Ulvik in Hardanger is known for its Apple Tree Blossoming, Cider Production and not at least as the home of the poet Olav H. Hauge. But most of all, Ulvik is an idyllic fjord village that is worth visiting all year round.

Ulvik, which is the name of both the village and the municipality, is located northeast and at the innermost part of the Hardangerfjord. Bergen Railway runs through Ulvik Herad, and Finse Station at 1222 masl is also located in the municipality. From fjord to high mountains is therefore descriptive of Ulvik.

Season and Safety

Many of the activities and attractions mentioned on this website are open only in summer and are closed in winter. This also applies to many of the roads and accommodations mentioned. Season and opening time will vary. It depends on where it is and what activity, attraction, road and accommodation it is, it usually opens in the summer and closes in the autumn, depending on i.a. the amount of snow and the risk of avalanches in the area. Hikes mentioned in this website have different seasons. See links to the various hikes to read more about the hikes and season. Read more about season, important safety information and your own responsibility…

Important information about roads in western Norway: Remember that many roads in western Norway are prone to landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. Many of the roads in Hardanger are some of these exposed roads, and many of the roads are narrow and winding. There might also be a chance that some of the roads are closed in short periods, especially during winter, due to weather and danger of rock- and snow avalanches and other dangerous conditions. Winter tires are required in winter. Read more about Tyre Requirements in Norway...

Many of the roads in western Norway are closed during winter! These roads usually opens early summer and close in autumn, depending on the amount of snow and the risk of landslides and avalanche in the surrounding mountains. This also applies to many of the National Tourist Routes and the Road Trips described in this website.

There are restrictions on the length of vehicles on many of the National Tourist Roads and on other roads in Norway. This also applies to many of the roads and road trips described on this website.

This website is not a guide or a travel planner, and the information on the pages should not be used accordingly. Marked and mentioned routes and maps are not accurate and will also often change for various reasons, always look for updated information.

Visit Hardangerfjord – Visit Sunnhordland

Visit Hardangerfjord and Visit Sunnhordland are the official destination companies for the Hardangerfjord area.

Taste Hardanger

You get the Taste of Hardanger when you visit some of the apple-tree-farms which produce their own cider. At Taste Hardanger you get an overview of the many apple-tree- and cider-farms that you can visit in Hardanger. Some of them are located in Ulvik where you can visit the farms and buy and taste the local cider products. Hardanger Saft og Siderfabrikk, Kveik Brygghus, Syse Gard and Ulvik Frukt og Cideri are all located in Ulvik and are well worth a visit.

The poet Olav H. Hauge

The famous Norwegian poet Olav Håkonson Hauge was born at the farm Hakestad in Ulvik, where he lived all his life. The highlight of his writing is the collection of poems Dropar i Austavind from 1966. The poems “Sleggja” and “Det er den draumen” are two of his most famous poems. Source: Wikipedia. The author Olav H. Hauge has his own Visitor Center down by the fjord in the center of Ulvik, close to Ulvik Church. By appointment, you can also visit the farm at Rossvoll where Olav H. Hauge lived.

It is that Dream – Olav H. Hauge (Translated by Matt Bagguley)
It is the dream we carry
that something wonderful will happen,
that it must happen –
that time will open,
that our hearts may open,
that doors shall open,
and the mountain shall open
that springs will gush forth –
that our dream will open,
and that one morning we’ll glide
into a cove we didn’t know.

Syse Glas – Glassblowing Factory and Outlet in Ulvik

Syse Glas is a Glassblowing Factory and outlet in Ulvik. They have vases, jugs, bowls, lamps, decorative glasses and various drinking glasses, both in different colours and with an engraved Hardanger pattern. Syse Glas does also have an online store.

Fjord Cruise on the Hardangerfjord

In the summer you can experience a great round trip by boat on the Hardangerfjord. The Fjord Cruise starts in Nordheimsund and passes the idyllic fjord villages Herand, Utne, Lofthus, Kinsarvik, Ulvik and Eidfjord. It is possible to combine the trip by bus from Bergen to Norheimsund. You can hop on and off and spend one or several nights at the various places along the way.

Activities and adventures with Hardangerfjord Adventure

Hardangerfjord Adventure is an adventure and activity company in Hardanger and the Hardangerfjord that operates from Øystese, Norheimsund and Ulvik. Here you can join a Fjord Safari with Rib-boat and guided hikes and ski trips in beautiful surroundings where you will discover the hidden gems in Hardanger. Hardangerfjord Adventure arranges fixed tours from Øystese, Norheimsund and Ulvik in addition to tailor-made private tours.

