Gateway to the fjords
Discover Haugesund
and districts
Norways birthplace
By Tor Inge Vormedal
2007
Table of contents
Preface: Norway and Norwegians ...............................................................
Haugesund .......................................................................................................................
Karmøy ................................................................................................................................
Tysvær ..................................................................................................................................
Bokn.......................................................................................................................................
Vindafjord.........................................................................................................................
Etne ........................................................................................................................................
Folgefonna Glacier ....................................................................................................
Walking and Hiking..................................................................................................
Sauda ....................................................................................................................................
Suldal ....................................................................................................................................
Utsira.....................................................................................................................................
Sveio ......................................................................................................................................
Bømlo ...................................................................................................................................
The Triangle Link.........................................................................................................
Stord - Fitjar ....................................................................................................................
Kvinnherad ......................................................................................................................
Odda ......................................................................................................................................
Ullensvang .......................................................................................................................
All Roads Lead to Haugesund .........................................................................
Cycling Holiday ............................................................................................................
A Round Trip of Karmøy ..............................................................................
Cycling in Sunnhordland..............................................................................
The Interior of Haugesund.........................................................................
Round Trip by Car ......................................................................................................
Golf .........................................................................................................................................
Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Life .............................................................
Winter and Snow .......................................................................................................
6
10
44
66
76
82
96
108
112
116
124
134
140
146
156
158
166
180
192
204
210
213
217
221
224
228
232
246
Haugesund
Haugesund is the gateway to one of the most beautiful
parts of Norway. Using this seaside town as your starting point, you can reach fjords and mountains, eternal
snow, historical attractions and unique nature within
no time.
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 32 303
Area:
72 km2
www.haugesund.kommune.no
Hagland
Viksefjorden
Bergstøl
Støle
Vikse
Bleivik
47
Bakkavt.
Klauv
Førlandsvågen
Kallandsvt.
Førland
Saltveit
Førlandsvt.
Saltveitvt.
Kalland
Skardstad
Gåsavt.
Ur
Røvær
Ulvøy
Sandvt.
Skogland
Hillerøy
Gitterøy
Rotavt.
Tornesvt.
Årabrot
0
Tornes
1 km
Kvalsvik
Haraldshaugen
Krosshaugen
Bjørkevær
Krokavt.
Skeisvt.
Arka
Arkavt.
Ramsdalen
Hauge
Hasseløy
Vibrandsøy
Smedasundet
Steinsfjellet
227 m
Eivindsvt.
Haugesund
Skåredalen
Risøy
Kar
E 134
nde
msu
Hemmingstad
Rossabø
Ørpetveit
t
47
0
10
2 km
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
Kvernavt.
Klauv
Stakkestadvt.
kardstad
vernavt.
Haugesund is located by the Karmsund strait, the old king’s road, where
seafarers have sought a safe fairway and a secure harbour since the Viking
Age. This safe fairway, also called “Nordvegen”, is the origin of the name
Norway.
A Town Built on Herring Bones
From the beginning of the 1800s and 150 years onwards, the coast of western
Norway was blessed with vast amounts of Norwegian spring spawning herring
every spring. One of the places where the herring abounded was in the waters
between Bømlo and Karmøy. A safe harbour and the proximity to these rich
fishing grounds, formed the basis of the establishment of Haugesund as a
town.
Haugesund was granted rights as a small seaport or ladested, i.e. city status, on
August 26, 1854. Back then, Haugesund was no more than a small fishing
village, with as few as one thousand inhabitants. The extraordinary herring
fishery made Haugesund grow at great speed. Around the turn of the century,
the small fishing village had become a busy small town nearing 10 000 inhabitants. Today, Haugesund has more than 32 000 inhabitants and is the “capital”
of a region with a population of approximately 150 000 inhabitants.
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
11
Karmøy
Feøy
en
sfjord
Førde
t
de
sun
rm
Ka
With its 38 000 inhabitants, Karmøy is the region’s
largest municipality. Although the island
is full of ancient monuments,
Karmøy is a relatively new
E 134
municipality. Karmøy
Vikjo
Hauske
Municipality was esKolnes
tablished in 1965 by a
Torvastad
merger of the seven
Karmsundbroen
Salhus
previous municipalities:
Norheim
Bø
Torvastad, Avaldsnes,
Visnes
Reheia
Vormedal
Stangaland, Kopervik,
Helganes
Avaldsnes Bukkøy
Åkra, Skudenes and
Husøy
Tuastadvt.
Haugesund 518
Skudeneshavn. Karmøy
Tuastad
Lufthavn,
Municipality covers
Røyksund
Karmøy
47
an area of 225 km2,
Kvalavåg
of which 50 km2 is
Høyevarde
Fosen
located on the mainYtraland
Bygnes
land.
Vea
Kopervik
Våga
Høvring
Stangaland
Sevlandsvik
Åkrehamn
Selen
Åkra
Tistreivt.
K
A
R
M
Ø
Y
Snorteland
47
Bur
0
511
mav
ege
n
Karmsundet
Ferkingstad
Stiklevt.
