to Hoddevika is an iconic Instagram motif. When you are in Hoddevika, you really should take in the wildly beautiful view from the top of Mosekleivhornet. If you’re as fit as a mountain goat and not afraid of airy heights, you can scramble straight up the trail from Hoddevika. A good alternative is to take the much flatter path that runs from Dragseidet to Mosekleivhornet.
Right around the next bend lies Ervika, which is also a surfing gem. Down by the water’s edge there is a cemetery, as a reminder of the sea’s forces. From Ervik it is a short trip to Vestkapp – the westernmost mountain plateau in Norway. If you have a bucket list, you should make sure to catch the magical sunset at Vestkapp.
From Vestkapp you have a view of the wild Stadhavet, one of the most weather-exposed sea areas in Norway. Many ships and lives have been lost here throughout history.
In Stad you can also follow the history from the Viking Age to the Christian era. When you drive towards Hoddevika you come to Dragseidet, known from the Christianization assembly in the year 997. Here King Olav Tryggvason gathered chieftains from four counties and converted them to Christianity.
If you want a calm break from active nature experiences, you should take a trip to Selje and the holy island of Selja. Here you can feel the silence in the monastery ruins. Saint Sunniva is Norway’s only female saint, and the story of her is like a fairy tale.
The island of Selja is only a 15-minute boat ride from Selje. In Selje, the vicarage is open to the public, and in the middle of the town centre there is a chalk-white sandy beach where locals bathe in the sea all year round.
Photo: © Ruben Soltvedt
Ervik © Andres Duran
Activities in Stad
Family-friendly summit hikes in Stad
Trolledalsegga
From Lotsstøylen you can follow the mountain pasture road to the top of Trolledalsegga (1020 m a.s.l.), also called Sagtindane. Here you get a magnificent view of Northern Europe’s deepest lake, Hornindalsvatnet (514 m), to the east, and one of the very finest views over Nordfjorden to the west, with fjord arms running on both sides of the mountain ridge. This is the easiest summit hike with the most dramatic view.
Mosekleivhornet
The hike is about 16.5 km long and starts at Dragseidet. The trail is well marked and goes mostly through heather terrain, with a few short sections over bog. At Vardeberget you get a great view, but if you continue up to Mosekleivhornet, which is about twice as far, you get a panoramic view over Hoddevik. This hike is great for the family if you take the easiest route.
Accommodation in Stad
Food and drink in Stad