6 days Cycling Tour in Northern Norway – along the Helgeland Coast

Brønnøysund – Vega – Herøy – Dønna – Sandnessjøen

A Tried and Tested Favourite – with a New Twist

Around 1,000 guests have now joined our six-day cycling tours along the Helgeland coast. In 2027, the tour follows a new route, starting in Brønnøysund and finishing in Sandnessjøen, with more time spent exploring the islands of Vega, Herøy and Dønna. Both the starting and finishing points have good transport connections, making it easy to continue your journey or travel home afterwards.

Along the way, we combine cycling with local food experiences, culture and history, island hopping and some of Helgeland’s best-known natural attractions. Highlights include Torghatten, the Vega Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site, the islands of Herøy and Dønna, and the distinctive Seven Sisters mountain range.

The tour runs from Monday to Saturday. The 2027 programme is currently being finalised, and some details, activities and timings may therefore be subject to change.

Included

Tour leader with support vehicle
Luggage transport
All boat and ferry transport during the tour
5 nights’ accommodation with breakfast

Accommodation:

Torghatten Camping & Strandrestaurant, Brønnøysund
Vega Havhotell, Vega
Fiskemottaket, Augustbryggo, Herøy
Dønna Rorbuer Bøteriet / Skolestua at Dønnes Gård, Dønna
Scandic Syv Søstre, Sandnessjøen

Meals Included:

Breakfast every day
Lunch on Day 2
3 dinners: Days 1, 2 and 3

Optional Extras:

Hybrid bike or e-bike with accessories
Self-prepared packed lunches
Accommodation before the tour at Thon Hotel in Brønnøysund
Additional night after the tour at Scandic Syv Søstre in Sandnessjøen

Day 1 – Brønnøysund, Seaweed Safari and Torghatten

We meet in Brønnøysund in the morning and start the tour with a taste of the Helgeland coast – quite literally. Just outside Brønnøysund, we join a guided tour along the shoreline, where we learn about seaweed and kelp and how the natural resources of the coast can be used as food.

We then continue by bike towards Torghatten, the iconic mountain with its distinctive hole running straight through it. Before we get there, we explore another important coastal resource – salmon. At the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre, we join a guided tour and learn more about salmon farming along the Norwegian coast. There is also an opportunity to have lunch here before cycling on to Torghatten.

At Torghatten, there will be time to hike through the famous hole at your own pace. The walk takes you into the distinctive mountain landscape and offers excellent views across the islands off the coast of Brønnøysund.

The day’s cycling ends at Torghatten Camping & Strandrestaurant, where we gather for a welcome dinner and a tour briefing. We spend our first night here, staying in apartments.

Accommodation: Torghatten Camping
Meals: Dinner at Torghatten Strandrestaurant

Day 2 – From Torghatten to Vega

After breakfast, we leave Torghatten behind and continue north towards Horn. Along the way, we stop for lunch at Dragereiret, where we also hear stories from the area’s Viking past.

From Dragereiret, it is only a few kilometres by bike to Horn. Here, we board the ferry and cross the fjord to Igerøy, leaving the mainland behind as we make our way to Vega.

Once ashore, we continue by bike and have time to explore the island at our own pace. Vega lies at the heart of the Vega Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site, a remarkable cultural landscape shaped by generations of fishing, farming and the unique tradition of eider duck husbandry.

Our day on Vega ends at Vega Havhotell, where we settle in for the night and gather around the table for a five-course dinner – one of the culinary highlights of the tour.

Accommodation: Vega Havhotell
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 – Vega, Tjøtta and the Herøy Archipelago

We have the morning free to enjoy a little more time on Vega before getting back on our bikes and making our way to Igerøy. From here, we take the first ferry of the day across to Tjøtta.

Back on our bikes, we continue north along the mainland, with the option of stopping for lunch at the historic Tjøtta Gjestegård along the way. We then cycle to Søvik, where we board our second ferry of the day for the short crossing to Herøy.

From Herøy, the rest of the journey is by bike. The islands here are linked by bridges and narrow roads winding between small coastal communities, farmland and the sea. We follow them west towards Seløya, with views opening up across the surrounding islands and towards the mountains of the Helgeland coast.

Our day ends at Augustbryggo on Seløya, where we settle in by the sea and gather for a three-course dinner before spending the night.

Accommodation: Augustbryggo
Meals: Breakfast and three-course dinner

Day 4 – Herøy and Dønna

After breakfast, we continue through Herøy. Along the way, we stop at Etcetera, a colourful and distinctive interior and gift shop, and there will also be an opportunity for a short hike for those who wish.

We then continue towards the neighbouring island of Dønna. The route takes us through an open coastal landscape, with views of the Seven Sisters, Mount Dønnamannen and the islands off the Helgeland coast.

In northern Dønna, we check in for the night. Accommodation capacity on the island is limited, so the group will be split between two nearby properties. Some guests will stay at Dønna Rorbuer Bøteriet, while the others will continue by bike to Dønnes Gård and stay at Skolestua. We will let you know in advance which accommodation you have been assigned to.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to spend as you wish. Dinner is available at both Dønna Rorbuer and Dønnes Gård.