Holmavt.
Blikshamn
Mjåvt.
Sandhåland
Hilleslandsvt.
Sandve
3 km
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 38 349
Area:
225 km2
www.karmoy.kommune.no
Hovdastad
Hillesland
Jarsteinen
Syre
Skudeneshavn
Geitungen fyr
44
Til Kvitsøy/
Mekjarvik
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
From Skudeneshavn
Karmøy has both rural villages and towns. Karmøy’s three towns are
Kopervik, Skudeneshavn and Åkrehamn. There are also twenty something
built-up areas of various sizes. The largest one being Norheim, which is
located at the mainland.
Agriculture and fishery are still important industries in Karmøy. But today, the
manufacturing and service industry are more important with regard to employment. Norsk Hydro, Karmøy Fabrikker is the largest industrial work place
with around 1500 employees. The municipality also has several companies
within the mechanical industry aimed at shipping, fishery and the oil industry.
One of the country’s largest offshore shipping companies, Solstad Offshore
ASA, is located in Skudeneshavn. The company have
more than 40 vessels and 1000
employees. The North Sea gas
has also had a great impact on
employment in Karmøy. While
Gassco makes sure the gas
from the North Sea is being
distributed to Europe, Gasnor
attends to the distribution of
Solstad Offshore
gas within Norway.
PHOTO: HEINE BIRKELAND
Gassco:
15 per cent of all gas used in Europe comes from Norway, and the main centre
for the transportation of Norwegian gas to Europe, Gassco, is located at Bygnes
in Karmøy. Gassco has 270 employees and controls the world’s largest offshore
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
45
Tysvær
To the east of Haugesund lies Tysvær Municipality,
with its 9500 inhabitants and covering an area of 419
km2. In addition to its stunning scenery of smooth
coastal rock and high mountains, Tysvær boasts a
beautiful cultivated landscape of well-maintained
farms, lined up one after another.
E 39
Sundfør
Valhest
Skjoldafjorden
Hodnafjellet
Stakkestadvt.
Våg
E 134
Nesheim
513
Grindafjorden
Grinde
515
Førresfjorden
Aksdal
Aksdalsvt.
Fuglavt.
Y S V
Æ
Yrkje
Sagbakken
Slogvik
Dragavik
Storavt.
Hegglifjell
rden
Apeland
Lammanuten
Hundsnes
Sandbekken
Heskja
ndsfjo
Førresfjorden
Høie
Steinsvik
515
Førla
Borgøy
Muslandsvåg
Mosvatnet
Hesthammar
Falkeid
Susort
Kårstø
Haugsneset
Nedstrandfjorden
0
Liarvåg
Stong
Toftøy
Frekasundet
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 9 513
Area:
419 km2
www.tysver.kommune.no
66
Tve
Hervik
fjord
en
Storavt.
E 39
Hin
Espevik
Herv
ik
Slåttevik
Gismervik
Lysevt
Sandvik
Tysværvåg
Hola
Vassendvik
R
Førland
en
ord
jefj
Yrk
Stakland
T
E 39
Erland
Skjoldastraumen
Discover Haugesund and District - Norway’s Birthplace
en
ord
jefj
Yrk
assendvik
Hodnafjellet Mountain
Lysevt.
Kvam
The administrative centre of Tysvær is Aksdal, only 12 km
from Haugesund. Here you will find Tysværtunet, the
municipality’s cultural centre, which has an indoor
swimming pool, as well as a cinema and concert hall.
Øvrabø
5
Hinderåvåg
Tveit
randfjorden
Nessa
Øverland
Nedstrand
Holekleiv
With 260 operational farms, farming is still an important industry in the municipality. Around every tenth
household in Tysvær carries on some form of agricultural activity. The main place of employment in the
Til Jelsa
municipality is, however, Statoil’s gas processing
Til Hanasand
complex at Kårstø. This is Europe’s largest gas terminal,
with 1000 employees.
5 km
Kårstø:
Though Tysvær has numerous sights in the form of stunning scenery and historical landmarks, it is the gas processing plant at Kårstø that puts the municipality on
the map. Gassco is the operator of Kårstø, while Statoil is the technical services
provider. Tysvær hit the jackpot when, in 1981, the Norwegian Parliament
decided that Statoil could land gas from the Statfjord oil field at Kårstø. From
being a poor rural municipality experiencing major depopulation, Tysvær became a wealthy municipality with an influx of new residents. Thanks to the
gas terminal at Kårstø, the municipality presently receives property tax from
the plant as well as income tax from all those working at the terminal.
Of Tysvær’s total budget of about NOK 500 million, NOK 100 million is
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
67
Bokn
Bokn is a small island-municipality in the middle of the
shipping lane at the southern end of the Karmsund
strait. With its 800 inhabitants and a surface area
covering 47 km2, Bokn is one of the smallest municipalities
in the country.
