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Hiking on the Hardangervidda Mountain Plateau

For all those who are fond of hiking, we recommend the trail from Lofthus to Hardangervidda. At 650 %96 900 metres above sea level you will find the so-called "Monk Steps", stone steps possibly laid by monks in the Middle Ages in order to facilitate access to the mountain plateau for both local inhabitants and their cattle and horses. Almost at the top, you will find the "Nosi" view point, which offers a marvellous view over Lofthus and the Hardanger Fjord.

Another hiking suggestion is the trail from Kinsarvik into the Husedalen valley, one of the most beautiful gateways to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, with four impressive waterfalls within relative close proximity of one another.

The Lofthus River Valley

This is an easy walk suitable for most people (approx. 2 hours) into the idyllic river valley, where you can see "Opo", the 3^rd longest waterfall in Norway (with a 650 m fall), and "Skrikjo" (with a fall of 400 m).

Skredhaugen

Skredhaugen is an open-air museum with houses and buildings dating from the Middle Ages up to more recent times. A variety of exhibitions are on display, including one of folk costumes. The museum is open at weekends during the summer.

Edvard Grieg%92s Cabin

The small cabin used by the Norwegian composer during his periodical stays in Lofthus is now situated in the garden of Ullensvang Hotel.

Kjeåsen Farm

At 600 metres above sea level, this mountain farm in the municipality of Eidfjord has been operational since the 18^th century and is now a well known and popular tourist attraction in Hardanger. It is accessible either by car along a fairly narrow road, or on foot up the steep mountainside.

Hardanger Family Park

Situated in Kinsarvik, the Hardanger Family Park offers various activities for children, including waterslides, a car track and bumper boats.

During the summer the go-cart track in Kinsarvik is also open to the public (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays).

Hardangervidda Nature Centre

This exhibition centre with its aquariums and fascinating videograph is well worth a visit for anyone interested in the biology, botany, glaciology, archaeology or ornithology of the Hardangervidda mountain plateau.

Vøringsfossen Waterfall

One of the most famous waterfalls in Norway, Vøringsfossen is a beautiful sight in summertime as it cascades 182 metres down into the Mobø valley. The construction of the Old Road in the Mobø valley began in 1887 and it is now considered an engineering masterpiece. The Troll train takes visitors up and down the Old Road from Mobø to Vøringsfossen. There is a footpath to the bottom of the waterfall from Mobø.

Agatunet Farm

Across the fjord from Lofthus, Agatunet is one of the last remaining clustered farmyards left in Norway. Agatunet is now a museum with various exhibitions and buildings dating from the 13^th century. It is open to the public during the summer.

Folgefonna Glacier

The glacier is accessible from the Buer valley in Odda. A path will take you to the very edge of the glacier (approximately 1½ hours walk). It is a popular area for glacier hiking and climbing, but it is important to remember that a professional guide is required when venturing onto the glacier.

Alternatively, the Folgefonna Summerski Center is another excellent starting point for activities on the glacier. The Summerski Center is situated 900 metres above sea level, 19 km from Jondal, and is equipped with an 1100 metre long ski lift.

Norwegian Museum of Hydropower and Industry

This museum is located in Tyssedal and includes the old Tyssedal power plant. From Tyssedal, you can visit the Ringedal Dam (where the Mågeli cable car transports passengers up the steep mountainside to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau). There are excellent hiking opportunities to various places of interest, e.g.Trolltunga.

The Hardanger Folk Museum

This museum represents the entire district of Hardanger and is located in Utne. It offers regular theme activities as well as permanent exhibitions of Hardanger embroidery, folk costumes and folk music. It has large collections of old houses, clothes, tools and other objects of cultural-historic importance.

The medieval churches of Ullensvang and Kinsarvik

Both these stone churches date from the 12^th %96 13^th centuries. The church in Ullensvang, however, was built in Gothic style and is one of the oldest stone churches in Norway.