Saudasjøen: Cultural heritage, hiking and swimming spots

Saudasjøen combines cultural history with a wide range of ways to enjoy the outdoors: there is a medieval cemetery, traces from the Second World War and a hike with 918 metres of ascent. There are also swimming spots, a golf course and Sauda Ski Centre. When planning your trip, you can consider whether you would mainly like to explore the culture, go on active hikes or spend time by the water.

Cultural traces in the landscape

A medieval cemetery has been preserved at Kyrkjehaugen. It is a special point of interest for anyone interested in the area's earlier history. In addition, Saudasjøen's cultural landscape has a high concentration of cultural heritage sites. They illustrate important periods; overall, the cultural landscape is considered to be of significant regional value. This means you can experience the area not only through individual attractions, but also through its various historical traces.

Remains from the Second World War can also be found at Nesøyra. These include a railway wagon weighbridge and a guard hut that belonged to the NORDAG facility. These traces are distinctly different from the medieval cemetery and invite you to explore different chapters of Saudasjøen's history.

The Eventyrskogen offers a different kind of local discovery: it features wooden sculptures depicting mythical creatures from Norwegian folklore. There is also a shelter and a barbecue area in the forest. Anyone interested in storytelling traditions and handcrafted figures will find a distinct theme here, apart from the historic cultural heritage sites.

Hiking and sporting options

The hike to Hovlandsnuten starts at Risvoll School in Saudasjøen. It is 14.5 kilometres long and includes 918 metres of ascent and 987 Sherpa steps. These details give you concrete points to consider when planning the hike: the distance, elevation gain and steps are all part of what makes this hike distinctive. If you would like to plan your days around different activities, you can consider this hike alongside the area's other experiences.

Sauda Ski Centre is also one of the area's sporting facilities. It has five ski lifts and two conveyor belts. If you are interested in skiing during your stay, this is a useful consideration when choosing your destination; these facilities offer something different from Saudasjøen's hiking and water-based experiences.

Rødstjødna and Nesøyra

Rødstjødna is a public swimming spot with a shelter and a floating jetty. The Sauda Golf Club also operates a driving range at the lake, where floating balls are hit into the water. Sauda Golf Course is a nine-hole course in Saudasjøen. If you would like to include golf in your stay, the golf course and driving range are practical options; the swimming spot offers a separate focus by the water.

Dagsturhytta i Sauda is located on Giljafjell, next to Rødstjødna and Sauda Golf Course. At the other recreational area mentioned, Nesøyra, you can swim, fish and relax; the area is a municipal recreation area in Saudasjøen. This gives you different options to choose from: spending time at the swimming spot, fishing and relaxing at Nesøyra, or enjoying the golf facilities and Dagsturhytta's location on Giljafjell.

Choose the right focus for your holiday

If you would like to include another destination, also discover Svandal.

For the overall travel guide: Sauda.