Sauda between mining history and mountain scenery

Sauda combines traces of its industrial past with hiking trails and winter sports. The former zinc mining area of Allmannajuvet is now a museum; at Hovlandsnuten, 987 steps lead up to a mountain lodge with an art museum. Ski trails in seven valleys and destinations such as Jettegrytene also shape what the area has to offer. When planning your stay, you can choose between culture, longer hikes and seasonal activities.

Mining history in Allmannajuvet

Allmannajuvet is a former zinc mining area in Sauda and is now a museum. Its buildings are designed in an industrial style that tells the story of mining. During the tourism season, guided tours along the mining trail and into the mine are offered daily. Dates may change from year to year; check them before your visit.

The Industriarbeidermuseet includes two authentically furnished apartments. One shows how workers lived in the 1920s; the second is furnished in the style of the 1960s. The museum is within walking distance of Sauda’s shopping streets. The Sauda Tourist Information Centre books guided tours in Allmannajuvet and at the Industriarbeidermuseet, and rents out golf equipment and canoes. As visitor services like these may change, it is a good idea to check before your trip.

Åbøbyen also tells the story of the area’s industrial past: the residential district was built from 1916 for workers and employees of Sauda Smelteverk. The Ryfylke National Tourist Route is also worth noting when planning your drive. It leads to Sauda and continues over a mountain pass to Røldal; road conditions may vary by season.

Hiking at Hovlandsnuten

The hike to Hovlandsnuten passes through an enchanted forest and follows a trail with 987 steps. There are fjord views along the way; at the destination, the trail reaches a mountain lodge with Norway’s highest-altitude art museum. The route is 14.5 kilometres in total. The summit is about seven kilometres away, with an elevation gain of 918 metres.

The starting point is at Risvoll School in Saudasjøen, a five-minute drive from the centre of Sauda. Sauda also has an extensive network of hiking trails and routes. The information about the Hovlandsnuten route provides a guide for planning; the hike combines nature and art at a specific destination.

Other trails lead to Jettegrytene in Buer in Åbødalen. A marked path takes you to the naturally formed bathing pools. Eventyrskogen and Trollplassen are also destinations accessible by trail. There are figures from Norwegian folk tales, as well as a shelter and barbecue facilities.

Winter sports and ski trails

Sauda Ski Centre has downhill runs for all ability levels, a dedicated family lift, a park and groomed mountain ski trails. Five ski lifts can carry winter sports enthusiasts more than five kilometres uphill. Lift operations and trail grooming are seasonal.

Sauda has more than 100 kilometres of marked ski trails across seven valleys. So when planning, you can look beyond the downhill runs at the ski centre: the trails extend across several valleys. If you are considering winter activities, you can include these different types of skiing in your travel plans.

Activities on the water and on land

Mayuc Kayak offers kayak and paddleboard rentals in the Sauda area, as well as courses and guided tours. Seasonal or booking conditions may apply; check the details with the provider in advance. Another way to spend time outdoors is at Sauda Golfbane, which has nine holes and a driving range at Rødstjødna.

In summer, Andedammen is also a petting zoo with ducks, geese, pigs, goats, rabbits and carp. Seasonal opening arrangements may vary. Anna’s Kafe is located in the countryside in the Sauda area, serves local homemade baked goods and is open on Sundays during the summer months. Check the current opening schedule before visiting.

Cultural landscape at Jonegarden på Hustveit

The area around Jonegarden på Hustveit is a protected landscape area. Jonegarden is also a nature, cultural and recreational area, with an authentically preserved cultural landscape and buildings as they were at the end of the 19th century. This is about more than individual historic buildings: it is also about the character of the surrounding landscape. Together with the Industriarbeidermuseet and Åbøbyen, Jonegarden adds further insights into culture and everyday life to Sauda’s mining history.

Whether you plan to spend your time on culture, a longer hike or seasonal activities, Sauda offers a range of ways to make the most of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Svandal, Saudasjøen, Rennesøy, Haugesund, Karmøy, Finnøy, Eigersund, Forsand.

See the main travel overview: Rogaland.