E 39
Ognakalven
et
nd
su
na
Og
Ognahabn
Ognøy
Nydal
Kro
Øvrabøneset
B
Breivik
O
K
0
200 m
N
Alvestad
Boknafjellet
Trosnavåg
Nautøy
Føresvik
Gunnarstadvt.
Boknabergvt.
Austre Bokn
Tåganes
Alvestadkroken
Nipa
Nore
Vågaholmen
t
nde
nasu
Bok
Ulvånå
Våga
Vestre Bokn
Grønestadvt.
ågen
estadv
Grøn
Vatnaland
Vatnalandsvt.
Su
nn
ala
nd
str
au
me
n
Laupland
Hognalandsvt.
Hognåsen
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 793
Area:
47 km2
www.bokn.kommune.no
E 39
Arsvt.
Kjeøy
Arsvågen
Klepp
Are
Til Mortavika
Boknafjorden
76
Discover Haugesund and District - Norway’s Birthplace
Western Bokn.
Bokn consists of three islands: Western and Eastern Bokn and Ognøy. Its
administrative centre is located on Western Bokn, which is the largest of
the three islands, and where most of the inhabitants live.
Bokn was connected to the mainland in 1991 when the new coastal highway,
E-39, was built. The ferry service over Boknafjorden used to cross from
Skudeneshavn to Tungesnes, but today the ferries go between Arsvågen and
Mortavika. Arsvågen is located at the southernmost tip of Western Bokn. If
you’re going from Stavanger to Haugesund or Bergen by car, you’ll have to
cross the three islands at Bokn. But Bokn has more to offer than nice freeways.
In stead of rushing across the islands at high speed, you should take your time
and make a few longer or shorter breaks.
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
77
Vindafjord
Vindafjord got new borders in 2006 when it merged
with the neighbouring municipality Ølen. In the debate
over the name of the new municipality, Vindafjord drew
the longest straw. The new Vindafjord Municipality
stretches out from Sunnhordland in the north to Ryfylke
in the south. With a surface area of 641 km2, Vindafjord
is the fourth largest municipality in Rogaland.
Til Sydnes/
Halsnøy
Ålf
Utbjoa
Gardavika
Bjoa
lva
Bjoavatnet
543
Dalse
Årvik
Årvikhamn
Romsaøyene
Innbjoa
jorden
Eikås
Kvamshamn
Vikebygd
Dreganes
Ølensf
Haugsfjell
Skredfjellet
Langavt.
D A
F
Eikeland Aurdal
Velde
J
O
R
d
Rø
Solheim
Låkafossen V i
Ilsvåg
eidfjo
513
Haugland
Ølmedalsvt.
Imsland
Åmsosen
Stokkadalsvt.
Hogganvik
en
fjord
Aksland
Vindafjorden
Hovåsen
rden
Raunes
Horganut
Vikedal
rden
Vats
jo
Vatsf
Skj oldafjorden
46
Gjerdesdalsvt.
Otertong
Mo
Sand
46
Nesheim
Skjold
Fjellgardsvt. Stølsm
Sandeid
Vatsvt.
Haraldseid
a
elv
ne
D
Knapphus
Haraldseidvågen
E 134
Øklandsvt.
Stuhaug
ke
d
rden
Å l fjo
Bjordal
Isvik
514
Vikefjellet
I N
E 134
Eide
Ølensvåg
Viland
V
lva
Ose
Ølen
alselva
jor
de
n
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 8 111
Area:
641 km2
www.vindafjord.kommune.no
0
5 km
je
Yrk
Stråtveit
82
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
View of Ølensvåg
dsvt. Stølsmarka
Horganuten
46
Aksland
PHOTO: PEDER LUNDEGÅRD
Vindafjord is the largest agricultural municipality in the Haugesund
district, with nearly 500 operational farms. The municipality’s
major attractions are beautiful nature and a well-kept cultural
landscape.
Ølen has always been an important junction in the district with a regular
ferry service to Bergen. Today, it’s the European route (E-134) between
Haugesund and Oslo that makes Ølen an important junction. This is
why Ølen was chosen to be the municipality’s new administrative centre.
Ølen also has a motel, a bank and a shopping centre, as well as primary,
secondary and upper secondary schools.
Ropeid
T
Today, the new Vindafjord Municipality has a little over 8000 inhabitants.
As in most other rural municipalities, it has a scattered population.
The nine rural communities in Vindafjord are: Vikedal, Imsland,
Sandeid, Vats, Skjold, Ølen, Ølensvåg, Bjoa and Vikebygd. Several of
these villages used to be independent municipalities.
Rønnevik
Although Vindafjord is a major agricultural municipality, it also has a fair
amount of industry. Large parts of Vindafjord’s industry are centred in Ølen
and Ølensvåg. Here you’ll find both a slaughterhouse, a ship yard and a computer company. Fatland is one of the country’s largest privately owned slaughterhouses. Of a total of 500 employees in the Fatland group, 200 work in Ølen.
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
83
Etne
In addition to having one of the world’s
most majestic and beautiful waterfalls,
Etne can offer wild, beautiful and varied
nature. Here, you’ll find fjords, waterfalls,
eternal snow and vital rural communities.
