18.1 Introduction
Just north of Trondheim lies a region where Norwegian history, agriculture, fjord landscapes, local food and cultural heritage come together.
Stjørdal, Hell, Innherred, Levanger, Verdal and Inderøy provide a slower and more traditional alternative to Norway's major tourist destinations.
This is a region of: historic farms, medieval churches, Viking and medieval history, World War II heritage, Trondheim Fjord landscapes, local food producers, cycling routes, art and craft, small villages, the Golden Road.
Innherred lies about 80 kilometres north of Trondheim and can be reached by car, train, bus or plane via Trondheim Airport Værnes.
For travellers continuing north on the E6, this region also works as an excellent bridge between Trondheim and Steinkjer.
18.2 Stjørdal at a Glance
Region: Trøndelag. Main airport: Trondheim Airport Værnes. Main railway: Nordlandsbanen/Trønderbanen. Main road: E6. Famous nearby place: Hell. Historic attraction: Hegra Fortress. Coastal attraction: Steinvikholm Castle. Main fjord: Trondheim Fjord. Best for: history, transport, countryside and short breaks.
Stjørdal is particularly useful for travellers arriving by air because Trondheim Airport Værnes is located here.
18.3 Hell
The village of Hell has become internationally famous because of its unusual English name.
However, beyond the famous railway-station sign, Hell is simply a Norwegian community in Stjørdal.
Hell Station is on the Nordland Railway and has train services connecting the area with Trondheim, Steinkjer, Meråker and Östersund in Sweden.
The famous photo: visitors often stop at Hell railway station to photograph the station sign. It is a fun short stop, particularly for international travellers.
But Hell should not be treated as a major sightseeing destination on its own. Combine it with other Stjørdal attractions.
18.4 Trondheim Airport Værnes
Værnes is one of the most important transport gateways to Central Norway.
For travellers arriving by air, it provides convenient access to: Stjørdal → Trondheim → Innherred → Røros → Northern Norway.
The airport is approximately 50 km south of Levanger.
Useful strategy: instead of immediately continuing into Trondheim, travellers with extra time can use Stjørdal as the beginning of a regional road trip. Possible sequence: Værnes → Hell → Hegra → Steinvikholm → Stjørdal.
18.5 Hegra Fortress
Hegra Fortress is one of the most important military-history sites in the Stjørdal area.
The fortress is associated particularly with the Norwegian resistance during the German invasion of Norway in 1940.
The mountain position, tunnels and defensive structures provide an opportunity to understand how Norway's military forces operated during the early stage of World War II.
Why visit? Hegra is particularly interesting for travellers who enjoy military history, Norwegian World War II history, fortifications, hiking, photography, mountain landscapes.
Allow several hours rather than treating it as a five-minute roadside stop.
Tip: check seasonal opening arrangements before travelling.
18.6 Steinvikholm Castle
On the Skatval peninsula in Stjørdal stands Steinvikholm Castle, one of Norway's most important late-medieval fortifications.
Construction began in 1525 under Olav Engelbrektsson, the last Catholic archbishop of Norway, and the castle was completed in 1532.
The castle later became associated with the dramatic political and religious changes that accompanied the Reformation.
Today, the site provides: historic ruins, coastal scenery, photography, walking, fishing opportunities from the jetty, a small beach, cultural events.
The castle's position on the Trondheim Fjord makes it especially attractive for photographers.
18.7 From Stjørdal to Innherred
Heading north from Stjørdal, the landscape becomes increasingly rural.
The route passes through the historic Innherred region.
Important places include: Levanger, Verdal, Inderøy, Steinkjer.
Innherred combines agriculture, fjords, historic sites and cultural landscapes.
For a traveller, the region works particularly well as a two- or three-day extension to a Trondheim trip.
18.8 Levanger
Levanger is a historic town on the eastern side of the Trondheim Fjord.
Its character comes from: wooden architecture, fjord location, historic streets, local food, museums, nearby farms, Munkeby, Falstad.
Levanger can be used as a base for exploring the wider Innherred region.
18.9 Munkeby Monastery Ruins
Near Levanger are the remains of a medieval Cistercian monastery established in the late twelfth century.
Only parts of the original monastery church remain today.
A modern Cistercian monastery was later established nearby by the same order, creating a remarkable link between medieval and modern religious life.
Nearby Munkeby Herberge offers accommodation and a farm shop, making the area suitable for a quiet countryside stop.
18.10 Falstad Centre
The Falstad Centre in Ekne, Levanger, is a museum, memorial site and national centre for World War II prison history and human rights.
The site occupies buildings associated with the former German SS prison camp SS Strafgefangenlager Falstad.
