Once a seat of Viking chieftains, Steinkjer is a picturesque waterfront town at the head of Beitstadfjord. It’s a popular base for boating and fishing, with dozens of lakes and several rivers in the immediate surroundings. In addition to the town’s cultural and sporting facilities, it serves as a gateway for exploring historically significant landscapes in Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella National Park.
Things to do in Steinkjer
Stroll through the streets of Steinkjer to learn about some of its most prominent residents, many of which are honoured with statues. See the memorial to Asbjørn Følling who conducted pioneering work around Phenylketonuria (PKU) disease, then hear about local Otto Sverdrup’s role in Fridtjof Nansen’s 1888 crossing of Greenland.
If you’re visiting in the summer months, you can cool off at the modern Dampsaga Pool, which comprises a 25-metre-long training pool, two children’s pool and a sauna. Also in town is the Dampsaga Kulturhus, a local meeting place where you’ll find cinemas, a library and art gallery, plus an arena where theatre productions and concerts are held.
To the east of Steinkjer sprawls Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella National Park, which encompasses gently sloping mountains, untouched woodlands and ancient settlements that are connected along a network of hiking trails. The area has been used for hundreds of years by the indigenous Sami people and includes two reindeer grazing districts, as well as the remains of several holy places and gravesites.
Getting around Steinkjer
Steinkjer is just under two hours’ drive from the centre of Trondheim and around 1.5 hours from Trondheim Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect from Trondheim to the Steinkjer railway station while buses travel to the surrounding towns and villages. The centre of Steinkjer is compact enough to explore on foot.