Tysnes: Fjord Landscapes, Peaks and Cultural Heritage

Tysnes is a group of islands covering a total area of 255 square kilometres. In the west, rocky coastlines and heathland mark the transition to the open sea; in the east, the landscape rises from the Hardangerfjord into high mountains and extensive woodland. Solstråleøya has been made available to the municipality of Tysnes for use as a recreation area. This gives you several options for your trip: peak hikes, routes through the cultural landscape, water activities or historic sites.

Peak hikes with a variety of trail profiles

Tysnessåto is the highest mountain on Tysnes and a popular hiking destination with views in every direction. The shortest and steepest ascent starts at Myrdal on a Sherpa-built trail. Trail conditions can vary. Hovlandsnuten offers another summit hike: at 727 metres, the mountain affords views of Hovland, Tveit and the Kvinnherad Mountains across the Onarheimsfjord.

At Hovlandsnuten, the route first follows a gravel road to Vasstøl for about half an hour, then continues along a steep trail. At a leisurely pace, the hike from the car park to the summit takes about an hour and a half. If you want to plan your hike, you’ll find information here on both the route and an approximate time; the duration depends on your pace and conditions.

Cycling and paddling

Two cycling routes differ in both length and scenery. The 43.5-kilometre Våge–Uggdal–Onarheim–Lunde–Våge route passes through undeveloped areas and cultural landscapes along the Onarheimsfjord and Hardangerfjord. The 31-kilometre Våge–Flatråkervassdraget–Våge loop passes through wooded areas and alongside waterways. This offers a shorter loop through woodland and waterside scenery alongside a longer route through open areas and cultural landscapes. Road and traffic conditions can change.

Paddling is another option on Tysnes. The areas listed include Flatråkervassdraget, Onarheim-vassdraget, Bårdsundet, Godøysund and Ånuglo. These different place names can help you plan your trip without limiting yourself to just one type of waterscape.

Discover history in several places

Årbakkavollen is an archaeological site dating from the Early Iron Age. The remains of 20 burial mounds and at least six standing stones can be seen there. The memorial at Kaldafoss commemorates a different chapter in history: it honours three British airmen who were shot down in 1941. On Reksteren is the relatively large, well-preserved fort at Flygansvær; an information board shows a site plan of the complex.

The Tysnes school museum is housed in a school building dating from 1896. Original school desks and furnishings are on display inside. The old courthouse in Uggdal has exhibitions about how people on Tysnes used to live; exhibition content and guided tours may change. In Årbakka, there is a traditional West Norwegian general store dating from 1898, with its shop interior preserved as it looked in the 1930s.

The lime kiln is also part of the cultural heritage: the lime kiln at Flakka was restored in 1992 by Tysnes kulturminnelag together with the municipality. At the lime kiln near Flakkavågen, about two kilometres south of Onarheim, there is a car park and an information board by the main road.

Farm visits, swimming spots and harbour facilities

Myrdal Gård makes cheese from goat’s and cow’s milk. In spring and summer, the farm welcomes visitors to its farm shop and restaurant. Tours of the cheesemaking facility or farm can be arranged; check seasonal visiting hours and tour availability before travelling. Everyone can use the sauna at OnarHamn free of charge. The Våge guest harbour has a service building with showers, toilets, a washing machine and a tumble dryer.

A swimming cove in Uggdal has a gently sloping beach, a sand volleyball court, an accessible bathing ramp, benches and a dry toilet. From the car park, an approximately ten-minute walk along a gravel road leads there. Facilities may change; check before your visit. Near the Hodnanes ferry terminal, in the direction of Onarheim, there is a mine with a tunnel about 140 metres long. According to visitor information, it is accessible; waterproof footwear is recommended.

Getting there and planning your trip

From Bergen, you can reach Tysnes by taking the ferry from Halhjem to Våge. A scheduled bus also runs from Bergen bus station to the ferry terminal. Check timetables before travelling. The Tysnesfest music festival takes place every year in July; dates and programme vary from year to year. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, choose according to your plans: hiking, cycling, historic sites or travelling via Bergen may each be a priority. Compare the location of a specific offer with your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Tysnes, Hope, Lundegrend, Flatråker, Uggdal, Onarheim, Reksteren, Hovland.

Back to the main travel overview: Hordaland.