10 Nature & Parks in Kvinnherad Municipality That You Shouldn't Miss

Norway's third largest glacier. In 2005 Folgefonna National Park was opened, which at the time was Norway's twenty fifth national park. Folgefonna is known for its dramatic and beautiful scenery. Here you will find fjords, mountains, lakes, rivers and water falls. There are lots of things to see in the park, and this makes the area one of the country's most important destinations. Access trails start at Rullestad in Etne, at Bergsto or at Mosnes (by boat).

Location Husnes Map Folgefonna National Park Start and stopping point 1. At the intersection to the Husnes Marina. 2. Lake Opsangervatnet behind Statoil (Gas Station)/ICA (Grocery Store). 3. Soral parking lot by the administration building. Parking 1. Soral main gate west 2. Behind Statoil (Gas Station)/ICA (Grocery Store). 3. Soral, by the administration building. Marking Signs ”Soralloypa” Grading Green Easy hike Difference in altitude 8 - 40m AMSL Estimated Time 1-1.5 hours round trip Recommended advice The roads and paths are suited for light shoes. Be considerate to golfers. This hike is well suited for motorized wheelchairs. The alternative has several choices, see under ”Start and Stopping Point” and ”Overview”. Overview The overview below describes the round trip from the parking lot by the Soral main gate west. At the intersection to the Husnes Marina, turn left onto the gravel path, over the Stabburshaugen hill, and down to Lake Opsangervatnet. A recommended round trip from here goes southwest from the entrance to Statoil/ICA, along Lake Opsangervatnet through the park, past the camp ground and rowing club and continues to Kaldaneset. Soralloypa continues on the sidewalk towards the east until you reach the traffic roundabout ”Samspel” and from there towards the north to Soral’s administration building. 100 meters before the parking lot turn right onto the overgrown forest road up to the highway. Go left along the highway for 400 meters to the rest area, and from there for 300 meters to the bus stop and turn left onto the forest road back down to Soral’s administration building. From here, go back along the sidewalk and turn right onto the gravel path along the fence towards Soral. Go back to the parking lot along the 1066 meter long oven hall.

An activity for the whole family! Try Rosendal Turnlag’s orienteering course in the area around Rosendal. It is a great way to see the village. The control points are there between 23 June and 30 September. Start pack on sale at the Tourist Information Office for NOK 175.

Location Varaldsoy. Map Norway 1 : 50 000 sheet 1215 ll, Varaldsoy. Folgefonna National Park Folgefonna – Hardanger fjord Start and stopping point ovsthus, Fjellgardane Parking From the ferry dock in Varaldsoy, follow the main road towards Haukanes for 4 km to the intersection that is located right before the road starts to go down toward the fjord. Continue for 0.5 km up to ovsthus where parking is available by the farm. Please park in such a manner that it will not hinder the farm work and that the road can still be used by farm equipment. Feel free to inquire about the parking at the farm. Signs and Markings Information Board at the starting point. T markings and signs. Grading Blue Moderate hike, two boots according to the DNT system. Difference in altitude 240 - 600m AMSL (Above Mean Sea Level). Estimated Time 3 hours round trip Recommended advice The forest path can be marshy, please use appropriate shoes. Please show consideration for livestock that is grazing and please close all gates after passing through them. Overview The first part of the hike goes towards the north on a forest road up the hills. To enter the path towards Varden, turn right by the sign on the forest road. The path goes through a pine forest up to 400m AMSL and then into a more open terrain. From Varden there is a nice view over the fjord towards Sveio, and towards Granvin in the other direction. From here you can see the Kvinnherad Mountains from a new perspective. Melderskin, Gygrastol and Juklavasskruna with Folgefonna in the background can make an impression on anyone. In clear weather, you can see all the way to the ocean.