Around 4,500 prisoners from 16 countries were held there between 1941 and 1945.
Today the centre focuses on: prisoner history, World War II, human rights, democracy, documentation, education, memorialisation.
This is a serious historical site rather than a conventional tourist attraction. Visitors should allow time for reflection.
18.11 Falstadskogen
Approximately one kilometre south of the Falstad Centre is Falstadskogen, a memorial landscape and wartime execution site.
The area contains memorials to prisoners who were killed during the occupation.
A walking trail connects the Falstad Centre with Falstadskogen.
The experience is deliberately reflective and provides an important historical counterpoint to the region's otherwise peaceful countryside.
18.12 Stiklestad
One of the most historically important places in Norway is Stiklestad, near Verdal.
The Battle of Stiklestad took place in 1030, where King Olav Haraldsson was killed.
Olav later became known as Saint Olav.
The battle is considered a major turning point in the consolidation of the Norwegian kingdom and the development of Christianity in Norway.
18.13 Stiklestad National Cultural Centre
The Stiklestad National Cultural Centre brings this history to life through: exhibitions, museums, historic buildings, performances, guided experiences, cultural events, medieval activities.
The museum area contains approximately 30 historic buildings representing traditional rural life from earlier centuries.
The site also includes: Stiklestad Church, medieval farm, folk museum, open-air theatre, museum shop, restaurant/café.
18.14 The St. Olav Drama
One of Stiklestad's most famous cultural events is the annual St. Olav Drama, performed during the St. Olav Days at the end of July.
The production tells the story surrounding the Battle of Stiklestad.
The festival period can include: theatre, concerts, lectures, guided tours, medieval market, family activities, historical demonstrations.
Dates and programmes change every year, so check the official programme before planning a trip.
18.15 Stiklestad for Families
Stiklestad works particularly well for families because history is presented through interactive experiences.
During the summer season, the site has offered Viking Summer activities where visitors can experience reconstructed historical environments and learn about life in earlier periods.
Children can experience history through: storytelling, historic buildings, demonstrations, crafts, medieval activities, outdoor exploration.
18.16 The Golden Road
The Golden Road — Den Gyldne Omvei — is the centrepiece of an Inderøy visit.
Rather than being a single conventional road, it is a collection of small-scale destinations across the Inderøy cultural landscape.
The route brings together: farm shops, food producers, art, crafts, galleries, restaurants, accommodation, historic sites, walking, cycling.
Visit Norway describes it as a culinary and cultural detour from the E6.
18.17 Why the Golden Road Is Special
The Golden Road is about slow travel.
Instead of driving from one major attraction to another, visitors can spend time at individual farms and workshops.
A typical day might include: breakfast → farm shop → cycling → local cheese → art gallery → fjord viewpoint → dinner at a farm restaurant.
This makes the area particularly suitable for travellers who want to experience everyday Norwegian countryside rather than only famous landmarks.
18.18 Gangstad Gårdsysteri
One of the best-known Golden Road destinations is Gangstad Gårdsysteri.
The farm is known for handmade cheeses and ice cream.
Its cheese Nidelven Blå won the top prize at the World Cheese Awards in 2023, beating thousands of competing cheeses.
Visitors can find: cheese, ice cream, farm products, gifts, tastings, seasonal café experiences.
For food-focused travellers, this is one of the most distinctive stops on the Golden Road.
18.19 Berg Gård
Berg Gård combines farming, food and traditional production.
Products associated with the farm include: sausages, meat products, mustard, rapeseed oil, aquavit, farm-shop products.
The farm also operates Inderøy Brenneri.
Visit Norway highlights Berg Gård as one of the Golden Road's important local-food destinations.
18.20 Inderøy Farm Brewery
Inderøy also has a strong small-scale beverage culture.
Inderøy Farm Brewery produces beer using locally grown ingredients and also offers products such as mead, cider and apple juice.
Visitors should check opening days and tasting arrangements before arriving.
18.21 Inderøy Mosteri
The region's agricultural environment also supports fruit production.
Inderøy Mosteri produces apple juice, cider and other fruit-based beverages from locally grown apples.
The combination of long summer daylight and the local growing conditions helps create a distinctive agricultural landscape.
18.22 Local Dish — Inderøysodd
One of the foods visitors should look for is sodd.
Inderøy and Innherred are particularly associated with this traditional meatball-based soup.
It is part of the region's food heritage and can be found at selected restaurants and food producers.
A good food stop can therefore be: sodd + local bread + local dairy products.
