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On wild country roads - stop 4
This day is for curious travellers who want to understand the landscape through history, geology and architecture. From dramatic ice age formations to historic mines and distinctive buildings, you'll explore how people and nature have shaped the region over thousands of years.
07:00 - Breakfast at Byrkjedalstunet, butter snack
08:00 - Drive to Ørsdalen via Gloppedalsura
08:45 - Guided tour to Ørsdalen mines
16:00 - Explore Byrkjedalstunet
19:30 - Dinner at Byrkjedalstunet
A day of history, geology and architecture
A calm start in traditional surroundings
Byrkjedalstunet is a small hotel with roots in Norwegian history and tradition. With 31 individually decorated rooms in peat-clad barns inspired by 19th-century building techniques, your stay will be personalised and distinctive.
Start your day with a traditional, homemade Norwegian breakfast, including fresh bread from the hotel's in-house bakery, served in the former cheese dairy located in the heart of the courtyard. Craftsmanship and heritage characterise the place, from hand-cast candles to quiet outdoor spaces that invite you to slow down before continuing your journey.
A journey through a dramatic landscape
Drive to Ørsdalen in Bjerkreim along narrow and winding roads through a striking landscape, including via Gloppedalsura. This enormous stone wall is the largest in Northern Europe and was formed when the glaciers retreated more than 10,000 years ago. A powerful encounter with the region's geological history.
In the footsteps of the miners
Join a guided tour of the historic mines in Ørsdalen, high up on the mountainside and deep in the valley. The tour follows old paths that were once used by miners who carried ore down the mountain by hand. Here you get an insight into the demanding and risky work that used to take place in the area.
The tour is somewhat demanding, takes around six hours round trip and follows marked trails. With a guide, it is also possible to go into the mines themselves.
Where tradition meets modern architecture
After the tour, spend time exploring the historic buildings at Byrkjedalstunet. What was once a cheese factory has evolved into a distinctive destination where traditional buildings stand side by side with bold, modern architecture.
Notice Ovalen fjellhall and Gloppehallen, carved directly into the mountain Gloppedalsberget. This is where old and new, playful and traditional meet, with respect for the original landscape. The result is a place that leaves its mark.
End the day around the table
After a day filled with nature and adventure, you'll gather for dinner at Byrkjedalstunet. Here, traditional Norwegian dishes are prepared from scratch, often using local ingredients, and served in cosy, historic surroundings that invite good conversation.
The pace is leisurely, the atmosphere informal, and the meal provides a natural transition before the evening sets in.
