Take a holiday to Hell and Trøndelag to experience the traditional local humour and one of Norway’s oldest seats of power. Here, history stretches back to the first settlements over 6,000 years ago, and the local area boasts several attractions.
Hell is a small settlement in Nord-Trøndelag with around 1,500 inhabitants. The place is probably best known for its unusual name, and many English-speaking tourists visit the town for that reason alone. The name originally comes from the old Norwegian word hellir, which means cave, and it was here some of the first people in the area settled.
Hell itself is not very big, and you will not find much beyond a food shop, a petrol station and a care home. But every year, the Blues in Hell festival is organised here, and if you like music you should definitely visit while the festival is on. It has been voted one of Norway's best blues festivals. And don’t forget to take a trip to Hell station to get a photo next to the town’s sign.
The area surrounding Hell offers several attractions. You can visit Værnes church, which dates back to the Middle Ages and features several murals on its walls. Hegra fortress is steeped in history from both the battle with Sweden and the Second World War. If you’re lucky and the weather is good, take a trip to Storvika for a refreshing dip, or visit Forbordsfjellet for the view.
Værnes Airport, which serves nearby Trondheim with both domestic and international flights, is the nearest airport, so you can easily fly when travelling to Hell. Train connections are also good, thanks to the proximity to Trondheim. However, hiring a car is always a good idea for visiting the local area. Europavei6 passes through here, and there are excellent connections eastwards towards Sweden.
A trip to Hell offers a chance at fun wordplay, old history and stunning Norwegian scenery. If you are in Trøndelag, then Hell is a must-see place.