People have lived on Osterøy for 3,500 years. The long history is probably one of the reasons why the local culture is so diverse.
You can drive to Osterøy in approx. 40 minutes from Bergen city centre. Follow E16 towards Voss, until you reach the Osterøy bridge (Osterøybroen). However, Osterøy is a large island, and it takes about one hour from the centre of Bergen to Mjøsvågen, which is a great starting point for exploring the island.
At the very same place as Havrå Farm is located today, there have been settlements for 3,500 years. Havrå is one of the best-preserved and most distinctive Norwegian cluster farms (a traditional western Norwegian farm settlement). Havrå consists of several farms, which are still being run according to old methods.
Havrå is part of MUHO (Museumssenteret i Hordaland) and represents the unique farming history, building practices and working life on the many farms in Western Norway.
Today you can join a guided tour of the farms, where you learn about food production, and how to take care of and use buildings and landscape. Through practical work, the locals at Havrå show how the natural resources were used to survive in the past.
Breakfast in lush surroundings
Agriculture and farming are a central part of the history of Osterøy. As a visitor you can enjoy lazy days in beautiful surroundings at Skjerping Farm. The farm has several houses for rent around the large garden.
The cultural village of Mjøsvågen
Osterøy has a rich cultural history when it comes to industry and crafts. The village of Mjøsvågen is a great place to start exploring the history. In this village alone, there used to be a coffin workshop, a forge, a wooden shoe factory, a metal foundry and a furniture factory.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Anders Nyland - visitBergen.com
The buildings have been restored and brought back to life with an additional café, a gallery and a shop selling local produce. The shop has great outdoor seating for dining, and if you arrive by boat, there is a harbour who welcomes visitors.
Mjøsvågen Landhandleri. Photo: visitOsteroy
During the summer, you can join a guided tour of the historic buildings in Mjøsvågen. It is also the only place in Norway (as far as we know) to have its own art sauna! Local art enthusiasts wanted to create an installation, a hybrid between art, architecture and a sculpture. The result: the Flabellina art sauna.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Anders Nyland - visitBergen.com
Photo: Visit Bergen / Anders Nyland - visitBergen.com
Close to the shop in Mjøsvågen is the knitting factory Norlender Knitwear. Norlender is included in the Wool Heritage Route. The factory is open for visitors, and you get to see how the popular knitted garments are made.
Another stop on the Wool Heritage Route is Osterøy museum. Here you can learn about old building customs, craft traditions and textile history.
Osterøy Museum. Photo: Visit Bergen / Anders Nyland - visitBergen.com
Hiking
Osterøy is a great place if you enjoy hiking. One of the popular hikes on Osterøy is Kossdalssvingane. This hike starts near Mjøsvågen and takes around 1.5 hours there and back. The hike includes 17 hairpin bends with a 27 percent gradient. It might sound a lot, but the hike is relatively easy and at the top you are rewarded with a great view.
Photo: visitOsteroy
Another option is a guided tour to Bruviknipa with Norway Mountain Guides. Experience an exciting hike accompanied by your own guide. The guide will not only show you where to go, but also tell you about the cultural landscape along the way. The guide plans the hike according to weather conditions and any special requests.
Osterøy is also a nice place to go bike riding. Enjoy the beautiful scenery from the seat of a bike and head off to the island's many cultural and historical sites.
Accommodation at Fjordslottet Hotel
Stay at the classic hotel Fjordslottet only 45 minutes drive from Bergen. The hotel's main building goes back over 160 years and is surrounded by beautiful nature with fjords and mountains. The hotel offers homemade local food.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Anders Nyland - visitBergen.com
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