Mo i Rana

Mo i Rana is a town in the municipality of Rana, Helgeland, Nordland, located 80 km south of the Arctic Circle. It is the second largest town in Nordland.

Mo i Rana sits at the north end of Ranfjorden in Rana district

The city sits at the head of Ranfjord, on the southern side of the Saltfjellet mountains with the Svartisen glacier, Norway's second largest. The river Ranelva meets the Ranfjord in Mo i Rana. Rana and Saltfjellet are famous for their numerous caves, two of which are developed as attractions: Grønligrotta and Setergrotta.

Understand

In 2023, the population of Mo i Rana was 26,000.

Climate

The climate in Mo i Rana varies a lot throughout the year. The Gulf Stream, a powerful, warm ocean current, follows the coast line of Norway all the way north. The stream has a heavy influence on the climate, helping to keep the temperatures from getting too low in the winter, despite the city being about 70 km from the coast. The distance from the coast does give it slightly lower temperatures than more coast-near areas in the winter, however. In the summer, the coast winds are often calm, heating the air. The weather can be very unpredictable, and change quickly. Blizzards can go on for hours, potentially creating traffic difficulties and cancelling flights. Because of Mo i Rana's latitude, summer days are very long and winter days are very short on daylight. In the winter season, the Northern Lights can be seen on the night sky. They vary in intensity, coloured from white green to deep red, and come in different shapes, such as beams, arches and draperies. The 24-hr average temperature in July is 13 °C (56 °F), and the 24-hr average temperature in January is -6 °C (21 °F).

Get in

Mo i Rana railway station

By train

Nordlandsbanen leads from Trondheim to Mo i Rana and on to Bodø. The journey from Trondheim takes 6–8 hours. Trains leave and arrive several times a day, but only two a day come all the way from Trondheim (a day train and a night train). They are great if you want to have a look at Norwegian scenery and nature. Tickets from 200 kr are available on Internet, remember to book early.

By plane

• 1 Mo i Rana Airport, Røssvoll (MQN  ^IATA Norwegian: Mo i Rana lufthavn, Røssvoll). A regional airport.  

The airport is served by Widerøe with Dash 8 aircraft connecting the community to Bodø, Trondheim and other communities in Nordland and Nord-Trøndelag. The routes are operated on public service obligation with the Norwegian Ministry of Transportation and Communication. Tickets are expensive so families often drive from Bodø Airport (230 km), Trondheim Airport (450 km) or Umeå Airport (480 km) instead of transferring. One more option is to use the Swedish airport of Hemavan (100 km away).

By car

Road E6 and Nordlandsbanen railway runs through Dunderlandsdalen valley just north of Mo i Rana.

European route E6 from Oslo leads via Trondheim to Mo i Rana and continues toward Finnmark in the north.

E12 comes from Helsinki, Finland, via ferry Vaasa–Umeå. From Vaasa it coincides with the tourist route the Blue Highway, which comes from Petrozavodsk in Russia.

By ferry

Hurtigruten calls in Nesna, some 60 km west from Mo i Rana.

Do

• 1 Grønli cave (Grønligrotta) (some 20 km north from the town: 13 km along E6, turn toward the airport, follow signage), ☏ +47 47-23-38-58, +47 75-13-25-86, gronligrotta@online.no. 10:00–18:00 in main season (ca 20 June–15 August), 10:00–16:00 later in August, check for other times. About 100 m deep and 2 km long cave. Artificial lighting inside. Tours of 45–60 min. Also for families, but check if your walking or health are issues. The cave is cold, 4–8 °C (39–46 °F). Grottekroa by the cave offers food and beverages, souvenirs, tickets and accommodation. 195/130 kr. (updated Dec 2015)
• Seter cave (Setergrotta), ☏ +47 95-97-44-97, fax: +47 75-12-76-01, info@setergrotta.no. summer, tours can be booked off season. A 3.4-km-long cave, with underwater connection to Grønligrotta. The cave is close to natural state. Headlight, helmet and overall included in the tours, own good footwear required. Physically challenging but prior experience not needed. Groups of more than five should book in advance. 350 kr/person, 320 kr for groups of more than two. (updated Oct 2017)

Outer part of Ranfjorden (near Nesna) looking north east to Mo i Rana and the mountains

Sleep

• Stålkameratene, Soederlundmyra, ☏ +47 41926215. The only hostel in Mo I Rana 

Go next

• Bodø
• Mosjøen

Routes through Mo i Rana

Trondheim ← Stjørdal ←	SW  NE	→ Arctic Circle → Fauske → Narvik
END ←	NW  SE	→ Hemavan → Umeå