Wild and Authentic 2017

WILD AND

OYGARDEN

Holiday adventure 24 hours in Øygarden Local food Accommodation on the North Sea Coast Bird safari and cycling holiday

AUTHENTIC

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Oygarden-

Wild and authentic This island kingdom is located a stone’s throw away from Bergen, about 40 minutes by car or bus. It has a wild and unspoiled cultural landscape. We can offer an abundance of activities, presented below, including two concepts “ Øygarden in 24 hours” or “Along Øygarden”.

If you have only a few days to spend with us, then we suggest either one of our two adventure packages or to get in touch with the event teams at Toftøy.

In this magazine you can read how you can manage to see 550 islands, islets and skerries in the course of 24 hours. We also show you how to explore Øygarden with a road leading to wonderful skerries and heather moors which reach all the way out to the sea, fantastic cliffs and rock faces, deep narrow gorges, dramatically shifting weather and the huge North Sea waves punding over the islands. There is no end to these experiences and we can promise you a holiday you will remember for the rest of your life.

Bergen – Øygarden Direct People come to Øygarden from all over the world. It is easy to get here with flights to Bergen from more than 30 of the main destinations in Europe. Some of our visitors arrive in Bergen on cruise ships from distant harbours. Nonetheless, less than 1 hour by bus from Bergen, you arrive at the heart of coastal culture and can wade in the waves rolling in from the North Sea. There is a regular bus service (445/450/479) from

Bergen bus station (Platform G, South Terminal) or from Olav Kyrresgate (Platform E). Couldn’t be simpler! You will find more information about busses on page 10-11.

Bicycle Safari to the North Sea For the active cyclist we can offer a bicycle adventure along country roads to discover coastal culture with boathouses, islets and skerries. There are no steep hills or difficult descents. Øygarden’s highest point lies 72 meters above sea level and, on a clear sunny day you can see Fedje island and Hellisøy lighthouse.

If you cycle in Øygarden, there are frequent places where you can stop to rest, swim, camp or generally cool out. Øygarden Round Trip by Boat The fairway which was used by the coastal people west of Bergen, represents a unique framework for the boat people. The islands farthest out in the mouth of the fjord form a barrier to the North Sea and protect Bergen district from the rough sea. Boaters find shelter here among the many sounds stretched between the islands and all the way in to Hjeltefjorden

3 - Øygarden - Wild and authentic

The Mayor

and Byfjorden at Bergen harbour. The outside fairway is drawn on the map in the brochure centrefold.

Holiday in the kingdom of coastal culture In many ways, Øygarden has been wild and untouched for many a thousand years. The landscape, life and people are shaped by weather and wind. You can absorbe this history at the Coastal Museum in Ovågen, a living museum unique in western Norway.

Culinary dishes: local and national Food enthusiast Cindy Bibow has made her passion a job. It started as a hobby and now she arranges courses, teaches and makes some local products. Cindy shares some of her favourite recipes on pages 22-23.

Stay at Hellesøy Outermost, when you can’t get any further but by boat, you will find Hellesøy. The loveliest little store, from the good old days, will welcome you and the staff will give advices of how to enjoy your stay.

Here you can also by your lunch and dinner to cook yourself. We strongly recommend a visit to Hellesøy.

A vacation in Øygarden encourages you to be active and explore; you can go fishing, boating, kayaking, scuba diving, rock climbing, bird watching, ocean rafting, you can stay in a converted boathouse and the list goes on. There are also marked hiking trails all over the municipality. Traditional heathland dominates the open coastal landscape, and the oldest ones are about 5000 years old.

Ormhilleren at Rong and Lislevika at Tjeldstø, are super places where you can pleasantly take a swim, and Kjøpmannsvågen is a great fishing location.

In the wintertime this is also a fabulous place to go scuba diving, with crystal clear waters and beautiful surroundings. From Knappen in the south to Hernar in the north, and from Hjeltefjorden in the east to the skerries in the west, you can find your own favorite place.

We are proud of our island kingdom in the west, and we love it when people want to spend their time here. At our museum you can learn about our ancestors history of fishing and agriculture, and how that is combined with our modern way of living by and off the sea. You can also visit a salmon and trout farm.

Fishing is a popular activity. Both domestic and foreign tourists enjoys staying in one of our many converted boathouses, and many guests returns year after year. Some buys a cabin and stays for longer periods, and some even decides to move here!

In Øygarden you can experience coastal nature, extreme sports, culture, peace and mindfulness. How you will enjoy our island kingdom, is up to you.

Welcome to our islands!

Børge Haugetun Mayor

4 - Table of contents

02 03 06 08 10 11 12 14 16 17 18 20 22

24 26 28 29 30 32 34 36 38 40 41 42 44

Wild and authentic The Mayor 24 hours in Øygarden A holiday along Øygarden Travel information Vacation in Øygarden Climbing steps by the sea A paradise for divers Torsvikhuset Team X

Cultural heritage

Business and industry in Øygarden Local food

Map Joy of hiking The Kvernepollen fishermen’s shack Kysteventyret Museum, coastal culture and adventure Salmon adventure Cottagers in Øygarden 5334 Hellesøy 2017 Road world Championship Kayaking

Bird safari Beaches and bathing places Fish grounds

Design: Snitt Reklamebyrå AS

Photos: Øygarden kommune, Egil Olsvold, Øystein Skålevik, Jan Hanchen

Editors: Øygarden kommune, Øygarden Media, Eva Olsvold, Egil Olsvold,

Michelsen, Nautnes fiskevær, Team X, Julian Bell, Blom fiskeoppdrett,

Gunhill Sæle Bjørkhaug and Ian Mounteney.

Morten Wanvik, Bård Henriksen, Kai Svellingen Flatekvål, Gaute Hatlem, Ove Kristoffersen, Eva O. Brakstad, Hellesøy Pub & Kafe, Øygarden Media,

Print: ADverts

Steinar Engelsen, Kysteventyret, Kenneth Bruvik, Kystmuseet i Øygarden,

Edition: 8000 Norsk / Engelsk

John Kenneth Aase, Stefan Chmel, Sjur Meling.

Paper: G-print

Nature

Adventure

Coastal culture

Local food

Information

5 - Table of contents

24

Hours

IN ØYGARDEN

If you really want to enjoy this beautiful, lomng coastal settlement then you should spend at least one night and 24 hours in Øygarden.

You can travel back and forth by regular bus and ferry ALL YEAR ROUND.

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Dive in 14

Road

• Svelgensundet • Ulvsundet • Rongesundet

World Championships

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Kystkultur 30

Race to celebrate!

One of the biggest sporting events in the world will take place in the region in 2017.

Visiting a museum to learn about coastal culture, combined with outdoor adventures, canoeing and action on the steepest cliff in Øygarden.

Mett og God - Food Courses

Read about Cindy Bibows interest for food wich started as a hobby. She now runs courses and has established her own company Mett og God.

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5334 Hellesøy At the end of the road

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6 6- -Holiday destinations in Øygarden

HOURS IN ØYGARDEN ALL YEAR

If you really want to enjoy this beautiful, long coastal settlement then you should spend at least one night and 24 hours in Øygarden. You can travel back and forth by regular bus and ferry ALL YEAR ROUND. You can choose whether to stay in a tent, apartment, fjord hotel or a fishing shack.

CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST AND PLAN Øygarden is wild and unspoiled.

Waves roll in from the North Sea and are thrown in full force over the coastal rocky slopes into the sheltered harbours nestling at the end of narrow sounds. The weather is very changeable and it is quite possible to experience the four seasons in one and the same day. You should therefore select from these acitivities according to the weather. The selection of experiences we can offer is like a bowl of fruit. All you have to do is help yourself to the best we have to offer of our coastal culture here in the fjord west of Bergen. We recommend that you spend some time in planning your trip and, by all means, contact the Service Centre (“servicetorget”) at the Town Hall (“rådhuset”) or the Coastal Museum (“kystmuseet”) in Ovågen.

DAY 1 COASTAL MUSEUM – A LIVING MUSEUM,

Øygarden is a young municipality, only 51 years. But the history goes further back then the constitution anniversary.

Here you can actually tread in the footsteps of the first humans who came to Norway? The Coastal Museum can provide you with maps of hikes to Blomvåg and other attractions in the cultural landscape. How about seeing how the glaciers from the Ice Age once shaped this landscape.

Exhibition, illustration and models can show you how the west coast was the first to appear after the ice retreated.

