Vossevangen: Gondola, Culture and Nature

In Vossevangen, mountain excursions, living traditions and cultural discoveries meet a range of ways to spend an active day. The Voss Gondola takes you from the centre of Voss to Hangurstoppen, at an altitude of 818 metres, in less than nine minutes. There is also a cultural trail with seven stops, a folk music festival with a varied programme, and places where you can explore the history of Voss. The focus of your trip may also influence your choice of holiday apartment or holiday home.

Take the gondola up, continue by train

The Voss Gondola starts right beside Voss railway station. The station is the town’s transport hub, and local bus routes also depart from there. So if you plan to take the gondola, its starting point is right next to the station. The ride itself runs from the centre to Hangurstoppen, which is at an altitude of 818 metres, and takes less than nine minutes. This gives you both a mountain destination and a convenient starting point in town to consider when planning your holiday.

Culture, from folk music to local history

Osafestivalen has been a folk music festival since 1992. Over four days in late October, it takes place at several venues in the centre of Voss. Traditional Norwegian folk music features alongside new compositions and international artists. The programme includes formal concerts and open sessions, as well as dance evenings, an art exhibition and events for children. The festival therefore brings together different ways of listening and taking part. Another autumn event is Smalahovesleppet, which has been held in Voss every autumn for decades and fills the centre for an entire weekend.

If you are interested in the town’s history, you can follow Bergsliløypa: this cultural trail runs through the centre and has seven stops about the history of the three Bergsli artists. A cultural walk past statues in Voss also tells stories, with the various figures speaking in their own voices. You can also see a street-art work in the underpass at the railway station on the way to platforms 2–3. Vossa Jazz and the Vangsgryto Youth Club were involved in its creation; Doyenne Art and Papa Paul provided professional support to the young artists.

Mølstertunet is an authentic, listed farmstead with sixteen buildings and a central part of the Voss Folk Museum. Visitors can explore the houses on their own. In the museum’s main building, the exhibition “A view at Voss” shows the history of the area from the 16th century to the present day. The farmstead and exhibition offer different perspectives: one focuses on the farm buildings, the other on the area’s history across a wide span of time.

Water, activity and nature

Vangsvatnet has a mostly flat beach. Behind it are a recreation area and a park with outdoor fitness equipment, a pump track and a concrete skatepark. The options described at the lake therefore include the waterfront, exercise and a range of outdoor facilities. There is also the free Voss Aktivitetspark, an outdoor playground in the centre of Voss. For activities under cover, Voss Bowling is a large activity centre with several indoor options.

The Vossabadet indoor swimming pool also offers several options: it has three different pools, as well as a sauna, a waterslide and a café. So, alongside outdoor activities, you can choose from a swimming pool and indoor activities. If you like to fill your holiday days with a variety of activities, these destinations may be worth considering when choosing where to stay, along with cultural experiences and the mountain ride.

Bordalsgjelet, a spectacular natural landscape, lies near Voss and is within walking distance of the town centre. Visitors will find an information board, a viewpoint and benches there. The natural setting and on-site orientation go hand in hand, with the benches and viewpoint serving as specific places to stop.

Tradition on the menu too

Traditional foods to try in Voss include Vossafår, a salami, and Smalahove, a sheep’s head dish. Smalahovesleppet takes its name from Smalahove and brings a weekend of activities to the centre in autumn. If you are interested in local food culture and events, you can consider this tradition alongside musical and historical discoveries.

If you would like to include more destinations in your travel plans, you can also find Vossestrand, Myrkdalen, Skulestadmoen, Myrdal, Evanger and Bolstadøyri here.

For the broader travel overview: Voss.