Hov: Cultural Landscape and Rail Cycling

Hov combines a layered cultural landscape with a distinctive activity on the disused Valdresbanen railway: rail cycling is offered between Dokka and Hov. The Hovsrunden trail leads to traces of older settlement history, while the railway line offers a different way to get around. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, consider Hov as a destination and first decide whether cultural history or rail cycling should shape your stay.

The Hovsrunden: Burial Mounds and Farm History

Near Hovland, the Hovsrunden trail runs through an old cultural landscape with several burial mounds, including some from the Iron Age. It also passes the remains of the Røberg farm, which was abandoned in the late 19th century. On the way back, you can catch a glimpse of the By farm, considered Hov’s oldest settlement. Archaeological traces, the remains of an abandoned farm, and the view of a settlement described as particularly old provide different historical points of interest along the route. If you would like to discover history in a cultural landscape rather than just through individual buildings, the Hovsrunden offers a distinct focus for your trip.

Church and Architectural History

The present-day Hov Church was consecrated in 1781 and probably stands on the same site as the medieval church. Old walls in the cemetery at Hov Church show the original size of the churchyard. The year of consecration, the probable connection to the medieval site, and the walls convey different aspects of this place’s history. You can consider these clues as a connected theme without treating the present-day church and the medieval church as one and the same.

Further architectural points of interest include Hovlandsvegen, which has a 100-year architectural history, and the Grette farm. There are buildings there in the Swiss style dating from the 1890s. This means that street and farm architecture add other built-environment themes to the church’s history. If you choose Hov primarily for its cultural and historical interest, you will find several perspectives: the development of a churchyard, a long architectural history along Hovlandsvegen, and buildings in a particular style at Grette.

Rail Cycling on the Valdresbanen

Rail cycling is offered between Dokka and Hov on the disused Valdresbanen railway. In Hov, rail cycles are available for hire at the old Hov Stasjon station. The entire rail-cycling route between Dokka and Hov is 24 km long (one way). This is an important point of reference when considering whether the ride fits your travel plans: it expressly refers to the one-way distance, not a short circuit around the station. This makes rail cycling a distinct activity to consider alongside Hov’s cultural and historical attractions.

There is also a sand volleyball court at Kråkvika in the surrounding area. This adds another leisure option to the cultural landscape, architectural history, and rail cycling, without requiring the same travel interests. When looking for a holiday apartment in Hov, you can weigh up your priorities: the Hovsrunden and the architectural history are suited to a culturally and historically focused stay; for rail cycling, the rental service at Hov Stasjon and the 24 km one-way distance offer concrete points of reference. Kråkvika provides another activity idea in the surrounding area.

Discover More Places

If you would like to explore other places: Odnes, Fall, Landåsbygda and Enger.

For the main travel overview: Søndre Land.