Onarheim: History and Fjord Views

Onarheim combines a long local history with viewpoints, lakeside activities and a cycling route through the area. From the 297-metre-high Blåbærhaugen, the view stretches across the Onarheimsfjord to Kvinnherad; at Onarheimsvatnet, paddling, swimming and outdoor relaxation take centre stage. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Onarheim, you can consider whether you would rather shape your holiday around church history, views, water or a bike ride.

Assembly Site and Church History

The archaeological site Onarheim tingstad og gildestad is automatically protected and dates from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages. After the Viking Age, Onarheim developed into a centre for Tysnes and large parts of Hordaland; an assembly site was located there. Onarheim has been known since the 12th century, when Erling Skakke held an assembly there. The Olavsgildet also developed in Onarheim and probably had pre-Christian roots.

Onarheim Church was first mentioned in written sources in 1327. The present building was erected in 1893, replacing a church completed in 1819/20. It stands on a raised terrace on the sloping hillside down to the sea. There are four automatically protected cultural heritage sites on the church grounds.

The upper historic cemetery at the church is known as Vossabakkjen. Old stone walls surround the cemetery, and among the older gravestones are pieces made of cast iron. Together, the different construction and reference dates offer a glimpse into several stages of Onarheim’s history—from its medieval assembly site to the present-day church.

Blåbærhaugen and Onarheimsvatnet

Blåbærhaugen is a 297-metre-high hiking destination in Onarheim. From there, you can see the Onarheimsfjord and Kvinnherad. There is a shelter, a toilet, benches and a fire pit on the mountain. The route from the car park on the road to Storesætre follows a gravel path, which is also suitable for families with pushchairs and people using a rollator. As trail conditions can change seasonally, it is a good idea to check them before your visit.

Onarheimsvatnet lies just above Onarheim. It has a self-service rental facility with three canoes, a lavvo, and tables and benches. The lake is suitable for paddling and swimming, and is also a place to relax outdoors. From the jetty on the east side, a path follows a forest road towards Solheimsdalen and Vattedal. Facilities and trail conditions can change—check them before making plans.

Cycling Route and Historic Sites Nearby

A 43.5-kilometre cycling route runs via Våge–Uggdal–Onarheim–Lunde–Våge. It follows parts of the Onarheimsfjord and Hardangerfjord and offers views of the mountains of Kvinnherad and Folgefonna. This makes it possible to combine a longer day of cycling with a different perspective on the fjord landscape; no information is available about a specific difficulty level or journey time.

About two kilometres south of Onarheim is the restored Flakka lime kiln. It was restored in 1992; there is parking and an information board by the main road. Another historical point of interest is the marble quarry on Seløya, southeast of Onarheim. It is located in an underground mine with several entrances, and access is by boat. The marble layer was probably mined as early as the 17th century. Make separate arrangements for the boat before travelling there.

Tysnes as a Regional Setting

In the wider destination of Tysnes, the landscapes change: in the west, rocky coastlines and heathland face the open sea, while in the east, the landscape by the Hardangerfjord rises into high mountains and extensive forest areas. This contrast adds another perspective to Onarheim’s local attractions when planning a holiday.

From Bergen, Tysnes can be reached by ferry from Halhjem to Våge; a scheduled bus also runs from Bergen bus station to the ferry terminal. Check the timetables before travelling. This lets you take the journey to the wider destination into account alongside the question of which experiences are key to choosing your holiday apartment in Onarheim.

Discover more destinations: Flatråker, Reksteren, Tysnes, Hovland, Hope, Uggdal and Lundegrend.

Back to the wider travel overview: Tysnes.