Cidertour Lofthus - Eidfjord - Ulvik

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The Fjords

Join one of the world's most beautiful boat trips through the adventurous Hardangerfjord to the idyllic and national-romantic villages of Eidfjord and Ulvik. Here, old history meets new modern infrastructure and energy innovation. The scents and flavors literally hang over you no matter where you turn. In addition to the spectacular nature, where mirror-like glaciers and wild waterfalls meet sheltered fjords and mysterious mountains, the cultural landscape gives the area an extra dimension where old farms and summer pastures literally cling to the steep mountain sides. On this boat trip, you will experience all of this directly on your phone with good storytelling voices, pictures, and text as the boat approaches, stops or passes the places along the route. We at The Fjords will do our utmost to give you a good travel experience. Enjoy the trip!

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Points of interest

#1

Intro Lofthus

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#2

Lofthus

“If I had of known it was so beautiful, I would have visited before” those are the words of the famous Norwegian author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, when he visited the beautiful village of Lofthus. And many, especially artists agree with him. Many have found inspiration here for compositions, paintings and maybe even the national anthem. So now you find yourself in the ‘Orchard of Hardanger’, which is how many people refer to the idyllic and beautiful town of Lofthus. And with good reason! The town has been at the heart of Norway’s fruit production for hundreds of years. It is therefore a great place to start becoming acquainted with the world renowned Hardanger Ciders. Her Majesty Queen Sonja also finds peace of mind and inspiration here every year. You can follow in her footsteps, by walking the Queen’s path or «Dronning Sonjas panoramatur», which will take you 1100 metres up the mountain between Kinsarvik and Lofthus. We also recommend a visit to the venerable and fashionable, Hotel Ullensvang. Today, it is a modern hotel that promotes Norwegian and local traditions at a high quality, where you can follow in the footsteps of the world-famous composer, Edvard Grieg. Believe it or not, children learn to spit here at the school in Lofthus. Every year the town organises a cherry festival, and every year the title of the best cherry stone spitter is awarded in the junior, ladies, and men’s categories. The official world record is over 15 metres! Maybe you can try and beat it!

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#3

Grimo

We are now passing the village of Grimo to the north. Here, like many other places in the area, most of the industries are based on fruit production combined with sheep farming. This way, they not only preserve the beautiful cultural landscape, but also promote local economic development and processing of local raw materials. The climatic conditions, together with the rich soil, provide a basis for growing high-quality fruit. Cherries, apples, plums, and pears are the most important, but creative farmers are constantly finding new ways to use the land. At Grimo, the soil and climate are particularly good, reportedly better than many other places in Hardanger. It is said that grain was grown and beer was brewed here in ancient times, and the beer was both tasty and good due to the high quality of the grain. They also tried to grow grain on the opposite side of the fjord, but it was mostly suitable for making soup. According to some old sources, the area was therefore named "Supastranda" or "Soup Beach" due to the poor soil. According to local experts, Grimo enjoys half an hour more sunlight every day than the opposite side of the fjord.

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#4

Kinsarvik and Utne

We are now passing between the villages of Kinsarvik and Utne, which are served by several daily ferry departures. To the north, in the small charming village of Utne, lies one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved wooden hotels, Utne Hotel. A visit there not only provides peace and tranquility for the soul, but also an insight into the rich nature, art, and cultural history of Hardanger. On the opposite side of the fjord, at the innermost part of the bay, we see the idyllic fjord village of Kinsarvik, which marks the outlet of the roaring river Kinso. It stretches almost fifty kilometers past several of Norway's largest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world-famous Husadalen, and almost 1500 meters up to Europe's largest national park, Hardangervidda. Both the village, the valley, and the magical waterfall landscape make this area to one of the greatest natural pearls in Hardanger with activities for both young and old. The village's main attraction is Mikkelparken. It is a dream Eldorado for the children where they can indulge in various activities either alone or together with their family. Here you can lean back and enjoy nature, wake up to the sound of the river and bird song, or if you're up for it, exhaust fumes and burnt rubber on Kinsarvik's own go-kart track.