Folgefonna
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 3 858
Area:
708 km2
www.etne.kommune.no
Sandvikevatnet
Rulle
Fjæra
Eikemo
Rulle
Mosnes
Tysse
Markhus
Vaulavatnet
af
jor
de
n
Langfoss
r
Åk
Til Matre/
Utåker
Teigland
Kyrping
E
T
N
E
Tungesvik
Leknes
Taraldsøy
Frette
48
Skånevik
Håland
Flåte
Stordalsvatnet
Ebna
Kvammen
Sandvik
Etne
Børkjenes
Osnes
Bjørgjo
E 134
Sørstranda
Stødle
Grønstad
Håfoss
Litledalsvatnet
Skarstøl
Krokavatnet
Rus
Ilsvatnet
0
96
5 km
Forevatn
Bjønndalen
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
olgefonna
atnet
E 134
Rullestad
æra
Skromme
Rullestadvatnet
vatnet
The statue of King Magnus Erlingsson outside Etne Courthouse.
Etne is located 60 kilometres from Haugesund and is surrounded by the
municipalities Odda, Sauda, Suldal, Vindafjord and Kvinnherad. This scenic
municipality covers a surface area of as much as 708 km2. Half of the
municipality’s 3900 inhabitants live in the built-up areas Etnesjøen and
Skånevik. Etnesjøen is the municipality’s administrative centre. In the
north-east, Etne borders Folgefonna National Park and the Folgefonna
glacier. (See separate chapter on Folgefonna on page 108-111.)
The rich soil has formed the basis for Etne’s growth and prosperity for generations. Archaeological findings suggest that there have been settlements at Etnesjøen for thousands of years. Farming is still an important industry in Etne, but
not the most important one. Today, there are less than 200 operational farms in
Etne, which means that one in seven households is involved in farming. Today,
trade, tourism and the public sector are the municipality’s major employers.
Etnesjøen has a complete offer of all public services for the community’s inhabitants, such as nursing home, day-care centre, primary school and lower and
upper secondary school. There is also a wide selection of shops, sports installations,
a marina and a culture centre with cinema and concert hall. There is even an
authentic American saloon on “the prairie” of Etne; the Old River Saloon, where
they strike up the dance music every weekend.
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
97
Sauda
At the innermost end of the Sauda Fjord lies the industrial
municipality Sauda with its 4700 inhabitants. The municipality is surrounded by high mountains and covers a
surface area of 514 km2.
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 4 732
Area:
514 km2
www.sauda.kommune.no
Ø. Sand
Slettedalen
Kyrkjenuten
1602
Indrejord
S
A
U
D
Ø. Berdalsvt.
N. Berdalsvt.
Svartevt.
A
Slettedalsvt. (Vinterstengt)
520 Breiborg
Buer
Minnehaugen Førstadvt.
Holmavt.
Hellandsbygd
No
rds
tø
Storlivt.
len
lda
Åbøbyen
Saudafjorden
Saudasjøen
Svandal
Svandalsfossen
Hustveitsåta
Honganvik
1188
Storli
a
relv
o
t
S
Sauda
Allmannajuvet
Skaulen
1540
Ramsnes
Reinsnuten
1169
Skorvenuten
1124
Maldal
520
Hustveit
116
Vanvik
N. Sa
0
5 km
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
Ø. Sandvt.
N. Sandvt.
Svartevt.
rg
It was the vast water resources that were the foundation for Sauda as
an industrial community. Before Aktieselskapet Saudefaldene tamed the
waterfalls, Sauda was a poor farming community with only a few hundred
inhabitants.
In 1913, they started to pipe the waterfalls. Access to vast amounts of cheap
energy and an ice-free harbour was the reason why the American company
Electric Furnace Products (EFP) built a ferroalloy plant in Sauda. In the golden
era from the mid 50s to the mid 60s, the factory had 1300 employees. Since
the smelter started producing manganese in 1923, it has had several owners. In
1982, Elkem bought the company and named it Sauda Smelting Plant. Elkem
ran the plant until 1999 when they sold it to the French industrial company
Eramet. Today, more manganese than ever is being produced in Sauda, but the
number of employees has been substantially reduced. Today, around 400 people
work in the plant itself, and 200 of these are employed by Eramet. Just like so
many other industrial communities, also Sauda has been forced to reorganise.
Today, Sauda has several smaller industrial companies and a constantly growing
tourist industry.
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
117
Suldal
Suldal is located south-east of Haugesund and is a part
of the region Ryfylke in Rogaland County. This widespread municipality is like a small piece of Norway, with
sheltered fjord landscapes, deep forests and high
mountains.
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 3 874
Area:
1727 km2
www.suldal.kommune.no
Bratlan
Nesf
Skaulen
1540
13
Røynevarden
Saud
afj
or
n
de
Tengesdal
Vanvik
fjorden
Hyls
520
Suldalseidet
Sand
46
Hebnes
Til Nedstrand
Foldøy
Jelsafjorden
517
Jelsa
S
Lovraeid
Tysse
Israelsneset
Erfjord
Foreneset
Erøy
Hylen
Hylsskaret
S
U
Sandsa
Mosvt.
