Lofthus: Hovden Round

Hovden Round: Beautiful Fjord View.

Start: Start by the supermarket in Lofthus (or Lofthus Camping, Hotell Ullensvang or Opedal School).

End: This is a round trip, highest point is approximately 350 masl.

Parking: By the supermarket in Lofthus. During school holiday by Opedal School.

Public transport: Bus from Odda, Eidfjord, Geilo, Voss stops by the supermarket in Lofthus. Expressboat "Hardangerfjord Sightseeing" stops by the supermarket in Lofthus (bus connection to/from Bergen and Norheimsund).

Grading: Intermediate

Length: about 6 km round trip.

Hight difference:350 metres

Time: 2-4 hours round

Advice: The trail is steep, suitable shoes is advisable. Bring something to east and drink.

Season: When the snow has melted, May-October

Description: When starting by the supermarket in Lofthus, follow road RV 13 northwards. After 50 metres take local road Fv102 on the right and walk direction Lofthus Camping. After about 300 metres, by Opedal School, take a steep paved road on right hand. After about 300 metres the road splits and take the dirt road on right hand. Follow this dirt road up the mountain until the roads splits and there is a sign to "Hovden" or "Skodnasete". Follow this track and the wood opens in Skodnasete. From Skodnasete there is a sign to Hovden. Be very careful not to stumble or fall on the track to Hovden. The view  to the fjord landscape is beautiful from the top of Hovden. Return from Skodnasete is possible on the south side of Hovden, where there is a very steep track through some dense wood. The lower part is a dirt road which leads through a residential area,  or to the River Valley, before returning to the supermarket via the Fruit Trail.

Variation: Start from Ullensvang Gjesteheim by the crossroads by Ullensvang Church. Follow the local road direction Hardanger Youth Hostel/ Hardanger Folkehøgskule. Walk past the youth hostel and through a residential area. About 1 km after the youth hostel walk across a bridge. After the bridge take the road on the right hand. This road goes through Legena, a residential area. At the top of Legena the track towards Hovden starts. Return form Hovden/Skodnasete on dirt road to Opedal School and supermarket in Lofthus, and back to Ullensvang Gjesteheim or Hardanger Youth Hostel on pedestraian/cycling route southwards parallel to road RV 13.