Tysvær between fjords and peaks

Tysvær combines a 220-kilometre coastline with smooth, polished rocks, heathland, mountains and hills, deep fjords, and well-maintained cultural landscapes. These varied landscapes shape the nature experiences on offer and give a trip several possible focal points. In the outdoor areas, you can hike, cycle, canoe, go stand-up paddleboarding and fish. The range extends from trails across the terrain to activities on the water; museums and historic sites add cultural history to this natural side.

Hiking among peaks and rock formations

At 631 metres, Lammanuten is the highest mountain in Tysvær; its trail is signposted and marked in red. Himakånå offers a different high point: the 357-metre-high rock or mountain formation lies above Lake Lysevatnet, near Hinderåvåg. The trail there is signposted and well marked. The hike to Himakånå is 4.2 kilometres long and takes about two hours there and back.

The hike to the Alvanuten day-hike cabin starts in the centre of Aksdal; the ascent to the summit is about 1.5 kilometres long. The routes can be planned using different details: for Himakånå, the approximate time for the round trip is known, while for Alvanuten, the length of the ascent to the summit is given. On Borgøy, Storenuten is the island’s highest peak at 292 metres.

Museums and local history

The Arquebus krigshistorisk museum in Tysvær features a range of exhibitions on the occupation of Norway from 1940 to 1945. Private group tours require at least ten participants and must be booked at least ten days in advance. As booking conditions may change, it is advisable to confirm them with the operator before visiting.

The Nedstrand bygdemuseum tells the story of the timber trade in the Ryfylkefjordene in the 16th and 17th centuries. Nedstrand is also home to the Romanivillaen at Øverland farm: this valuable cultural heritage site tells the story of the Norwegian Romanifolket. The old customs post of the «Ryfylke Customs Station» is also preserved as a protected building at the ferry terminal. The historical themes therefore range from early trade and the history of the Romanifolket to customs.

Outdoors at Slogvik stands the old Kvernhuset på Slogvik, a watermill built from round logs. It complements the history of the museums and local area with a tangible example of traditional construction. For a different perspective on culture and leisure, Tysværtunet houses a library, a swimming pool with various bathing facilities, and a cinema.

Getting around and finding a hotel

Aksdal is an important transport hub. There, the E134, open to traffic year-round, connects the route to Oslo via Haukeli with the coastal main road E39 between Stavanger and Bergen. If road connections are important to your travel plans, Aksdal is a clear point of reference. Choose a hotel based on the experiences that interest you most in Tysvær.

Discover more destinations: Tysvær, Nedstrand, Askeland, Hervik, Førre, Skjoldastraumen, Aksdal, Eigersund.

Return to the overview of the wider region: Rogaland.