Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A ski resort at the top of the Setesdal Valley (2,500 feet), Hovden is barren in
the summer and painfully in need of charm. Still, it makes a good home base
if you want to explore the area for a couple of days. Locals come here to walk
and relax for a week.
Tourist Information:
The TI is open all year (Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00, summer
Sat 10:00-15:00, July also Sun 10:00-15:00, otherwise closed Sat-Sun, tel. 37
93 93 70,
www.hovden.com
,
post@hovden.com
).
Boat Rental
—Hegni Center, on the lake at the south edge of town, rents row-
boats, canoes, and kayaks (240-350 kr/day, 140-200 kr/half-day, hourly rentals
also possible, cash only, mid-June-mid-Aug daily 10:00-20:00, mid-Aug-mid-
Sept daily 11:00-18:00, mid-Sept-mid-Oct Sat-Sun only 11:00-16:00, closed
mid-Oct-mid-June, tel. 37 93 93 70).
Hikes and Mountain Biking near Hovden
—Good walks offer you a chance
to see reindeer, moose, arctic fox, and wabbits—so they say. The TI and most
hotels stock brochures, maps, and other information about moderate to strenu-
ous hikes in the area as well as biking options. Berry picking is popular in
lateAugust,whensmall,sweetblueberries areinseason.Achairlift sometimes
takes sightseers to the top of a nearby peak, with great views in clear weath-
er. Bikers can ride the trails downhill (90 kr, 100 kr to bring a bike, June-July
daily 11:00-14:00, Aug-mid-Oct Wed and Sat-Sun only). Hunting season starts
in late August for reindeer (only in higher elevations) and later in the fall for
grouse and moose.
Moose Safari
—Per Johanson offers a 2.5-hour
Elg Safari
(that's Norwegian
for “moose”). Learn more about this “king of the forest” during a late-night
drive through Setesdal's back roads with a stop for moose-meat soup (370 kr,
June-Aug only; generally Tue, Fri, and Sun at 22:00—other days on request;
50 percent money-back guarantee if you don't see a moose, tel. 37 93 93 70,
