Ellingsøyfjord

Around you now, the landscape opens up into Ellingsøyfjorden – the fjord that separates Ålesund from the island of Ellingsøya to the north. This is not just an open space on the map. It is an important route that connects the city to the rest of the coast, and further inland toward places like Skodje and the Storfjord. Fast ferries, fishing vessels, and larger ships pass through here every day. The island of Ellingsøya that you see around you is actually one of the most populated islands in the area, with several thousand residents. Today, it is connected to Ålesund by tunnels beneath the fjord, but in the past, the sea route was the only connection – and this fjord was the lifeline. At the same time, this is an area that may seem calm, but it is closely tied to the weather and the sea. Open enough to feel the forces from outside, yet still part of the sheltered coastal landscape. It is this balance that has made it possible for people to live and travel here for generations.