Maybe you would enjoy a quiet boat trip in a rowing boat or canoe in the bay surrounding the museum. If you get hungry there is a café serving refreshments. Are you a planner? Go on a picnic on the sandy beach “The hidden Paradise” nearby. We advice you to rent a bicycle for a trip around Breivik, and ride along the strait in Herdlevær. If you enjoy nature and walking, you will find well-marked hiking trails in Skogsøy.

BLOM AQUACULTURE AS Blom Aquaculture AS has opened doors for everyone who wants to see how Norway’s red gold is produces.

Because out on the water floats a large building with office, laboratory and crew quarters. Get ready to use all your senses, you will see, hear, touch, taste, smell and imagine how aquaculture industry has developed both in Norway and in Øygarden.

Blom Aquaculture AS cooperate with the Coastal Museum, and you can order tickets through the museum.

AN INVITATION FROM A FOOD ENTHUSIAST Cindy Bibow invites you to participate in a cookery course which can be the source of daily inspiration. Should the weather show itself from its wrong side, there is not much that can compare with sitting in Cindy’s cosy bakehouse in Blomvågen. Here you can learn the art of making sushi, tapas including local varieties from Øygarden, baking of lefse (Norwegian special thin pastry) or flatbrød (Norwegian type of crisp bread). Help yourself!

DAY 2 FISHERMEN’S SHACKS AND OCEAN SAFARI From Blomvåg you can travel on to the beautiful Osundet. Here you will find Kvernepollen fisherman cabins, a beautiful maritime centre of fishermen’s shacks with roots all the way back to the proud trading traditions of the 19th century. You can still breathe in the atmosphere from the old trading community. This is the place where you can find tranquillity, peace and harmony. The fishermen’s shacks are well equipped. Who can resist the temptation to go on an ocean safari out towards the North Sea and enjoy the sunset and yet be guaranteed fishing luck? In less than a minute you will be out to the mouth of the fjord – a rare opportunity to enjoy a special fishing adventure.

Alternatively, you can hire a boat or a canoe. You will be armed with a good map and advice and, if you are lucky, you will get to see one of the many sea eagles which have settled on the many small islands round Kvernepollen.

ISLAND HOPPING AND HISTORY MEDIATION With Kvernepollen fisherman cabins as your starting point, you can choose between several activities, You can walk the hiking trails by Old Hjelme church, or towards one of the many small lighthouses. Or you can travel to Hellesøy and take the coastal ferry all the way into the group of islands which form Øygarden. Some of these islands are Lyngøy, Hernar, Sanden and Nordøysund. You can either join a roundtrip , or go island hopping. But remember to arrange with the ferry’s skipper when you want to return.

You must also remember to pack a lunch bag. There are no shops on the islands.

Why not make an appointment at the Coastal Museum for history mediation and a guided tour out here. Hernar Island has been a nodal point for journeys to the Vesterhavsøyane (Viking raid towards the west) in the Norse Age and an important tradeand hospitality centre during the past century. During the trip from the sound, from which the Viking ships set sail, and up to the mound with the memorial stones, you will be told of the feats of the King’s nobleman Aslak of Hernar, about the dramatic events during the piracy era and about the North Sea crossings from the “English Quay” during the Second World War. You can book this presentation in English and German. You should meet up in good time to hear your presentation at the appropriate place.

Tickets can be bought from the storyteller. Your probably hungry after a long day you can shop in Hellesøy general store.

Bus schedules Bus Service (445/450/460) leaves from Bergen Bus Station (platform G) or from Olav Kyrresgate (platform E).

You will find a detailed timetable on page 10.

Travel schedules tel: 177 Boat from Hellesøy tel: +47 55 23 95 50 (M/S “Øyrosa” Gulenskyss.no)

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7 - Holiday destinations in Øygarden

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Øygarden’s extended islands from Turøyvarden

Svelgen bridge is the gateway to Øygarden. You will find an impressive information sign at the bus stop. Turøyvegen starts right across the road. You can walk, cycle or drive towards Turøyvarden. Watch for the sign to “Turøyvarden”. You can carry on to Turøybjørnen and Heller towards Turøytoppen. You will find more information about the different walks in the area on: www.nordsjoloypa.ivest.no. You can download a SPREK application to your mobile from app store. You will also find a short film on YouTube, describing the tour, minute by minute, towards Turøyvarden.

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Toftestallen – where the sea crushed wave power

The ruined wave power station at Toftestallen is worth a look. You can either book a guided tour at the Coastal Museum, or make this into your own very special photo safari.

By bus, you can get off at Vik where a bridge crosses the main road. From here you have to cross some local roads: Vaskanthaugen and Vestvegen before you reach Bølgekraftvegen which you follow all the way to your destination. Search for Øygarden Bølgekraftverk on YouTube.

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Omhilleren – Beach, Camping and Fishing

Omhilleren is located near Raudhammaren at the Northern end of Rongesundsbrua (bridge). This area falls under the responsibility

of Bergen og Omland Friluftsråd (recreation council-BOF). The area can offer parking areas, wellmaintained hiking paths, toilet facilities, picnic area, anchoring bolts and a life buoy for sailors.

We recommend that you take with you bathing suits, fishing rods, grilling equipment and camera.

BOF also runs other bathing places in Øygarden at Lislevika, Langøy and Skogsøy. More information is available on: http://www.bof.no http://www.godtur.no http://www.tur.bt.no/tur/217

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Adrenaline Kick and Wilderness Fun

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Service Bureau at Rong

Team X and Torsvikhuset both offer high-risk activities and quieter experiences. For those who are looking for an exciting holiday, Torsvikhuset can organise an Øygarden adventure including overnight stay, activities, culinary specialities and entertainment.

Remember to book in advance.

More information on page 16-17.

The municipal centre for Øygarden is located at Rong. You will find everything you need here: Shopping mall, help to plan your trips at the Service Bureau in the Town Hall, attractive walks as well as arrangements and events in the Cultural Centre. You will find information about all this in the local paper on the local council’s web site.

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Kystmuseet - An Adveture Centre

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Bird Safari

The museum is a centre for the dissemination of information. Here are exhibits showing how the people of Øygarden have used nature around them to create a basis of existence for thousands of years. The museum is also an adventure centre of a kind that is rare in Norway. You can rent a bike, boat or canoe. You can book a personal guide and take part in everything from extreme sport, industrial adventures, Vestland (West Norway) history and folklore and trips along the cultural trails. The Museum cooperates with several of the local partners such as Team X, local industry and the Øygarden Viewing Centre for salmon and trout.

Almost 250 different bird species have been observed in Øygarden.

There is always something new to see, all year round, for hobby ornithologists, Whether you travel by boat along the coast, walk in the heather moors – or visit the rich bird preservation centre at Tjeldstø. You can book guided tours from our local hobby ornithologist, Julian Bell.

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9 - Plan a holiday in Øygarden

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Hellesøy

Hellesøy is the las stop all the way in the island kingdom, if you drive by car, bus or bicycle. If you want to go further, boat is your only optiont.

Waiting for you are hiking trails through moorland out to the lighthouses, or a walk through coastal culture by Hjelme old church.

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Island Hopping from Hellesøy to Hernar

Just one hour and 17 bridges from Bergen city centre, you arrive at Hellesøy, last stop on the bus trip from Bergen. Hellesøy is a holiday paradise for boating enthusiasts, coach tourists, cyclists and day trippers. Just a short boat trip north of Hellesøy you will find the idyllic islands of Lyngøy, Hernar, Sanden and Nordøysund. You can

choose either to make a round trip on the coastal boat, or go “island hopping”. From here you can take the direct bus back to Bergen. In the summer there is a boat going from Hellesøy - Fedje as well. More info about the boat on www.gulenskyss.no.

Travel info By car from Bergen

The trip is 60 km long (1 hour) from downtown Bergen. Follow Road 555 from Bergen to the west toward Sotra. You will reach Sotrabrua Bridge a short way after the freeway ends. The trip goes on toward Straume. Follow Road 555 onward through the Kolltveittunellen, and at the roundabout after the tunnel turn right; follow this road 561. After Kolltveit you will arrive at Spjeld, then Ågotnes. Drive straight through the roundabout and follow the road 561. Svelgen Bridge is the entryway to Øygarden.

Bus from/to the Bergen Bus Station

Detailed schedules For bus schedules, please consult www.skyss.no or use the Skyss Travel Planner, which is an App that can be downloaded free from the App Store or Android Market by searching for “Skyss”.

