Exciting activities and varied challenges – high and low on the Helgeland coast!
Welcome aboard our Sea & Mountain Sports Week. An active holiday where we sail between the islands of Norway’s most beautiful coastline; Helgeland! If you want an eventful holiday with exciting activities and varied challenges, both in the mountains and at sea, this trip is for you! We explore both the outer coastal islands of Helgeland, as well as the magnificent inner parts of this coast. Magnificent fjords and mountains – the Svartisen glacier and the Salten fjord-area.
From Træna to Bodø
We start this trip far out at sea at the Træna islands, as the annual music festival here comes to an end. From Træna we sail from island to island exploring the northern Helgeland archipelago. While the area offers great sea- and fjord sailing, we will also conquer and climb the legendary island’s peaks; Hestmannen (Horseman), Helgelandsbukken (Helgeland Stud), Rødøyløva (Red Island Lion) and Sandhornøya (Sand horn island), to name a few. Other highlights of this trip are the Svartisen glacier (Europe’s most accessible glacier), and the Myken island. Where the later is home to the northernmost whisky in the world. The trip ends in Bodø, one of the bigger cities in northern Norway.
Optional sea and mountain activities underway
In addition to the general program which is ambitious in itself and really making use of the 24 hour sunlight, you have a few extra options on this trip. The first optional activity is rock climbing up the 303 meter high Trænstaven – offering a fantastic view of the Helgeland coast. The other is a glacier hike on the Svartisen glacier, far into the fjords a little further north.
All the included activities along the way are part of the adventure. If you however prefer to take a break in the boat and write poems or do yoga, or do nothing at all, that’s what you will do.
As on all our trips, you also learn to sail along the way. You will have challenges, feel mastery and gain experiences & friends for life!
The Træna Music Festival
This trip starts the day the annual Træna Music Festival ends, and we strongly recommend you to participate in the festival out in Træna’s wonderful seascape. Then we hoist sails towards Bodø.
“Paradise isn’t always in the tropics,” the local Trænværingan says. According to the British The Guardian, this is “one of the best festivals in Europe ”. The Træna Music Festival is an exclusive music and cultural festival for all ages – far out at sea. It may not be as important to book the biggest stars, but the nature, the people, and the atmosphere make it a truly magical experience you should not miss! Read more here.
Don’t buy a couch – SailNorway instead!
Our fleet
On our summer-trips we sail in a fleet of boats. You find pictures and can read about our boats here.
Stories of the Sea & Mountain sports week
For an adventurous, well-written and fun story about Træna and the festival read:
A Poor Man’s Connoisseur Coastal Guide To A Magical World, Far Up North, And How The Helvete To Get There
The Træna Festival
Thank you so much for a fantastic trip! I experienced many wonderful moments on my trip, and also met some amazing people on the ocean, glaciers and mountains. I thought the crew were excellent at creating a good environment, and you really got the feeling you were on a trip with friends. The captain was great and I remember thinking to myself that SailNorway is the perfect combination of professional, pragmatic, happy and inclusive. I'd recommend traveling with SailNorway any day!
Helene
Itinerary
Day 1: We meet in Træna for the adventure to begin!
At 19.30 we start and get settled on board. We then go through the plan and ambition for the week, as well as important safety information and basic sail handling. Over dinner we get to know each other better. On this first evening we set sail from Husøy (Træna), where the boats have been lying during the festival, and sail to the neighboring island of Sanna, where we will dock for the night.
Day 2: Up the peaks of Sanna, and sail to Hestmannen
Waking up at Sanna is special and the adventure can begin. Who will do the first morning swim? We start with sailing and mountain sports already on this first day! Today you have the option of climbing Trænstaven (a proper rock climb with ropes) with a guide from the mainland (for those that have booked this in advance). The rest of us hike up the more accessible peak “Gumpen”, where we will get just as good a view over the Helgeland coast! After the hikes and lunch we prepare for the first leg of sailing. Our course is set for Hestmannen, and in the evening we make a good dinner on board and spend the night here.
Day 3: Hestmannen peak, and sail to the glacier!
Hestmannen, “The Horseman”, is an island and mountain, but also the main character in the fairytale about the coastal Helgeland mountains. Maybe your skipper will tell the whole story at the peak as we enjoy the view over the archipelago! Hestmannen is pretty much in the middle of Helgeland, so from here we can see all the way south to Vega, and north to Kunna and Støtt. Back down in the boat we have lunch, or second lunch, before we set sail on today’s leg, heading north-east. The plan is to sail quite far inland, to one of our favorite places; Holandfjord and Engavågen. We will make dinner underway or at arrival.
