Hovden

Hovden is one of Norway's premier winter sports destinations, with excellent skiing and snowboarding terrain for all skill levels. Beyond winter, the area offers outstanding hiking, mountain biking, and fishing in the summer months. The alpine scenery and clean mountain air make it a perfect year-round getaway for outdoor enthusiasts.

By Plane

The nearest airport to Hovden is > TODO: Transport options from the airport to the town centre

By Train

By Car / Road

Hovden is accessible by road. Buses connect to nearby cities and towns. Local roads are well-maintained but may be narrow in rural areas. Driving offers the most flexibility for exploring the surrounding region.

The town centre is compact and walkable. Local buses cover the wider area. Taxis are available through Norgestaxi or local taxi companies. For exploring the surrounding region, a rental car is recommended.

Storhedder .

High up in the hills, between Bykle and Western Norway, you'll find a thrilling and unique relic of ancient culture. Almost 1000 years ago, runes and figures were carved into soapstone at the Skutesteinen at Storhedder. Access to Storhedder is difficult, but definitely worth the trip.   ( updated Feb 2024 )

Old Bykle Church

( in the village centre of Bykle, next to national road 9 ).

One of Norway's smallest churches, and one of the most beautiful. Bykle is an old church location, mentioned by the Pope in the year 1327 as Buglum ecclesia . It is well worth a visit.  

The Vatnedalen Dam .

This majestic dam - built stone upon stone - is one of the largest in Norway. More than 4 million cubic metres of mass were required for the dam which contains the Vatnedalen lake.  

The Western Hills of Setesdal

( Setesdal Vesthei ).

Did you know that two thirds of our municipality is a permanent landscape preservation area? The Western Hills of Setesdal (Setesdal Vesthei) comprise practically all the land to the west of national road 9 in Bykle municipality, an area which is the habitat of Europe's southernmost wild reindeer population.   ( updated Feb 2024 )

Alpine skiing

Hovden Ski Centre offers you a total of 25,5 kilometres of descent, a vertical drop of 374 metres, two 4-seat express lifts taking you to the top, 4 ski tows and a 2-seat lift. Snowboard park and lit slope, ski rental and skishop, cafeteria, afterski and bistro. This is a place for the entire family, whether you are a ski or snowboard enthusiast.

The snowboard park

Bukkerittet (the Buckride) - the Hovden terrain park - has one of Norway's widest selections of rails and boxes. Adding some jumps, wavepipe, some excellent windlips and forest pistes, a skating hall and lots of young people, you get a good idea of snowboarding at Hovden!

Cross-country skiing

Welcome to our world-class cross-country trails! They run through varied forest terrain up to breathtaking mountain expanses. The skiing season lasts from November to May.

Hovden Badeland (Aqualand) At Hovden Badeland you get a touch of tropical heat although you find yourself in the midst of a blizzard. Cool down with an ice cream in case it gets too hot!

Ski school

Would you like to learn the basics of skiing or just give your technique a finishing touch? You may get instruction in cross-country as well as a

Furumo .

  ( updated Feb 2024 )

Støylen Restaurant

( Located at Hovdestøylen ).

  ( updated Feb 2024 )

Offpiste .

Afterski   ( updated Feb 2024 )

Hovden offers all kinds of accommodation. Choose between large cabins mainly intended for groups, camping cabins, cabins and apartments with "normal standard" and luxury cabins and apartments. There are three hotels, two at Hovden and one in Bykle. All of them are full-service hotels. Most of these places are located in the vicinity of central Hovden and the various facilities

Bjåen Fjellstove .

is a cosy, Swiss style mountain cabin dating back to 1884. Bjåen is situated 11 km. north of Hovden, in a splendid mountain terrain. At Bjåen Fjellstove we aim at offering you a genuine and memorable experiences through our kitchen and lodging. The cabin has 12 rooms, all of which have their own distinctive style of bygone days. The total number of beds is 24. All the rooms have a washbasin with cold and warm water, and in the house there are two toilets and one shower. Bjåen Fjellstove also accommodates groups, with or without self-catering. Ragnhild, the manager of Bjåen Fjellstove, has qualifications and experience from instruction within nature studies, environmental management and outdoor life, and is consequently able to assist you in organising and preparing various activities.

Hovden has several stores from super markets (e.g., Extra), Vinmonopolet (liquor store), sporting goods, to furniture stores and other services to furnish the cabins in the area

Nearby towns and natural attractions are within easy reach by car. Public transport connections are available to major cities in the region.