Boat from Hellesøy (Summer 1.May- 31. Aug)

Detailed schedules www.gulenskyss.no

Important links www.oygarden.no www.visitbergen.com www.bibvest.no www.kystmuseet.museumvest.no

Legevakt 116117

Legesenter (day time) 56 38 21 10

Ambulance

Fire dept.

Police

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110

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11 - Information on the municipality

Vacation in Øygarden

Facts about Øygarden Øygarden municipality has a customer service desk in the town hall

Bilde

Telephone: +47 56 38 20 00 Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 15.30 Email: postmottak@oygarden.kommune.no Adress for visitors: Øygarden town hall, Ternholmvegen 2, NO-5337 Rong Mayor: Børge Haugetun Population as of 1 January 2017: 4,891 Area: 64.2 km2

Go fishing, diving, kayaking, hiking, climbing, exploring, meditating, relaxing, be still, reflect on life…Or do nothing.

A vacation in Øygarden encourages activity, and the municipality has organized marked hiking trails throughout the area. Traditional heathland dominates the coastal landscape, the oldest being about 5000 years old, although it is unfortunately decreasing in size. Preserving the old cultural landscape is an important task for the municipality.

The contrast between new activities and traditional culture makes it challenging to develop a range of activities that both preserves our traditions and encourages exciting new ideas.

The municipality of Øygarden is proud of all the resources in the area, and is glad to see that people want to spend their time on different activities here.

We hope our guests enjoy their stay and tell their friends: «You just have to come with us to Øygarden, and experience that fabulous municipality!»

Commercial area: 1,500 decares (Naturgassparken Vest) Industry, approx. 1100 decares (Kollsnes and Sture) Municipal employees: 412 Number of school pupils: 667 Number of lower secondary schools: 1 Øygarden lower secondary school Number of primary schools: 4 Blomvåg school, Rong school, Toftøy school, Tjeldstø school Children in kindergartens: 296 Number of kindergartens: 3 municipal / 3 private Municipal: Tjeldstø kindergarten, Terna kindergarten, Breivik kindergarten Private: Toftøy kindergarten, Spurven family kindergarten, Knappen family kindergarten Children attending cultural school: approx. 100 Facilities: 2 astroturf football pitches: Rong stadium and Nesemyra stadium Swimming pool in the cultural centre Therapy pool in Øygarden town hall

12 - Climbing

Climbing steps Fishing trips, swimming, paddling, diving, birdwatching and photography are the kinds of activities I can visualise about Øygarden. But, as for mountain climbing....well, there are no mountains out by the sea, I thought, when instructor Tor Åge Grødem at Bergen Base Camp invited me on a climbing trip to Øygarden. The highest point is only 73 metres above sea level, but I was completely wrong.

Here you can paddle from climbing wall to climbing wall, go fishing, find edible mussels and go free-diving – Øygarden has everything, not least a fantastic wild and beautiful landscape. It is absolutely Norway’s climbing paradise, says Tor Åge Grødem in BBC. What is unique about Øygarden is that the islands have securing bolts as well as naturally secured routes. The rock quality is good, and the climbing routes lie side by side with a range of difficulty from the easiest to extremely difficult routes in the same area.

Our new popular sport Together with our BBC instructor and seven young climbers from Åsane, north of Bergen, we went out to Storskora. The group told us that climbing had become the newest popular sport. Climbing is the fastes growing activity in popularity both in Bergen area and throughout Norway. The Norwegian Climbing Association has more than 15,000 members.

Climbing for all generations You can meet all generations on the climbing wall.

Climbers of any age can hang side by side on the wall and climb up and down in their own tempo.

The most important thing is not to be first to reach the top, but that everyone gets up and down safely, the experienced climbing instructor says.

The path, from the road where we parked, led us to the top of the climbing wall on Storskora. Tor Åge says that they often leave rainy weather behind

them in Bergen and meet glorious sunshine out here by the ocean in Øygarden. While the climbers ready their equipment for rappelling down the cliff face, we can see another group of climbers on the plateau under the climbing wall, in the process of climbing up the cliff. After a while, a further two groups arrive to enjoy themselves on the steep cliff wall. There are climbers of all ages and experience, but with one interest in common.

Turning on the wall The instructor has climbed down a short distance and settles on the wall to instruct the youth group how to turn in the middle of the wall. We watch as they climb up to the instructor, one by one, and are given precise and good instructions how to turn, and then climb downwards again.

Down on the plateau, a bonfire has been lit. It is a cosy sight. Tens of people, young and old, have found a place to climb on the outermost rock facing out to the open sea, an arena shaped by the forces of nature over thousand years.

A memory for life The most difficult thing to do this evening is to pack up to go home. The youths from Åsane say that this has been the most incredible experience, absolutely a memory for life. The instructors smile.

This kind of feedback warms the hearts of those who spend their spare time giving young people a fantastic experience.

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by the sea - Norway’s climbing paradise

Contact www.bergenbasecamp.com post@bergenbasecamp.no +47 55 32 55 00

Illustrasjonsfoto

14 - Diving

- A paradise for divers Øygarden is perfect for exciting and intense underwater diving experiences.

The currents between the islands create bountiful aquatic environments.

This area offers a one-of-a-kind diving experience not found elsewhere. Øygarden’s local diving expert is Geir Atle Vik at TeamX.

Svelgensundet – drift diving for advanced divers Svelgensundet is the strait that leads you into Øygarden. There is a sign just on the other side of the bridge with information about Øygarden.

The strait is narrow and small. This creates powerful currents, so we recommend that you only dive with local experts to guide you. Nevertheless, the strait offers diving you may not find anywhere else in the world. If you are lucky you may run across a school of catfish.

Ulvsundet – a paradise on earth This is probably the most beautiful inlet around Øygarden. The average depth of the waters here is 20 metres with white sandy sea beds that create fantastic reflected light shows and a beautiful opalescence for the enjoyment of photographers. The current here runs strait without back-eddies or whirlpools.

This is a great location for wall diving in an environment with anemones and kelp forests. You might also meet flounder, plaice, pollack, lobster, crabs, anglerfish and catfish.

Rongesundet, a popular place The old wharf at Rong is a good place to park.

The fine bay leading toward the old wharf at Rong is a great starting point. The bay is wide and has a sandy bottom that gradually stretches out to sea and to the strait to a depth of 30 metres.

You can choose to remain in the peaceful bay or swim into the current below Rongesundsbrua Bridge. The strait below the bridge is visited by schools of as many as 1000 fish: mackerel, herring or saithe.

Remember!

1. Always tell someone at home or others when you are expected back from your trip 2. Always dive together with others, at least two people on a team 3. Float an alfa-flag on the surface of the water where you are diving – from a buoy or a boat 4. Check your equipment at a diving centre frequently

5. Use signals agreed upon by the divers to communicate while diving 6. Always agree on what should be done if anyone is missing from the group of divers 7. It is always wise to have a watcher on your boat or a second boat that signals where the divers are diving 8. We recommend always bringing extra oxygen 9. Consult with the diving website dykkepedia. com for good diving tips!

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15 - Diving

16 - Adventure

Torsvikhuset Once upon a time, lumber was stored here… But now this is a place where people meet and have a good time.

Maritime venues Torsvikhuset has been hosting numerous activities for both kids and adults since 2008. Today our guests can enjoy themselves in our delightful maritime venues, «Speilsalen», «Vikavågen», «Toftøyna», «Lanterna» and «Øybaren», located just 30 minutes from the city of Bergen. From the «galley» we also serve delicious meals.

People thrive here, with discos for kids, dancing, karate, private parties, quiz nights, entertainment, pub nights with great meals, courses and conferences.

Tailored packages If you have been to Torsvikhuset before, you might have visited in connection with team building or the activity park, and you may have explored some of what Øygarden has to offer. Torsvikhuset is located in central Øygarden, and is an excellent base from where you can spend an exciting day, with great experiences for everyone.

Do you want to visit us?

We can arrange an exciting day for you!

The first weekend in September, we are looking forward to hosting the local festival «Strilafestivalen».

Facts • Venues for courses, conferences and relaxed evenings • We can arrange different kinds of courses, private parties and meetings • We can invite lecturers, musicians and entertainers at your request • We can tailor packages with different activities • We serve food and drinks www.torsvikhuset.com torsvikhuset@mail.com (+47) 920 11 719

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TeamX We tailor packages for your group.

