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Spectacular experiences of nature spiced up with rich industrial history

Last updated: 30.01.2024
Via Ferrata i Tyssedal |© Visit Norway

Fjord Norway is world-famous for its beautiful scenery, deep fjords, high mountains, glaciers and roaring waterfalls.

Many of Norway’s most beautiful natural attractions are enhanced by the history of industry and hydropower – a history that makes the experience of nature even richer. Below is an overview of mother nature’s very own treasures that are just waiting to be explored.

The beautiful fjord landscape forms the basis for many of most popular hikes and experiences in Norwegian nature, but there are many nature and cultural experiences that are less well known, which offer the chance to experience both stunning nature and fascinating history. Some people see travel as a way of delving deep into history, while for others, enjoying nature is what inspires them to travel. Regardless of your inspiration, these beautiful experiences around the history of hydropower will appeal to almost everyone.

From water to green gold from the cathedrals of Norway

Flørli: The world's longest wooden staircase offers unique views

Flørli is a village on the south side of the Lysefjord, and is the last port of call for the ferry that goes to Lysebotn. It’s a roadless village situated on a steep hillside, and the 740-metre drop between Flørvatnet lake and the fjord makes the village particularly well suited to power production.

Ready for a challenge? You’re going to feel this in your thigh muscles.|© Lysefjorden Utvikling

Flørli is best known for its 1470-metre-long Flørli stairs, the longest wooden staircase in the world, which runs up the pipelines to Ternevassdammen dam. There are fantastic views from the stairs towards the Lysefjord and the Preikestol massif. Once back in Flørli, you may want to explore the 100-year-old trail built by navvies when the dam was constructed. The dam was completed in 1920. The guided walking tour through the village of Flørli promises unique historical insight and views that will take your breath away.

Sauda – from zinc mines to war memorials in Allmannajuvet gorge

In Allmannajuvet gorge, situated between Sauda and Hellandsbygda in Rogaland, are the remains of the old zinc mines that were built in the late 19th century. Allmannajuvet gorge is now part of the Norwegian Scenic Route. What was initially going to be a small stopping place is now a museum and experience centre that relates to the old zinc mines.

The buildings are designed by the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor and the facilities include a car park with a service building, a café building and a gallery. You can learn more about the history of this successful mining area by joining a guided tour, which will give you a taste of what life was like in the mines at the end of the 19th century. You can also visit Åbøbyen, a unique residential area that dates from 1916 and was constructed for the workers and clerks at Sauda Smelteverk smelting plant.

Suldal: Powerful architecture in Norway's powerhouse

Suldal is situated in the south of Fjord Norway, between Haugesund, Stavanger, Bergen and Hardanger. It boasts wild nature, award-winning architecture, salmon rivers, lively villages and mountains you can enjoy all to yourself. The Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke runs through Suldal, and the stretch between Suldal and Sauda (via Røldal) has some of the best historical and modern architecture in Fjord Norway. The design hotel Energihotellet, situated in the tiny village of Nesflaten, is an excellent place to start your adventure. Here you can enjoy beautiful scenery with high mountains and the calm waters of Suldalsvatnet lake as your nearest neighbour. The three-hour architectural tour takes you from Suldal, via Sauda, to Røldal, and includes such sights as Høsebrua bridge, the Ostasteidn viewpoint, Allmannajuvet gorge and Svandalsfossen waterfall.

Høsebrua bridge, Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke|© Skattkammeret Suldal. Foto Alf Aadnøy

It’s well worth visiting Røldal Stave Church and Guggedal loft, the oldest secular building in Rogaland, or combining your trip with a visit to Sand, with its white wooden houses close to the Sandsfjord. You can get to experience the Suldalslågen river and the salmon up close at Mo Laksegard, or you might want to go rafting on Suldalslågen – Fjord Norway's biggest river. You may also want to take a bike ride along the Blåsjøvegen road and cycle several kilometres into the Suldalsheiane moors, where you can experience magnificent nature and a fascinating history about power production. In Suldal, Helgøy Skyssbåt offers a fjord cruise on the Hylsfjord where you will see the high mountains and idyllic villages. You can also learn about the fascinating history of the people of Suldal, who grew up by the fjord that was the main transport route between east and west Norway for hundreds of years.

Ullensvang/Tyssedal: A trip in the realm of the navvies!

With its beautiful waterfalls, fjords, glaciers and mountains, Ullensvang and Tyssedal have been attracting visitors throughout history. It’s a place that bears witness to the huge contrasts between man-made industry and wild, unspoiled nature. At the centre of these contrasts is Odda, where the remnants of past and present industry converge. The town has several restaurants and places to stay, as well as companies that offer a wide range of nature-based activities, such as RIB boating, kayaking, glacier walks and cider cruises. Odda is a good starting point for activities on the Folgefonna glacier, and of course for trips to the world-renowned mountain formation Trolltunga.

