Mosjøen: Explore the hidden gem of northern Norway

By Celina Tran | Photos: Visit Helgeland

Hidden away in the beautiful northern Norwegian landscape lies the gem of a town waiting to be explored. Often overlooked by travellers, Mosjøen in Vefsna municipality is the perfect weekend getaway, with its picturesque town, access to breathtaking nature, and unforgettable cultural wealth.

In a valley along the banks of Vefsna River lies Mosjøen, a Norwegian town surrounded by towering mountains. The town is the country’s midpoint, making it a perfect base for travellers wishing to explore the best of Norway. That’s not to say that Mosjøen and its surrounding areas aren’t fantastic in their own right – it certainly is. With easy access to jaw-droppingly beautiful nature, unique natural sights such as the northern lights, as well as a range of cultural and culinary experiences, Mosjøen makes for the perfect travel destination year-round.

Mosjøen: Explore the hidden gem of northern Norway

Sjøgata street. Photo: Lars Erik Martinsen

“Mosjøen has something for everyone,” says Simon Almås, project lead in Mosjøen og Omegn Næringsselskap. “Whether you’re seeking peace and quiet or thrills and adventure in nature, there are opportunities for people of all levels, with Børgefjell and Lomsdal-Visten national parks in our backyards.” If you’re feeling like taking on a challenge, Mosjøen is home to the Helgeland Steps, the world’s longest continuous stone steps, with 4,175 steps. It’s one of the many activities available in the great outdoors.

Photo: Emilie Solbakken

“And if you’re not here for the natural sights, Mosjøen is also a place with rich a history and culture,” says Olav Karlsen, project lead in Almås. He explains that the town actively works towards preserving and expanding its legacy as a city of culture and that visitors this year can expect a summer full of fun, music and entertainment.

The Helgeland Steps. Photo: Emilie Solbakken

A summer in full swing with Mosjøen’s arts and culture scene

Summer in Mosjøen sees a range of vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations. Among the wide range of events, Festspillene Helgeland is the not-to-miss festival, with over 100 activities and 30 exhibitions. “Festspillene Helgeland is actually an umbrella name for a series of events from 28 June to 5 July. It includes not only performances, but also workshops and courses, and has something for audiences of all ages,” confirms Karlsen.

Photo: Jan Inge Larsen

“The festival period includes the Galleria Art Festival Exhibitions and Toppenkurset – a course for classic musicians, and ByfestVeko – the annual, local town festival,” adds Almås. Aside from the summer festivals, Mosjøen continues to develop its cultural experiences year-round. There’s a range of galleries and studios in Mosjøen and its surrounding areas, where visitors can find anything from woodcarvings and ceramics to contemporary paintings and sculptures.

The worlds longest porridge table. Photo: Emilie Solbakken

For history buffs or museum fans, there are also plenty of possibilities to see and experience how the locals lived in the old days. Take part in a historic walking tour on Sjøgata, visit the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre, or learn all about resistance fighter Liv Grannes at Politimestergården, behind Vefsn Bygdetun.

Photo: Emilie Solbakken

Mosjøen is Nordland’s second oldest town and was first founded in 1875. It has a long history as an industrial city, as well as being a trading town thanks to its strategic location along the Vefsna river. “For a long time, Mosjøen was a meeting point for the native Sámi population, farmers, and coastal merchants. Our long history is characterized by the town centre’s well-preserved street, Sjøgata, which houses wooden buildings from the 1800s,” says Karlsen.

Tosen Masvanntjonn Lake. Photo: Jan Inge Larsen

The rich cultural heritage isn’t limited to Mosjøen town itself but stretches across Vefsna Municipality, which sees sites and places dating back thousands of years. Along with Mosjøen’s historic Sjøgata, the municipality’s archaeological sites and ancient rock carvings contribute to the area’s unique charm. “While we’re a small town, Mosjøen has such a vast range of activities and experiences all year round,” says Karlsen.

Northern Lights over Mosjoen. Photo: Morten Eriksen

In addition to all the summer festivals, the rest of the year also sees several entertaining events, including an international food fair celebrating arctic food, where Michelin chefs and other culinary talents come from all over. In the winter, Mosjøen is also turned into a beautiful and bright Christmas town, where you can partake in the world’s longest porridge table. “As a part of our mission to expand, more and more restaurants and unique cafes are popping up all over Mosjøen,” says Almås. “We like to describe ourselves as an ‘everything town’ because we strive to be known for everything from art and culture to food and restaurants and hotels.”

Cabin by Okstindan in Hemnes. Photo: Emilie Solbakken

Find both peace and adventure in local nature

If you’re searching for a bit more adventure away from the charming small town, why not try out some in-nature activities? From hiking to ziplining and mountain biking, local nature has something for adventurers of all levels. If you happen to be in Mosjøen in the winter, you can also further enjoy a range of winter activities, including dog sledding, driving snow scooters, or chasing the beautiful northern lights.

Photo: Mosjøen og omegn næringsselskap

If it’s not an adrenaline rush or demanding physical activities you’re seeking, there are plenty of other options too. In fact, Vefsna Municipality is an Eldorado for salmon fishers. Known for its enormous waterfalls and rivers, Vefsna has some of the greatest salmon waters.

There are also plenty of picturesque walks in nature or along the rivers to be enjoyed too. Why not bring a picnic basket and some friends? “It’s precisely this easy access to everything, whether a music festival for fun or a tranquil salmon river for escape from the noise, that makes Mosjøen such a wonderful place to live,” concludes Almås.