Team building, bachelor parties, birthday parties or family gatherings.

Flyboard This was first introduced in 2015, and we are the only place in Hordaland to offer this activity. Flyboard is a board that is kept afloat by water pressure, and the first that allows diving into the water. The flyboard is connected to a water scooter, and you are fastened to a wakeboard by the wakeboard bindings.

With an instructor, it takes about 5-10 minutes to get the hang of it; without, it takes a bit more time, and there might be some individual differences. But in general, flyboarding is a fun and easy activity that most people can enjoy.

Ocean safari or rafting If you are having a summer party, kick off, conference, or if you want to give your customers a great experience to remember, we recommend an RIB ride to the open sea.

This activity is suitable for everyone, and we can tailor it to suit your group.

A beautiful venue in an old boathouse environment Your group can bring your own food, order our seafood buffet with fresh seafood from local fishermen, or a barbecue platter from our great chefs.

Paintball on a secluded islet Do you want to have an islet to yourself? This can be tailored in different ways, and is great for team building with your colleagues, family, classmates or friends.

Facts • Seafood buffet in an old boathouse environment • Tailored packages with different activities • Certified and approved instructors • Experience the raw ocean with our popular ocean safari www.teamx.no (+47) 934 53 816

18 - Cultural heritage

Cultural heritage is all traces of human activity. These may be locations associated with historical events, beliefs or traditions. For instance houses, industrial buildings or vessels. Cultural heritage and cultural environment is society’s common values. They are unique and irreplaceable, and sources of knowledge and experiences. They can provide the basis for local development and give rise to economic and social value creation.

Protection by conservation Municipality may by the Planning and Building Act regulate the conservation of individual buildings.

Protective Restrictions debt their buildings exterior and interior, without loosely inventory. They will be enforced by municipality itself and give a weaker protection than preservation.

It is simpler to change a plan than to repeal a decision on preservation.

Preservation of cultural heritage The public cultural heritage in Norway is managed

by The Directorate of Cultural Heritage.

The regional cultural heritage management is added to the county authority, and the Sami Parliament for the Sami cultural heritage. At the local level, municipalities are responsible.

Cultural Heritage in Ă˜ygarden In the autumn of 2013 decision was taken to create a cultural heritage plan for Ă˜ygarden. The community was invited by Hordaland County Council to participate in an EEA project together with three other municipalities and The Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Poland. Grants of NOK 200.000 are received, earmarked this project.

Cultural Heritage Act All cultural heritage aged before 1537, (The Protestant Reformation) prominent buildings prior to1650, and Sami heritage and ship findings older than 100 years, are automatically protected in The Cultural Heritage Act. Cultural Heritage before 1537 is also named historical relics. In legal hierarchies the cultural heritage law overrules the Planning and Building Act. Should a conflict arise between them, it is the Cultural Heritage Act that shall be applied.

19 -19 - Cultural heritage

Cultural heritage Cultural memories and heritage Cultural memories are often referred to as a part of the Norwegian cultural heritage. The culture heritage is arising from innovation where impulses are received from the outside, incorporated into Norwegian culture and to some extent, been given a separate expression / release. Culture element is from the earliest times and from our own time, from all social strata, from all ethnic groups, everyday use objects, tangible and intangible cultural element.

Kulturminnelova § 2 (Not an official translation) «All traces of human activity seen in our physical environment, also sites associated with historical events, beliefs or tradition. Cultural environments are areas where cultural heritages are part of a larger area or context.»

«Nothengjo» at Hellesøy, a restored landmark «Hengjo» is a house for drying seine nets build in the 1950s, and this one is unique in size and build.

It is an exceptional landmark and important to the cultural heritage in the municipality of Øygarden.

The coastal museum owns and manages the building. The museum is collaborating with «The friends of Hengjo» about the further development and managing of the cultural heritage in this building.

Hengjo is planned to be both a building with cultural significance and an activity center, and because of its rare and historical build and location, be an outstanding landmark in the region.

20 - Næringslivet i kommunen

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY IN THE MUNICIPALITY From fishing and hunting, to industrial and modern Øygarden AGRICULTURE People along the coast are often called the fishermen-farmers. Fishing was seasonal, and agriculture gave food to the table through perilous times.

The coastal landscape is barren with moorland, rocks and rugged terrain. The small patches of land were previously exploited to the fullest. Today we see multitudes of sheep in Øygarden. The majority is outdoors all year long, and can withstand winter and storm. Now it isn’t extra food that motivates for sheep farming. Preserving the old cultural landscape is the major reason. The fisher-farmers provided the livestock with heather and seaweed, supplied with boiled lumpfish as additional grants. Nowadays one would like to denote the fisher-farmer as solution oriented and creative. They knew how to find answers to the challenges that life offered them. Øygarden is not an agricultural municipality. But still a large farm in operation exist. In Breivik you will find a beautiful and extensive landscape, with large production of eggs. Others engaged in agriculture keep sheep as a hobby, and some enthusiasts produce heather honey from bees.

FISHING Vicinity to the sea and the rich natural resources have been basis for settlement in Øygarden in millennium.

Nowadays fishing is an attractive hobby for tourists from home and abroad.Not long ago it was the main source of income for people along the coast. Quietness has descended upon the whale plant in Blomvågen. But numerous commemorate the vibrant life at the facilities.

The oil age The oil age has replaced fishing industry in Øygarden. But numerous seniors have a lot of knowledge about fishing, hunting and fishing gear that can be transmitted to the young ones. In accordance with the development, the fishing tradition is further developed through large, modern aquacultures for salmon and trout, which are exported all over the world.

OIL AND GAS In 1984 15.000 construction workers arrived Øygarden. The following was a 22 billion NOK investment, and lasting changes in landscape and infrastructure. Øygarden will never be the same after the oil and gas industry were established on Kollsnes and Stura.

Previously it was a day’s journey to Bergen.

Time commitment today is 40-60 minutes. The steamer is replaced by bridges and new roads that quickly and efficiently open Øygarden to the outside world. Øygarden is one of Norway’s most important centers for export of energy. 1.5% of the world’s total oil production flows from the oil fields in the North Sea and are stored in the bedrock at Sture. Huge tankers are loading oil for export. 50 million Europeans in six different countries are daily supplied with gas from Kollsnes.

CRAFTSMEN Øygarden has no major handicraft traditions. The inhabitants were frugal, and provided themselves with what were needed. Occasionally they got help from neighbors and others who were specialists within their area.

Fishing gear and simple farming tools were self produced. Barrels to store herring were obtained from Fusa. The women were spinning yarn, weaved, knitted and sewing at home, and sold their products in Bergen. Øygarden have skilled specialists in modern manufacturing, building and construction, oil and gas industry.

TRADING In past times you could find a little shop on most every headland or local quay. During the fishing season workers arrived in droves with their wishes for food and shelter.

Money got into circulation and replaced barter economy.

In past times you could find a little shop on most every headland or local quay. During the fishing season workers arrived in droves with their wishes for food and shelter. Money got into circulation and replaced barter economy. Trade between Øygarden and Bergen with the supply of fish in the Torget market has a long tradition right up to the present. Exports of herring, lobster and other seafood has been an important livelihood for generations. Salmon from fish farms in Ovågen is delivered to the entire world, and gas from Kollsnes is exported to Europe.

But we still have the tiny store at Hellesøy. We are proud of it!

22 - Local food

LOCAL FOOD

Mett og god

- Food courses and enjoyment Would you like a day in nature with cooking classes in addition? In a batch house at Blomvågen Cindy Bibow is giving courses for cottagers, businesses, clubs and other food lovers. Participants can choose different courses, such as tapas-, sushi-, and courses in bannock baking. Course Supervisor has extensive experience in working with local cuisine and similar specialties.

The joy of good food is focused.

Therefore the business name: Mett og God - Kurs i Matglede.

Text/photo: Øygarden Media

Something for all tastes It is the variation, from bannock and flat bread baking to the creative sushi dishes that characterizes the courses of the bubbly food enthusiast. It is overwhelmingly great response to the courses in the batch house, she smiles.

Several have made the trip from Bergen to obtain a different dining experience. Training courses are always diverse, adapted to the participants, Cindy explains.

Show classes at your home Last year she has also presented “show courses”.