Tyssedal|© Dag Endre Opedal

Tyssedal is home to the Norwegian Museum of Hydropower and Industry, which is protected by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage. Discover the fascinating history of power production, join a guided tour with Trolltunga Active into Tysso 1, and go climbing along the pipelines. Together with a guide, you can safely climb in the footsteps of the navvies. If you would rather keep your feet firmly on the ground, it's worth visiting Kraftlabben science centre in the centre of Odda, which encourages creative fun and play.

Eidfjord. Waterfalls and spectacular views at the heart of the Hardangerfjord

Eidfjord is a power-producing municipality situated at the head of Hardangerfjord at the bottom of the Hardangervidda plateau. Its hydropower industry has made it one of Norway's wealthiest municipalities. The village, situated on the Rv7 road – one of the main arteries between east and west Norway – is perhaps best known for one of Norway's most spectacular waterfalls - Vøringsfossen. The municipality is also home to Sysedammen dam, which enjoys views towards Hardangerjøkulen glacier. Several paths, bridges and viewpoints have been constructed around Vøringsfossen, which allow visitors to get up close to the spectacular waterfall. The waterfall is an important part of the Norwegian Scenic Route experience along the Rv7 road.

Vøringsfossen waterfall|© Kjetil Rolseth / Rolseth Foto / Statens vegvesen

Further down in Måbødalen valley are 1,300 steps that rise in a zig-zag up a total of 616 metres and lead to Måbøberget. It’s also worth visiting the Norwegian Nature Centre in Øvre Eidfjord, an experience centre about Norwegian nature, climate and environment. The magnificent exhibits transports you 2.9 billion years back in time. If you like open countryside, Halne Fjellstugu lodge might be just the thing for you. From the lodge, you step aboard Halnekongen for a popular boat trip from Halne to Skaupa/Sleipa that has been in operation since 1954. You may also want to visit the dam at Sleipa.

Høyanger Historical tours with splendid views

The village of Høyanger in the county of Vestland played a very special role during the industrialisation of Norway in the 1900s, and, along with historical traces from that time, it offers some of Fjord Norway's most magnificent experiences of nature. The Kraftruta power route over the Bergefjell mountain leads you through magnificent landscapes. It's a 700-metre hike up the mountain ridge between Toppenhytta and Skålebotn, with stunning views of the Høyangerfjord, the Sognefjord and the Stølsheimen mountains. You will find accommodation at Larsgarden Tunhotell farm hotel, where you can stay in a farmhouse dating from 1901.

Høyanger|© Mohanned Galal

You may want to check out the ‘power duo’ in Høyanger, two tours in one, which is themed around past and present power production, and then stay overnight at Øren Hotel. If you would like to learn more about the history of hydropower in Høyanger, visit Høyanger Industry Museum, located in the Town Gate (Byporten) in Høyanger. The museum presents the entire history of industrial development in Høyanger, from being a village with 13 farms to being an industrialised urban community.

Årdal - villages of industry with national park status

The municipality of Årdal is situated farthest in the Sognefjord, and comprises the villages of Årdalstangen and Øvre Årdal. This is where the Sognefjord meets land, and Utladalen valley becomes the western gateway to Jotunheimen National Park. Årdal is fast becoming a unique destination and wears its status as a national park municipality as a badge of honour. The historic Rallarvegen – the Navvies’ Road – is now renovated between Sletterust, via the thousand-metre viewpoint, to Øvre Årdal, which offers a unique view right into the heart of Jotunheimen National Park.

The thousand-metre viewpoint in Årdal|© Eric James Ryen/VERI Media

There is an amazing array of kayaking trips to enjoy in Årdal– on the fjord, on Årdalsvatnet lake and in the mountains. The Årdalsfjord stretches all the way from the village of Årdalstangen and out to Fodnes, where the three fjords Lærdalsfjord, Lustrafjord and Årdalsfjord meet. There you will find both short and long hiking routes, and you may want to take a detour into the beautiful Lustrafjord and kayak all the way to Skjolden. There, it’s well worth visiting Indre Ofredalen down by the sea, which was once a bustling community founded around a grain mill and sawmill that were powered by water. In Årdal, you can gain an insight into the metal industry in Årdal from the 18th century up until the present day. You can also journey up the old tunnel road to the thousand-metre viewpoint, on what is considered the most beautiful cycle route in Norway.

Bremanger – coastal culture with historic roots

After transiting from a farming village to an industrial village in the 1900s, Svelgen in Bremanger municipality is quickly becoming known for its beautiful hiking trails and cultural walks in the old village streets. The cultural heritage trail leads you on an historical journey from the village being a farming community and up until the present day. In addition to the municipal centre of Svelgen, there are several other beautiful towns and villages in Bremanger that are well worth visiting. Join a guided walking tour in the village of Kalvåg to discover the fascinating history held by the historic sea-house environment.

Kalvåg|© Fjord Norway

During the 1860s, Kalvåg grew into one of the largest fishing villages along the coast of Fjord Norway, and you can experience coastal culture at its best by visiting such places as Knutholmen hotel, with its restaurant and various types of accommodation.

Learn more about electrifying experiences in Fjord Norway