The water park is an eldorado for children of all ages – enjoy a ride on the 70–metre waterslide, whizz through the "River Otra" obstacles on rubber rings or swim under the splashing waterfall.
It's even possible to take a dip in the outdoor pool all year round – here you'll have a unique experience looking out over the mountain peaks as you swim in the heated water.
If you're more into pampering and relaxation than action in the water, visit the resort'ss spa – where you'll find a Finnish sauna, steam bath, whirlpool and foot bath, and more.
The waterpark also has both loungers and a café, should you need a break from water play.
Read more on the website

Setesdal

summer

Hovden Badeland & Spa

Whether you prefer a leisurely road trip or a more challenging mountain bike ride, you'll find plenty of routes to explore in Hovden.
The area has both shorter flat routes (some only six km long) and day trips of around 75 km are possible, so your cycling experience in Hovden is only limited by your imagination. Several of the routes take you along prepared paths, gravel roads or cycle paths, so you avoid car traffic.
All of them lead you through the area's beautiful landscape, and several also offer cultural experiences such as the impressive Vatnedals dam or the impressive stone bridges of the defunct Setesdal railway. The routes have rest stops at regular intervals, and in many places you'll pass swimming spots if you fancy a cool dip along the way.
If you don't want to bring your own bikes, it is possible to rent bikes at Hovden Alpine Centre.
Read more about Hovden's cycling routes on the Destination Hovden's website.

Bike tours and bike rental in Hovden

The museum has something for everyone – whether you want to experience how the Vikings mined iron in the area at the Hovden Ironworks Museum, explore the area's geology at the Evje Mineral Trail or the Fennefoss Museum, delve into Norwegian military history at the Evjemoen Defence Museum or set sail on the steam–powered sightseeing boat "Bjoren".

There are both open–air museums where you can explore the impressive old buildings and indoor exhibitions about Setesdal's development, culture, crafts and history.
The museum's locations are spread throughout Setesdal from Hovden in the north to Ivedal in the south, so set aside a day or two if you want to visit all the museum's exciting experiences.
Read more and see opening hours on the Setesdals Museum website.

Setesdals Museum  – A pearl of experiences

You will find Ørnefjell Golf Course just 10 minutes drive from Hovden town centre. The course is beautifully situated between water, hills and mountains at an altitude of 725 metres above sea level, so you are guaranteed a beautiful setting for your round of golf.

Described by many as "demanding but fun", the course offers challenges for golfers of all abilities, including several water hazards.

If you do not wish to bring your own golf equipment, it is possible to rent club sets in the course clubhouse/golf shop during the high season. Outside opening hours, access to the course is self–service via a Golfbox payment machine.

See opening times and prices at 

Ørnefjell Golf Course – Golf experiences in the high mountains

By Lake Hartevatn you'll find the Hegni Leisure Area, which offers a host of hiking trails, a playground, beach volleyball court, swimming beaches and fishing opportunities from land or in a rowboat.
These include a 5.5 km gravel walking trail, accessible to all, which takes you through the area's stunning scenery – along the banks of the River Otra and through pleasant woodland – all with views of the surrounding mountain peaks.

After the day's adventures, find a cosy spot to sit back and enjoy an ice cream on the shores of the idyllic lake, which is surrounded by mountains in some of the most beautiful Norwegian countryside.

When hunger strikes, visit "The Village Hovden" – a large "geodome" (a building similar to a polygonal greenhouse) that serves as both a restaurant and an activity centre. You can also rent rowing boats, canoes, kayaks and SUP boards or book guided fishing trips on Lake Hartevatn.

See more of Village Hovden's offers on its website.

Hegni Nature Area – Fun and relaxation in beautiful surroundings

Here you can enjoy the beautiful view from the mountain top, which at an altitude of 1,183 metres above sea level offers a great view of the high mountains – on clear days even as far as Hardangervidda.

At the summit you can go for short or long hikes, but wherever your tour takes you, you should stop by the summit viewpoint just 200 metres from the chairlift's descent point. Here you can enjoy a 360–degree view and identify the different mountain peaks with the help of the site's map and binoculars.

From the summit, there are several well–marked trails around the area, and you can also choose different paths on your way back down the mountain to see more of the beautiful mountain scenery.

If you're taking your bike on holiday, you can also take it to the top in the lift and cycle down one of the well–maintained routes.



Take the chairlift to the top of Nos

At Hovden, you can enjoy a unique nature experience: guided snowshoeing tours that take you into the otherwise inaccessible winter landscape. Feel like you’re the first to step on the pristine snow as you make your way to a sunlit mountain peak with an outstanding view over the glittering snow-covered scenery.