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#5

Hardangerfjorden

The boat is now passing through the middle of Utnefjorden, Sørfjorden, and Eidfjorden, all part of Norway's second longest fjord, Hardangerfjorden. It stretches all the way out to the coast in various branches from Haugesund to Bergen. The nature and culture you find here have enchanted visitors of all times, and the beautiful fjords are considered by many as the very symbol of Norway, the foremost fjord country in the world. Humans have taken root here since the ice retreated 10,000 years ago. They harvested what nature had to offer, whether it was in the fjord, on the valley sides, or in the high mountains. For the last 150 years, scientists, artists, and tourists have flocked to the fjords to experience the dramatic, contrasting, and magical nature. The magnificent fjord landscape has made a strong impression on many and has inspired both poets and artists. Perhaps Norway's most famous painting, "Brudeferden i Hardanger" , in english "The Bridal Procession in Hardanger" by Tidemand and Gude, was inspired by this area.

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#6

Hardangerbrua

Hardanger has world-class apples, cider, mountains, waterfalls, and bridges. We will soon pass under the bridge called "Hardangerbrua", When it was opened in 2013, it was the tenth-longest suspension bridge in the world with Norway's longest main span of almost 1,400 meters. It's actually 30 meters longer than the slightly more famous Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge literally goes straight into the steep mountainsides on either side of Eidfjorden, where almost three kilometers of tunnels distribute vehicles further through roundabouts to the Norwegian cities of Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger. The roundabouts inside the tunnels are an attraction in themselves and appear almost like magical fountains of light, wishing motorists a good trip ahead. By the way, the Hardanger Bridge was also the location for filming action scenes in the well-known thriller "Thunder", which took place in Odda.

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#7

The treasure in Blåfjell

It's not difficult to understand why everyone is dazzled by the magnificent and beautiful nature that greets us here inside the fjords. Nonetheless, something happens when darkness descends or when thick fog hangs like an impenetrable blanket between the valley sides. Then, myths and legends arise about both hulders, trolls, sea serpents, or goblins. This is also the case in this area, and many tellings have taken root in local communities and are still exciting stories for both children and tourists. We are now passing the steep mountain sides where we can see, among other things, "Blåfjell" or "The Blue mountain", and the name may come from an old legend that circulated in the area. It is said that a man named Vigleik Tveito buried a copper kettle with gold coins in the stone piles in the steep and inhospitable landscape. According to the legend, a blue light shines over the spot where the gold is buried every day at 12 o'clock. Many claim to have seen the mysterious blue light, but no one has found the great treasure yet. Perhaps you would like to try?

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#8

National tourist road

The boat was a traditional means of transportation between villages and the rest of the world in olden times. Eventually, wagon roads were built between the villages before postal roads were constructed towards the cities. Then came the first narrow and charming roads that wound their way between rivers, lakes, mountains, and villages, before magnificent year-round roads with gigantic bridges and miles-long tunnels took over the traffic. We still see traces of many postal roads, and several old venerable road stretches are still maintained by the authorities under the concept of the National Tourist Route. In Eidfjord, the National Tourist Route Hardangervidda starts and takes you 6.7 kilometers and 1241 meters up the mountain to the high mountain village of Haugastøl. Parts of the old trail are only open to pedestrians or cyclists and follow the mountainsides up to Hardangervidda, and must be considered as a wild, beautiful, narrow, and very airy experience. The road is a spectacular and contrasting journey, from the lush fjord landscape in the west to the rugged and bare high mountain in the east. On the way, you also pass "Vøringsfossen", which is one of Norway's most important and most visited tourist attractions, and probably the country's most famous waterfall. At the top, you can walk across bridge elements with a great view of the waterfall and down into the deep valley bottom, 182 meters straight below you.

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#9

Environment Nation

In Norway, we have long traditions of living in close harmony with nature. The Fjords have several of the worlds most innovative and environmentally friendly boats, and the tourists can enjoy both the fresh fjord air and the natural sounds of nature. Norway is a world leader in environmentally friendly power, technology, and development, and we are almost self-sufficient in renewable energy. This has required brave politicians who have had to allocate large areas of land to gigantic dams, or piped rivers and waterfalls, and endless wind farms, and it has definitely not happened without a fight. Nevertheless, many people enjoy the energy that is created, whether it is in the form of cleaner air or slightly cheaper electricity. The people in Hardanger still live in close harmony with nature. They still harvest what the land and fjords offer, thereby also preserving the beautiful cultural landscape and biological diversity that Hardanger is so well known for.

