Village in Bykle Municipality, Norway
Photo: Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hovden is a small town situated in upper Setesdal in Aust Agder about 800m above sea level. The scenery here is beautiful with mountains, open country, water and birch woodland. Nature has provided perfect conditions for recreation, relaxation, and peace and quiet but also for challenges in and on the water, on land and in the air. Hovden is perhaps best known as a winter sports resort with a long winter and a stable winter climate. The winter normally starts with about 20 cm of snow sometime in November and lasts until the beginning of May.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the past, travelling south from Bykle was a difficult and risky endeavour. The Byklestigen path is a living proof and monument of the ancient routes.
Self-service museum, pick up a key to access the museum at the tourist information. Hovden was a far more populous place 1000 years ago than today. At the Hovden Museum of Iron Production, you get a chance to make a journey back in time to the period when Hovden was one of the first industrial areas in Norway.
Afterski
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.
is centrally located in Hovden, halfway between Hovden Ski Centre and the centre of Hovden. Hovden Høyfjellsenter has the most sleeping accommodation located in one place in Hovden and is equally suitable for small and large group of up to 380 persons. The Cabin Complex consists of 33 x.80 m2 cabins, which sleep 9, 11 or 12 persons in 3 and 4 bedrooms respectively. The cabins are well-equipped with a shower, WC and sauna and the bedrooms have a family bunk bed (double bed under/single bed on top). There is a sofa, dining area, log fire, TV (NRK 1) in the lounge and also a kitchen area with dishwasher, coffee machine, refrigerator/freezer cabinet and also cooker with oven. There is a road all the way to the cabins and the parking area is close by the cabins. Hovden Hyttepark is located near Hovden Høyfjellshotell, about 300 meters from Hyttegrenden. It is16 x 8-bed cabins vertical shared with basic standard. The cabins are 52m2 and consists of two bedrooms with 4 beds in each. Bathroom with shower and toilet. Living room with sitting and dining table, kitchen with dishwasher, stove, fridge with freezer. All have satellite dish. Lighted trail is near the cabins. Parking just outside the cabin. The Hostel is a large cabin with room for 48 people. The cabin has a common room with kitchen, two bedroom wings with small bedrooms containing bunk beds for 2 people. There are common showers and toilets in each wing. The cabin can also be divided into two and therefore is also suitable for 24 people. Accommodation at Hovden Høyfjellsenter is self-catering, which means that bed linen and cleaning before departure are not included. This may be ordered at extra cost. In addition to accommodation the centre also offer ski hire.
is the oldest tourist accommodation in Hovden and was altered and completely renovated in 2001. The main cabin is situated in a central, yet sheltered position along the river Otra and opposite Hovden Badeland. There are three different sizes of accommodation: Type 1 is 50 m2, has two bedrooms and sleeps 5 people. There is a shower and toilet and also a well-equipped kitchen. Type 2 is 67 m2, over two floors and with 3 bedrooms and sleeps 8 people. Large bathroom with bathtub, shower, WC and sauna. Lounge with open fireplace and well-equipped kitchen area. Type 3 is 105 m2, over two floors and with 4 bedrooms and sleeps 10 people. Bathroom and lounge the same as type 2. Attic lounge with bathroom with shower and toilet in two of the rooms. Luxury and stylishly furnished apartments with slate or parquet flooring on all floors. The kitchen area is equipped with a dishwasher, cooker, microwave oven, refrigerator, freezer and coffee machine.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Stavanger · International · SVG
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Hovden and Norway.
Explore the best places to visit in February across snow festivals, world-famous carnivals, tropical island beaches, and polar night aurora displays.
6 min read
Where to see the northern lights in 2026 and 2027 during Solar Cycle 25, comparing weather in Tromsø, Abisko, Fairbanks and Iceland.
7 min read
The best places to visit in January for winter sun, deep powder snow and wildlife, comparing Niseko, Sri Lanka, Tromsø and New Zealand.
7 min read
Discover the best nature retreats and farm stays for a relaxing break, featuring Tuscan agriturismi, cloud forest lodges, and fjord cabins.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.