Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke - the architectural route

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The Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke is one of the longest of Norway’s 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes. The route through Ryfylke – from Oanes by the Lysefjord to Hårå in Røldal – is 260 kilometres long and travels Rv. 13 and Fv. 520.

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The Norwegian Scenic Routes offer exceptional scenic experiences, passing through some of the country’s most magnificent landscapes. Along the way are viewpoints and picnic areas, designed to enhance the pleasure of travellers and to fit in with the surrounding scenery. Scenic Route Ryfylke is an exciting encounter with the very best of Fjord Norway – with stunning fjords, a myriad of beautiful islands and islets, forests, heathlands and lush farmland, sheer cliffs, screes and boulder fields, and a cultural landscape that tells of Ryfylke’s long history. Your journey starts at Oanes in the south, overlooking the mouth of the Lysefjord. Here you will find some of the most spectacular natural attractions Norway has to offer. Both Preikestolen and Kjerag are popular as destinations and photographic motifs. A little further north you will find petroglyphs at Solbakk and Årdal Old Church. Skomakernibbå rises high above the southern shore of the Jøsenfjord.

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The fjordside village of Jelsa, with its old wooden houses and distinctive church, is well worth a detour. You can pause at the picnic area overlooking the Lovrafjord, before you continue to Sand. In this village do visit Ryfylke Museum, and stop at the Salmon Studio at Sandsfossen to watch powerful salmon swim upstream and cross the Høse bridge to their spawning areas. Sit down and relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy the panoramic view from the cafe. During summer you can visit the museum farm

Further north, just before you reach Saudasjøen, is Svandalsfossen. A series of stairs takes you close to the waterfall – where you can really sense the force of the water! Near the town of Sauda you can visit the new buildings at Allmannajuvet designed by the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. In Sauda town centre you can enjoy friendly shopping. From Sauda and Allmannajuvet the journey continues to Røldal. The road over Saudafjellet, which takes you through a varied landscape and a 900-metre high mountain pass, was completed in 1960. The scenery is magnificent and parts of the road are quite narrow, so please take your time. Saudafjellet pass, on Rv. 520 between Hellandsbygd and Røldal, is closed in the winter when the snow can pile up to five–six metres thick! Since the Scenic Route Ryfylke is a long and varied stretch of road, it is worth taking your time. There are lots of opportunities on the way to make short detours and to take a break from driving, whether you are keen to find out more about Sauda’s industrial history or just want to explore one of the lovely little shore villages such as Sand. Along this route you can take part in many attractions, or you can set off on a hike in constantly changing terrain. The drive through Ryfylke offers a versatile experience on a challenging road with many charming aspects. For more information: ryfylke.com nasjonaleturistveger.no

FILTER ©Photography: Jarle Lunde / SuldalFoto.no

Kolbeinstveit with activities for the entire family. Make a stop at Nesflaten where you can learn about hydro power and visit the design hotel Energihotellet.


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