Participants look, listen, ask and tastes, while she demonstrates. The Sushi courses are getting extensively popular. We review recipes, discussing food and ingredients. Since the last edition of ”Vilt og Ekte” I have had a lot to do. I have for instance organized team-building gatherings including large enterprises like Tryg, DnB and NextGenTel. Site cultivated herbs You can gain knowledge about herbs attending cooking courses. I cultivate numerous kinds of herbs.

These are widely used in my courses. Herbs are easy to grow on the windowsill or balcony. They are decorative and tastes great. I use my own produced commodities from Blomvågen, she emphasizes.

Cooking classes for children My husband and I have collaboration with the culture school, named “KulMat”. We are responsible for teaching, materials, and sponsorship. Pupils from primary school in Øygarden and Fjell municipalities have participated. It is unique to experience the children’s enjoyment and enthusiasm.

Lux Kafé

- Get food from Oliver The founder Oliver Torsvik is a trained cook and started up Lux Kafé at Rong in March 2017. By doing so he has achieved one of his dreams, only 23 years of age. He has been making food since he was a little boy, and very early he knew what kind of career he would choose.

Now he is dreaming of being able to live by his enterprise, creating more places of employment in Øygarden, and in the longer term establish more café and catering enterprises in other places on Vestlandet Catering In addition to the ordinary running of his café Oliver supplies food for all occations. He makes traditional buffets, tapas and small open sandwiches. If you can’t fetch your food yourself, you can have it delivered at your door. If you are having a party and needs a cook to prepare the food and help with the serving, Oliver will gladly appear with his team. He can also arrange a private party for you in his café after closing time.

If you have to work overtime with meetings and guests in the afternoon and evening, Oliver may bring food for you and your guests. He supplies both in Øygarden and in the nearby municipalities.

Customer-friendly The most important for the founder of Lux Kafé is to have satisfied customers. The menu follows the seasons and is changed every three months, so that he can use the raw materials each season has to offer.

The café is open every day. Please see this home site for opening hours: www.luxkafe.no. For orders please call Oliver on Oliver, mobil 0047-90728958.

LOKALMAT

23 23 - - Mett og god

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26 - Populare hikes

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Røbbeganståna on Hellesøy Island Starting point: Sprengsnesvegen. The hiking trail is approximately 4 km long and takes about 1.5 hours round trip. Level of difficulty: Middle. You should wear good boots because it can be seasonally wet here.

Seløy, from the graveyard at Bakken Starting point: The graveyard at Bakken Expect to use about 1 hour on the 3.5 km long hiking trail round trip. Level of difficulty: Middle. You should wear good boots because it can be seasonally wet here. Excellent photography area.

The North Sea Trail Hjelme Bakken – Hellesøy Starting point: Hjelme Old Church. Bring your camera! The hiking trail is 6.5 km round trip. Level of difficulty: Middle. The normal hike will take 2 hours along this trail.

The North Sea Trail Nautnes – Trollavatnet Starting point: Nautnesvegen at the Institute of Marine Research. This is one of the easiest hikes that is about 3 km long and takes approximately 40 minutes. This is a wet trail, so remember good hiking boots; and remember you camera.

The North Sea Trail Tjeldstø – Hovden Starting point: 100 metres north of the Tjeldstø crossroads. The longest hike is 9 km round trip; expect a 3 hour hike if you are in good shape. We recommend bringing a bag lunch, water and a camera.

Green: Easy walk. Most people can do this.

Blue: Middle difficulty. Recomended for people in average shape.

Sprengsnesvegen 4 km 1,5 hours Seasonally wet Blue

Sprengsnesvegen 4 km 1,5 hours Seasonally wet Blue

Hjelme Old Church 6,5 km round trip 2 hours Seasonally wet Blue

By the Institute of Marine Research 3 km 40 min Seasonally wet Green

100 metres north of the Tjeldstø crossroads 9 km round trip 3 hours Wet Blue

Downloaded and print out maps on: www.godtur.no

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT ROUTE

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Skogsøy

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The Kyststien trails at Ormhillleren

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Anekletten on Toftøy

Starting point: Start at the bridge that crosses over to Herdlevær. The hiking trail is approximately 8 km long and takes about 2 hours round trip. This is a wet trail, so remember good hiking boots. Please be careful if the weather is bad.

Starting point: The Rongesundet wharf. Bring your camera and swimming gear in the summer if the sun is shining! The hike takes approximately 1 hour and is 4 km long round trip.

Wet in places.

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The Vikåsen Vassverk waterworks building 5 km round trip 1,5 hour Seasonally wet Blue

Starting point: The Vikåsen Vassverk waterworks building . The hike is about 5 km long round trip and takes approximately 1.5 hours for people who are used to hiking. Level of difficulty: Middle.

100 metres before reaching the parking lot 4 km. round trip 1 hour Seasonally wet Blue

Starting point: 100 metres before reaching the parking lot. Allow 1 hour for this hike, 4 km round trip. Level of difficulty: Middle.

Wet ground.

Bakstehuset i Blomvåg 4,8 km. t.r 1.-1,5 hour Seasonally wet Green

Starting point: Bakstehuset in Blomvåg.

Expect to use about 1-1.5 hours on the 4.8 km hike. Remember hiking boots.

Difficulty (green/blue)

The Rongesundet wharf 5 km 1,5 hour Seasonally wet Blue

At the Torsvik Eletriske building 4 km 1 hour Seasonally wet Green

Starting point: At the Torsvik Eletriske building. An easy hike for everyone. Expect to use about 1 hour on the 4 km long hike round trip. The ground can be wet in places here, so waterproof footwear is adviceable

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Just before the turnaround at Onevegen 4 km 1 hour Seasonally wet Green

Starting point: Just before the turnaround at Onevegen. The hiking trail is approximately 4 km long and takes about 1 hours round trip.

This is a wet trail, so remember good hiking boots.

Vikåsen on Toftøy

Start at Skogsøy 8 km round trip 2 hours Seasonally wet Blue Map coordinates: N60 33.115 E4 47.900

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28 - Fisherman Cabin

Kvernepollen Fisherman Cabins

- Courses and conferences, events, fishing and holidays

Kvernepollen Rorbuer is a popular destination in the archipelago of Øygarden, situated amongst breathtaking scenery. The charming fisherman cabins are a perfect base for adventure, experiences and activities in the great outdoors. Your hosts have years of experience in welcoming holidaymakers, making sure their needs are met with delicious food, facilities, social events and transport from Bergen to Øygarden.

Kvernepollen also has its own restaurant, Naustet, with a menu of dishes based on the best produce from the region. Your hosts take pride in offering menus for celebrations and conferences based on local produce and local, traditional recipes. You will be served the very best our seas have to offer along with dishes from a diverse range of cuisines. We can also cater for special requests.

Modern and well-equipped fisherman cabins Your hosts have invested in comfort for guests. The fisherman cabins have from one to three bedrooms, each with a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom with shower. The cabins are also practical and functional, and several cater for wheelchair users. All the cabins have a sea-facing veranda. Shared wash room with washing machines and tumble driers.

Well-equipped conference room We use Hitachi Starboard which allows you to combine PowerPoint presentations with video and the Internet and a whiteboard. You can use marker pens on the whiteboard or film the entire presentation so your participants can take the film home with them. The board has full multi-touch function so you can operate the board, browse the Internet and computer all by touch.

We also have wireless microphones allowing you to communicate easily with conference participants. The conference room has a tea/coffee bar.

Social events Kvernepollen cooperates with companies which organise guided tours on waymarked trails, bird safaris, deep-sea safaris, extreme sports including mountain climbing, rock climbing and walks through gorges. We can also offer fun and games with paintball, clay pigeon shooting or archery competitions.

Facts - We can accomodate 80 people - 2 well-equipped conference rooms - The largest room seats 60 persons and the smallest 32 persons with a classroom set-up - Smaller meeting rooms - Hire of boats, fishing tackle and survival suits - Accommodation for companies spending shorter or longer stays in Øygarden or Sotra - Member of NHO reiseliv (the Norwegian Hospitality Association) Contact: www.kvernepollen.com / Tel.: 909 92 542

COASTAL CULTURE

29 -29 - Coast Adventure - get wild near Bergen

Start with a canoe trip out in the open sea – and end with a delicious cup of coffee in town The thrill of city life and breathtaking outdoor adventures! There are few places in the world where you can combine the two. The Coastal Adventure provides just that, only a half hour’s drive from Bergen – one vast “fun park”!

Rock hard climbing, deep-sea fishing, windswept boat houses, vast wave pools, kayaking, hikes and much much more wilderness, adventure and authenticity.

