Vikebygd: Landscape Park, Orchards and Folgefonna

Vikebygd Landscape Park brings together a distinctive cultural landscape and the Folgefonna glacier as different points of interest. The park stretches along road Fv 550, between the Kvitno River in the south and Velure in the north. These boundaries give the area a clear north–south extent. When comparing hotels for a trip to Vikebygd, the landscape and culture can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Orchards and Folgefonna in the Landscape Park

The cultural landscape includes numerous orchards between the Hardangerfjord and the Folgefonna glacier. Folgefonna, Norway’s third-largest glacier, lies along the upper edge of the mountain slope in Vikebygd Landscape Park. The orchards represent the cultivated landscape, while Folgefonna provides a different point of reference along the upper edge of the slope. This places the two features in context without treating the orchards and glacier as a single landscape type.

Agatunet is also part of Vikebygd Landscape Park. The preserved cluster of farm buildings adds a built, cultural dimension to the landscape and glacier features. If you plan your trip around these themes, the farm cluster offers a different focus from the orchards or Folgefonna.

Ullensvang as a wider destination

The wider destination of Ullensvang offers more routes and cultural attractions to choose from. The Fruit Trail can be accessed from several points, including Lofthus Camping, Hotel Ullensvang, Ullensvang Gjesteheim, Hardanger Youth Hostel and the supermarket in Lofthus. Buses from Odda, Eidfjord, Geilo and Voss stop at this supermarket. The “Hardangerfjord Sightseeing” express boat also stops there; bus services to and from Bergen and Norheimsund are available as well. Check timetables and routes before your trip.

Ullensvang offers hiking routes with different estimated durations. The challenging Dronningstien is 16 kilometres long, runs between Kinsarvik and Lofthus, and takes six to nine hours. Along the way, it offers views of the Sørfjorden and Folgefonna and passes through lush orchards with thousands of apple trees. The Husedalen route from Kinsarvik to Hardangervidda takes three to six hours. Comparing the estimated durations can help with planning: Dronningstien is estimated at six to nine hours, while Husedalen takes three to six hours. Seasonal conditions and operational details may change.

The cultural attractions in the wider destination of Ullensvang also offer different experiences. The Hjøllo-Mannsåker Cultural Trail passes through the cultural landscape to the farms at Mannsåker and Hjøllo. Along the route, 34 information boards tell the story of the first settlers in the area. The Hardanger Folk Museum in Utne features exhibitions on Hardanger embroidery, traditional costumes and folk music, as well as an open-air museum with several historic buildings. In Tyssedal, the Kraftmuseet offers insight into Norway’s hydropower and industrial history, with activities for the whole family. The museum programme may vary.

Discover more destinations: Utne, Kinsarvik, Lofthus, Grimo, Vallavik, Ullensvang, Nå

Back to the wider travel overview: Ullensvang.