Steinkjer municipality is situated at the top of the Trondheim fjord, in the Beitstadfjord fjord inlet in Norway. The municipality’s scenery is rich, beautiful and varied, stretching from the fjord to the mountains. It is obvious from the landscape that Steinkjer is a typical agricultural and forestry municipality. Steinkjer was bombed and laid in ruins in 1940. It was rebuilt after the war and is now a lovely brick-built town, with post-war architecture.

Steinkjer is the southernmost municipality on the Coastal Route (RV 17). This road starts just north of the Steinkjer town centre. This is where Olav Tryggvason built a market town in the year 997. The town was once a merchant centre and a seat of Viking chieftains, and played an important role in Norwegian history.

Steinkjer is one of Norway’s largest urban municipalities, with approximately 22.000 inhabitants and a area of 1.564,2 km2, approximately half of whom live near the town center. Steinkjer is Nord Trøndelag´s county center and houses its regional authorities and institutions. Agriculture and commerce are important industries here.

In Steinkjer you can experience the scenery which is characteristic of Trøndelag, including a camp in the wilderness, boat trips on board the “Bonden II” on Lake Snåsa, a farm holiday. You can fish, without charges, in 60 lakes and in several nearby rivers. The fjord also offers good fishing possibilities. The Beistadfjord is also a base for sea-plane charters throughout Trøndelag.

Steinkjer has some of the world´s most famous rock carving fields. “Bølareinen”, a “Veideristning” carved by hunters about 3000 years B.C, is a full-size representation of a reindeer located 25 km north of the Steinkjer town centre.

Steinkjer is easily accessible. The E6 road and the railway line go through the town, and it only takes around an hour by car or train to get to Trondheim Airport at Værnes.

Steinkjer was granted a town charter back in 1857. The farmers in the area needed a center at which to sell their agricultural products. Since then, Steinkjer has been called the “villages’ town”. Steinkjer is now a compact town center with most kinds of shops; intimate boutiques and large shopping centers – local merchants and local chain stores.

DAMPSAGA KULTURHUS

Dampsaga Kulturhus is Steinkjer’s cultural meeting place. The center houses three cinemas, a library with a gallery, a cafeteria, a music school as well as a first-class arena for theater and concert productions. The Dampsaga Kulturhus’s architecture is special – three old sawmill buildings with their characteristic chimneys have been connected to a modern part and now form a combination of old industrial architecture and a new style of building.

DAMPSAGA POOL

Since its opening in August 95, the Dampsaga Pool has been a popular place for all those who like to swim, play and enjoy themselves in pleasant surroundings. Along the Coastal Highway only 15 km north of Steinkjer lies “Bygdesentralen” in Beitstad, a local tradition centre, where you can buy local handicraft and home made food.

Steinkjer has several statues of local people who became internationally famous. Otto Sverdrup (1854-1930) had links to Steinkjer in that his parents lived on Trana farm. Sverdrup is one of the most famous people in the history of Arctic research. He accompanied Nansen on his skiing journey across the ice of Greenland in 1888. Scientist Asbjørn Følling (1888-1973) is also honored with a statue in Steinkjer. He became famous for his pioneering discovery of the Phenylketonuria (PKU) disease in 1934. PKU could lead to mental retardation and can now be treated as a result of this discovery.

PAULINE

Pauline is an old Innherred small cargo boat with a half deck and sails, built in 1897 and with its home port in Steinkjer. It is still in full activity, making it the world’s last sailing boat of its kind in operation. It is classified as one of the vessels most worthy of preservation in Norway.

Steinkjer offers various kinds of nature experiences. The fjord, sea, forest and mountains are very close by and can be reached within the hour. The forests and mountains are perfect for taking hiking trips along marked pathways or in untouched terrain. You can fish for free in a number of lakes and make use of good forest and mountain cabins all year round.

Naturally, there are more activities connected with water near the fjord. On a hot summer’s day, visit the outdoor areas Paradisbukta, Ho-øya and Kalvøya, with their smooth rocks, lovely beaches and good opportunities for swimming.

In the wintertime, we recommend taking a skiing trip in prepared ski-tracks, for example on Byafjellet (Mount Bya) and Henningfjellet (Mount Henning).

ROCK CARVINGS

Rock carvings are a very important source for understanding life long ago in Norway. “Helleristninger” as they are called in Norwegian, means figures scratched into rock and stones. There are several interesting rock-carving sites in Steinkjer.

BØLAREINEN

Bølareinen is a naturalistic artwork of a full-size reindeer dated at around 6,000 years old. It was hammered into the rock with a club and a sharp piece of stone. Bølareinen is a hunt carving, it´s believed that it was a part of the Stone-Age hunting people’s magic rituals to secure catches and good luck.