The tours are tailored to the participants' abilities and preferences, starting with a cozy cup of coffee or juice before heading out. You can add a break with a campfire to grill sausages or even enjoy lunch during the trek.

The tours last 2-3 hours and are available during the day or at night with headlamps—don’t miss the chance to see Hovden in a whole new way!

For more information, visit the ski center’s website.

NB: We take no responsibility for any potential changes to offers at the ski resorts.

a group of people are walking through a snowy forest .

a group of people are standing in the snow in a forest .

winter

Snowshoeing

Nothing is as fun for the whole family as a day on the ice with skates underfoot. Who in the family is Bambi, and who is the future figure skater? Find out at Hovden Ice Rink, located right next to Hovden Waterpark and Spa. Some days, you can even try your hand at the exciting and challenging sport of ice hockey.

Just lace up your skates and hit the ice—ready for a frosty, fun-filled adventure for all ages. The rink is free to use, and skates can be rented if you didn’t pack your own.

The rink is lit until 11 p.m., so you can even enjoy a romantic skate under the stars, just like in the classic films. Warm your heart with ice under your feet!

a group of people are ice skating on a frozen lake .

Ice Skating Rink

Hovden offers a perfect opportunity for a family or friends' challenge: Who can reach the bottom of the hill first—on a sled?

Each day, just before the ski center closes, a group of adventurous souls gathers at the chairlift to ride up to the starting point at Mor Åse.

The descent is made on special sleds provided by the ski center, with the lift and helmet rental included in the price. After a quick introduction (especially on how to brake!), you’re off on an exhilarating ride down the hill—guaranteed to give you butterflies and rosy cheeks!

A Special Sledding Hill

For over 50 years, skiing enthusiasts from across Europe have taken the chairlift to the top of Nosfjell to race down Hovden’s slopes. Today, this impressive ski resort is the largest in Southern Norway.

Located just a 3-hour drive (212 km) from Kristiansand, you can depart from Hirtshals in the morning and be skiing on the lit trails or ice skating that same evening.

Hovden Alpine Center provides fantastic conditions no matter what kind of ski experience your group is looking for.

With 42 km of alpine slopes, 180 km of cross-country trails, possibly Norway’s best terrain park, a cozy children’s area, and a host of other snow activities like sledding, skating, and snowshoeing, you’ll have everything you need for a fun-filled ski holiday with unforgettable experiences.

See an overview of the ski center’s facilities here.

Hovden Alpine Center

Hovden Alpine Center provides both group and private lessons. Whether you’re looking for focused, tailored instruction from experienced teachers to boost your skills, build confidence on skis, or try new disciplines like snowboarding or telemark skiing, Hovden’s ski school can help.

Learn more about group lessons on the ski center’s website.

Check out private lessons and prices on the ski center’s website.

Ski School

Here, kids will enjoy easy slopes, child-friendly ski trails, and playful activities. The area is equipped with platter lifts and conveyor belts, so the little ones can start skiing safely and confidently.

At the bottom of the slope, there’s a ski carousel for the youngest children, and the area also has its own sledding hill where both big and small can have fun together.

Children’s Area

HovdenParken is a popular destination for snowboard enthusiasts and those who love getting airborne on their skis. In fact, in 2018, it was named Norway’s best terrain park by the Norwegian Snowboard Team.

The park is constantly evolving, and in 2021, it featured 11 elements in the blue park, including jumps, pipes, rails, and boxes, as well as more than 10 obstacles in the red park, with three large jumps, five rails, one box, two intermediate jumps, and many other creative features.

 on Instagram to stay updated on new features and developments for the upcoming season.

Read more in our article, "HovdenParken—Norway’s Best Terrain Park?"

HovdenParken

With forest terrain, mountain routes, lit trails, and a cross-country stadium, Hovden is a true paradise for cross-country enthusiasts.

There are easy trails for beginners of all ages as well as longer, more challenging routes for advanced skiers. Hovden also features a special cross-country stadium, 

, located near the town center. Here, you’ll find short, long, steep, and gentle trails, with options for both classic cross-country and freestyle skiing.

The stadium and many of the trails are lit until 11 p.m., allowing for an enchanting cross-country experience under the stars, surrounded by the dark winter night.

Cross-country Skiing

 3 chairlifts, 5 drag lifts, 1 conveyor belt


Piste Information

At Hovden Ski Rental, you’ll find a wide selection of alpine, telemark, cross-country, park, and powder skis, as well as snowboards.

