Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Welcome to the remote, and therefore very traditional, Setesdal Valley. Prob-
ably Norway's most authentic cranny, the valley is a mellow montage of sod-
roofed water mills, ancient churches, derelict farmhouses, yellowed recipes,
and gentle scenery.
The Setesdal Valley joined the modern age with the construction of the val-
ley highway in the 1950s. All along the valley you'll see the unique two-story
storage sheds called
stabburs
(the top floor was used for storing clothes; the
bottom, food) and many sod roofs. Even the bus stops have rooftops the local
goats love to munch.
In the high country, just over the Sessvatn summit (3,000 feet), you'll see
herds of goats and summer farms. If you see an
ekte geitost
sign, that means
genuine, homemade goat cheese is for sale. (It's sold cheaper and in more man-
ageable sizes in grocery stores.) To some, it looks like a decade's accumulation
of earwax. I think it's delicious. Remember,
ekte
means all-goat—really strong.
The more popular and easier-to-eat version is a mix of cow and goat cheese.
For more information on the Setesdal Valley, see
www.setesdal.com
.