Accommodation: Dønna Rorbuer/Bøteriet and Skolestua, northern Dønna
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 – Dønna and Mount Dønnesfjellet

Today, we spend more time discovering Dønna before leaving the islands behind and making our way to Sandnessjøen.

We begin at Dønnes Church, a medieval stone church with centuries of history within its walls. During a guided tour, we hear the stories of the people and events that have shaped this part of the island, including the history of the former Dønnes Estate.

From the church, we continue to nearby Mount Dønnesfjellet, where there is time to walk to the top. Rising just 128 metres above sea level, it is a relatively short climb, but the views are far-reaching. From the summit, the islands, skerries and mountains of the Helgeland coast stretch out in every direction.

Back on our bikes, we then turn south and cycle across Dønna towards the ferry at Bjørn. Along the way, the island landscape gradually gives way to views across the water towards Alsta and the Seven Sisters.

At Bjørn, we board the ferry for the short crossing to Sandnessjøen, bringing our days of island hopping to an end. We spend the night at Scandic Syv Søstre, in the heart of town and with the Seven Sisters mountain range close by.

Accommodation: Scandic Syv Søstre
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 – The Seven Sisters and Sandnessjøen

On our final day, we leave our luggage at the hotel and set off for one last ride, this time exploring the landscape around Sandnessjøen.

From town, we cycle south along the island of Alsta, with De Syv Søstre (the Seven Sisters) rising beside us. The distinctive mountain range has followed us in the distance at several points during the journey, and today we experience it at close range from the bike.

We then turn back towards Sandnessjøen, following part of the Kystriksveien coastal route and cycling via Kleivskaret on our way back into town.

We return to Scandic Syv Søstre in the early afternoon. After six days of cycling, ferry crossings and island hopping, our journey from Brønnøysund to Sandnessjøen comes to an end – with the Seven Sisters as the final backdrop to our time on the Helgeland coast.

Meals: Breakfast

Is This Tour Right for Me?

Below, we have answered some of the most common questions about this cycling tour.

How demanding is the tour?

This tour has relatively short daily cycling stages, with the experiences and stops along the way being just as important as the cycling itself. Most of the route is relatively flat. The most demanding climbs are on Dønna, where the terrain is somewhat more undulating.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?

You do not need to be an experienced touring cyclist, but you should have a reasonable level of fitness and be comfortable being active for several days in a row.

Can I choose an e-bike?

Yes. We offer both hybrid bikes and e-bikes for hire. You are also welcome to bring your own bike.

Does the group cycle together?

You can cycle at your own pace. The tour leader will always be nearby with the support vehicle should you need assistance along the way.

What happens to my luggage?

Your luggage is transported between the accommodation each day by the tour leader. You will be provided with luggage tags to label your bags.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour goes ahead in varying weather conditions, so make sure you bring waterproof and windproof clothing. We recommend dressing in layers so that you can easily adapt to changing conditions.

What should I bring?

We will send you a recommended packing list before departure. Good waterproof clothing and clothes suitable for changing weather conditions are essential, and we recommend padded cycling shorts. You can bring your own helmet or borrow one from us.

Can I bring my own bike?

Yes. You can either bring your own bike or hire one from us.

Getting to and from the Tour

Brønnøysund is easy to reach, and there are several options for travelling onwards from Sandnessjøen.

Getting to Brønnøysund

Brønnøysund is served by Widerøe flights and the Norwegian Coastal Express (Kystruten), and can also be reached by bus.

Travelling from Sandnessjøen

Sandnessjøen is also served by Widerøe flights and the Norwegian Coastal Express. There is an express boat service back to Brønnøysund, although not on the same day the tour finishes, as well as services north towards Bodø.

You can also drive your own car to Brønnøysund and leave it there during the tour. We have planned the itinerary so that you can take a scheduled bus from Sandnessjøen back to Brønnøysund on Saturday afternoon.

Prices

Per person sharing a double room: NOK 17 890
Per person in single room: NOK 25 390
Hybrid bike hire: NOK 2 800
E-bike hire: NOK 4 500
Self-prepared packed lunches: NOK 870

Extra night at Thon Hotel Brønnøysund:
NOK 1 065 per person sharing a double room / NOK 1 710 for a single room

Extra night at Scandic Syv Søstre, Sandnessjøen:
NOK 925 per person sharing a double room / NOK 1 625 for a single room

Booking:

You can book your trip online on this page. Once you have selected your travel date and number of guests, you can add optional extras such as bike rental and additional nights.

A deposit of NOK 2,000 per person is required at the time of booking. Optional extras, such as additional accommodation and bike rental, cannot currently be included in the deposit payment arrangement and must therefore be paid in full at the time of booking. Our standard cancellation terms apply to any cancellations.

If you have any questions about the tour, please get in touch using the form below, email us at post@booknorth.travel, or call us on +47 75 40 70 00.