Hovet: Waterfall, Hiking and Cultural History

Hovet is primarily associated with its landscape, hiking and cultural history. The Hivjufossen waterfall, hiking options to Hivjufossen, Nordre Flishovd and Millomfjell, as well as Hovet Kyrkje and Raggsteindalen, offer specific starting points for planning your trip. Hol provides a broader context, with its own cultural and landscape themes.

Waterfall and Hiking

Hivjufossen is a waterfall about 250 metres high, with an upper and a lower cascade. The Hivjufossen trail is about 4 km long there and back, with an elevation gain of 310 metres. Remains of an old settlement lie about halfway along the route. The hiking season is given as mid-June to early October; check local conditions before setting out.

Another specifically described hike runs from Storestølen in Hovet to Nordre Flishovd. It is rated difficult, is 7.2 km long and takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. Along the way, there are panoramic views of Hallingskarvet. Comparing the two hikes, the Hivjufossen trail has details for the there-and-back route, elevation gain and season; Nordre Flishovd also has information on difficulty and duration. Millomfjell is also mentioned as a hiking option from Hovet. Weather and trail conditions can vary, so it is a good idea to check current conditions before a hike.

Church and Landscape History

In 1910, the Hovet parish district received its church, Hovet Kyrkje. It is a white-painted wooden church with protected status and is listed as a church built after 1850. There are views of Hallingskarvet from its north side. This places the building and the mountain view side by side as two distinct features of the area.

Raggsteindalen is also part of Hovet’s landscape history: the area has been used for grazing and summer farming since the 18th century. Together with the church, this offers a look at different aspects of local history—the ecclesiastical heritage and the earlier use of the landscape.

Practical Planning Information

Fishing permits for Østre Hol JFF are available at the Coop in Hovet. If fishing is part of your travel plans, check the point of sale before setting off. The seasonal information for the Hivjufossen trail and Raggsteindalsvegen differs: the hiking trail is listed as open from mid-June to early October; Raggsteindalsvegen is listed as a mountain road in Hovet, with an opening period from late June until the first frost or snowfall in October. Bank card is listed as the payment method. Check road information before departure.

Hol as a Broader Travel Destination

For the broader destination of Hol, train connections from Oslo or Bergen, as well as bus and car, are listed as common ways to get there. This is general guidance for Hol; check timetables for your specific trip. Haugastøl station is also in Hol and is a starting point for the Rallarvegen. There is heavy bicycle traffic on the route in summer. The cycle route is 82 km in total, runs from Haugastøl via Finse, Hallingskeid and Myrdal, and ends in Flåm.

Hol also offers cultural attractions in its own right. Fekjo Cultural Heritage Park features landscape art by Gunnveig Nerol and Terje Isungset. Archaeological features include burial mounds from the Viking Age, dating back to the 9th century; most of the graves examined were women’s graves. The park also includes seven charcoal kilns and an iron-production facility.

The Dagali Museum in Hol displays buildings and objects from Dagali, Skurdalen, Tunhovd and Uvdal, and is laid out like an old farm, with buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Every summer, the museum hosts art exhibitions by established artists in the Kjønås-stabburet. The museum day during Dagali Days in mid-July is a tradition featuring an outdoor church service, refreshments, open houses and various activities. Specific dates and the programme may vary.

Discover more destinations: Hol, Dagali, Geilo.

Go to the broader travel overview: Hol Municipality.