Kysteventyret is a coastal adventure covering Sotra island and the archipelago of Øygarden. A true adventure for families, friends and companies seeking exciting new experiences.

Every day, boats sail from Dregge quay in Bergen to Cornelius Restaurant on Holmen island. Cornelius serves the freshest and most delicious seafood you could imagine. The heather moors of Kolltveitmarka provide an exciting arena for golf and Kobbeltveit Golf and Nature Park is a popular destination. Climb the Russarstegen path up to the top of Fjell fortress to be rewarded with breathtaking views. Then climb down to explore the historical underground wartime labyrinth.

Further south, in Sund municipality, you will find the North Sea Traffic Museum (Nordsjøfartsmuseet) which portrays the history of the terrible revenge taken by the Gestapo over the tiny village which played such an important role in the resistance movement during the Second World War. Who needs to travel to Africa to see wildlife from a jeep – take a trip out to sea in an open boat to watch the majestic sea eagle! Pay a visit to Glesvær café – an old trading post with plenty of charm.

You can also spend the night at Panorama Conference Hotel. People from all over Europe travel to Øygarden for diving and climbing. In this beautiful archipelago, you can go wave riding, spend the night in wilderness camps or charming fisherman cabins, go paintballing, take helicopter trips over the islands, go deep-sea fishing, climb sea cliffs, learn about the Stone Age, take guided tours of an active salmon farm and so much more.

The Fisher-Farmer market is held several times a year and has stalls bulging with the very best of local food and handicrafts. Guided tours with storytelling from West Norway are a unique experience combining local culture, nature, history and walking.

Read more Read more about the wide range of activities on offer at www.visitbergen.no! Go here for updated information on concerts, markets, local food and cultural events.

30 COA S TA L CULTUR E

Contact www.museumvest.no kystmuseet@museumvest.no 56 38 50 50

Sheltered in Ovågen bay in Øygarden, you will find the local museum of coastal culture, a natural meeting place for people travelling around the islands. Learn about our traditional coastal culture through fascinating exhibitions in an authentic environment. Set against the modern backdrop of oil and gas, you can gain an insight into how people lived and survived out on the islands of Øygarden, by making use of the natural resources around them. A fascinating insight into fishing and fish farming, and the oil and gas adventure

10,000 years in only one day!

Few places can display such a clear time line as the museum of coastal culture in Øygarden. You can see the time line with your own eyes with the exhibition entitled “Sea and wind – earth and fire” which portrays the area’s history, nature and resources from the Stone Age and up to modern day. Close contact with a vital coastal community, living off the sea, wind, earth and fire as natural resources for 10,000 years.

31 - 31 - Culture and a living museum

M Museum coastal culture and adventures

A unique combination – visiting a museum to learn about coastal culture, combined with outdoor adventures, canoeing and action on the steepest cliff in Øygarden. Or you could just relax on the delightful white sandy beach, known by the locals as The Hidden Paradise. Unbeatable!

Involvement and vitality The museum focuses on involvement and inspiration, aiming to act as a guide to the area’s coastal landscape and culture. Exhibitions, films, guided excursions, boat hire and cycling trips allow visitors to play an active role in the history of the island communities. You may also take a boat trip to the exhibition centre for salmon and trout in Ovågen.

Maritime, photographic safari The unique buildings and area where the museum is located is in itself a fascinating display of history, with rowing, sailing, motor boats and herring

fishing. The people out on the island lived off what they could catch from the sea. The museum also portrays the transition from olden days to modern times with oil and gas, trout and salmon.

Storytelling from West Norway The storytelling sessions are available all year round and will take you on a journey back in time, with new and exciting insight into the coastal communities. You can join a guided trip with storytelling to Ovågen, Adnestova in Nordre Sæle or Hernar.

32 - Culture and a living museum COA S TA L CULTUR E

A salmon adventure One of the highlights of a trip to Ă˜ygarden is salmon adventures The exhibition centre, a facility for production of salmon and trout. The museum of coastal culture and the exhibition centre portray the history of fishing and fish farming and serve seafood delicacies.

Openings hours for the exhibition centre Weekdays and Sundays: individuals 13.00 and 14.00. Group visits must be booked in advance at the latest one week before visiting.

Book tickets via the museum of coastal culture: + 47 56 38 50 54 kystmuseet@museumvest.no

Delight all the senses In Ovågen, on the banks of the fjord, Blom Fiskeoppdrett AS has opened its doors to visitors who are interested in learning about the production of Norwegian salmon. The company has a floating facility on the fjord with production, offices, laboratory, expositions, canteen, and rooms for the crew.

You can use all your senses to see, hear, feel, taste, smell and imagine how the fish farming industry has developed both In Norway and locally in Øygarden.

The guided tour is provided as cooperation with the museum of coastal culture and the exhibition tour starts in the boat houses on the quay at the museum.

History and identity In Øygarden, it is natural to find business reliant on marine resources, with strong links to identity, history and traditions. In the older times, out on these islands, the fisher-farmer had a small farm and went fishing to find food for his family. As such, there is an historical link between the old and harsh way of life and a modern facility for food production. They both played and play a decisive part in the lives of the people who live in Øygarden. This will also be the reality for future residents.

A family company which takes pride in its traditions Blom Fiskeoppdrett AS is a family company

run by the second and third generations. The company was founded in 1971 by fish farming veteran Andreas Blom; one of the pioneers in Norway for salmon and trout farming. The family company is one of few small companies to survive modern times, evolving to adapt to modern fish farming. Andreas’ heirs work hard to keep alive the company’s proud traditions and are very aware of their responsibility to sustain and develop such an important inheritance.

Welcome to a close encounter The exhibition centre is a modern commercial full-scale plant with 6pcs 120m cages. Here you are welcome to meet the employees. If you want, you can help feeding 100.000 trout, join inspection of the cages with video cameras and really get close to the salmons. And off course, you can both get a chance to taste and feel the salmon. Health and safety for the salmon is of course well taken care of.

This is documented by underwater camera with an impressive 15 meters into the cage.

Booking via the museum of coastal culture Øygarden exhibition centre cooperates with the museum of coastal culture in Øygarden to organise excursions related to local fishing and fish farming.

Contact the museum for a guided tour of the fish farming plant.

COASTAL CULTURE

33 - 33 - Culture and a living museum

34 - Cottagers in Øygarden COA S TA L CULTUR E

THE

In Øygarden one is confronted with silence.

Here the powerful nature and the real existence are confronting me.

So tiny a being, and yet conscious of myself and my own life. Here one can find sources of replenishment from everyday stress and trivialities.

Thus expresses himself one of the cottagers who has found his vacation paradise in Øygarden. Another says: When I am done with the Kolltveit tunnel and turn north towards Øygarden, my heart is singing! The landscape widens, and the feeling of tranquillity propagates in my mind. One gets the impression of sea and sky merging. The colours of nature are changing with the weather, from intense blue to colourful sunset. In advertising from Greece, we are reminded of the world’s most beautiful sunset on Santorini. Øygarden can advertise the same. Those who have seen both will claim that it is Øygarden that has been favoured with the world’s most beautiful sunset.

A third is thrilled by the intense joy of silence in early morning. If I can get a glimpse of the sea eagle, end its enormous wingspan, the

morning is complete. Cabin landowners come to Øygarden because they, among other attractions, find it meaningful to relax and enjoy life in the midst of a changing nature. London, Paris or New York, all right - it’s exciting enough. But the simple joy of being able to go fishing one’s own meal, use the body in the hiking trails, or find friends with the same interests, are for many an important part of cottage life pleasures. Cottagers and permanent residents often become familiar with each other.

Those who once grew up in Øygarden, but traveled abroad, are now returning to their home village to enjoy ”the good life” in their spare time.

Before the bridges connected the islands, it was cumbersome to ”travel to the resort” by boat.

Today cottage people can commute to the city for work. In nice weather a journey of 40-60 minutes through the beautiful countryside of Øygarden is a delightful experience.

35 Useful information

Fishing In Norway

The Directorate of Fisheries in Norway has compiled a brochure entitled “Your coast” which contains regulations relating to recreational sea fishing in Norway. You can order the brochure for free mailing from the Directorate of Fisheries.

For more information Tel.: 03495 (from Norway only) Email: info@fiskeridir.no

The North Sea Trail

In Hordaland, the North Sea Trail stretches from Sveio in the south to Fedje in the north.