THE BARDAL AREA

The Bardal Area (Bardalfeltet) contains around 400 figures and symbols from two epochs. Both the Stone-Age hunters and the Bronze-Age farmers have left traces here.

THE HELGE AREA

One of Trøndelag’s most distinctive cultural relics is to be found at Helge (Helgefeltet) in Byafossen. This area contains several burial mounds and old stone monuments. Findings from both the Paleolithic and Neolithic Stone Ages have been made in the burial mounds. Especially noticeable are the three large old stone monuments. There were originally five such stones, and at least one of these stands on a burial mound. There is also another form of grave here, in the form of a cromlech, with nine large stones set in circles.

THE STONE SHIP

This is the remains of a large burial area from 600 – 1030 AD. The stones are set in the shape of a boat. The graves are empty and the stones are believed to be memorials to Vikings who never returned home from their trips. “The Stone Ship” may be a symbolic ship that was to take the dead to another world.

VÅTTABAKKEN

The first Stone-Age settlement was found at Våttåbakken in 1870. Bronze-Age findings at Eggevammen close by show that there has been continuous settlement here since then.

SKEI AREA

The Skei Area (Skeifeltet) is the largest burial site in Nord-Trøndelag, and the area now consists of 113 burial mounds. The remains of military settlements have also been found, and the size of the hollows for cooking food indicates a large household. These findings are from around 800 – 1000 AD.

EGGE

Prehistoric and cultural monuments and a recreation area on both sides of the E6 road. The burial mounds and cromlechs found here stem from the Bronze and Iron Ages. Graves from around 200 BC – 1100 AD containing many objects have been found here. Several of the objects are from the British Isles and other parts of Europe, proving that Egge was a center of power in mid-Norway.

EGGE FARM

The Egge farm is mentioned as a chieftain’s headquarters several times in Snorre’s sagas. People such as Trond Haka, Olve and Kalv Arneson supposedly had their headquarters on the farm. The chieftains at Egge were also religious leaders who were responsible for making sacrifices at the pagan temple at Mære (now where Mære Church stands). It is easy to see the connection between Egge, Mære and Stiklestad in the dramatic events that took place around 1030 AD, when Christianity was being introduced to Norway.

The farm buildings burnt down around 1970, and only the remains are left. The pathways in the area are well signposted. The “Sigrid path”, affording lovely views over the town, fjord and cultural landscape, starts from the place where Egge farm once stood. This path is suitable for wheelchair users.

EGGE MUSEUM

The County Governor’s Mansion at Egge is one of Steinkjer’s most prominent buildings. The house was built in 1919, and became the home of County Governor Halvor Bakke Guldahl. Its architectural style is classical and reflects the way of living that government officials liked to demonstrate during the first part of the century. The house now contains Egge Museum’s administrative department and the premises are used for various exhibitions organized by the museum.

The Outdoor Museum, with its 11 buildings, shows Trøndelag’s agriculture during many different phases. There are activities and demonstrations of old work techniques daily during the summer season. The Mid-Norwegian Agricultural Museum has a unique collection of many generations of agricultural machinery. If you follow the network of pathways through Eggemarka, you will arrive at the museum’s mill and gate saw.

MÆRE CHURCH

Mære Church was built on the same site as an old pagan temple. Many dramatic events took place at the temple in connection with the conflict between the old and new faiths. St. Olaf demanded that a church be built on the ruins of the temple. The present Mære Church, which dates from the 12th century, is one of many stone churches that were built during the time following St. Olaf’s death at Stiklestad.

STEINKJER CHURCH

The idyllic River Steinkjer runs through the town, dividing it into two. The church is on the southern side of the river, and is an exciting eye catcher and “landmark” in Steinkjer. Steinkjer Church is the third church in the town´s history. It was consecrated in 1965, 25 years after the town was bombed. The church’s untraditional decorations make it a special cultural experience. The wall decoration and stained-glass paintings by Jakob Weidemann are particularly worth seeing.

COASTAL ROUTE (KYSTRIKSVEIEN)

Explore the coastline of Norway and enjoy one of Norway´s finest tourist roads, or simply find your paradise for relaxation and peace of mind. The Costal Route (Kysriksveien or Rv17) is an exciting 650 km long stretch of road between Steinkjer in the south and Bodø in the north.

Apart from the traditional campsites, you will find self catering accommodation like Cabins, Fisherman cabins, or seahouses in most places along the route. In most of the places boatrental is available.

FISHING

You can fish, without charges, in 60 lakes and in several nearby rivers. The fjord also offers good fishing possibilities. The Beistadfjord is also a base for sea-plane charters throughout Trøndelag.

GOLF

Steinkjer Golfclub is a golf course with 6 holes and a variation of difficulties. The course lies close to Midjo Bridge. Approximately 4 km from Ongdal.