That Mo i Rana is an excellent starting point for great experiences – quite literally – is becoming apparent to more and more people. Whether you’re looking for sea eagle safaris, local history, culinary delights, or city life – the hunt begins here.
– Maybe we should try fishing, see if we can catch some big fish. What do you think about that, Leon? asks Mom, Carolina.
Her seven-year-old son only needs a few seconds to nod in agreement. It sounds like a good idea.
Carolina, Leon, his nine-year-old brother, Teodor, and their dad, Johan, have traveled from Umeå, Sweden, to Mo i Rana. They are planning to spend a few days exploring Helgeland before heading back home. For Johan and the boys, it’s their first time in this part of Norway. They haven’t planned much in advance but prefer to explore the area and see what they come across along the way.
– For me, experiencing nature is essential, says Carolina.
It’s not that they don’t have nature back home in Umeå too.
–But it’s a completely different experience here, she says.
That’s why they might end up heading to the Helgeland coast during their days in Norway. And who knows, maybe Leon will catch a big fish there.
Ice Cream and Science Center
They have found their way to Havmannplassen, shortly after arriving in the city.
First, the plan is to grab a bite to eat, Johan says.
– Ice cream! the nine-year-old exclaims, and his little brother wholeheartedly agrees.
When the boys hear that there is a Science Center nearby, both they and Mom, Carolina, become interested. So, after finishing their ice cream, they might head there.
Tonight, the family will be camping at a campsite near Mo i Rana before exploring the rest of the area. When it’s time to head home, they plan to drive back into Sweden on the north side of Saltfjellet.
A natural Adventure Hub
The family of four from Umeå is far from alone in exploring Helgeland, with Mo i Rana as their starting point. The city is a transportation hub, whether you’re traveling north/south along E6, east/west along E12, arriving by train, or by plane. Mo i Rana can be the base, a “hub,” right in the heart of adventures.
– We’re very centrally located. And no matter which direction you move in, we have it all, asserts tourist host Hanne Arntzberg and Kristina Gylseth, head of Visit Helgeland’s office in Mo i Rana.
Many visitors come to them seeking information about the area, including families with children, mature motorhome tourists, and young couples in search of experiences and activities. Naturally, the neighboring countries are most represented, but also Germans, French, and Britons.
– Actually, you can say that the entire rest of Europe visits us, says Gylseth.
Couples and families prefer nature experiences and activity offerings.
– They would love to explore every nook and cranny while they are here for a few days. We become a natural starting point, whether they want to go to the sea or up in the mountains.
Some have prepared in advance, read on Visit Helgeland’s website, and have specific questions ready.
– The glacier Svartisen is a recurring topic, as well as island-hopping along the coast. They want to know how to get there.
Others have more general questions.
– Show us what we should see and do here! some say. And that’s fun because then we get to tell them about everything – about all the possibilities.
Sea and Mountains – with History and Culture in the center of it all
More and more people have begun to see the area as a destination in itself, not just a place to stop on the way elsewhere. Many foreign tourists have started to realize that they don’t need to travel to Lofoten; there are plenty of wonderful experiences to be had here in Helgeland.
Arntzberg and Gylseth believe that the region is unique and stands out from most other destinations.
– The fact that you can have experiences and activities ranging from the outermost reaches of the ocean to the highest mountain peaks – with culture and history right in the middle. For example, if you take a stroll along the Sjøfronten here in Mo, you’ll see industry and history intertwined with nature up close.
Even though many visitors seek nature experiences, there is plenty to do for those with other interests.
– How about a fantastic dining experience at “Til Elise” in Utskarpen, or alternative accommodations in a “bestemorstue” (grandmother’s cabin) or a forest bubble at “I ro og mak”? You can visit Innerdalen mountain farm with its historical storytelling, learn about the South Sami history and traditions at “Arnie,” explore several museums, join a guided city walk, or take the children to the Science Center (Vitensenteret).
