Vang between stave churches, lake and mountain views

Vang combines medieval wooden buildings, a waterfall with an unusual flow, and lakeside experiences with traditional farm food. There is also a family-friendly cycling loop and a historic hiking route. Your vacation days can therefore have very different focuses: churches and historic sites, fishing on Vangsmjøse or a visit to a mountain farm. When choosing a holiday rental or holiday home, it helps to first think about the experiences you want to shape your days.

Stave churches and traces of the past

The church in Vang has a catechism panel dating from 1620, which previously stood in Vang Stave Church. In 2012, it also received back a collection of wooden figures, including apostles and Jesus. The figures had probably been in the former Vang Stave Church.

Høre Stave Church dates from around 1179 and features rich medieval wood carvings of dragons and lions. Øye Stave Church was probably built in the 12th century. Its copies of medieval portals, probably also dating from the 12th century, feature rich animal ornamentation. Kulturstøga in Øye opened in May 2023 in connection with Øye Stave Church.

Historic traces can also be found outside the churches: at Riddarberget in Høreskogen are clear remains of a hillfort. The six Bekkekvernene at Leineåne form an unusual historic complex of buildings in Vennis. They are a very short walk from a car park and picnic area with toilets; they can also be seen from the road bridge over Leineåne.

Water, fishing and wide-open views

Sputrefossen, also called Givrisfossen on maps after the farm Givre, is one of the larger attractions in Vang municipality. Its water first sprays upward before falling, as at other waterfalls. The waterfall is also suitable for very young children.

At Vangsmjøse, you can fish with a rod and otter from both the shore and the water. The E16 runs along the southern shore; on the northern shore, a road leads to easily accessible, signposted fishing spots. At Hemsing Bru and Bøflaten Camping, there are fishing spots adapted for people with reduced mobility. If the lake is a key part of your vacation plans, you can take the location of your planned fishing spots into account when choosing a holiday rental or holiday home.

From Hugakollen, views extend in every direction. The viewpoints mentioned include Nørre Syndin, Rankonøse, Grindaden, Bergsfjellet, Skutshødn, Vennis and Slettefjellet; to the east, the view stretches to Rundemellen.

Cycling loop, hiking route and mountain-farm life

Above the village of Vang, at the foot of the Grindane massif, there is a small, family-friendly cycling loop. After just one kilometre, it offers views of the village, Vangsmjøse and the mountains to the north. The historic Stølsruta hiking route offers another way to experience the area: it runs through Stølsvidda from the mountain farms in Nord-Aurdal, through Vestre Slidre, to Vang.

Seasonal mountain-farm operations resumed at Sparstadstølen in 1996. The traditional work is done without electricity: milking by hand, churning butter by hand and making cheese over a wood fire. Rømmegrøt, Lapper and bacon or cured meat are served by prior arrangement. An overnight stay is possible with advance booking.

In Ryfoss, a guided visit to Sygarden i Hålien can be arranged after contacting the farm. Depending on the season, it will probably include cows, mountain views and a cheese tasting. Alongside historic buildings and lakeside activities, seasonal experiences and traditional production can therefore also be part of your trip planning.

Discover more destinations: Vang, Øye, Tyinkrysset and Ryfoss.

Discover more destinations: Skjåk, Nord-Aurdal, Sør-Fron and Vestre Slidre.

Back to the main travel overview: Oppland.