18.23 Øyna Cultural Landscape Hotel
For travellers looking for a more premium countryside experience, Øyna Cultural Landscape Hotel is built into the landscape above Inderøy.
The property offers views over: Trondheim Fjord, agricultural landscapes, Inderøy, the Golden Road.
Its restaurant focuses on local ingredients, while the architecture is designed to blend with the surrounding landscape.
This can be a strong accommodation choice for a special night during a Norway road trip.
18.24 Art on the Golden Road
The Golden Road is not only about food.
Visitors can also explore: galleries, craft workshops, sculpture, traditional clothing, contemporary art, local design.
The Nils Aas Art Workshop is particularly notable.
Nils Aas was one of Norway's important twentieth-century sculptors, and the workshop/museum connects his artistic work with the wider cultural landscape of Inderøy.
18.25 Muustrøparken Sculpture Park
Near Straumen, Muustrøparken offers an outdoor art experience.
The park combines art + greenery + walking + local culture.
It is a useful short stop when exploring the Golden Road by car or bicycle.
18.26 Sakshaug Old Church
Sakshaug Old Church is one of Inderøy's historic landmarks.
The medieval church provides another connection between the Golden Road's modern food culture and the much older history of the region.
A Golden Road itinerary can therefore combine: farm food + medieval architecture + contemporary art.
18.27 Cycling the Golden Road
Inderøy is particularly well suited to cycling.
Current regional cycling information describes circular routes around Inderøy and the Golden Road of approximately 30–45 km. Some sections use paved roads and others gravel roads.
Possible stops include: Gangstad Gårdsysteri, Berg Gård, Inderøy Farm Brewery, Øyna, Straumen, Sakshaug Old Church.
Cycling tip: an e-bike can make the route easier for travellers who want to concentrate on the scenery and food rather than physical effort.
18.28 Straumen
Straumen is the main settlement on Inderøy and a convenient base for exploring the Golden Road.
The area combines: waterfront, shops, cafés, art, food, historic buildings, walking, cycling.
It is a good place to pause before continuing around the peninsula.
18.29 Coastal Experiences
Although the Golden Road is primarily associated with food and culture, Inderøy is also connected to the Trondheim Fjord.
Visitors can enjoy: swimming, fishing, kayaking, boating, coastal walks, photography.
The official Golden Road information highlights the fjord as an important part of the region's outdoor experience.
18.30 A Slow-Travel Day
A perfect Golden Road day does not require a packed schedule.
Morning: start in Straumen. Late morning: visit Gangstad Gårdsysteri. Lunch: try a local dish. Afternoon: visit an art workshop or sculpture park. Late afternoon: drive or cycle through the agricultural landscape. Evening: enjoy dinner at a local farm or stay at a countryside hotel.
This style of travel allows the landscape itself to become part of the attraction.
18.31 2-Day Itinerary — Stjørdal & Innherred
Day 1 — Stjørdal: Morning — arrive at Trondheim Airport Værnes, visit Hell, Hegra Fortress. Afternoon — continue to Steinvikholm Castle, Stjørdal. Evening — stay in Stjørdal or continue north.
Day 2 — Stiklestad: visit Stiklestad National Cultural Centre, Stiklestad Church, historic buildings, museum exhibitions. Continue towards Inderøy or Trondheim.
18.32 3-Day Itinerary — Golden Road
- Day 1: Trondheim → Stjørdal → Hell → Steinvikholm.
- Day 2: Stiklestad → Inderøy → Straumen.
- Day 3: Golden Road — Gangstad, Berg Gård, art/craft stop, Muustrøparken, local dinner. Stay in Inderøy or continue north.
18.33 5-Day Innherred Experience
- Day 1: Trondheim → Stjørdal → Hell.
- Day 2: Hegra Fortress → Steinvikholm → Levanger.
- Day 3: Falstad Centre → Munkeby → Levanger.
- Day 4: Stiklestad → Verdal → Inderøy.
- Day 5: Golden Road food and cycling → continue towards Steinkjer.
This itinerary combines World War II history + medieval Norway + food + countryside + art.
18.34 Trondheim Airport to the Golden Road
One particularly useful option is travelling by train.
From Trondheim Airport Værnes, travellers can connect to the railway and continue north towards Røra.
Visit Norway describes Røra as a starting point for a Golden Road experience, with transport arrangements available onward to Inderøy. This creates a practical car-free itinerary: Trondheim Airport → Røra → Inderøy → Golden Road.
For visitors who want to cycle, bikes can also be rented in the region.
18.35 Public Transport
Innherred is connected by: train, bus, road, airport connections.
Railway stations include: Levanger, Verdal, Røra, Steinkjer, Snåsa.
