Markhus by the Åkrafjord: Harbour, Culture and Hiking

Markhus combines a sheltered harbour with traces of its cultural history and hiking opportunities towards Etnefjella. When planning your stay, a good first step is to decide what to focus on: local history around Markhushamn and the quay, or the approximately four-hour hike to Sandvasshytta.

Harbour and cultural heritage

Markhushamn is the seaside settlement of Markhus. The harbour is sheltered behind a small island; finds in the harbour area show that there was activity there in the 17th century. The archaeological site in the harbour area is automatically protected. Markhus (Hamn) is also designated as a special conservation area.

Markhusstølen includes a mountain pasture house dating from the 17th century. Alongside the archaeological finds in the harbour area, this historic building and its own place name represent Markhus’s cultural history. The historic quay belongs to the former trading post of Markhus on the north shore of the Åkrafjord. It can be reached via the old road outside the Markhus Tunnel; check current road conditions before setting out.

Hiking to Sandvasshytta

The DNT route between Markhus and Sandvasshytta provides access to Etnefjella. It follows a ridge just west of the Miljateigselva river. The hike from Øvra Markhus to Sandvasshytta takes about four hours. As trail conditions vary by season, check conditions before setting out and take the approximate walking time into account when planning your day.

A 2015 NVE decision describes the ascent from Øvre Markhus along the Åkrafjord as the most important and most frequently used route into Etnefjella. The same decision describes the mountain area above Markhus as being frequently used for hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation. The area along the DNT route is designated as a regionally important recreational area of high value.

There is a Viking grave near Sandvasshytta; directions are available in the cabin’s guestbook. This adds a historical point of interest at the cabin to the hiking experience, without conflating the burial mound with the harbour area of Markhus.

Practical information and Etne as a wider travel destination

A charging station for electric cars with eight charging points was installed at Åkrafjordtunet in 2020. If you plan your drive around the option to charge there, check in advance that it is currently operating and confirm its setup, as these may change.

The wider travel destination of Etne offers further activities. The mountain roads near Skarstøl and Rus in Etnefjella are suitable for cycling. From the Osnes area, a nature trail leads to the Borgåsen castle site; there is a rest area halfway along, and the final section is steep. These offer different options: a cycling trip on the mountain roads, or a walk to the castle site with a rest stop and a steep final section.

Markhus itself has a clear connection to its harbour, cultural history and the hike towards Sandvasshytta; the cycling and nature trail options mentioned are part of the wider travel destination of Etne. Keep this distinction in mind when planning your stay around your activities.

Discover more destinations: Skånevik, Etne, Fjæra, Kyrping

Return to the wider travel overview: Etne.