Discover Odda

A walk along the Opo riverside path takes you from the fjord to Lake Sandvinvatnet, offering an unusual perspective on Odda’s landscape and industrial history. There are also cultural attractions in the town centre and outdoor destinations to explore. When choosing your holiday apartment, consider which of these experiences you would most like to shape your stay.

Walking the Opo Riverside Path

The Opo riverside path is an easy walking route. It runs from the fjord to Sandvinvatnet; allow around 30 to 45 minutes for one way, depending on your walking pace and how many photo stops you make. A viewpoint on higher ground looks out over Odda and the fjord. This lets you combine the walk with views of the town and water, without needing to undertake a longer hike.

The path passes the old industrial site of Smelteverkstomta. Information boards by the buildings provide a self-guided tour. If you prefer to explore and read at your own pace, you can include a visit to the site as part of your walk. The gravel path runs alongside the lake to Trolltunga Camping. After dark, the Opo riverside path is fully lit; it can be walked year-round.

Discovering industrial history

Visitors can also encounter the history of the smelting works through distinctive cultural and hands-on activities. Sentralbadet opened in 2011 in the former changing-room area of the smelting works in Odda. KraftLaben offers exhibitions, experiments and science shows. Visitors can take part in experiments at authentic lab benches from the historic smelting works. Those interested in hands-on discovery will find a different way to explore local industrial history here than on a self-guided tour of Smelteverkstomta.

The Hjøllo–Mannsåker cultural trail is another way to explore Odda. There are three information boards along the route. You can take this cultural trail into account when choosing where to stay if you are looking for cultural experiences beyond a walk by the river.

Culture and events

Sentralbadet Litteraturhus in Odda is a cultural centre that hosts its own events as well as other events and festivals. These include literary discussions, concerts, debates and exhibitions. Its programme also includes the Litteratursymposium, seminars, readings, writing courses, school visits and residential school trips. The programme ranges from literature and discussion to music and visual art. If you are visiting Odda for its cultural life, it is worth considering which of these types of events would be most interesting during your stay.

Another distinctive building in town is Odda kyrkje. Built in 1870, this long church consists of a chancel, nave and porch with a tower above it. If you are interested in architecture and churches, you can make it a cultural highlight of your stay.

Landscape and choosing where to stay

Another outdoor destination is Hovden, a recreational area on a hill above Trolltunga Camping. Near Odda you will also find Låtefossen: the approximately 165-metre-high twin waterfall lies right beside National Road 13 between Odda and Røldal, around a 15-minute drive from Odda. These offer different kinds of experiences: in Odda, the riverside path and cultural attractions invite you to walk and explore the town; Låtefossen is a nearby destination on the road between Odda and Røldal.

When searching for a holiday apartment in Odda, you can start by deciding what you would most like to focus on: the riverside path and viewpoint, industrial history, culture or excursions in the surrounding area. The destination pages for Tyssedal, Skare and Røldal offer more options to consider when choosing where to stay.

For the overall travel overview: Odda.