Helgøya, Innlandet Island

Helgøya is an island in Lake Mjøsa in Innlandet county, Norway, and is the country’s largest freshwater island. The island is characterised by a largely agricultural landscape with fields and orchards.

Visitors experience open farmland, rural buildings and quiet roads that are commonly used for cycling and local drives; the island is linked to the mainland by road for year-round access.

Helgøya lies within Lake Mjøsa in Ringsaker municipality, northeast of the town of Hamar on Norway’s largest lake.

• Largest freshwater island: Recognised as the largest freshwater island in Norway, it is predominantly agricultural with open farmland and orchards, and it is connected to the mainland by road.
• Accessibility: Easy road access makes the island suitable for cycling and short scenic drives through farmland and rural settlements.

Helgøya is accessible by road from the E6 corridor along Lake Mjøsa. From Hamar or Moelv follow local county roads that head toward the lake’s southwest shore; local signage for Helgøya will direct drivers across the short causeway onto the island. The nearest larger towns are Hamar (roughly 30-40 minutes by car) and Moelv.

• Drive the island's single main road rather than trying to shortcut across farm fields-local tractors have right of way and the narrow lanes give the best views.
• Bring binoculars in spring and autumn for migrating waterfowl on Mjøsa; the island's west shore has quieter vantage points.
• Stop at any farmstand or seasonal stall: Helgøya has an unusually long tradition of vegetable growing-look for local carrots and potatoes.