The hike to Lilletopp and Oksla is short, but the reward is a great view down towards Sørfjorden and to the surrounding mountains.
Lilletopp is the top of the pipelines, which runs steep down to the power plant in Tyssedal. The hydroelectric power plant is now a great museum. It was in operation from 1909 to 1989 and is now protected.
Visit Hardangerfjord – Visit Sunnhordland
Visit Hardangerfjord and Visit Sunnhordland are the official destination companies for the Hardangerfjord area.
About season and other important information
GRADING – Medium. ALTITUDE DIFFERENCE – This hike starts at approximately 150 masl (Parking at Tyssohallen). Highest point at approximately 450 masl (Oksla).
SEASON – June to September, these are approximate dates that depends on the weather, temperature and the amount of snow in the mountains.
SAFETY IN THE MOUNTAINS – You should follow the Norwegian Mountain Code when hiking in Norway. It can change from summer and sunny weather to winter and frost in minutes! Always check the Weather Forecast before you go hiking. For safety reasons it is recommended to avoid hiking in Thunderstorms, in fog, in bad weather and when it is snow and ice on the trail and in the mountain! Always bring good clothes and hiking shoes. And have enough food and water in your rucksack.
NOTE – There are some steep and exposed sections on this hike.
NOTE – We recommend to use a map and compass when hiking in Norway.
INFORMATION ABOUT ROADS ALONG SØRFJORDEN – Many of the roads in Western Norway can be prone to landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. The roads along Sørfjorden are some of these exposed roads.
The hike to Lilletopp and Oksla
The hike to Lilletopp is short, but the reward is a great view down towards Sørfjorden and to the surrounding mountains. Here you get much for little!
There is a car park close to the Tyssohallen Sports Hall in Tyssedal. You can buy a parking ticket at the reception at Kraftmuseet, which is located down by the fjord in Tyssdal. From Tyssohallen, you can walk along the road up towards Skjeggedal until you reach Toppelvsvingen, which is the second 180-degree turn on the road above Tyssohallen, see map.
Toppelvsvingen is the start of the marked trail to Lilletopp and Oksla. At Toppelvsvingen there is a small car park (this car park is often occupied) with information signs where you can read about the hike to Lilletopp.
Look at the map at the bottom, where Toppelvsvingen is marked together with the car park down by Tyssohallen, Lilletopp and Oksla.
Lilletopp is where the caretaker’s residence is located, from the time when the power plant was in operation. No one lives at Lilletopp anymore, but there is a small café there during the high season in the summer.
From Lilletopp you can continue the hike to Mt Oksla where you have a great panoramic view down to Sørfjorden. There is a steep stairway and then a short hike from Lilletopp to Mt Oksla.
Be aware that parts of the trail up to Lilletopp and Mt Oksla have steep sections. There are also some steep wooden stairs that are rotten and in poor condition, watch out for this.
Keep a safe distance from the steep sections of the trail as it is easy to stumble / fall in these sections and at Mt Oksla itself. The trail is not very well marked, so it is easy to make mistakes in some places. Therefore, it is important to be focused throughout the hike and keep a close eye on where the trail is going.
Read more about the hike to Lilletopp at ut.no (Norwegian text). You can also read about the hike on Kraftmuseet’s website.
It takes approximately 45-60 minutes to walk from the parking lot at Tyssohallen and up to Oksla. The return from Oksla and Lilletopp goes along the same trail you came from.
You can also visit Kraftmuseet Museum for a guided tour of the museum and a guided tour inside the tunnels in the mountain at Lilletopp. There you can learn more about the history of hydropower in Tyssedal.
Season and opening hours, see Kraftmuseet’s website. Below you can see some photos from the trail up to Lilletopp and Oksla. The last four photos are from the return, on my way down.
Lilletopp – Parking
NOTE – There is a parking lot close to Tyssohallen Sports Hall in Tyssedal. You can buy a parking ticket in the reception at Kraftmuseet which is located down by the fjord in Tyssdal.
From Tyssohallen, you can walk along the road towards Skjeggedal until you reach the Toppelvsvingen turn which is the second 180-degree turn on the road above Tyssohallen, see map.