Day 4: Hike to Helgelandsbukken, or glacier walk on Svartisen
Holandsfjorden is a wonderful place, and this is where the Engabreen glacier – one of the arms of the Svartisen glacier – reaches almost all the way down to the sea. Unfortunately the glacier has retreated quite a bit in the past decades, and we now have to hike a bit to reach the glacier tongue. Here a guided glacier walk is an option, while for the rest of us today’s hike goes up to the peak Helgelandsbukken (the Stud). In the afternoon we sail out to the coast again and to Rødøy. Maybe the pub at Klokkergården is still open when we arrive?
Day 5: Morning hike to Rødøyløva and sail to the Whisky-island Myken
Rødøy means “red island”, and løva means lion, and the peak that bears this name is a 443 meter high overhanging cliff that overlooks the harbor and the village. After breakfast we climb up the backside of this peak, and from the top we can enjoy the fantastic view (hike description). Later we set sail even further out to sea, northwest, to one of the outermost islands in Helgeland: Myken. Out here in this remote archipelago, adventurous people fell in love with the place and started a whisky distillery, and now they even have their own whisky cathedral. The whisky itself is fantastic and hopefully this evening we will get a tour of the distillery, and a taste of the golden drops they have proudly produced out here in the harsh nature!
Day 6: Full sailing day to Støtt and Sørfugløy
A morning in Myken usually means a short visit to the knitting-café at the local shop for a waffle and a chat. By now we have spent nearly a week onboard, and we are starting to get the hang of the sailing. We sail from Myken towards Støtt, and hope for good winds. If we have time we stop for lunch at Støtt – the top of Helgeland, and from Støtt to Sørfugløy we will do a sailing race. Which skipper has been teaching his crew better and will win? We dock on Sørfugløy, a bird reserve island and climbing destination, with beautiful beaches. We spend the 24-hour bright night at the beach for a party with bonfire, dinner, games, beach-cleaning and fun!
Day 7: Hike at Sandhornøy, and last sail to Bodø
The most eager of us start the day with a morning swim from the beaches here at Sørfugløy. While eating breakfast we sail just a short distance, across to Sandhornøy. Here we find peaks reaching up to 1000 meters, and those of us who still have the energy are free to hike while the rest of us chill in the boat or go for a walk on the beach. This afternoon we have our last sailing leg into Bodø, and the plan is to arrive in time to celebrate the week with dinner and a beer ashore!
Day 8: Goodbye for now!
A week of adventure and great fun is unfortunately coming to an end. We pack, tidy, and wash ourselves out of the boat this morning and those who wish can have breakfast at the nearby Thon Hotel. We end the trip at 10:00 this morning. Thanks for a great week together, and welcome back next time!
Changes to the program
Please see this itinerary as a rough plan which we adapt underway according to weather and conditions. Often we also try out new places if we feel like it. We reserve the right to constantly improve our programs for the better. Sailing and exploring we always have dinghies with us for beach landings and small expeditions. We have fishing equipment for the cod, and hiking equipment for bonfires and summit climbs. We are ready for adventure – are you?
We love early bookings! Save NOK 10.000 by booking early, as the price for this trip will increase as we get closer to departure.
What is included?
- A trip experience with sailboat – experienced skipper/instructor with local knowledge on board
- All food we eat on board during the trip
- Our Comfort Package, which consists of accommodation on board in a shared double cabin (bunk or double bed) with a ready-made bed (warm and nice duvets and pillows!)
- An environmentally friendly, local, sustainable, unique, exotic and exclusive Norwegian adventure holiday
- A shared experience and friendship with like-minded adventurers from around the world
- A lot of time outdoors – raw and honest nature experiences
- Use of our shared equipment if available: dinghies, kayaks, fishing equipment, etc.
- All boat-related costs such as diesel, propane and harbor fees
- Personal safety equipment; Helly Hansen inflatable lifejacket
- Instruction, advice, guidance and practical training in boating and sailing
What is not included?
- Travel to and from the start/end location
- Optional meals at a cafes/restaurants during the trip
- Entrance to galleries, museums, or other alternative activities that you/we may come up with
- Rental of equipment and/or activities from external operators, ex. kayak, glacier hiking or surfing where possible
- Drinks such as wine, beer or exclusive apple juice and other luxuries (yes, we drink beer and wine on board, bring your own)
- Travel insurance and/or cancellation insurance – (up to you, but recommended!)
- Træna Festival Pass – for those who want to attend the Træna Festival in advance of the trip. Recommended! Træna Festival Passes can be purchased through us in SeilNorge, and we have reserved festival passes for all participants.
Important info
Departure and arrival
This trip starts in Træna and ends in Bodø.
You find more information on travel, equipment and other tips under Practical info.
