Steinkjer: the rebuilt town and its rock carvings

Steinkjer Church

Consecrated in 1965 to replace the church destroyed in the bombing of April 1940, this concrete and brick basilica seats 600. Its free-standing bell tower rises 38 m; inside are Jakob Weidemann's blue stained-glass windows.

The cultural centre

Opened on 2 September 2023 in the town centre: cinema, a three-storey library, gallery, workshops and the "Steinkaret", an immersive experience room, the first of its kind in Norway. Café on site.

Jakob Weidemanns gate 1, 7713 Steinkjer · steinkjerkulturhus.no

Egge Museum

An open-air museum founded in 1994 on the Egge estate, 860 hectares above the town: a complete 19th-century farm, the county governor's residence completed in 1919 and some fifty burial mounds raised between about year 0 and 1000. Open mainly in summer and for events.

Egge allé 70, 7715 Steinkjer · eggemuseum.no

The Bardal rock carvings

At Sør-Beitstad, near the centre, more than 400 figures carved into 300 m² of rock: animals hunted in the Neolithic, including a six-metre whale, then, on top of them, large Bronze Age boats. One of Trøndelag's largest sites, freely accessible.

The Bøla reindeer

On the southern shore of Lake Snåsavatnet, some thirty figures carved about 6,000 years ago, including a remarkably well-preserved life-size reindeer; a skier, the "Bøla man", was found there in 2001.

Mære Church

A medieval stone church built between 1150 and 1200 on a hill at Sparbu, over a 7th-century pagan cult building uncovered by excavations. It keeps exceptionally old furnishings, including a crucifix that may date from the 13th century.

Oftenåsen and the world's largest garden chair

Steinkjer's highest point (336 m), 4 km south-east of the centre, with views over the town, the fjord and the Ogndal valley. A 4.75 m garden chair has stood at the top since 2013; a troll trail lined with wooden sculptures is popular with families.

The geographical centre of Norway

A cairn marks the middle of the country in the Ogndal valley, between Vakkerlifjellet and Lake Skjækervatnet. From Gaulstad a marked trail laid with sleepers leads there in about 9 km over easy ground: allow some 20 km round trip.

The Fosdalen mines, Malm

At Malm, north-west of the town, an iron mine discovered in 1906 and worked until 1997; its shafts went down nearly 1,200 m, the deepest in Northern Europe. The mine site is now a heritage park, Bergmannsparken.

Skeifeltet, Sparbu

The largest prehistoric grave field in former Nord-Trøndelag: nearly 120 graves around the Skei crossroads — round, long and star-shaped mounds, the biggest 17 to 20 m across, largely from the Merovingian period (500–800). Free access.

The Toldnes grave field

7 km south of town along the E6, Norway's largest Bronze Age grave field (1800–500 BC): 47 burials in 21 mounds. Toldnes was then an island where people of standing were brought by boat to be buried.

Helge, "the sacred isthmus"

4 km north-east of town, near the Byafossen falls: five large mounds, smaller graves, three large standing stones and a stone circle, perhaps a former religious gathering place.

Summits and viewpoints

Pergårdshalla (2.8 km, 1 h, view over Lake Snåsavatnet, shelter with barbecue); Follaheia (6.1 km, 2 h, stone steps and boardwalks, view over all of Innherred); Marsteinsvola (3.6 km, where three municipalities meet); and Oftenåsen, also by the gentle Songleia climb (9.5 km, pushchair-friendly).

visitinnherred.com

History and forest trails

Elnanslottet hill fort (6 km, 1.5 h, one of the best preserved, view of the Beitstadfjord); the Malm mining trail (2.5 km); the forest lake Svarttjønna (9.2 km, cabin with refreshments); the town riverside promenade (1.8 km, accessible). For a full day: Norway's geographical centre (19 km return) or the Mokk circuit (17 km, demanding).

visitinnherred.com

Paradisbukta

5 km north-west of town, the municipality's best-equipped sandy beach: barbecues, benches, toilets, showers, changing rooms and parking.

steinkjer.kommune.no

Bystranda, Hoøya, Follastranda, Malm, Hornemainn

Bystranda, at the mouth of the Steinkjerelva near the E6; Hoøya at Sør-Beitstad (beach volleyball, play area, toilets, parking); Follastranda at Follafoss (sand and rocks); the beach at Malm; Hornemainn on the Ogna, reachable by bike from the centre.

steinkjer.kommune.no

Føllingstua Camping

At the south end of Lake Snåsavatnet, 200 m from the E6 and 13 km north of town: 70 pitches with electricity for motorhomes and caravans, cabins and rooms, swimming, a small harbour, mini golf and wifi; meals and fresh bread.

Haugåshalla 6, 7732 Steinkjer · Tel. +47 902 74 995 · follingstua.no

Kvam Motell & Camping

On Lake Snåsavatnet at Kvam, close to the E6 and shops: pitches for tents, motorhomes and caravans, cabins, a motel and a treetop cabin; child-friendly beach, lakeside barbecue area, fishing and canoeing.

Kvamskjerkveien 8, 7732 Steinkjer · Tel. +47 741 49 730 · kvammotell.no

Innherred Tourist Office

Open all year on weekdays, for the whole of Innherred (Verdal, Inderøy, Steinkjer, Snåsa): accommodation, fishing, hiking, bike and canoe hire. By train, Steinkjer is on the Nordland Line, which also serves Verdal and Snåsa.

Hamnegata 20, 7714 Steinkjer · Tel. +47 74 40 17 16 · visitinnherred.com