Holmedal: Nature, Cultural Landscape and History

Holmedal and neighbouring Tveit lie on broad river terraces where Tveitedalen opens out towards the fjord. The Tveitelva divides the area: Holmedal lies on the east side, and Tveit on the west side. Together, the river, the opening of the valley and the surrounding landscape shaped by agriculture define the character of the area.

Cultural Landscape and Deciduous Forest

Holmedal’s traditional agricultural landscape is part of a fjord cultural region. Above the area, old stone walls and grazing slopes form part of a well-preserved cultural landscape. Traditional, well-preserved western Norwegian farmsteads with a long history of continuity are also part of its character, along with several preserved farms and building complexes. Holmedal and Tveit are considered an active cultural landscape with a particularly high degree of integrity and coherence; modern and traditional agricultural settings meet here.

Holmedalsberget is a protected deciduous forest nature reserve near Holmedal in Kvinnherad. This large forest area by the Matresfjord is home to one of the largest deciduous forests in Hordaland. Holmedalsberget has well over 200 species of vascular plants, including several rare species. Tree species found there include elm, ash, lime, hazel, black alder, grey alder and oak—typical of a western Norwegian deciduous forest. There are no roads or other recent developments in the area.

Church, Cemetery and Mountain Pasture History

Holmedal Church is made of wood and has 215 seats. It was consecrated on 22 November 1882. Reusable materials from the previous church were used in the construction of the present building. The first known stave church in Holmedal is mentioned in a land register from the 14th century. The old church site in Holmedal at Utåker is considered particularly valuable historically.

Holmedal’s old cemetery lies in Kyrkjedalen at Utåker and offers panoramic views over the Skåneviksfjord. Dyrrindo, a restored and still actively used mountain pasture area, is also located at Utåker/Holmedal. These places add further facets of traditional cultural landscapes to the history of the church and farms.

Hiking and Seasonal Activities Nearby

In Tveitedalen, a lit circular trail runs around Bakkastølsvatnet. It starts and ends at Ternebu in the Tveitedalen ski centre. A hiking route to Ulvanosa and Høgetinden is also signposted from Ternebu; beyond the forest road or lit trail, the route is marked with red Ts. The Ulvanosa route offers a direct ascent to the summit or a marked alternative around Øktaredalsnuten. Views along the route extend to the mountains of Etne and Kvinnherad, Folgefonna, the Hardangerfjord and the mountain regions towards Bergen.

Another hiking route from Utåker to Ulvanosa starts at the car park, follows the lit trail along Bakkastølsvatnet and then continues beside the river to the inner bridge. To reach the starting point, take the turn-off from the main road towards Holmedal and continue down to the Utåker ferry quay. Check road conditions and trail markings before setting out, as they may change.

The season also makes a difference: the lit trail in Tveitedalen is groomed for cross-country skiing in winter, although grooming may vary. In spring, the Ulvanosa route offers the possibility of skiing down from Tveitedalen to Ulvanosa; snow and trail conditions may vary. The steep mountain slopes towards Uskedalen also offer a nearby climbing area with routes of all difficulty levels.

When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish Holmedal’s own cultural landscape from the routes nearby: the area brings together river terraces, farms, and church and natural history; the hiking and winter sports options described here complement this focus with a variety of routes and seasonal conditions.

Discover more destinations: Seimsfoss, Sandvoll, Uskedalen, Sunde, Hatlestrand, Ølve, Husnes, Arnavik.

For the overall travel guide: Kvinnherad.