The trail follows 180 km of blue waymarked trails through unique landscape rich in the culture of the North Sea. Walks through this wonderful coastal landscape are a delight for all senses. At times, you are walking so close to the sea that you can taste the salt in the air and feel the sea spray on your face. At other times, you climb so high up ridges that you have to stop and gaze out at the magnificence of the sea view.

In Øygarden, you can find the North Sea trail in Hernar, Tjeldstø, Blomvåg and on the road from Skogsøy to Herdlevær. There is also a waymarked trail out to Tuva on Skogsøy island, but this has not yet been marked as part of the North Sea Trail. All the trails are shown on the map on the last page of the magazine.

For more detailed information www.nordsjoloypa.ivest.no/oygarden.htm www.godtur.no Please note that you must accept full responsibility for your own safety when walking in the area.

Public Right Of Way Please take care and caution not to cause damage or obstructions for landowners, those who use the land or others. The public right of way applies to outlying fields and contains a set of obligations for those taking part in outdoor pursuits. Please remember to close all gates behind you and take care not to disturb animals grazing. If you have a dog, you must comply with the regulation regarding keeping dogs on a leash all year round. Øygarden has lots of sheep grazing in the wild throughout the year.

Take care when making fires. Please respect the prohibition against lighting fires close to forests between 15 April and 15 September. You are permitted to pick berries, mushrooms and flowers in most areas. You can pitch a tent and spend the night in outlying fields and in areas set aside for outdoor recreation (Friluftsområde) for up to 2 days in low lying areas, without having to ask the landowner. Please remember that it is not permitted to pitch your tent closer than 150 metres from an occupied house or holiday home. Please also remember to tidy the area before you leave and take all belongings with you.

The term “outlying fields” means uncultivated land and is used to describe most lake areas, beaches, moorland, forest and mountains in Norway. Smaller patches of uncultivated land found within cultivated fields are not covered by this term. The term “cultivated land” covers fields, meadows, grazing, gardens and young plantations, farmyards, building lots and industrial areas.

Regulations √ If you light a fire on the beach during the winter, do not make the fire directly on the bare rock as the rock will crack. √ Do not light disposable barbecues directly on wharfs or other surfaces which could suffer burn damage. √ Make sure all disposable barbecues have been properly extinguished after use and take them home with you or throw them in a rubbish bin. √ Please do not remove or play with life buoys so that they are in a proper condition when they are needed.

COA S TA L CULTUR E

5334 Hellesøy at the end of the road

One hours drive from Bergen city center and 17 bridges later, you will find the communities Hjelme, Sæle and Hellesøy, with postcode 5334 Hellesøy.

This is how a day north in Øygarden could be like: Travel to Hjelme and enjoy the old cultural landscape side by side the fjord Hjeltefjord, Hjelme old church from 1875 and lovely fishermen’s shacks.

Head west to Sæle and walk through the garden Nordsjøhagen, where you can watch Heather, Rhododendrom and Azalea bloom. Egil Sæle will take you on a tour around the garden, show you Adnestova, and give you stories about what it was like to live in a typical fishermanhome in the 1800s. If you are lucky, his wife Anne Lise accompany you and sing old folk songs together with Egil.

Forth along the mainroad you drive north to Hellesøy general store. It offers coffee and freshly baked buns baked by Gunta from Latvia. You can also buy local food. You will find information about all the local happenings, whom you can contact, and if needed, the possiblity to surf the web.

On Hellesøy you’re close to the force of nature. You can smell the sea, hear the rawr of the ocean and enjoy the beautiful view of the Northsea. If you want to spend the night, there are fisherman’s shaks and appartments for rent. You can also rent a boat with fishing gear for a day at sea. Contact Ove at Destination Hellesøy.

37 - 5334 Hellesøy

“Join us on at trip to Øygarden this summer», are lyrics from the song “Øygardsongen”. All the way up North, where the road ends, you will find people who create life in communities for all who live and visit them, whether it’s on a sunny day or in a winter storm!

Maybe you want to go further on your own with local boat to one of the islands? Hernar will tell exiting sagas from the 1220s. You can go with or without a guide. In addition, you can go island hopping on your own. Remember to make returnarrangement with the skipper of the boat running between the islands.

You can hike on the trails by the sea, take pictures,

study wildlife and enjoy your own existence. There are three trails accessible and marked for those who love hiking.

Photo: Sjur Meling

Kontakt At the end of the day you can watch the sun setting over the ocean, while the stars sparkle. Next to the big sea, you become a small man in a great big world; a friend who gives you power and joy from the best of nature and experiences of 5334 Hellesøy - at the end of the road.

www.hellesoy.no www.visithellesoy.no ok@hellesoy.no + 47 92 65 31 99

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WORLD C H AMPIONS BERGEN 2 017 HIPS

The UCI Road World Championships is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. In 2017, this event will take place in Bergen and the region (Askøy, Fjell and Øygarden) from September 16-24. It will be the largest event ever organized in Hordaland and the Western part of Norway.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST

SPORTING EVENTS IN THE WORLD 9 days 12 events 80 nations 1150 athletes 2000volunteers 1000 media people 500 000 people 300 000 000 TV-viewers

Race to celebrate Our vision is to organize a spectacular, inspiring and popular event built on the common values of joy, community, health and honesty. The aim is to strengthen Norwegian cycling and sport in general, and especially cycling in WesternNorway.

The UCI Road World Championships Bergen, Norway 2017 is the ideal time to visit Bergen, the coast and the fjords. Øygarden is hosting the finishing races Sept. 23.-24.

Visit the website www.sykkelivest.no for more information.

INFORMATION

39 - World Championships

Øygarden has done “folkefest” before! In 2013 700 school children did the “bridge dance”. Join us in our norwegian “folkefest” in 2017.

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Kayaking

Trips in a sea kayak are increasingly popular and you are almost guaranteed to discover new delights along the coast of Øygarden every trip you take. There are so many unspoilt areas of natural beauty in between the islands and sounds of our archipelago.

You will always be able to find the perfect route to follow no matter which way the wind is blowing.

However, the outermost parts of the sounds may be exposed to a lot of waves and wind and it is important to choose a route which suits conditions on the day. Øygarden municipality compiles maps for canoeing around the islands. For information on maps and routes, contact the service centre or the museum of coastal culture. The following are great starting points for a kayak or canoe trip: Rongesundet quay You can park on the quay and the quay has a boat slip so it is very easy to get a canoe or kayak onto the water. You can also launch your canoe/kayak from the area below the municipal centre of Rong.

Blomvåg Beside Blomvåg Fjordhotell. You can park beside Blomvåg church. The hotel has floating quays and easy access to the water.

Oen You can park in the carpark for the museum. You have to carry your canoe/kayak around 40 metres down to the beach.

Tjeldstø Marked parking spaces for the Lislevika bathing area. A wide path of some 60 metres from the parking area to the beach.

Hellesøy At the very outermost point of Øygarden is a harbour with breakwater and it is easy to launch a kayak from here. Please remember to always check weather conditions before setting out in your kayak/canoe.

For more information about good locations for kayaking and canoeing, visit the municipality´s webpage: www.ut.no

NATURE

41 - A crossroad for birds

A paradise for birds Nearly 250 different bird species have been observed around Øygarden. There are exciting things to see all year round for tourists and hobby-ornithologist, whether travelling by boat along coast, hiking through the moors or just talking a leisurely walk around the Tjeldstø Bird Reserve. Øygarden is a crossroads for birds; a natural resting place for migration along the coast and for birds coming over the sea from the west or for birds coming from Sweden, Finland and Russia in the east. Many of these species prefer to gather at the reserve, says Øygarden’s hobby ornithologist Julian Bell. He took us along for a trip to the Tjeldstø Reserve one early spring morning in March. There are officially 120 species of bird here, but Julian Bell has logged 180. We are able to see activity around the moor when the morning fog rises; greylag goose, wading birds like the eurasian curlew, oystercatchers, redshank and snipe. We also see more species of gulls than we knew existed: herring gull, the great black-backed and the lesser black-backed gull, alongside terns. Julian was also able to point out dabbling ducks like the Garganey and gadwall. He told us that the northern shoveler has been seen a number of times during migration periods, along with black-tailed godwit and grey plover. The grey heron is another frequent guest in the area that we are seeing more and more of. Other species that have been observed are the horned grebe, marsh hawk, marsh harrier, rook, carrion crow, spotted redshank, bar-tailed godwit, goldfinch and lapland bunting.