Marvik
Kjølvik
Ritland
San
dsf
jor
d
Rosseid Finnvik
Sandsavt.
n
Ullad a
lan
Hå
Hålandstunet
13
Gullingen
ale
d
ds
0
le n
5 km
Bogsund
Til Hanasand
124
Suldalsvt.
Suldalsporten
Kvilldal
Kolbeinstveit
Suldalsosen
ls l å g e n
ul d aLindum
Mo
en
Ropeid
Våge
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
L
D
Stranddalen
Finnabuvt.
Bratlandsdalen
Nesflaten
Roaldkvam
Bleskestad
Sandvt.
Sand.
bom
13
Bleskestadmoen
nevarden Bråtveit
Suldalsvt.
Mostøl
L
D
A
randdalen
bom
Covering a surface area of 1727 km2, Suldal is
the largest municipality in Rogaland. With regard
to the number of inhabitants, however, the municipality is small. Suldal has fewer than 4000 inhabitants,
of which around 1200 live in the municipal centre of
Sand. Farming is the main industry in Suldal and this is
why the municipality has such a scattered population.
L
Water Power:
Suldal is a power-based municipality, which means that it has
exploited its vast water resources in the production of electric
power. Today, the municipality earns a lot of money from the
Blåsjø
power plants. From 1963 to 1987, there were two large power
development projects in the municipality. First Røldal-Suldal,
and then Ulla-Førre. The latter is the largest development project for
hydroelectric power in Northern Europe. The largest reservoir in the UllaFørre project is called Blåsjø and contains three billion cubic metres of water.
The Blåsjø reservoir has a long-time storage capacity, which means it will
contain a water reserve for as much as three years even with no precipitation.
The reservoir consists of 11 dams, and the artificial lake covers a surface area
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
125
Utsira
West of Karmøy lies Utsira. Measuring only 6 km2 and
home to 214 residents, Utsira is Norway’s smallest
municipality by population and smallest but one in size.
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 214
Area:
6 km2
www.utsira.kommune.no
Til Haugesund
0
500 m
Måbjør
Nordevågen
Austramarka
Nordvik
U
Helganes
T
S
I
R
A
Vestramarka
Hovland
Kvalvik
Austrheim
Skare
Spannanes
Klovning
Sørevågen
Til Haugesund
134
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
Sørevågen
Utsira is an exotic destination that should be included on your visit to
the Haugesund district. In addition to beautiful, but exposed nature, this
little island can offer sights such as Norway’s most unique birdlife and
the world’s first wind turbine and hydrogen power plant.
A ferry will take you to Utsira three times a day. The crossing takes an hour
and ten minutes, and the ferry leaves from Garpeskjærskaien on Risøy, in
Haugesund. If you have a bicycle, we recommend that you bring it along, as
the roads on Utsira are perfect for biking.
For years, combined fishing and farming have been the principle industries of
the people of Utsira. Nowadays, the primary employer on the island is the
municipality, although there are still those who make a living off the sea. Like
most other municipalities, Utsira focuses on tourism. As a result, new types of
accommodation and eateries have emerged over the past few years.
Nordevågen
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
135
Sveio
North of Haugesund lies Sveio Municipality. With
its 4700 inhabitants and a surface area covering
246 km2, Sveio is one of the smallest municipalities
in the Haugesund district.
Tittelsnes
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 4 764
Area:
246 km2
www.sveio.kommune.no
Bjoafjorden
Bømlafjordtunnelen
Valevåg
Trollavassnipen
E 39
Bjørgo
432 moh
Valestrand
Bø
mla
Ålfjo
fjor
den
Haugsbu
rden
Leirvågen
Einstadbøvoll
Hopsfjellet
Straumøy
333 moh
Liereid
Slettene
des
Før
Staupe
pol
len
Auklandshamn
Håvardsholm
Vestvik
Tjernagel
Fagerland
Til Langevåg
Emberlandsnipen
Kinn
Røykenes
271 moh
Færås
Hovda
S
V
277 moh
Langavatnet
Storavatnet
Buavåg
Dreng
Førde
Rød
E
I
O
Liervassdraget
Nordskog
Selåsvika
Børshovda
186 moh
Hinderlid
Eltravåg
Oa
Haukås
Erve
Bjelland
Ryvarden fyr
Våga
541
Mølstrevåg
Kvalvåg
Tveit
E 39
Sletta
47
Vikse
ord
en
Sveio
Tveit
Ålfj
Lyngholmen
Flatnes
Fjon
Vigdarvatnet
Lindøy
Eilerås
Viksefjorden
Ekrene
0
140
5 km
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
fjorden
Ryvarden Lighthouse
The main road on the west coast of Norway, the coastal trunk road E-39,
cuts through the beautiful and varied landscape in Sveio. If you don’t
step too hard on the throttle, you’ll be able to enjoy everything from
well-kept smallholdings to fjords and mountains and flat heaths, all
from the road.
