Island Hopping to Solund, Bulandet, and Værlandet is a trip to the westernmost islands in Norway. Traveling by the local post boat you will get close to the unique scenery and the everyday life of the people living on the islands.
Where is Island Hopping with the postal boat?
The postal boat "Stjernesund" departs from Hardbakke in Solund, about three hours from Bergen. The tour will start in the calm waters, and pass by narrow creeks and the many beautiful small islands. The crew on the boat will also guide. The tour brings you close to the nature and animal life in the area, and you might even spot a porpoise, a bearded seal or sea eagle! Functioning as a local mailman and transportation, the postal boat determines it stops based on local passengers and mail.
Fishing village Gåsvær
The last stop on the traditional postal route is the idyllic fishing village Gåsvær. The postal boat will stop for about 30 minutes and travellers get a chance to explore the old trading post and interact with the local hosts. There is also a chance to purchase a cup of coffee and a small bite.
Bulandet og Værlandet
After Gåsvær, the postal boat heads north to Bulandet and Værlandet in Askvoll municipality. If you are not taking the boat from Bulandet in Hardbakke in return, you are free to explore the islands on your own. The islands Bulandet and Værlandet are connected by 6 bridges and 5km of roads. This makes for great surroundings for biking! We recommend grabbing lunch at one of the cafés by the harbour and explore the islands on a bike. You can rent one at the café/store by the harbour. Visit the viewing points, the art exhibition and store, the local village museum or just enjoy the beautiful nature!
The postal boat
The postal boat travels between Hardbakke and Bulandet, Mondays to Fridays
11.00 Depart by postal boat from Hardbakke
12.30 Arrive at Gåsvær – historical trade post far out at sea
13.00 Depart from Gåsvær
13.45 Arrive at Nikøy quay in Bulandet
The post boat also returns to Hardbakke from Bulandet at 15.30. Island hopping or similar tours can be arranged upon request the rest of the year.
A day trip or over the course of multiple days
Choose between travelling over multiple days or travel on a day trip from Bergen, Florø or Kalvåg. We recommend exploring the area over several days in order to make time to enjoy the nature and explore the entire island paradise. There are multiple accommodation service in both Solund and on Bulandet and Værlandet. We recommend booking these in advance. A great option is start with a couple of days in Solund, before island hopping to Bulandet and Værlandet and spending a couple of days there.
Good to know
- Remember to dress according to the weather. Parts of the trip takes place outside. Bring shoes for walking and a raincoat, as the weather may change during the trip.
- It is possible to buy food and beverage at Gåsvær and Bulandet. Remember to bring cash. Gåsvær does not accept any credit or debit cards.
- There is a bus connection between Krakhella and Hardbakke. The bus departs from Krakhella at 10.20 Mondays-Fridays and corresponds with the Norled express boat. There is also a corresponding bus from Bulandet to Værlandet. The bus departs from Bulandet quay at 15.50 Mondays to Fridays, and arrives at Værlandet 1615. Use kringom.no to check timetables and search routes for busses and boats in the Sogn & Fjordane area.
- The road from Bulandet to Værlandet makes for a great biking trip. The local store Joker Bulandet is situated right by the arrival place of the postal boat, and rents out bicycles. We recommend reserving bikes in advanced by calling +47 57732144. After you make the 11km trip from Bulandet to Værlandet, you can hand in your bike at the local store Værlandet Handel. The bike ride from Bulandet to Værlandet takes about 2 hours. The bus from Krakhella to Hardbakke has very limited capacity, so this is important to remember if you bring your own bike. Contact the tourist office at +47 57743000 for more information.
Read more about bicycling and island hopping here
Day trip from Bergen
It is also possible to go island hopping as a daytrip from Bergen. You'll have a guide for the journey by postal boat, but the rest of the round trip is without a guide. Book your round trip ticket at gofjords.com or the Tourist Information in Bergen.
Timetable
08.00 - Express boat from Bergen to Krakhella
10.15 - Arrive at Krakhella
10.20 - Bus from Krakhella to Hardbakke
11.00 - Depart by postal boat from Hardbakke
12.30 - Arrive in Gåsvær
13.00 - Depart from Gåsvær
13.45 - Arrive at Nikøy quay in Bulandet
Alternative 1:
Rent a bike at the grocery store and bike the 10,8 km to Værlandet
Alternative 2:
15.50 Depart by bus to Værlandet
16.30 - Depart by ferry from Værlandet to Askvoll
17.40 - Depart by express boat to Bergen
20.45 - Arrive in Bergen
Day trip from Selje
If you travel from Selje, Måløy (Kinn), Bremanger (Smørhamn), Florø or Aksvoll you purchase the various tickets during the trip or in advanced.
Timetable:
06.50 - express boat from Selje
07.20 - express boat from Måløy
08.05 - express boat from Smørhamn (Bremanger)
08.35 - express boat from Florø
09.15 - express boat from Askvoll
09.50 – arrive at Krakhella
10.20 – bus from Krakhella to Hardbakke
11.00 – depart with "Stjernsund" from Hardbakke
12.30 - arrive at Gåsvær
13.00 - depart from Gåsvær
13.45 - arrive at Bulandet
15.50 - bus departs from Bulandet
16.30 - departure with the ferry from Værlandet to Askvoll
19.05 - express boat from Askvoll
19.55 - arrive in Florø
20.20 - arrive in Smørhamn
21.10 - arrive in Måløy
21.40 - arrive in Selje
Day trip from Sogn
Purchase tickets during the trip and in advance
Timetable:
07.05 – depart from Sogndal
07.30 - depart from Leikanger
07.50 - depart from Balestrand
08.05 - depart from Vik
08.50 - depart from Nordeide
09.20 - depart from Lavik
09.40 – arrive at Rysjedalsvika – switch to northbound express boat
09.50 – depart from Rysjedalsvika with express boat
10.15 – arrive at Krakhella in Solund
10.20 – bus from Krakhella to Hardbakke
11.00 – depart with "Stjernsund" from Hardbakke
12.30 - arrive at Gåsvær
13.00 - depart from Gåsvær
13.45 - arrive at Bulandet
15.50 - bus departs from Bulandet
16.30 - departure with the ferry from Værlandet to Askvoll
17.40 – express boat from Askvoll
18.35 – arrive at Rysjedalsvika – switch boat to the one heading to Sogn
19.00 – arrive in Lavik
19.30 - arrive in Nordeide
20.10 - arrive in Vik
20.30 - arrive in Balestrand
20.50 - arrive in Leikanger
21.20 - arrive in Sogndal