Lepsøya

Scattered across the island, overhanging rocks provide quiet havens. Here you can rest, find shelter and listen to ocean humming. The largest one, Rønstadhellaren, was lived in by true cave men! Let’s dive in.

Rønstadhellaren, stretching 77 meters in length and soaring 13 meters high, is one of the largest sea caves in Europe. It was carved by the ocean when sea levels were much higher, thousands of years ago.

The hike to Rønstadhellaren begins on heather-covered terrain before transitioning to smooth coastal rock, always within reach of the sea. Along the way, you’ll pass other sea caves and cool potholes shaped by water over time.

And remarkably, people once lived inside these very cliffs! Archaeological excavations have uncovered layers of shells, animal bones, and birch bark, as well as a hearth, the base of a fireplace.

Back in 1878, conservator Anders Lorange discovered an intricately crafted bone comb nearby, dating back to around 200 AD. Today, this artifact is preserved at the Bergen Museum.

But Rønstadhellaren is just one of many rock shelters waiting to be explored across the island. There are more!

Rainy day? No problem – just take cover in one of the shelters and experience nature up close!

After rain comes sun, and then you might want to hit one of the beautiful beaches on the island.

Lepsøya is home to around 300 residents, and where they live on the island is no coincidence. Like the other islands in the area, Lepsøya has steep cliffs that plunge into the sea on its northern and western sides. In contrast, the southern and eastern parts of the island are flatter, providing a more sheltered environment. This is where most of the homes are located, protected from the harsh northern winds.

Håkon Farstad Brekke grew up on Lepsøya and is currently studying Cybernetics and Robotics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. However, he also works in the Nordøyane region, putting his skills to use at Kongsberg Maritime on the neighboring island of Flemsøya/Skuløya.

«I’d say the sense of community is the best thing about Lepsøy for sure. And there’s actually quite a lot to do here, especially when you think of Nordøyane as one big island community. It only takes ten minutes to drive through the tunnel to Haramsøya, for example. We’re closely connected and do a lot together. Plus, there are no tolls between the islands. That only kicks in when we’re heading to the mainland,» he adds with a chuckle.

On Lepsøya alone, there’s a football field with artificial turf, a marching band, youth groups, and children’s clubs. Many enjoy fishing for lobster, crabs, and other seafood. The island has two small harbors, which also serve as social gathering places. And of course, there are incredible hiking opportunities, including the fairytale forest!