And let’s not forget all the small fishing lakes. Ten per cent of the municipality’s
surface area is covered by large and small freshwater lakes. More precisely,
Sveio has 282 lakes, of which Vigdarvatnet is the largest one. In most of the
lakes you’re permitted to swim, fish and paddle.
Today’s municipality was established in 1965 after a merger of the municipalities
Sveio, Vikebygd and Valestrand. Sveio is the southernmost municipality in
Hordaland County and is shaped like a peninsula surrounded by Sletta and
Bømlafjorden to the west and Ålfjorden to the east. On the mainland, Sveio
borders both Tysvær and Haugesund. Sveio has a scattered population, but the
majority lives in and around the two villages Sveio and Førde. The administrative
centre is located in the village of Sveio.
Agriculture combined with coastal fishery used to be a common source of income
in Sveio. Agriculture is still an important industry in the municipality, but today
there are only 130 operational farms left. The majority of the working population
works outside the municipality, primarily in Haugesund.
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
141
Bømlo
Bømlo Municipality is an island community
in the Haugesund district, consisting of
more than one thousand small and
large islands. This is a paradise
Rolvsnes
for those who like fishing
and boating.
Brandasund
Gisøy
Goddo
Erevik
Stongarvåg
Rogøy
Rubbestadneset
Selsvt.
Økland
Foldrøyhamn
542
Svortland
M
L
O
und
kks
Ø
Sto
B
Meling
Foldrøy
Siggjo
471 m
Sakseid
541
Håvik
Kulleseid
n
ose
isk
Selvåg
Røyksund
Spissøy
H
Lykling
Børøyfj
Børøyvik
Skotningen
Midtøy
541
Bøm
Hjartnes
Andal
Gissøy
Os
en
Rutsøy
Tøtland
Barane
Sagvt.
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 10 892
Area:
247 km2
www.bomlo.kommune.no
ord
en
Moster
Mosterhamn
en
ord
j
f
la
0
5 km
Berge
Bømlo
Eidesvik
Langevåg
Espevær
Til Buavåg
Kalavåg
146
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
Moster Church
With 11 000 inhabitants and a surface area of 247 km2, Bømlo is a typical
mid-sized rural municipality. The inhabitants are scattered around the
six built-up areas Rubbestadneset, Finnås, Mosterhamn, Langevåg and
Svortland (Bremnes). The municipality’s administrative centre is located
at Svortland, which is the largest of these six built-up areas.
Surrounded by ocean on all sides, it goes without saying that maritime industries
influence the municipality’s working life. Bømlo has shipping industry, a fishing
fleet, shipping companies and fish farming. The two major work places at
Bømlo is the offshore shipping company Eidesvik A/S and Wärtsilä. Eidesvik
A/S is a stock-listed shipping company with around 600 employees and a fleet
consisting of 21 modern offshore vessels. The ship engine manufacturer
Wärtsilä produces propellers and gear systems for large vessels and has more
than 500 employees at Bømlo. Aquaculture and fish farming is also a big
industry. When you travel around Bømlo, you will see fish farming facilities
for grow-out fish, juvenile fish and shellfish. Bømlo also has some of the
country’s largest fish harvesting plants. Every day 35 000 salmon is being
harvested and exported from Bømlo. That is the equivalent to three per cent of
the entire world production.
There are several ways to get to the island paradise Bømlo. For those who
would like a lovely boat trip through the beautiful skerries, there is an express
boat with daily departures from Haugesund to Mosterhamn. You can also arrive
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
147
Stord - Fitjar
The island of Stord is located between Bergen and
Haugesund. On the island itself, there are two municipalities, Fitjar and Stord. The two municipalities are
almost the same size, with a surface area of 145 and
144 km2, respectively. As regards the population, however, Stord is the bigger one with its 16 700 inhabitants,
while Fitjar has 2 900.
Til Halhjem
Sandvikvåg
E 39
Fodno
Vistvik
Årskog
Midtfjell
Fitjar
Tranøy
798 m
Ivarsøy
F
I
T
J
A
Melhammer
R
Storavatn
Jektevik
Til Hodnanes
Ålforo
Koløyholmen
Kattanakken
Rydland
724 m
Huglo
Haukanes
545
S
T
O
R
D
Eskeland
Dåfjordeid
Mennene
Breivikjo
500 m
E 39
Sørstokken
Leirvik
Sagvåg
FACTS:
Inhabitants Stord: 16 850
Inhabitants Fitjar:
2 897
Area: 145 and 144 km2
www.stord.kommune.no
www.fitjar.kommune.no
158
Sponavikjo
Digernes
Skjersholmane
0
Til Ranavik/Sunde
5 km
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
o
Haukanes
The Stord Door, sculpture made by Sissel Tolaas in 2006.
Stord Municipality has had city status since 1997, and is today the centre
of Sunnhordland. The “capital” of Stord is called Leirvik. Around 10 000
of the inhabitants live in Leirvik, while 5 000 live around the densely
populated area Sagvåg.