The regional rail network makes the area accessible without a private car, although individual Golden Road destinations are easier to reach by bicycle, taxi or car.
18.36 Best Time to Visit
- Summer — best for: Golden Road, cycling, farm visits, outdoor dining, museums, Stiklestad events, long daylight.
- Autumn — excellent for: harvest experiences, local food, photography, quiet countryside.
- Winter — best for: snow-covered landscapes, cultural experiences, Christmas atmosphere, indoor food experiences.
Spring — a quieter season, although some businesses and attractions may operate on reduced schedules.
Always check individual opening hours before travelling.
18.37 Photography Guide
Best subjects: Trondheim Fjord, farm landscapes, wooden houses, historic churches, Steinvikholm Castle, Stiklestad, Golden Road food, cycling landscapes, autumn fields, winter countryside.
Golden hour: the open agricultural landscapes of Inderøy can produce excellent sunrise and sunset photographs.
Use a wide-angle lens for landscape scenes and a standard lens for food, architecture and village photography.
18.38 Family Travel
This region can work particularly well for families because activities are varied.
Children may enjoy: Hell railway station, Stiklestad, Viking experiences, historic farms, cycling, ice cream at Gangstad, beaches, short walks, farm visits.
Families should check individual attraction opening dates because many experiences are seasonal.
18.39 Accommodation Strategy
City convenience — stay in Stjørdal, useful for airport access.
History — stay around Stiklestad/Verdal, good for combining cultural attractions.
Food & countryside — stay in Inderøy, best for the Golden Road.
Premium experience — consider Øyna Cultural Landscape Hotel for fjord views and local food.
18.40 Budget Planning
Budget — public transport, simple accommodation, walking, self-guided sightseeing, farm shops, picnic meals.
Mid-Range — hotel, museum visits, restaurant meals, bike/e-bike rental, guided cultural experiences.
Premium — countryside hotel, fine local dining, private guide, multi-day food experience, premium cycling arrangements.
Opening hours, activity fees and transport prices change, so check current prices before booking.
18.42 Suggested Routes
Main route: Trondheim → Stjørdal/Værnes → Hell → Levanger → Verdal/Stiklestad → Inderøy/Straumen → Steinkjer.
The Golden Road (Inderøy): Straumen, Gangstad, Berg Gård, Øyna, Sakshaug, Muustrøparken, local food producers and cycling routes.
18.44 Responsible Travel
The Golden Road is built around small-scale businesses and rural communities.
Visitors should: respect private farms, follow farm-visit rules, book ahead where required, avoid entering restricted areas, support local producers, carry reusable water bottles, avoid litter, keep noise down, respect historic buildings, follow cycling and road-safety rules.
Buying directly from local producers also helps keep traditional food and crafts connected to the communities that created them.
18.45 Accessibility
Several attractions in the region provide adapted facilities, but accessibility varies between historic buildings, farms, outdoor sites and trails.
Stiklestad National Cultural Centre identifies itself as accessible for visitors with disabilities.
Historic sites such as castles, old churches and rural paths may have uneven surfaces.
Check individual venues before booking.
18.46 Check Before You Go
Trondheim Airport transport, train timetable, Hell Station services, Hegra Fortress opening dates, Steinvikholm Castle access, Falstad Centre opening hours, Stiklestad programme, St. Olav Drama dates, Golden Road business opening hours, farm-shop availability, restaurant reservations, cycling/e-bike availability, weather forecast, road conditions, accommodation availability, current museum/activity prices.
Important: many Golden Road businesses are small-scale and seasonal. Do not assume that every producer or café is open every day.
18.47 Quick Reference
Region: Trøndelag/Innherred. Main gateway: Trondheim Airport Værnes. Main road: E6. Famous railway stop: Hell. Historic fortress: Hegra Fortress. Historic castle: Steinvikholm Castle. Major historical site: Stiklestad. WWII site: Falstad Centre. Main food destination: The Golden Road. Main town in Inderøy: Straumen. Major lake/fjord: Trondheim Fjord. Best for: food, culture, history, cycling and countryside. Ideal stay: 2–5 days.
18.48 Final Takeaway
Stjørdal and Innherred show a quieter side of Norway that can easily be missed when travellers rush between major destinations.
The region connects several different stories: Hell and the railway → Stjørdal's military history → medieval Steinvikholm → World War II at Falstad → Saint Olav at Stiklestad → local food and art along the Golden Road.
The result is a destination where history and everyday Norwegian life remain closely connected.
For travellers who have already explored Trondheim, adding two or three days in Innherred can transform a simple northbound journey into a much richer experience.