FJORDS NORWAY - Fjord Safari on the Hardangerfjord with Hardangerfjord Adventure. — Fjord Safari on the Hardangerfjord with Hardangerfjord Adventure.

The Ulvik Mountains.

Ulvik is a good starting point for many great hikes and Alpine Ski Touring adventures. The hike from Ulvik over the mountains to Granvin is a classic. This was the main road between the two villages until year 1901 (Ulvik and Granvin were previously part of Ulvik Herad Municipality, but Granvin became a separate municipality in 1891). The hike to Mt Oksen is another classic. Oksen is located just outside Ulvik Herad, but is one of many famous hikes in Hardanger. Finse, which is also part of Ulvik Herad, is a great starting point for hikes in the mountains, on bike and on glacier. Video by Elisabeth Sveum.

A Blossoming Adventure in Ulvik and Hardanger

I met my good friend Tor in Bergen, and after an overnight stay there we took the bus from Bergen to Norheimsund. At Norheimsund we boarded the boat that took us on a fantastic fjord cruise on the Hardangerfjord. We visited several idyllic fjord villages along the way before we hopped off the boat in Ulvik. We stayed at Brakanes Hotel and had some wonderful days in Ulvik in mid-May, when the apple tree blossoming was at its most beautiful.

National Tourist Routes in Hardanger

There are two National Tourist Routes in Hardanger, Ulvik is located in the middle between these two beautiful stretches of road. There is only a short distance from Ulvik to both of the two tourist routes.

The 158-kilometer-long Hardanger National Tourist Route passes through the scenic Hardangerfjord area, where for more than a century travellers have come to experience mountains, fjords, waterfalls and glaciers. The area offers many opportunities for hiking, outdoor adventure and culture experiences.

The 67-kilometer-long Hardangervidda National Tourist Route passes through the Hardangervidda National Park and Northern Europe’s largest mountain plateau. The Måbødalen valley and Vøringsfossen Waterfall are two tourist attractions you can see from the road. There might be a chance that the road is closed in short periods during winter.

Finse and Finse Station

Finse and Finse Station are located at 1222 masl and are a perfect starting point for mountain hikes on the Hardangervidda Mountain Plateau, the Aurlandsdalen Valley and for cycling along Rallarvegen (The Navvies Road). Glacier walk on Hardangerjøkelen Glacier is also a popular activity for those who visit Finse. You can only get to Finse by train (Bergen Railway) or by foot and by ski. At Finse you can stay at Hotel Finse 1222 or at DNT Finsehytta.

Bergfallet Rock Avalanche in Osafjorden

FJORDS NORWAY - Bergfallet at the outlet of Osafjorden tributary fjord. — Bergfallet at the outlet of Osafjorden tributary fjord.

In the inner parts of the Hardangerfjord, at the outlet of the Osafjorden tributary fjord, on the Bagnsnes side, a large part of the fjord side has once fallen out. The fracture zone reaches about 100 meters in height, and the shape of the slide scar taken into account there is reason to believe that the zone extends far below the water surface. The place is called Bergfallet or Støkken.

We know that the time from the 16th century to the 1750s was a period of lower temperatures and much rainfall, in Norway as well as in other countries in Europe. The period from the 1600s to the 1750s is also called the Little Ice Age, and was a period when the glaciers in Norway grew a lot. The climatic conditions brought with them various slides and floods. It may well be that the block fell as part of this from the place we now know as Bergfallet.

The Historic Brakanes Hotel in Ulvik

Brakanes Hotel in Ulvik is idyllically located down by the Ulvikafjord and is one of several Historic Hotels in Norway. Brakanes’ history began as early as in 1860, and the hotel has since been expanded at regular intervals. In April 1940, the hotel burned down, but was rebuilt as a boarding house in 1949. The boarding house quickly became too small, and a new Brakanes Hotel was built in 1952. The hotel is today run by the hotel chain Fjordtind, which also has hotels in Eidfjord and Øystese.

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. Drive in the Hardanger area and see the Vøringsfossen Waterfall and all the other great waterfalls. Hike the famous Trolltunga Hike or Dronningstien (the Queens Panoramic Trail) in the area around Sørfjorden. Lake Bondhusvatnet and Bondhusbreen Glacier was one of the first places the English tourists visited when they discovered Norway in the mid 1800´s. Join a Fjord Cruise on the Hardangerfjord which is located in the county of Vestland, near Bergen, in the middle of Western Norway.