Although the manufacturing industry has long traditions at Stord, it was agriculture that used to be the municipality’s main industry up until the late 1940s.
What is today the cornerstone company at Stord, Aker Kværner Stord, was
established in 1919 as a herring oil factory. In 1930, the factory went over to
the mechanical industry, and from1945, they started building ships. In the
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
159
Kvinnherad
Kvinnherad lies at the entrance to the Hardanger Fjord
and has some of the most beautiful fjord landscapes
in western Norway, with wild waterfalls, narrow fjords,
steep mountains and eternal snow.
Sild
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 13 032
Area:
1 137 km2
www.kvinnherad.kommune.no
n
rde
afjo
Varden
600 m
Varaldsøy
Sild
Varaldsøy
48
Gjerde
rden
Sundal
ngerfjo
Maura
49
Gjermundshamn
Ænes
ne
Æ
551
sda
Fonnan
1454 m
len
Hatlestrand
K
49
V
I
N
H
E
Snilstveitøy
Dimmelsvik
Uskedal
Rustefjell
1099 m
Herøysundet
Englefjell
1200 m
Husnes
Sunde
Mjelkhaug
986 m
544
Til Utbjoa/
166
rden
M
48
Matre
Slettefjell
784 m
Åkra
Til Skånevik
den
fjor
iks
nev
Skå
Utåker
a tr
ef j o
det
sun
nds
yla
Hø
Sæbøvik
Halsnøy
Fjellbergøy
Fjellberg
Sydnes
Borgundøy
Indre Matre
Ulvanåsa
1247 m
Valen
Lykjelsøy
Til Skjersholmane
Klosterfjorden
D
Malmangernuten
889 m
551
Eidsvik
A
Løfallstrand
Rosendal
H
Onarheimsfjorden
Kolsøy
R
Melderskinn
1424 m
n
de
jor
erf
g
an
ard
Olve
N
0
Folg
5 km
Bjoafjorden
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
FOLGEFONNA
Gjerde
undal
Folgefo
nnt
unn
elen
Fonnanuten
1454 m
ONNA
The Barony of Rosendal
Covering an area of 1137 km2, Kvinnherad is one of the region’s biggest
municipalities. Kvinnherad has a scattered population structure, and the
approximately 13 000 inhabitants live in several smaller villages and rural
communities. The largest rural community in Kvinnherad is Husnes with
its 2500 inhabitants.
Rosendal:
Both geographically and as a municipal centre, Rosendal is the centre of Kvinnherad. Rosendal also gets the focus of attention when it comes to tourism.
Although Kvinnherad has several beautiful rural communities and villages,
none of them can really compare to Rosendal’s charm and attractions. In and
around the village of Rosendal live just over 1000 inhabitants.
The Barony Rosendal:
The Barony Rosendal is not only the biggest tourist attraction in Kvinnherad.
As one of the smallest castles in Scandinavia, the Barony is also one of the
most well-known tourist attractions in Norway. The barony’s history dates
back to 1650, when the Danish nobleman Ludwig Rosenkrantz came to Bergen
as representative for the Danish king. In a ball at the fortress of Bergenhus in
Bergen, he met Karen Mowatt, sole heiress to the country’s biggest fortune at
the time. Her father owned more than 500 farms all over western Norway.
When they married in 1658, they were given the farm Hatteberg in Rosendal
as a wedding present. A few years after the wedding, Ludwig Rosenkrantz
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
167
Odda
Odda is one of Norway’s most renowned industrial
towns, surrounded by high mountains and stunning
nature. The municipality is located at the innermost
end of the Hardanger Fjord and covers a surface area of
as much as 1648 km2. The majority of the 7200 inhabitants
live in and around the town of Odda.
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 7 154
Area:
1648 km2
www.odda.kommune.no
Sørfjo
rden
Bersåvatnet
Tyssedal
Fo
tun lgefon
nel nen
Ringedalsvatnet
Odda
Buer
Langavatnet
Bretavatnet
Sandvinvatnet
Solfonn
FOLGEFONNA
Blånut
1526
Sandvin
O
13
Brekke
Holmavatnet
D
D A
Reinsnos
Reinsnosvatnet
Hellevatnet
Bjørnanuten
1613
Skarsmo
Skare
Valldalseter
Utsikten
E 134
Valldalsvatnet
Seljestad
Store Nupsfonn
1693
Seljestadjuvet
Austmannali
Røldal
0
Midtleger
E 134
Votna
5 km
Røldalsvatnet
Ekkjeskar
520
Botna
Breifonn
13
180
Discover Haugesund and District - Norway’s Birthplace
Odda has long traditions for tourism. More than one hundred years ago,
Odda was one of Europe’s most important tourist destinations.
net
Princes, emperors, aristocrats and the wealthy all came to Odda to see
the magnificent nature with its waterfalls, fjords and glaciers. At the
most, Odda was visited by around eighty cruise ships every year. In addition
came the armada of German warships that escorted William II of Germany on
his visits to Odda and the Hardanger Fjord every summer. Back then, Odda
was a small village with a few hundred inhabitants making a living of farming
and tourism. In the late 1800s, the small village had as many as ten hotels,
receiving thousands of tourists from May to August. But it wasn’t only the
tourists that were attracted to the Hardanger Fjord and the impressive waterfalls. Around the turn of the century, Odda was being explored by engineers
and industrialists from abroad. With its access to large waterfalls and excellent
harbours, Odda was perfect for industry.
