Gulen is situated at the mouth of Sognefjord - the longest fjord in the world. Travel in the footsteps of the Vikings and spend the night in unique surroundings.
If you visit Gulen north of Bergen, you are traveling in the footsteps of the Vikings. A thousand years after the Vikings came to Gulen to exercise their democracy, you can learn how the Vikings laid the foundation for Norwegian society as we know it today.
The municipality of Gulen is easily accessible from Bergen by boat or by car. The drive from Bergen to Gulatinget takes about two hours. The journey takes about two hours. If you choose to go by express boat, Norled will take you to beautiful Skjerjehamn in Gulen in less than an hour and a half.
Gulating - a place of law and justice
Western Norway played an important role in the Viking era. Harald Hårfagre founded Gulatin, united Norway into one kingdom in 872 and ruled until around 930.
The Vikings came to Gulating to pass laws, judge cases and discuss political issues. The parliament was one of the oldest and largest legislative assemblies in the Nordic region, and the largest legislative assembly in Norway until approx. year 1300. The oldest law in Norway, the Gulating Act, was drawn up here.
In Eivindvik a cross from the 9th century marks the place where Gulatinget first gathered. You can also visit Gulatinget Millennium Site (Tusenårsstedet Gulatinget), four kilometers outside Eivindvik. The site is a memorial park in honor of the historic Gulatinget.
The millennium site is open all year round, and offers a guided tour and lunch by appointment. There is also a mobile home park with a service building.
There has been an inn at Skjerjehamn since 1641 (at least!). Skjerjehamn has been an important place for fishing, trade and industry for centuries, and was at the beginning of the 20th century one of the largest ports in Western Norway. Today, the host offers activities, events and local food experiences for both visitors and locals. Enjoy a nice meal based on local ingredients and spend the night in the wonderful Swiss villa or in the old warehouse by the harbour.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Linn Kjos Falkenberg - visitBergen.com
Photo: Visit Bergen / Anders Nyland - visitBergen.com
If you arrive by private boat, Skjerjehamn has a large harbour and if you arrive with your caravan or mobile home, there is a popular parking facility.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Linn Kjos Falkenberg - visitBergen.com
If you are looking for activities, the hosts at Skjerjehamn offer a RIB tour in the spectacular waters of Gulen. They also offer a trip to a trout farm, where you can see modern aquaculture up close.
At Skjerjehamn you can also visit the Blue Garden. The Blue Garden is an outdoor exhibition about aquaculture. Through various analogue installations, you can learn about salmon and trout farming in Norway, and why this will be important for the world in the future. The exhibition can be found along the 300 meter long path.
Enjoy a beautiful view over the ocean on a trip to Vestefjellet, 160 meters above sea level. The hiking trail is marked and starts 900 meters from Skjerjehamn. The walk is easy even with slightly rough terrain and some marsh. When you're this far west, you don't need towering mountain peaks to get a proper view of the islands and the ocean!
Glamping in style
The fjord is still important for transport in the municipality of Gulen. A short boat ride from Skjerjehamn you’ll find Hille organic farm. You can also get to Hille by boat from Bergen. The farm is self-sufficient when it comes to food, and welcomes overnight guests in Hilledomen, a luxury tent where you can "glamp" with a view of the sea and the stars.
Hilledomen is situated majestically on a ridge with a view of the ocean. The dome has an attached kitchen, toilet and shower as well as a hot tub that you can sink into with a glass of local cider and just enjoy the view. Top up the unique experience by having locally produced food delivered to the dome.
For foodies, the area Nordhordland is an exciting destination with an abundance of good, local ingredients. In several places in Gulen, you can taste local produce including at Skjerjehamn and Hille farm.
Photo from Skjerjehamn: Visit Bergen / Espen Bakketun - visitBergen.com
You can also buy local products at Sande Gardsmat, located just over 10 kilometers from Skjerjehamn, and at Tveita Gardsmat in Nordgulen.
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