Discover Øystese: Culture, Water and Trails

Øystese has several distinct sides: the well-preserved Storeteigen farmstead represents historic building culture, while on the fjord shore, Hardanger Skyspace brings together art and changing light. There are also trails along the Øysteseelva, a beach in the town centre and destinations such as Skårsvatnet. You can shape your stay around culture, water and routes of varying lengths.

Farmstead and Art

The 3.5 km Storeteigen open-air museum loop passes through the historic Storeteigen farmstead. The museum grounds include a smallholding and a furniture workshop dating from the early 19th century. The loop thus combines a walk through the farmstead with two historic sites on the grounds.

Another cultural highlight is James Turrell’s Hardanger Skyspace, part of Kabuso’s cultural offering in Øystese. The artwork is on the fjord shore next to the Kabuso art centre and can be visited at sunrise and sunset. This creates a changing experience of colour, light, sky and space. The historic buildings at Storeteigen are therefore quite different from the artwork’s play of light and space.

Walks and Routes

For a short walk, Skulpturrunden is one option: the 1.5 km route is considered short and easy and runs along the river and shore in Øystese. Elvestien is 1.7 km long and follows the Øysteseelva; it includes a short detour on a path down to the river. The two routes differ little in length, but Elvestien has this specifically described detour.

Svartabrua-løypa is 2.5 km long and follows the Øysteseelva over asphalt, gravel and trails. It is fully accessible by pushchair. If you are travelling with a pushchair, this route information provides a useful point of reference. Utsiktsløypa is 2.6 km long and somewhat challenging; at its highest point there is a bench with a view.

At 5.0 km, Børveløypa is longer and includes a forest trail. Åsen rundt is 6.2 km long and passes the golf course at Børve. The different distances and trail features give you a basis for planning either short walks or longer routes for your stay.

Beach and Lake

The beach in the centre of Øystese has toilets and good parking facilities. It is accessible by bus, bicycle and on foot. Skårsvatnet, also known as Gullfiskevatnet, is 5 km away on the county road to Porsmyr/Fyksesund. The lake contains large numbers of golden orfe, also known as goldfish, which are easy to see. This means you can choose between a beach in the town centre and a lake where the fish are clearly visible for different waterside experiences.

More Activities

Hardanger Bowling is in the centre of Øystese and has four lanes. In Børve, Øystese, Hardanger Golf Club has a 6-hole golf course and a 200-metre driving range. Spildegarden welcomes groups of at least 10 people for a farm visit with a guided tour and a tasting of its products.

More Places

More places: Tørvikbygd, Omastrand, Strandebarm, Norheimsund, Steinstø.

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