Øystese: Riverside Trails, Culture and Excursions

In Øystese, you can compare riverside trails with cultural attractions, the beach in the town centre and nearby excursions. The routes featured here vary in length, surface and difficulty.

Compare trails in Øystese

Of the routes listed here, the Skulpturrunden is the shortest at 1.5 kilometres. It is an easy, short walk along the river and the shore. Elvestien is 1.7 kilometres long; a short detour along a path leads down to the river. The two routes are similar in length but have different features: the Skulpturrunden is described as easy, while Elvestien includes a detour to the river.

The Svartabrua-løypa is 2.5 kilometres long and follows the Øysteseelva over asphalt, gravel and paths. It is accessible throughout to strollers. The 2.6-kilometre Utsiktsløypa is described as somewhat challenging; at its highest point, there is a bench with a view. Although the routes are similar in length, they have different features.

The Storeteigen-bygdetun loop is 3.5 kilometres long and passes through the historic Storeteigen farmstead. The longer routes are Børveløypa, at 5.0 kilometres, which includes a forest path, and Åsen rundt, at 6.2 kilometres, which passes the golf course at Børve. The distances make it easy to compare the routes; some also include information about the trail surface, difficulty or a notable destination along the way.

Culture, art and the beach

Storeteigen is a well-preserved farmstead. The museum grounds on the Storeteigen loop include a smallholding and a furniture workshop dating from the early 19th century. This lets you combine a walk with a visit to a place whose historic buildings and facilities are part of the loop.

On the fjord shore in Øystese, Hardanger Skyspace is next to the Kabuso art centre. The permanent light installation is by American artist James Turrell and can be visited at sunrise and sunset. The artwork changes the interplay of colour, light, sky and space. In the wider destination of Kvam, the Kabuso art centre hosts changing exhibitions, concerts and events throughout the year.

The beach in the centre of Øystese has toilets and good parking facilities. You can get there by bus, bicycle or on foot. For another activity in town, Hardanger Bowling is also centrally located and has four lanes. As booking requirements may change, it is advisable to check before your visit whether a booking is necessary.

More destinations and activities

Skårsvatnet, also known as Gullfiskevatnet, is five kilometres from Øystese, by the county road to Porsmyr/Fyksesund. The lake is home to large numbers of golden rudd, also called goldfish, which are easy to see. Sjusete ski centre is also in the area around Øystese. It has kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails, both lit and unlit, as well as a biathlon facility.

Spildegarden also welcomes groups of ten or more for a farm visit with a guided tour and product tasting. The family-run farm in Kvam is managed by the fourth generation, grows fruit and berries, and produces apple juice and cider. Check the arrangements for groups before travelling.

The Hardanger Golf Club in Børve, Øystese, has a 6-hole golf course and a 200-metre driving range. If you are interested in the trails, you can compare Åsen rundt with this information: the route passes the golf course. This describes the route, while the details about the holes and driving range describe what the club offers.

The wider destination of Kvam

The Steinsdalsfossen waterfall in the wider destination of Kvam drops 50 metres. Visitors can walk behind the waterfall without getting wet. Another hiking option in Kvam is the route to Krokavatnet: it is 2.3 kilometres long and takes about 1.5 hours each way. The hike is considered easy to access and offers views of the Hardangerfjord. These details provide a point of comparison with the shorter trails in Øystese.

Discover more destinations: Norheimsund.

Go to the wider travel overview: Kvam.