Prestfoss: Culture and trails around Olhovd

Prestfoss can be explored for a trip mainly through two themes: Sigdal’s cultural heritage and trails around the town. Music, historic buildings and the landscape around Olhovd give you pointers for choosing the focus of your stay. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether you’d like to include the area’s cultural history or outdoor excursions in your plans.

Culture and music in Prestfoss

Folkemusikksenteret i Buskerud is a center of expertise for folk music and folk dance. It is responsible for preserving and sharing regional music and dance, and is located at the Sigdal Museum in Prestfoss. The center is housed in a large, three-storey log building. The building contains an extensive archive of Norwegian folk music, a recording studio and a concert hall, as well as rooms for overnight stays, meetings and conferences.

The collections also give the focus on music added depth: in addition to an extensive collection of books on Norwegian folk music, the center houses the country’s largest collection of the magazine Spellemannsbladet, from its first issue in 1941 to the present day. The center organizes concerts and courses for children and young people. The music theme thus ranges from preserving regional traditions to concerts and courses.

Church and historic buildings

Holmen kirke stands in the center of Prestfoss and is Sigdal’s main church. Built in 1853, the wooden cruciform church has wooden siding and seats 700 people. That same year, the poet and clergyman Jørgen Moe was ordained there. The altarpiece by Aksel Ender depicts the Crucifixion; the interior is bright and open. The architecture, furnishings and connection to Moe offer different historical perspectives on the same place of worship.

The history of the area is also evident at the Sigdal Museum. It is located on the site of the former Sigdal nickel works, which operated from 1874 to 1879. The Eikjebygningen at the museum dates from the mid-18th century and contains a rose-painted hall from 1799. The Sigdal bygdetun in Prestfoss comprises eleven buildings dating from the 17th to the 19th century. In this way, individually dated buildings and a group of historic houses sit alongside the industrial chapter of the nickel works.

The outdoor grounds of the Sigdal Museum are open to everyone, whether or not the museum itself is open. This distinction between the outdoor grounds and the open museum is useful when planning your visit.

Nature and excursions around Prestfoss

Olhovd is the northern part of the ridge south of central Prestfoss; its summit is 547 meters above sea level. The hike up Olhovd starts at Gvilarhaugen and follows forest roads, trails and a grassy cart track for part of the way. These different types of terrain are a practical consideration when planning your hike. From Olhovd, views extend west and north over Lake Soneren, Andersnatten, Eggedalsfjella and Norefjell, as well as Kråkefjorden and the center of Prestfoss.

The cycling loop around Prestfoss offers a different focus. It starts at the access road opposite Prestfoss ungdomsskole; parking is available at the school. You can reach the school via Fv 287, following the relevant signs. Check the information about route access before setting out, as it may change.

Discover more destinations: Eggedal, Nedre Eggedal.

For the broader travel overview: Sigdal.