Tuddal: Hiking Trails, Kovstulvann and Cultural History

When looking for a hotel in Tuddal, it is worth planning your stay around the activities you have in mind: the Kjerringstein Loop runs around Kovstulvann, marked hiking trails offer longer routes, and the Bygdetun and the church add cultural and historical highlights. This lets you plan your days around nature trails, time by the water or historic buildings.

Exploring Kovstulvann

The Kjerringstein Loop runs around Kovstulvann in Tuddal and is designed for pedestrians, cyclists, strollers and wheelchair users. On the north shore, you will find a shelter, an accessible fishing spot and a place where you can grill food you have brought with you. This makes it possible to combine exercise, a break by the lake and opportunities for fishing or grilling on the same loop. Check the accessibility of the infrastructure and the condition of the facilities before your visit.

Hiking and route-finding

The DNT-marked Prestevegen is a hiking trail through mountain and forest terrain between Hogstul in Tuddal and Juvsmoen in Hjartdal. The walking time is about six hours. Set aside a longer block of time and check conditions before setting out, as they may vary by season.

The “Hjartdal – Bjårvatn rundt” route offers a different experience: it is an easy hike for the whole family through nature, culture and history. Fossehalli in Tuddal is listed as the starting point. The route passes through the centre of Tuddal and by Tuddal Church, which is also named as a stop.

When driving from Sauland, turn onto Fv 651 towards Tuddal and Gaustatoppen. Check the road conditions and the seasonal status of the mountain road before setting out.

Farm history and wooden church

Tuddal Bygdetun consists of 13 historic farm buildings and shows what a typical farm in Tuddal looked like in the 17th and 18th centuries. The permanent exhibition adds to this insight with old Tuddal bunads, rosemaled chests, a stave church portal removed in 1796, and a pre-Christian household deity figure. In this compact thematic setting, you can encounter examples of clothing, crafts, sacred architecture and earlier beliefs.

The present-day Tuddal Church is a log-built wooden church dating from 1796. Two stave churches are said to have stood here before it: the first burned down in 1369, and the second stood until 1796. Together with the Bygdetun, the church offers another way to explore the history of the area, with each focusing on a different aspect: farm life and church architecture.

In the wider destination of Hjartdal

If you also consider the wider destination of Hjartdal, you will find additional cultural and seasonal offerings. The Kulturlandskapssenteret offers guided tours, talks and cultural programmes about agricultural cultural landscapes. Group visits are available by arrangement; the visitor area is at Holm Landhandel and the nearby Kulturlandskapsskulen.

Hjartdal Bygdemylle combines guided tours of the mill with a themed exhibition on the history of farming and grain in the mountain villages. Barley flour in different grades and pearl barley are still produced there; arrangements for guided tours may need to be made on site. In July and August, visitors can also visit Bjordal Stule, where traditional rømmegrøt, coffee and waffles are served. Check the seasonal information before your trip, as dates may change.

Discover more destinations: Hjartdal, Sauland.

Back to the wider travel overview: Hjartdal.