Weekend trip to the fishing village of Veiholmen.

Route: Smøla kayak - 6 km - Hopen - 11 km Veiholmen (west side) - 8 km - Hopen - 6 km - Smøla kayak 

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Take a trip to Smøla on a weekend with nice weather and paddle to the fishing village of Veiholmen. We recommend starting with us because then you will get tips for the trip. Here you can spend the night in your own tent or in a lavvo from Friday to Saturday. The first day you paddle Smøla kayak to Hopen and then the west side of the road between the municipal center Hopen and Veiholmen, the second day you paddle the east side and then Hopen to Smøla kayak. A round trip of 31 km where the entire route goes along the land. Which makes the trip safer.

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Smøla kayak to Hopen (6 km)

 

The paddle trip is in a sheltered area with many small islands and rich wildlife. In summer, the route offers particularly beautiful sunsets and some calm sea. The trip starts at the sandy beach at Smøla Kajakk and follows the shore for the least waves and easy navigation. The most exposed part is the approximately 200-meter long section called Sundkjeften, which can be rough with northerly winds and tides. After this, the rest of the route is easy and well protected.

Along the way, you pass small islands, Smøla Havfiskesenter and the possibility of a short detour to the gas station at Sætran. The trip ends at the floating pier at Hopen Brygge, marked by a black wave-absorbing pipe. If you pass the memorial to Oscar Tybring, you have come too far. The trip is paddled in the opposite direction on Sunday.

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Hopen to Veiholmen, west side of the road (11 km)

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The paddle trip goes from Hopen Brygge towards the fishing village of Veiholmen, on the west side of the road connecting the islands. The route is mostly well sheltered by islets and islands, but exposed to westerly winds near Innveien. You start from the floating jetty at Hopen Brygge and paddle south of Skjøttøya before following two bridges into the quiet and sheltered Aunvågen. At low tide, you must follow the map carefully to find the narrow channel further north. You then follow the row of islets towards Verjeskiftbrua, and after the bridge you can orient yourself by the boat lane — while staying outside it to avoid traffic.

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Before Innveien you can cross over to the east side under a small bridge if the sea is building up. The bridge is located by the fishing reception (large grey building). The trip ends at the floating pier at the Hotranklakken parking lot on Veiholmen, where you will find accommodation, a grocery store, restaurants and characteristic white wooden houses. The route can be paddled in both directions, but weather and wind conditions should always be carefully considered. Smøla's archipelago offers plenty of landing opportunities and good chances of seeing white-tailed eagles.

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Accommodation on Veiholmen

 

There are several accommodations on Veiholmen, we recommend accommodation in the boathouse and guesthouse at Moloen. Veiholmen pier and Havkroa are also very good alternatives. At Veiholmen bobilparkering you can pitch a tent, and then you have access to sanitary facilities. We are working on creating an overview of tent options near Veiholmen. 

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Veiholmen to Hopen, east side of the road (8 km)

 

The paddle trip back goes on the east side of the road between Veiholmen and Hopen, a sheltered route against westerly winds thanks to islands and shoals. The start is from the floating pier on Veiholmen, with calm water for the first half kilometer before there can be some waves at Innveien if the wind comes from the east or northeast. In difficult conditions, you can cross under the bridge at the fishing reception and continue on the west side.

 

The Verjeskift bridge serves as a clear sighting point early in the trip. After the bridge, a more sheltered line on the west side of Hoøya is recommended, before ending at the floating jetty at Hopen Brygge. The route has great light at sunrise and sunset and can be paddled in both directions. There are several places to go ashore, but weather and wind conditions should be checked carefully since the trip goes far out to sea.

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Accommodation, rest areas and provisions

 

Every island along the way is a potential rest area, but there is a designated place on Haugøya. 

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It is possible to shop on Hopen, Comfortable accommodation before paddling can be found at Hopen Brygge, Lillenes rorbuer, Villsaugården, Betten rorbuer and Eco Camp Norway. Many choose to stay in the fishing village of Veiholmen. For an overview of all accommodation, see opplevsmola.com.