Gangstad Gårdsysteri: Ice cream worth taking a detour for

Travelling through Norway by car is on many people’s bucket list, and with the E6 running all the way through the country, from the south to the north, it is easy to tick off places and experiences. But a holiday is also about the journey, not just the destination. Taking a little detour is where the magic may happen.

Exiting E6 south of Steinkjer leads to Inderøy and Gangstad Gårdsysteri, an artisan farm dairy. Back in 1998, the farm was the first in Norway to get authorisation to make and sell farmhouse cheese. In 2008, the production was expanded to include ice cream.

The whole team. Photo: Ina Stenvig

But this is not just any farm dairy. Gangstad Gårdsysteri has won several awards, including the World Cheese Award 23/24 for its Nidelven Blå, which competed with over 4,500 cheeses. Despite its international success, the farm remains open to the public and works closely with the local community.

When visiting the farm shop, customers can see firsthand how cheese and ice cream are made through windows into the production room. “I often use the windows to explain and show guests what’s going on,” says Maren Gangstad, managing director. “Even though the shop isn’t very big, there is so much value in the conversations with the customers.”

Photo: Anne Vandenhooven

The ice cream production is relatively small, but that allows for more to be done by hand. It also means it is easier to test new flavours. With the farm shop in the next room, new flavours can be sampled by customers who can easily give feedback and even suggestions for new flavours.

But it is not just different flavours that customers may sample and enjoy – in the summer of 2023, the farm also tested a new way of serving ice cream. “We tested fresh ice cream, before it has time to freeze completely,” says Gangstad “Straight out of the machine, its temperature is around minus 10 degrees, and it has a soft consistency.”

Photo: Gangstad Gårdsysteri

Moreover, tourists who stop by Gangstad Gårdysteri may get more from their visit than ice cream and cheese. Gangstad happily shares local tips and maps for those who would like to explore the beauty of Inderøy. “We spend a lot of time talking about Inderøy, The Golden Road, and the areas surrounding us,” says Gangstad. “We love talking to people from all over the world.”

The farm, where the cows can roam freely. Photo: Frode Larsen

Web: ysteri.no
Facebook: gangstadgaardsysteri
Instagram: @gangstadgaardsysteri