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#10

Rondestveit

Do you like apples? At least they do on the Rondestveit farm that is passed now. Here, they actually developed a completely unique and tasty apple variety which of course got the name Rondestveit. The mother tree was cut down in 1937 and was then about 70 years old. A good apple tree in the right place yields up to 1000 apples each season. Here in Hardanger, the apples mature throughout the warm summer before they are harvested from August until December. And apples are obviously good! In Norway, we eat about 10 kilos of apples on average each year. In addition, apples are used for both cider, juice, nectar, and juice. That fruits and vegetables are healthy, or that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," are old sayings that have withstood the test of time. For example, several studies have shown that just one extra serving of fruits and vegetables per day reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 4-5 percent.

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#11

Norwegian dietary tradition

The Norwegian dietary tradition established itself in many ways throughout the 19th century based on the men's daily routine at the farms. At the beginning of the 19th century, they had four meals where breakfast consisted of flatbread, butter, old cheese, and coffee. For "daurs" or lunch, they ate "vassgraut" which is barley flour boiled in water and homemade "skyr" which is a kind of yogurt. The porridge was eaten from a pot where everyone had their own wooden spoon. In the afternoon, there was "Nonsmat", or dinner as we say today. It usually consisted of meat and potatoes from their own farm as well as fish from the fjord. Supper usually consisted of cold leftovers from earlier meals. This culture persisted until the beginning of the 20th century when bread made its entrance and replaced both porridge and flatbread. Towards the end of the century, Norway also became more international and thus imported food habits from all over the world. Many of the old Norwegian food traditions are today only kept alive by schools, museums, and others who showcase Norwegian history.

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#12

The emigration

We are now passing several buildings located on steep slopes without road connections. In the early 19th century, the population grew explosively along the small villages we are passing, and in the middle of the century, the first signs of overpopulation appeared. Life expectancy increased while the number of births remained consistently high. The farmers in the villages had secured the good plots for centuries, but new generations also needed a roof over their heads and a small patch of land. Therefore, they built homes "where no one would believe anyone could live", often on a small island or a mountain shelf on the steep fjord sides. It was certainly tough living, but when news about the klondike in America spread in the Norwegian villages, more and more people packed their bags. Between 1830 and 1920, 800,000 Norwegians left their homes and moved to another country. Most went to America, but many traveled to other continents. In some villages, up to 40% of the inhabitants emigrated. The result was, of course, that many buildings and places were left empty and without people. Today, many of these places have been fortunate enough to be restored and used for both recreation and tourism.

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#13

Ulvik

Here, at the innermost point of the Hardangerfjord's fjord arm, "Ulvikfjorden", lies the true pearl of Hardanger, Ulvik. For more than 150 years, tourists have found their way to this beautiful village in search of spectacular nature and cultural experiences of world-class standard. In Ulvik, you will find the only fruit and cider route in Norway, a variety of diverse hiking trails, and a rich selection of attractions and activities. It is also the birthplace of the well-known writer Olav H. Hauge, who, like many other artists, was inspired by the uniquely Norwegian national-romantic landscape. You can learn more about him and other great poets at the Hauge Center here in Ulvik. Beautiful nature not only provides pleasure for the eyes and ears but also for the mouth and stomach. The lush western Norwegian nature conjures up fantastic ingredients, and the local population has learned to process and refine these delicious ingredients over centuries. And to our delight, just a short walk from the pier, you will find the famous fruit farms Ulvik Frukt & Cideri, Syse Gard, and Hardanger Saft- og Siderfabrikk, as well as several exciting eateries. Bon appetit!

