Things to do in Hardangerfjorden
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Kjeåsen Farm
Above all other sights in the region, Kjeåsen Farm, 6km northeast of Eidfjord and close to the treeline 530m above the valley floor, should not be missed. According to some accounts, there has been a farm here for 400 years, although vehicle access was only possible with the construction of the road in 1975. Now one of Norway's top scenic locations, the wonderfully remote farm buildings are still inhabited by a woman who has lived alone there for 40 years.
Alone that is apart from the busloads of tourists who visit the farm every day in summer. She sometimes shows visitors around from 09:00 to 17:00. It's possible to climb up to the farm on foot (four hours return), but …
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Folgefonn
Folgefonn is mainland Norway’s third-largest icefield and offers summer skiing, snowboarding and sledding from mid-June to October. For more information, contact the Folgefonn Sommar Skisenter. Short tours to the ski centre leave from Jondal Quay at 10.30am from mid-June to mid-August and return at 3.30pm. From Odda, weekend glacier trips run to Odda Turlag’s Holmaskjær mountain hut; contact the tourist office for details. Anyone in good physical condition with warm clothing and sturdy footwear can take a guided hike up the lovely Buer valley followed by a glacier walk on the Buer arm of Folgefonn (minimum three persons, Nkr400 per person, including crampons and ice axe…
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Kinsarvik
The small U-shaped patch of greenery opposite the Kinsarvik tourist office is all that remains of the former Viking port. Kinsarvik also boats one of Norway's oldest stone churches. First built in around 1180, it was restored in the 1960s and the walls still bear traces of lime-and-chalk paintings that depict the weighing of souls by Michael the Archangel with the devil trying to weigh down the scales.
According to local legend, the church was built by Scottish invaders on the site of an earlier stave church. Kinsarvik also offers an appealing access trail past the cooling Husedalen waterfalls, along what's known as the Monk's Stairway and onto the network of tracks thro…
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Hardangervidda Natursenter
The exceptional Hardangervidda Natursenter is a superlative introduction to one of Norway’s most beautiful national parks. The centre shows a must-see 19-minute movie with dramatic panoramic footage of the park; if you can’t visit the inner depths of the park on foot, this is the next best thing. Otherwise, there are interactive displays, informative explanations of the region’s natural history, fish tanks of mountain species and interesting geology exhibits. The centre, which is located 6.5km southeast of Eidfjord in Øvre Eidfjord, has detailed trekking maps and staff can offer advice as to trekking and skiing in the park.
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Hardanger Folk Museum
One of the prettiest little villages you’ll find Hardangerfjord, Utne is famous for its fruit-growing and for the excellent open-air Hardanger Folk Museum, which acts as a repository for the cultural heritage of the Hardanger region. It comprises a collection of historic homes, boats, shops, outhouses and a school, plus exhibitions on Hardanger women, weddings, the famed Hardanger fiddle and fiddle-making, fishing, music, dance, orchard crops and the woodcarvings of local artist Lars Kinsarvik; it also bakes delicious local cakes on Tuesdays (noon to 3pm) in July.
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Flat Earth
In addition to hiking up to Kjeåsen Farm and trekking in the Hardangervidda National Park, climbing (half-day Nkr250), abseiling (per day Nkr1700), river- and sea-kayaking (half-day Nkr360 to Nkr400), power-kiting (half-day Nkr400) and guided, two-day glacier expeditions (Nkr1800) can be arranged through Flat Earth. You’ll find it close to the Hardangervidda Natursenter in Øvre Eidfjord, 6.5km southeast of Eidfjord.
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Mågelibanen Funicular
About 5km east of town, in Skjeggedal, the 960m, 42-degree Mågelibanen Funicular runs on Wednesday and Friday; timings are variable so check with the Odda tourist office. Hikers can head for the top of the Tyssestrengene waterfall (646m) and the outrageous Trolltunga rock feature from either Skjeggedal (eight to 10 hours return) or the upper funicular station (six to eight hours return).
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Troll Train
In summer, the cutesy Troll Train runs from outside Eidfjord’s tourist office to the waterfalls at Vøringsfossen 20km up through the steep Måbødalen, stopping en route at Måbø Farm. Instead of taking Rv7 through the tunnels, it takes the older, more beautiful road up the valley. The journey takes about one hour and tickets must be purchased at the tourist office.
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Stone Churches
Kinsarvik boasts one of Norway’s oldest stone churches. First built in around 1180, it was restored in the 1960s and the walls still bear traces of lime-and-chalk paintings that depict the weighing of souls by Michael the Archangel with the devil trying to weigh down the scales. According to local legend, the church was built by Scottish invaders on the site of an earlier stave church.
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Tyssestrengene Waterfall
About 5km east of town, in Skjeggedal, the 960m, 42-degree Mågelibanen Funicular runs on Wednesday and Friday; timings are variable so check with the Odda tourist office. Hikers can head for the top of the Tyssestrengene waterfall (646m) and the outrageous Trolltunga rock feature, from either Skjeggedal (eight to 10 hours return) or the upper funicular station (six to eight hours return).
reviewed
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Grieg’s Hut
The main attraction in Lofthus is Grieg’s Hut, the one-time retreat of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. It’s in the garden of Hotel Ullensvang. Lofthus also has a stone church dating back to 1250 (the tower was added in the 1880s) with fine stained-glass windows and it’s surrounded by a cemetery with some graves from the Middle Ages.
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Touring Boat
From May to September, the tourist office sells tickets for a boat that leaves Kinsarvik at 10:25 and returns at 15:55, with three hours in Eidfjord. Given that you pay an extra around NOK200/around NOK110 if you want to take the sightseeing bus to the Hardangervidda Natursenter and Vøringsfossen, it's only worth doing if you don't have your own wheels.
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Sima Power Plant
At the foot of the road leading up to the farm, the Sima Power Plant, one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in Europe, runs guided tours (one hour). The main hall runs 700m inside the mountain.
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Stone Church
Lofthus has a stone church dating back to 1250 (the tower was added in the 1880s) with fine stained-glass windows and it’s surrounded by a cemetery with some graves from the Middle Ages.
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Familieparken Hardangertun
For children, the Familieparken Hardangertun has water slides, minigolf and farm animals.
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Glacier Hikes, Folgefonni Breførarlag
For glacier hikes, you may want to contact Folgefonni Breførarlag.
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