7 reasons to visit our surf camp in Hoddevik, Norway this summer
November 3, 2023When thinking of surfing, locations like Bali or Costa Rica may be what come to mind. But did you know that Norway has amazing surf? Surfing in Norway may be something you never even knew was possible, so it may come as a surprise that you can find great waves surrounded by breathtaking nature in Hoddevik, a hidden surf gem. Here are our top reasons to travel to our surf camp in Hoddevik this summer.
On Sunday the 19th of June we opened the surf camp for the summer season and are beyond ready to catch the nordic waves again! This summer we want to fill our days with adventures, hikes and of course; surfing. Are you ready to kick off the summer season with us? Welcome to Hoddevik!
Where is Hoddevik?
Our surf camp is in the bay of Hoddevik. This small village is located in Stadlandet, Norway. It is a beautiful bay on the western coast of Stadlandet peninsula surrounded by high mountains. Approximately a nine-hour drive from the capital city of Oslo.
Top 7 reasons to visit our surf camp in Hoddevik
We had a chat with Katrine Ødeskaug, the destination manager and one of the surf instructors at our camp in Norway. Together with her, we list our top seven reasons to pay the camp a visit this summer.
VIDEO
Living and Surfing in Hoddevik - Norway
1. The iconic landscape – Like stepping into a movie
As you may have seen in movies or in photos, Norway has a jaw-dropping landscape. The steep mountains, the one-kilometre-long beach and the wonderful nature are what make Hoddevik a truly unique place. Combining this with the warm and kind vibes of the locals in the bay and the great waves and we have an amazing surf destination off the beaten path! The area gets swells from the west and is wind-sheltered by the mountains, which makes Hoddevik a great surf spot.
– Hoddevik is one of the most iconic surf destinations in Norway! The walk down to the beach is surreal, with its breathtaking dramatic mountains on each side, small farms with their fields, beautiful small houses on each side of the road and during summer - wildflowers everywhere! said Ødeskaug.
2. The variety of waves and all-year surf – Every season is surf season!
A question that might have popped up in your head when starting to read this post may have been “Is there really good surf in Norway?” – the answer to that is heck yes! At Hoddevik beach you will find good waves no matter if you are a complete beginner or a more experienced surfer.
– Here we got a good combination and variety of waves, from bigger waves where you go outside your comfort zone to the smaller fun sessions with a soft-top board. We’re surfing at Hoddevik beach, which is beautifully located between steep cliffs and has a nice sand bottom, said Ødeskaug.
Surfers enter the water at Hoddevik all year around. But surfing in one of the northernmost places on Earth isn't for the fainthearted. During the winter season you can find snow on the beach and experience pretty cold water, an experience far from Sri Lanka and Bali!
– You can surf all year! The waves are small and beginner friendly in the summer, while in fall and winter the waves are bigger and wilder and therefore better for more advanced riders. But with a proper wetsuit on, you won't be cold even in January! Said Ødeskaug.
During the winter the daylight is very limited and the window for surfing is only a few hours a day. But now when summer is arriving you can surf even at midnight, which is a very unique experience but itself.
3. The laid-back surf culture and friendly vibes
You’ll experience that the surf culture in Norway is relaxed and you’ll notice the friendly vibe of the surf community when you enter the lineup in Hoddevik.
4. Hike Mosekleivhornet – 540 meters above sea level
There are many beautiful hikes around the area, but Mosekleivhornet is our number one favourite! The magnificent view you get overlooking the whole valley with the village, beach and mountains is simply irreplaceable.
Hiking to Mosekleivhornet can be done in two ways: on a longer but more accessible trail or a steeper and shorter one. For the longer trail, you go from Dragseidet to Mosekleivhornet with a distance of 16.5 kilometres (back and forth) and an altitude of 996 meters – but it’s definitely worth the sweat! On the top, you’ll find a mailbox with a book inside, where you can write in your name.
The shorter but more demanding hike goes from City Grendahus, it’s an 8.4-kilometre hike (back and forth) with an altitude of 488 meters. This hike will take you roughly two hours to get to the viewpoint but it is quite demanding. Be aware that there can be rock slides here, so ask a local before you decide to take this route!
If you have a car, here are other hikes that we recommend:
Revjehornet
Hanekammen
Kyrnosa
Indre Fure
Vestkapp
5. Skate down the iconic road that leads to Hoddevik
To get to the small surfing and village you will go down a pretty astonishing road. And what better way to get down to the village than on a longboard? You can borrow both skateboards and longboards at the camp. It will probably be one of the most, if not the most, unforgettable longboard sessions of your life! There’s also a skate ramp inside a barn in Ervik that you can check out!
6. Experience the nordic way of life
Coming to Hoddevik is like stepping into a nordic fairytale. You’ll get to experience the beauty and the rawness of the north, which is a travel trend that is getting more and more popular. Eat traditional Scandinavian food, enjoy jumping into the cold water after a hot sauna, do a midnight surf during summer and breathe the fresh air.
7. Day trips to incredible views
Although Hoddevik is an absolute dream, there are other parts of Norway that you don’t want to miss! Here are two of our favourite day trip destinations:
Vestkapp (the West Cape): Pack the car with a picnic and drive up to Vestkapp, the westernmost mountain plateau in Norway. Here you can see the view from an almost 500-meter-high cliff by the sea.
Ervik: In this small village you’ll find lots of activities and history to explore. You’ll see an ancient graveyard that dates back to the 1550s at a white chapel, where sailors who lost their lives at sea were buried. When the tides are low, you can see a shipwreck in the middle of Ervik beach. Ervik also offers great hikes.
What are the best parts about surfing in Norway?
– I think that the best part is that it is sustainable to travel by car/bus in your own country and many surf spots have a relatively empty and beginner-friendly lineup. Hoddevik has amazing small and fun soft top and longboard waves during summer, which is perfect for goofing around in the water with your friends, said Ødeskaug.
The camp just opened on the 19th of June! Are you ready for the summer season?
– We are super excited that the camp has opened again, it has been a fun and fast process and the camp looks so good now! Working here is a blast, we live in an amazing surf destination where we get to surf every day. And we have an amazing team and, of course, amazing guests coming! Said Ødeskaug.
Do you want to know more about our surf camp in Hoddevik? Check it out here.
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