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#14

Oksen og Flåtten

"If you live by a waterfall, you won't hear it." These words belong to the Ulvik poet Olav Hauge. Hardanger is one of those places in the world where you will always see, hear, and experience something beautiful, no matter where you turn. Therefore, enjoy every minute! Those who live here are caught up in their daily routines and may have stopped appreciating it. We are now passing through a characteristic Hardanger landscape, where lush valley slopes rise up from the mighty fjord and stretch majestically almost 2000 meters upwards. Behind Ringøy camping to the south lies the 1600 meter high "Storeflåtten", and on the opposite side lies the popular peak destination, "Oksen", or the bull. The hike to "Oksen" is one of the most beautiful activities that the West Coast has to offer, but it is demanding because many meters of altitude have to be climbed. "Oksen" can be tamed and climbed in good weather, but hikers are advised to stay away when the weather is bad. Those who reach the top are rewarded with a panoramic view over the Hardangerfjord, Granvinfjorden, Sørfjorden, and Eidfjord, and can see large parts of the Hardangervidda, Folgefonna, Vossefjella, and the Raundalsryggen peaks in the northwest.

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#15

Eidfjord

We are now in the beautiful, idyllic village of Eidfjord, which connects perhaps Norway's finest natural destinations, Hardangervidda, the Hardangerjøkulen glacier, Måbødalen, Vøringsfossen waterfall, the Eio river, and the Hardangerfjord. Here, you can participate in a myriad of nature experiences, either organized or on your own. You can also simply enjoy the village's lovely atmosphere, whether you want to camp, glamp, or stay more comfortably at a hotel. All eateries here prepare food with heart, the premises have soul, and the dishes served are a delight for the palate. We recommend everyone, regardless of age, to visit the Hardanger Nature Centre, which offers an exciting, enjoyable, educational, and unique experience of life along the fjords, mountains, rivers, and waterfalls. History enthusiasts are also recommended to visit Hæreid Terrace, which is Western Norway's largest prehistoric burial ground, with almost 400 grave mounds from the Iron and Viking Ages. You can get there by car, on foot, or with Eidfjord's very own and very special Troll train.

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#16

Power and kids (Kje)

We are now passing the Simadalsfjord which takes you into the Sima Valley and the Sima hydroelectric power station at the foot of Norway's sixth largest glacier, the Hardangerjøkulen. The power plant supplies electricity to over 150,000 households and consists of a huge power hall, 6 miles of tunnels, as well as several dams and regulated waterfalls, including the national icon, Vøringsfossen. Sima is Norway's second-largest hydroelectric power plant, measured by output. At the innermost part of the fjord and about 600 meters up the steep mountain side, lies the famous mountain farm Kjeåsen, almost like a hovering eagle's nest. "Kje", meaning small goat kids, has given its name to the place, probably due to the difficult terrain that was most suitable for goats. Whether it was the view, protection from the taxman, or the very good hunting resources that drew the first people there in the mid-1600s, is unknown. It was probably a strenuous life to live "where no one would think that anyone could live". Kjeåsen had a feature in the popular NRK TV-series with the same name. The farm has been called "the world's most inaccessible," but that was before. Today, Kjeåsen can be visited by car on perhaps Norway's narrowest and most expensive farm road. The five-kilometer-long road is open to traffic either for downhill or uphill driving at scheduled times.

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#17

Glaciers and national parks

This somewhat national-romantic tour through perhaps the world's most beautiful fjord between the villages of Eidfjord, Ulvik, and Lofthus gives many souls visual chills. Nonetheless, there is a real cold lurking around the corner. These municipalities house or border large parts of two of Norway's coldest, inaccessible, and hardy areas, Hardangervidda and Hardangerjøkulen. The former is Europe's largest high mountain plateau and Scandinavia's largest national park. Hardangerjøkulen is Norway's sixth-largest glacier. It is about 300 meters thick at its deepest point and has a larger area than Manhattan in New York. The name "jøkulen" comes from "jøkul," which means icicle or glacier. With its azure blue ice, it is a beautiful sight that reveals itself as you approach the glacier, especially in the summer when the ice sparkles in the sunlight. There are over 1,500 glaciers in Norway covering almost 1% of the country's land area. Since the beginning of the 2000s, most of the glaciers in Norway have melted back significantly, mainly as a result of warm summers. The earth is getting warmer, and if climate projections prove true, according to Norwegian researchers, there will be only 28 glaciers left in the country in 100 years.

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Cidertour Lofthus - Eidfjord - Ulvik

Points of interest