Discover Hovet: church, waterfall and hiking

Hovet brings together protected architectural heritage, landscapes and specific hiking options. If you are looking for hotels for a trip to Hovet, you can plan around the things that interest you there: Hovet Kyrkje, the history of Raggsteindalen or the trails described here. When planning your hikes, you can compare trail lengths and, for the Hivjufossen trail, also take elevation gain and the seasonal window into account.

Church, landscape and history in Hovet

Hovet Kyrkje is a white-painted wooden church with protected status and is listed as a church built after 1850. From its north side, there is a view of Hallingskarvet. The church thus combines a specific architectural feature with a named viewpoint. The Hovet parish district received the church in 1910.

Raggsteindalen also offers a historical link to the use of the landscape: the area has been used for grazing and mountain pasture since the 18th century. Alongside the architectural features of Hovet Kyrkje, this long-standing form of land use represents a different aspect of local history. When planning, you can decide whether you are more interested in church architecture, landscape history or both.

Hikes and natural features

Hivjufossen is a waterfall about 250 metres high, with an upper and a lower fall. The Hivjufossen trail is about four kilometres long as a return hike and has an elevation gain of 310 metres. Remains of an old settlement lie about halfway along the trail. The trail description therefore combines a specific hike with an archaeological detail. The stated season for the Hivjufossen trail runs from mid-June to early October; check local conditions before setting out.

Another hike described here is Nordre Flishovd. It starts at Storestølen, is 7.2 kilometres long and is listed as taking three hours and 30 minutes. The hike is rated difficult and offers panoramic views of Hallingskarvet. Weather and trail conditions may vary; take this into account when planning. Millomfjell is also mentioned as a hiking option from Hovet.

For the Hivjufossen trail, take the return route, elevation gain and season into account; for Nordre Flishovd, also consider the duration and difficulty. Compare these details when deciding which hike fits your schedule. Another practical detail concerns fishing: fishing permits for Østre Hol JFF are available at the Coop in Hovet. Check the point of sale before travelling.

Additional context in the wider destination of Hol

In the wider destination of Hol, the most common ways to get there are by train from Oslo or Bergen, or by bus or car. The regional transport network also includes Haugastøl station, a starting point for the Rallarvegen. The cycle route is 82 kilometres long in total: it starts in Haugastøl, follows the Bergen Railway via Finse, Hallingskeid and Myrdal, and ends in Flåm. The Rallarvegen is busy with cyclists in summer. Check seasonal conditions before setting out.

The Dagali Museum is also in the wider destination of Hol. It exhibits buildings and objects from Dagali, Skurdalen, Tunhovd and Uvdal and is laid out as an old farmstead with various buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Every summer, the museum hosts art exhibitions by recognised artists in the Kjønås-stabburet. During Dagali Days in mid-July, a museum day is traditionally held, featuring an outdoor church service, refreshments, open houses and various activities. Exact dates and the programme may vary.

Another cultural highlight in Hol is Fekjo Cultural Heritage Park. It features landscape art by Gunnveig Nerol and Terje Isungset, as well as burial mounds from the Viking Age dating back to the 9th century. Most of the graves that have been examined were women’s graves. The park also includes seven charcoal kilns and an iron production site.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Haugastøl, Ustaoset, Geilo, Hol, Dagali, Eggjareir.

Back to the wider travel overview: Hol.