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Hope is at the heart of your search for a holiday rental. For planning the rest of your trip, the wider destination of Tysnes offers a broad range of landscape, culture, and activity themes.

Landscape and activities on Tysnes

Tysnes is an island group with a total area of 255 square kilometres. To the west, there are rocky coasts and heathland facing the open sea; to the east, on the Hardangerfjord, the landscape gives way to high mountains and extensive woodland. This contrast between the open coast and the fjord-side mountain and forest landscape gives the wider destination its varied character.

Hovlandsnuten is a 727-metre-high peak on Tysnes. From there, views extend across Hovland and Tveit to the Kvinnherad Mountains beyond the Onarheimsfjord. Another hiking option is the ascent to Tysnessåto: the shortest and steepest route starts at Myrdal and follows a Sherpa-built trail. These two destinations offer different high points in the Tysnes landscape; the steep route is an important factor to consider when planning the ascent to Tysnessåto.

The cycling routes described also differ in length and scenery. The 43.5-kilometre Våge–Uggdal–Onarheim–Lunde–Våge route passes through undeveloped areas and cultural landscapes along the Onarheimsfjord and the Hardangerfjord. The 31-kilometre Våge–Flatråkervassdraget–Våge route runs through wooded areas and alongside waterways. Check road and traffic conditions before setting out.

There are also opportunities for paddling on Tysnes, including on the Flatråkervassdraget and Onarheim-vassdraget waterways, in Bårdsundet and Godøysund, and near Ånuglo. The Våge marina has a service building with showers, toilets, a washing machine, and a tumble dryer. OnarHamn has a sauna that everyone can use free of charge.

Cultural sites and history

Årbakkavollen is an archaeological site dating from the Early Iron Age. The remains include 20 burial mounds and at least six standing stones. The Tysnes skulemuseum offers a different glimpse into history, housed in a school building dating from 1896; original school desks and furnishings are on display there. The monument at Kaldafoss commemorates three British airmen who were shot down in 1941.

Årbakka is home to a traditional West Norwegian country store dating from 1898. Its shop interior has been preserved as it looked in the 1930s. The old courthouse in Uggdal has exhibitions about how people in Tysnes lived in the past. Exhibits and guided tours may change; if this stop is important to your plans, check in advance what is currently available.

The lime kiln at Flakka was restored in 1992 by Tysnes kulturminnelag in collaboration with Tysnes Municipality. It is located by Flakkavågen, about two kilometres south of Onarheim. There is a car park and an information board by the main road. On Reksteren, the fort at Flygansvær is relatively large and well preserved; an information board shows a site plan of the fort.

Local products, events, and travel

Myrdal Gård makes cheese from goat’s and cow’s milk. In spring and summer, the farm welcomes visitors to its farm shop and restaurant. Tours of the cheese dairy or farm can be arranged. Check the opening days in advance and book any tour you would like to take in good time.

The Tysnesfest music festival takes place on Tysnes every year in July. Dates and the programme vary from year to year, so check the specific dates for your travel year. From Bergen, Tysnes can be reached by ferry from Halhjem to Våge. There is also a scheduled bus from Bergen bus station to the ferry terminal. Check the current timetable before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Tysnes, Lundegrend, Onarheim, Reksteren, Flatråker, Uggdal, Hovland.

Back to the wider travel guide: Tysnes.