A Model Municipality:
The first power station was
built in the neighbouring village Tyssedal, and was completed in 1908. In very short
time, Odda went from being a
small, rural romantic village
to a hectic industrial town
with 4000-5000 inhabitants.
The new plants were built
with no consideration of
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
181
Ullensvang
In the heart of Hardanger lies the fruit-farming municipality Ullensvang. The small and steep fruit farms in
Ullensvang have around 600 000 fruit trees. The fruit
blossom in May is a marvellous sight which has made
Ullensvang famous both in Norway and abroad.
Bu
Naustflot
Til Kvanndal Ut
ne
fj
13
Utne
rd
Ha
rde
fjo
Eid
en
Ringøy
en
ord
erfj
ang
n
ord
Hesthamar
Store Flåtten
Trones
Alsåker
Vassdalsnutane
Langasete
550
Ystanes
Røte
Hauso
550
Aga
Syreflot
Stavalivt.
HARDANGERVIDDA
Opesjovt.
NASJONALPARK
Børve
Sandstå
en
Sørfjord
Lindvik
FOLGEFONNA
Måge
Lofthus
Opedal
Ullensvang
Frøynes
Åkre
Reisæter Nå
Bleie
Sovarenuten
13
Jåstad
Velure
Hus
Kinsarvik
U
L
L
E
N
S
Sekse
Hovland
V A
N
G
Veivt.
Bersavikvt.
Store
Vendelvt.
Illakleivløkene
Espe
Fresvik
0
Hårteigen
Nedre
Omkjelsvt.
Øvre
Tyssevt.
5 km
Håvardsvt.
Valgar
FACTS:
Inhabitants: 3 416
Area:
1 393 km2
www.ullensvang.herad.no
Litlosvt.
Kroka
Kvennsjøen
Øvre Bjørnavt.
192
Discover Haugesund and District - Norway’s Birthplace
From Lofthus
Size-wise, Ullensvang is a large municipality, covering as much as 1393
km2. Sørfjorden, an arm of the Hardanger Fjord, splits the municipality in
two. On the western side, Ullensvang borders Folgefonna, and on the
eastern side it borders Hardangervidda. Population-wise, Ullensvang is
a small municipality with only 3400 inhabitants. The majority of the
population lives near the municipality’s administrative centre Kinsarvik.
Valgarsvt.
Krokavt.
Nedre Bjørnavt.
Øvre Bjørnavt.
It was the monks from the monastery Lyse Kloster in Os outside
Bergen who first started growing fruit in Hardanger. Lyse
Kloster owned a large farm near Lofthus in Ullensvang where
the monks probably planted the first fruit trees some time
around the 12-1300’s. The local farmers did not start with
large-scale fruit growing until the 1800s. A combination of fertile
soil and a favourable climate made the fruit trees along the
Hardanger Fjord yield huge quantities of excellent fruit. Today,
Ullensvang is the major fruit-farming municipality in Norway.
Plums, pears, apples and particularly cherries are grown here.
Around 80 per cent of all Norwegian cherries come from Ullensvang.
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
193
204
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
All Roads Lead to
Haugesund
The transport to and from the Haugesund district is excellent. You can
reach Haugesund by plane, boat, car or bus.
Norway has been a signatory to the Schengen Agreement since 2001. Despite
the fact that the intention of the Schengen Agreement was to avoid passport
controls between the member countries, foreign citizens arriving Norway
must still present a passport. If you arrive in Haugesund directly from another
country, either by plane or boat, you must be able to produce your passport.
You should also check whether or not there is a visa requirement between
your country and Norway. For more information on visa requirements, see:
www.udi.no
Plane:
Haugesund Airport, Karmøy, is located a mere 14 kilometres from the centre
of Haugesund. The airline SAS has direct daily flights from Haugesund Airport to Oslo and Bergen. Between Haugesund and Oslo, SAS has 5-6 departures
every weekday, two daily departures on Saturdays, and four on Sundays. Between
Haugesund and Bergen, SAS have two daily flights Monday to Friday, one
departure Sunday and no departures Saturday.
Three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) Ryanair has direct
flights between Haugesund Airport and Stansted in London. The airline Coast
Air has direct flights from both Haugesund and Stord. From Haugesund Airport,
Coast Air has direct flights to Copenhagen, Bergen and Sandefjord. From
Stord Airport, Coast Air has direct flights to Oslo.
The Runway at Haugesund Airport, Karmøy is 2 000 metres.
Discover Haugesund and Districts - Norway’s Birthplace
205