Newcomers to Mo i Rana get to know the whole of Helgeland
At Visit Helgeland, they are not only focused on guests visiting the area for short stays, but they also want to showcase everything the region has to offer to those who live here. This includes both long-time residents and newcomers to the city. Living in Mo i Rana provides an excellent starting point for leisure activities and exploring all of Helgeland, whether on day trips or weekend getaways. It’s easy to reach other cities in the region, the coast, the mountains, or even venture into Sweden.
– I know that many companies, when they get new employees, are good at informing them about the available offerings and also point them in our direction, so we can help the newcomers get acquainted with what our area has to offer, says Arntzberg and Gylseth.
“Package Deals”
Back to those who unfortunately may only have two days to spend here in Northern Helgeland. What 48-hour package with accommodation in Mo i Rana would you suggest for “nature enthusiasts” and “history/culture enthusiasts”?
– There’s so much that can be included. The packages can be tailored with such diverse content. Let’s try! For the nature package: perhaps a sea eagle safari with a RIB boat from Nesna – and a trip to Svartisen. Or a trip to the Rabot Cabin near the highest mountain in Northern Norway, maybe a visit to the Climbing Park at Krokstrand. Oh, there are so many possibilities!
What about the culture and history package then?
– A walk along Sjøfronten promenade and Moholmen, with a visit to Rana Museum. The Science Center is great for the kids. You can experience food and culture at Park 22. If you’re lucky, you’ll be here during one of the many music and cultural festivals held in the area. You can also experience South Sami culture at “Arnie” just north of the city.
And much, much more
Kristina Gylseth and Hanne Arntzberg from Visit Helgeland have mentioned quite a few activities and adventures that can be reached within a relatively short distance from starting point Mo i Rana. Here’s a bit more of what the area has to offer:
- The Arctic Circle Center. Mo i Rana is the Arctic Circle City, and the actual Arctic Circle and visitor center are located at Saltfjellet. Travel time: 65 minutes from Mo i Rana city center.
- Rabothytta (The Rabot Cabin). Unique tourist cabin at 1200 m above sea level. Right next to the Okstind glacier with a view of Northern Norway’s highest mountain, Oksskolten.
- Cave diving at Visit Plura in Plurdalen. Travel time: 40 minutes from the city center.
- Puffin arrival at Lovund. Travel time: 4 hours from the city center.
- Kayaking at Solvær in Lurøy: Travel time: 4 hours from the city center
- Arctic Circle Raceway. National facility for road racing and the longest asphalt track in Norway. Travel time: 20 minutes.
- Setergrotta and Grønligrotta. Guided tours into the depths of the mountains. Travel time: 25 minutes.
- Austerdalisen/Svartisen. Glacier. Travel time: First 40 minutes by car from the city center, followed by a boat trip and a short hike.
- Bredek mountain farm. Unique mountain farm from the 1800s. Travel time: 40 minutes drive, followed by approx. 5 km hike.
- Høyt & Lavt Krokstrand. Climbing park. Travel time: 50 minutes.
- Visit Yttervik. Stay in panoramic cabins or glass igloos. Travel time: 20 minutes.
- Stenneset open-air museum with historical buildings from the 1700-1800s. Travel time: 15 minutes
- Skillevollen. Alpine slopes, lighted trails, and biathlon facilities. Travel time: 15 minutes.
- “Til Elise fra Marius” (To Elise from Marius). Gourmet restaurant. Travel time: 35 minutes.
- Visit Nesna. Includes puffin and sea eagle safaris in RIB boats. Travel time: 70 minutes from Mo i Rana city center.
- Grønsvik coastal fort and museum, with exhibitions about World War II and coastal fortifications. Travel time: 75 minutes.
- Tonnesgrotta. Also known as “Hellarhølet.” A 200-meter deep cave where sunlight accompanies you all the way down.
- Træna. 33 nautical miles off the coast. Has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The unique music festival, Trænafestivalen, has made the island community known to even more people.
- Myken. Fishing village with art exhibitions and its own whisky distillery.
Also, read more on Visit Helgeland’s website.