Deposit and payment
You only pay a deposit (NOK 6000) upon registration, the remainder of the payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
Safety and risk on board
We are all about people, and so we also take safety very seriously. On our trips we practice sail- and boat handling also for safety, and we spend time going through various situations that can arise at sea, how to handle them and how to avoid them.
On board a boat everyone must know what to do in critical situations and in the event of an emergency. Our philosophy is that partaking and participation builds safety. It is important for the safety of the whole boat that you are a participant on board, not just a passenger.
Therefore all our trips are to be considered sailing courses in addition to being great holidays and adventures: You are trained to make up the crew on board and so we build a capable team on board.
Feel free to contact us for a chat about safety and risk on our adventures.
Level of the trip
No sailing experience? No problem! Our sailing adventures welcome both novices and seasoned sailors for an inclusive and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re new to sailing or a salty sea dog, our trips cater to all levels.
We aim to transform beginners into sailors quickly while offering experienced participants greater responsibilities and challenges. Our mainland sailing journeys involve 44-50 feet boats navigating coastal and protected waters, occasionally crossing open stretches for excitement. Route adjustments based on weather and conditions ensure a safe and adaptable voyage.
Trips are not overly strenuous; with rotating positions, participants can balance sailing and relaxation. Active engagement minimizes seasickness, and if it occurs, it passes swiftly. Weather, however, is unpredictable, with the potential for stronger winds and various conditions in northern Norway and the Arctic, making each trip a true sailing adventure. Be prepared for calm winds and rough weather—embracing the elements for an unforgettable experience.
What we expect from you
Our trips require a little effort from you who are joining – everyone on board must be ready to contribute and to give of themselves also socially; the more you open up, share and interest yourself in the others on board, the more enjoyable it gets.
When you’re sailing with us you are invited to take part in the running of the ship and all that comes with it. You will be sailing, docking, navigating, looking out for whales and icebergs, but also making food, serving others, doing dishes and helping clean the boat during the trip, and contributing in other ways when needed. On board we are all in the same boat and when all help out, the ship is most happy.
Our experience is that doing things together with others out in nature, and not least cooperating and doing activities with new people and different personalities than you might have around you normally, is what creates the best, most interesting and memorable moments and stories:)
Equipment and packing
As with all activities, there is plenty of special equipment and clothing for sailing. If you don’t have any of this, you will get very far with normal hiking/outdoor equipment. You do not need to buy a lot of new equipment to join our trips. Use what you have, borrow what you need from a friend, purchase used equipment, and if you have to invest in new equipment – buy quality items that will last! What you need is something waterproof and windproof on the outside, and layered warm clothing underneath.
Some jackets may not be waterproof “enough”, or might not perform too well in salt water, so you can consider a set of oilskin for the wettest days (available for rent or purchase on board). A pair of higher rubber boots for disembarking from the dinghy is very good to have, as well as indoor shoes below deck. Out at sea and in the Arctic it can be cold even in summer, so bring both swimwear and plenty of warm clothes. Well before departure, we will send you a detailed recommended packing list.
Read more and see our packing tips here:
PS: In a sailboat, you pack in a bag or sack, not in a rigid suitcase. 🙂
Food & cooking on board
On our trips, you will be part of the crew on board and get the chance to participate in all tasks for the operation of the boat. This includes cooking and preparing food – everyone take turns in the galley! Skippers and crew assist as much as they can along the way.
We have great menus with tasty, healthy and “boat-friendly” food, and for each trip we order provisions for all meals on board. If you have allergies or preferences, let us know in the registration form and we will take that into account as best as we can. You are also most welcome to bring any special food or drink with you. Why not bring some specialities from your country or region for the boat to enjoy?
During a weeklong trip we often sail by a good restaurant or two where we can have dinner on land. Some places we need to pre-book and we will then need to choose a menu before we arrive. More about all of this when you come on board!
Life on board & accommodation
Life on a sailboat is super social and fun, but it might feel a bit intimate at first. No worries though, that vibe usually fades after the first hour. Everyone chips in to run the boat, and we’re all part of the crew, which means quick bonding.
We’re keen to get to know you and hope you’ll connect with the rest of the crew. It takes some patience, generosity, and an open mind to thrive, but soon you’ll be focused on making new friends and enjoying raw nature experiences once sea life feels like home.
Sleeping arrangements in shared cabins with double or bunk beds can be a bit of a puzzle, but we’re pretty good at figuring it out. Let us know if you have preferences. You’re on your own for land accommodations before or after the trip.
The boat provides heating and good food, but fresh water isn’t always abundant. Water conservation means not showering every day, but when near freshwater sources, we make the most of it. But nothing beats a morning sea swim for that fresh feeling.