Uvdal: Stave Church, Cross-Country Skiing and Cycling Routes

Uvdal combines cultural and historical impressions with opportunities for cross-country skiing, cycling and fishing. Uvdal stave church is distinguished by its colourful, richly decorated interior and a portal featuring scenes from medieval heroic poetry. When planning your trip, you can also choose between a cultural theme and a range of outdoor activities.

Uvdal stave church: art and archaeological finds

The church’s features include both its interior furnishings and the imagery on its portal. During excavations beneath the floor of Uvdal stave church in 1978, more than 500 coins were found, among other things. This brings together art-historical details and a clearly dated archaeological find. If you choose the church as a cultural focus, its furnishings, the scenes from heroic poetry and the coin find offer different ways to explore the area.

Compare cycling routes by length and course

The Numedalsruta runs directly through Uvdal and is 280 kilometres long in total. Its stated endpoints are Geilo and Larvik, and the route passes through Kongsberg. The Uvdal–Solheimstulen–Imingfjell–Uvdal cycling route is a circular tour. It is just under 50 kilometres long and includes a mountain section at an altitude of more than 1,250 metres. The routes therefore differ in both length and format: the Numedalsruta connects several named places, while the circular route lists Uvdal as both its starting and finishing point.

Another cycling option is the lightly trafficked Vestsidevegen, a gravel road from inner Uvdal to Dokkeberg. The route is about 30 kilometres long. Conditions on the mountain road along the Uvdal circular route are seasonal; road conditions and access on Vestsidevegen may also change. Check conditions before setting out.

Cross-country skiing on the plateau and in the valley

Uvdal has 570 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails, located both on the plateau and in the valley. Their spread across these two elevations is a useful point of reference if cross-country skiing is the focus of your trip. The total length may vary depending on the trail network and seasonal conditions. So check which trails are relevant for your dates before travelling.

Fishing on the Uvdalselva

The Uvdalselva offers good fishing opportunities in the valley. The designated fishing stretch runs from Fønnebøfjorden to the confluence of the Tøddøla and Jønndøla. This gives you both general fishing opportunities in the valley and specific boundaries for the designated stretch. Check fishing boundaries and permits before travelling.

Solheimstulen in the wider destination of Nore Og Uvdal

In the wider destination of Nore Og Uvdal, Solheimstulen is a staffed mountain lodge at the foot of Hardangervidda National Park, at the very end of Jønndalen in Uvdal. A road that is open year-round leads to the lodge from County Road 40: the turnoff is about 13 kilometres north of Uvdal, followed by another 14 kilometres to Solheimstulen. Check road and toll conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Nesbyen, Rødberg, Nore

Back to the wider travel overview: Nore Og Uvdal.