The distance from Tyssohallen to Toppelvsvingen where you start the hike is 1.2 kilometer and takes around 15 minutes to walk. At Toppelvsvingen there is a small parking lot (this parking lot is often busy) with an information sign where you can read about the hike. From there there is a marked trail towards Lilletopp and Mt Oksla. Season: Summer.
Tyssedal Via Ferrata
Are you looking for an adrenaline-filled experience combined with the history of Tyssedal Power Plant and the the most breathtaking view over Sørfjorden? Then the Tyssedal Via Ferrata is the right challenge for you.
This adventure starts inside Hydroelectric Power Museum (Kraftmuseet) with a tour and film about the history of Tyssedal Power Plant. Then the adventure continue outside Kraftmuseet, to a climbing experience along the steep pipelines between Kraftmuseet and Lilletopp, which is the top of the pipelines.
Included in the price is a tour and film in the Power Museum, a guide, climbing equipment and the world’s best view and nature experience.
Tyssedal by Sørfjorden
Like Odda, Tyssedal is an industrial village that was settled and developed by the hydroelectric power and metal industry in the early 20th century. Both iron, steel and aluminum plants were started up in Tyssedal, but it did not take many years before they were closed down.
Today, an ilmenite-plant are operated in Tyssedal. The Hydroelectric Power Museum, which is a cultural history museum, is today located in the old hydroelectric power plant in Tyssedal.
It is also from Tyssedal you take off towards Skjeggedal which is the starting point of the Trolltunga hikes. The history of the beautiful Tyssedal Hotel dates back to when the hydroelectric power adventure began in the early 20th century. The hotel was used as accommodation for the management of the hydroelectric power plant.
Today it is a great boutique hotel and restaurant which is an experience in itself.
The Hardangerfjord Area – What to See and Do
The Hardangerfjord area, the orchard of Norway, is known for Summer Skiing at Folgefonna Glacier and a spectacular fruit tree blossoming in spring.
Lake Bondhusvatnet and the Bondhusbreen Glacier in Kvinnherad was one of the first places the English tourists visited when they discovered Norway in the mid 1800´s.
Drive in the Hardanger area and see the Vøringsfossen Waterfall in Måbødalen in Eidfjord, the Låtefoss Waterfall in Oddadalen and all the other great waterfalls in the Hardangerfjord area.
Odda, in the heart of Sørfjorden, has now transformed from an industrial town into an adventure town. Trolltunga Active and Trolltunga Adventures are based at Odda, and offers guiding and equipment rental. Some of the adventures they offer are Trolltunga hikes, the Dronningstien hike, Via Ferrata Trolltunga and Tyssedal, Fjord Adventures and Winter Adventures.
Combine a fjord cruise on the Hardangerfjord with a trip to Måbødalen to see the mighty Vøringsfossen Waterfall from the new viewing platform and viewing bridge built in connection with the Hardangervidda National Tourist Route.
The Hardangerfjord is located in the county of Vestland, near Bergen, in the middle of Western Norway. Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is known as The Gateway to the Fjords. Bergen is also the gateway to the Hardangerfjord.
References
Kraftmuseet in Tyssedal
Trolltunga Active
Ut.no
Wikipedia
Hotels and Accommodation in and around Odda
There are many places to stay in Odda and in the nearby area. Here you can read more about where you can stay in Odda and by Sørfjorden in Hardanger.
Trolltunga Hotel – Odda
Woodnest – Odda
Hardanger Hotel – Odda
Trolltunga Camping – Odda
Tyssedal Hotel – Tyssedal
Hotel Ullensvang – Lofthus
Odda and Hardangerfjord – Useful Links
Trolltunga Active
Trolltunga Adventures
Trolltunga Shuttle Bus
RIB Boat Fjord Safari on the Hardangerfjord
Trolltunga Via Ferrata
Trolltunga Sunset/Sunrise
Trolltunga Winter
Guided Glacier Hikes at Folgefonna Glacier
Folgefonna Summer Ski Center
Guided Kayak Trips – Lofthus