Things To Do in Ulvik

A number of do-it-yourself excursions begin at Ulvik; visit the tourist office for details. They change seasonally and depend on the weather. Our favorite walk is along the northern tip of the Hardangerfjord, a paradise for hikers. It's home to some 1,000 people and the continent's largest herd of wild reindeer. Mountain trout attract anglers to the area. We've been through this area in July when the cherries ripen, followed in just 3 weeks or so by the most delicious-tasting plums, pears, and apples. It's a great opportunity for a summer picnic, and you can stop to buy fresh fruit and other foodstuffs at one of the roadside farm kiosks.

The Ulvik area offers some of the best walks in the fjord country. These are part of what is known as the Kulturlandskapsplan and are divided into four different walks, including the stone-covered grave mounds at Nesheim and Tunheim, the cotter's farm at Ljonakleiv, and a restored country mill in Nordallen in Osa. The tourist office sells a manual, Heritage Trails of Ulvik, outlining details on all these walks. The same office will provide information about organized walks on Tuesday and Thursday in summer along forest roads and into the mountains.

In the center of Ulvik is the summer-only Husfidsnovae (no phone), a small crafts shop run by locals who spend their long winter nights concocting arts and handicrafts. For most of them, it's only a hobby; for others, the craft work is a full-time job. You'll find woven tablecloths and tapestries, Hardanger embroidery, knitwear, crocheted tablecloths, beadworks for Hardanger folk costumes, ceramics, woodwork, and silver jewelry -- all handmade in Ulvik. Hours are irregular, but give it a try to see if it's open.