Guaranteed eagle sightings Four or five pairs of eagles are nesting in the rough forest terrain north of Tjeldstø because food is readily available in the area. Julian pointed to a nest about a hundred meters away from our campsite. After a few seconds he saw a dark spot appear in his powerful binoculars. Eagle! The dark spot in the binoculars began to take shape; we could just make out the

feathers on the tip of the wings. The eagle glides elegantly on rising columns of air, searching for his prey. They prefer carrion, Julian says with a laugh while he tells us that the european sea eagle eats just about anything, but he does not bother to kill the prey himself.

The pairs return to the same area year after year.

Mild winters and ideal natural surroundings One reason many species return to Øygarden is the mild winter. The waters here do not freeze over so often. The birds are able to find food on grazing lands and farms, and because the area is a nature reserve the birds are left in peace. Otters have begun to inhabit the area and chase away the egg stealing mink.

But what about the gigantic Sture oil transport terminal? Does that not disturb the birds in the reserve?

Strangely, no; the birds do not seem to care, said Julian Bell. There are many species to be seen on the islands not far from the settlements. Julian has done a lot of hiking on the deserted island of Skogsøy near Kollsnes, and he feels that there are even more species waiting to be discovered here by ornithologists. Even though enthusiasts like Julian Bell use a lot of their free time to wander around, there are literally hundreds of islands in the municipality; many of them have as yet to be charted and mapped in a methodical manner. Øygarden is the municipality in Hordaland with the highest number of registered bird species.

Contact Julian Bell for a guided trip jules@naturalbornbirder.com www.naturalbornbirder.com

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NATURE

Beaches

43 - Beaches

The skerries in Øygarden and Hordaland are perhaps the most diverse in Norway. You will easily find the smooth coastal rock slopes on the western seas, white beaches with shell sand sheltering in the coastal landscape, green heathered islands and sounds which stretch inwards towards Bergen and the mainland. On the map of Øygarden (centre tear out-section) we can point to five fantastic bathing places.

Bergen and District Recreation Council have secured and prepared four bathing- and recreational areas in Øygarden. These are put at the disposal of the public for recreation and inspiration for everybody living in the region and all visitors.

coast north of Bergen. Take a look at Julian Bell’s web site. He has photographed a lot of birds from Skogsøy. See more on Page 41. Skogsøy is the site of several historical monuments and relics of ancient settlements. Read more about these historical monuments on Norsjøløpa’s web site.

1. Ormhilleren - perfect for camping and boating Omhilleren lies near Rongesundet, just by the north side of the bridge. Coming from Bergen, you will have to drive over Rongesundsbrua (bridge) and turn left. There is a good footpath (500m long) from the parking area to the seashore, which is built of shell sand. Stretch out in a spacious area with extensive child-friendly bathing places with grassy plains and fine rocky slopes. There are good angling opportunities along the rocks. There is a characteristic landscape with sloping terrain and vegetation including pine bushes, grass and heather.

3. Bathing place by the Coastal Museum The Hidden Paradise is a beach in Ovågen by the Coastal Museum. The sand there is almost as white as the beaches of the Bahamas. The coastal rock slope descents steeply into the sea and there is a teeming boat life in the bay. There are public places for setting out canoes and small craft at the quay on the opposite side of the beach. This is a perfect location for activities and relaxation. If you are feeling restless then you can rent a bike or a canoe at the Coastal Museum. When you rent a bike you will be given a map with directions to the cultural treasures to be found in the landscape inland towards Herdlevær. The Coastal Museum is a living museum and offers a variety of guided tours.

The area is an ideal location for camping for a few days. There is a hiking trail through the recreational area and further along the shoreline under the Rongesundbrua bridge. There are also free parking facilities on the old ferry quay at Rongesundet.

Here you will also find a public launching ramp for small craft. Pay a visit to the hiking box in Ormhilleren, one of the 16 geocatching containers which BOF have set out in various recreation areas.

2. Skogsøy – watch birds migrating The bathing area on Skogsøy can be accessed by a coastal path from Herdlevær. It is about 45 minutes’ walk from the bridge close to Herdlevær on a pathway to the recreational area and Skogsøytuva. Good footwear is a must. There are parking areas on the roadside until you reach the bridge to Herdlevær. There is also a useful information board with a map. Sheep graze here all year round, so remember to put your dog on a leash.

This recreation area can offer inlets with fine bathing conditions and rocky cliffs which are sheltered from wind and weather from the north and west. Excellent fishing opportunities and good moorage berths to the south of the area. Beyond, lies a series of islets, sounds, inlets and shallow waters. Skogsøytuva also claims to be one of the best places for watching birds migrate along the

4. Lislevika with sandy beach and grassy plains You drive to Tjeldstø. Access by car round a roundabout and continue along the main road to the parking area at the back edge with a pathway to this area. There is a sandy beach and a fine grassy area. Here you will find toilet facilities and a diving board. The area is equipped with a bathing ramp for the disabled. Tables, benches and a fixed barbecue are available. This is a fine starting point for camping and kayaking on the west side of Øygarden.

5. Langøy Recreation Area with access from the Sea The bathing place is located in Langøysundet, west of Alvheim and is only accessible by boat. Harbour near the open sea, beach and recreational area with fine beachy inlets and rock cliffs. In the middle of the island is a seawater dam measuring about 100 x 50 m. The surface of the water lies about 2m above high tide. In stormy weather new water washes up into the dam. This becomes quite warm after a couple of fine days. There are toilet facilities and mooring bolts. This is a fantastic location for outward excursions by kayak, either from Lislevika recreation park or Nautnes fishing village. You will also find good campsites where you can spend the night.

4444- - Angling guaranteed

NATURE

You will find the best fishing grounds in Øygarden under one of the many bridges. Here you can find a diversity of fish species and likely catch.

Fishing hints • • • •

Rising tide is best for fishing Angling is excellent in all kinds of weather, except for the northern winds The weather is shifting in Øygarden. If the weather is bad, find another day to go fishing Invest in appropriate fishing gear

Favorite sites for fishing in Øygarden You can throw your line almost anywhere in Øygarden.

We have numerous great places with rocks, jetties and bridges, it is only to choose your favourite places under the bridges of Svelgensundet and Rongesundet. It is due to the current conditions that makes the fish here an easy catch. In addition, the diversity of fish is excellent with cod, pollock, saithe, catfish and halibut. If you are lucky you can pull up a halibut on several kg. During the summer the mackerel and saithe are the easiest to catch. Closer to Christmas the cod enters shallow waters and are easy to angle. At the Rongesundet you can choose to fish from the jetty or from the bare rocks.

Angling guaranteed In Øygarden you are guaranteed luck in fishing, even if you don`t get any. The experience of nature and closeness to the ocean cause your heart rate declining, and peace returns. But the feeling of happiness is dependent on having good equipment at your disposal. Too many have a poor fishing experience because they buy the most inexpensive equipment.

If you invest a few NOK extra the good feeling will

resurface. Do you have children with you, it is vital for the continued fishing interest that they get a nice experience from the start. The most important is not whether they are getting any fish or not. It`s the good feeling of the fishing rod in their hand.

The excellent experiences We advise you to have a sturdy fishing rod and 0.35 to 0.40 lines. The spinning baits should be from 40 to 60 gram. Invest in an excellent reel, and get well acquainted with its functionality. Remember that all equipment should be flushed in fresh water when finished. Not always will the largest fish give the best experience. Our archipelago offers an eldorado of sensory input.

45 - Angling guaranteed

Fishing grounds Rongsundet Svelgesundet Ormhilleren The dock by kystmuseet The dock on Hellesøy

Safety and well-being • • • •

Always keep company with someone Remember to report where you are going.

Lifejackets are required Check the weather forecast. If the wind and waves are too heavy, then return another day.

• • •

Bring a good knife, first aid kit and packed lunch Remember mosquito repellent and sun cream Appropriate footwear and comfortable clothes are important

46 -

Ă… Vestland,Vestland!

Lokal kunnskap & spisskompetanse pĂĽ design og kommunikasjon

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Snitt Reklamebyrå er eit designbyrå som leverer alt innan marknadskommunikasjon.

Vi jobbar tett mot det lokale næringslivet og er stolte av å seie at våre hjarte bankar for Vestlandet og Øygarden. www.snittreklame.no

WILD AND

OYGARDEN

AUTHENTIC