The rental shop provides equipment for both children and adults, ensuring everyone has modern, well-maintained gear for an enjoyable day on the slopes.

You can also rent snowshoes if you’re keen to explore the stunning winter landscape on foot.

For more information and prices, visit the ski center’s website.

Ski Rental

After spending days in the snow, a little tropical ambiance might sound appealing—and in Hovden, it’s just around the corner. Hovden Waterpark & Spa offers 30-degree water, several water slides, bubble zones, and water toys.

You can even swim in the outdoor pool year-round—an extraordinary experience when snowflakes gently fall around you as you relax in the heated water. Or, for the daring, take a plunge into the snow before sinking back into the warm pool.

If your body needs extra pampering, visit the spa area, where you’ll find a Finnish sauna, steam bath, whirlpool, and foot bath, perfect for warming up tired muscles and fully relaxing your mind.

For more information, visit the waterpark’s website.

a group of children are playing in a water park .

Tropical Waterpark and Spa

Norway

Travelling in Norway

Come on board and let's set sail together to fantastic Norway - a treasure trove of experiences for the whole family! 

Travelling to Norway with Fjord Line

Vrådal

Vestlandet

Flåm

Rauland

Myrkdalen

Hovden

Sørlandet

Vrådal – The natural pearl in the heart of Telemark

Rauland – Holiday gem on the edge of Hardangervidda

Myrkdalen – a holiday gem at the heart of Fjord Norway

Hardangerfjord - holiday on one of the longest fjords in the world

Hovden – Experience the best of Norway's wild nature

Spectacular mountains in all directions, the rushing river Otra winding through the town and the idyllic mountain lake Hartevatn. This is the recipe for a holiday paradise for nature lovers in the heart of Norway.

First–class high–mountain experiences

At an altitude of around 780 metres above sea level and in the middle of the Norwegian mountains, Hovden offers a wealth of spectacular hiking and cycling trails of all levels of difficulty. There are short, family–friendly walks of five km and guided tours for the experienced walker.
 If you'd rather rest your legs for a day, take the chairlift to the top of Nos mountain, which at 1,183 metres offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains – on a clear day you can even see all the way to Hardangervidda.

Most of the area around Hovden is protected, so you can look forward to experiencing wild and untouched nature. If you're lucky, you'll come across wild reindeer, the area between Setesdal and Ryfylke is the second largest area of wild reindeer in Norway.

Whether you want indoor or outdoor water adventures, Hovden has plenty to offer. Hovden Badeland & Spa attracts everything from 30–degree outdoor pool over 70 meters water slide, 65 meters obstacle course with bathing rings and children's pool to an exquisite spa and wellness department with plenty of self–indulgence.

The Otra River and Lake Hartevatn lure with their idyllic shores and warm bathing waters, and the more adventurous can dive beneath the surface of Otra and experience fish life up close on an exciting snorkelling safari.

During the summer, you have the opportunity to meet the king of the forest, the elk, at close quarters when a elk safari is organised. The tours take place at dusk in a minibus, and the guide also tells about small and big attractions in Hovden. The tour includes the opportunity to taste homemade elk soup, and the chance of seeing elks is high – should they choose to hide, you'll get half the price back.

Hegni Leisure Area – everything an outdoor heart could desire

By Lake Hartevatn you'll find the Hegni Leisure Area, which offers a host of hiking trails, a playground, beach volleyball court, swimming beaches and fishing opportunities from land or in a rowboat. After the day's adventures, find a cosy spot to sit back and enjoy an ice cream on the shores of the idyllic lake, which is surrounded by mountains in some of the most beautiful Norwegian countryside.

If you want to experience the area in a unique way, you can go on a mountain tour with huskies.
 Let the eager dogs take you up to the high mountain, where coffee/tea and rolls are served while the dogs exhale and you can enjoy the spectacular views before heading back down the mountain.

Accommodation in the middle of beautiful nature

In Hovden you stay in one of Hovden Høyfjellsenter and Hyttepark's cosy cabins – and thus get to live with the whole beautiful nature area right outside the door.

Read more about what to do, see and do in Hovden below and find inspiration for your holiday in our travel articles about the area.


Hirtshals

Kristiansand

The idyllic mountain village of Hovden in Setesdal offers experiences for holidaymakers of all ages.

If you go on this year's ski holiday to Voss with Fjord Line, you can look forward to staying in cosy cabins with the ski area right on your doorstep. 

What to experience in Hovden

Things to do