From yarn to sweater: Three days of wool experiences in Bergen and the surrounding region

Are you interested in wool, wool production and knitting? In Bergen and the surrounding region, you’ll find several traditional wool producers that welcome visitors.

Many offer guided tours of their factories and workshops, giving you a chance to learn more about the processes behind yarn, textiles, and finished wool products. At factory outlets and small shops, you can pick up yarn, clothing and other handcrafted items.

We’ve put together a suggested three-day itinerary for those who want to explore wool, textile production, and true craftsmanship in the Bergen region up close – with Bergen as the starting point. The route spans three days, but each leg can also be done as a stand alone day trip from Bergen. Whether you’re planning a full round trip or just want to visit one or two places, we hope this guide will inspire you and help you plan your own wool journey.

The Wool Route – when to go

The Wool Route can be enjoyed year round, but it’s important to check the opening hours of each producer in advance. Many have reduced hours during weekends and holidays, and some require that you book your visit ahead of time – especially if you’re travelling outside the summer season or would like a guided tour.

Day 1: Knitting traditions, local production, and rural charm

Driving time: approx. 2 hours
Distance: 95 km

Before leaving Bergen city centre, we recommend stopping by one of the many cafés to pick up something tasty for lunch - dining options are limited along today’s route.

The first stop is Salhus, a small village with a big textile history, about half an hour drive north of Bergen. At the Textile Industry Museum - The Museum Centre in Hordaland, you can explore parts of the old Salhus Tricotage Factory from 1859 and learn how the textile industry developed in Western Norway over more than a century.

We recommend booking a guided tour in advance — you’ll get to feel carded wool between your fingers, hear the hum of the old machines, and see them still spinning and winding yarn. (Email: bestilling.tim@muho.no) The museum brings industrial history to life and also features a cosy café and gallery with changing exhibitions. The museum shop offers beautiful locally made products, rooted in the same rich tradition.

Next, drive about 20 minutes to Oleana in Ytre Arna. Here, you’ll see how modern design meets traditional craftsmanship in the production of beautiful wool and silk garments. On weekdays, you’re welcome to walk through the production area, see the garments being made, and chat with the staff. For groups of more than 10 people, advance booking is required. (Email: shop@oleana.no)

Note that the production area is closed on weekends, and the shop has its own opening hours.

Just ten minutes away you’ll find the factory Janusfabrikken, known for its warm and durable wool underwear. Here, you can buy high-quality products directly from the factory outlet.

From Janus, it’s a 35-minute drive to Alver Hotel, where you can enjoy dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.

Alternatively, you can choose to spend the entire day at Gripen Gard and rural time travels instead of visiting museums and factories. Beautifully located in Nordhordland, the farm offers a close up experience of wool production - from animals grazing in the fields to processing and finished products. Visits must be arranged in advance so the hosts can welcome you and share insights about their work. (Email: post@gripengard.no)

Here, you’ll get a taste of authentic farm life, surrounded by animals, history and tranquillity in green surroundings. If you're looking for an overnight stay that's a little out of the ordinary, this is a great option. The drive from Bergen city centre to Gripen Gard takes about 45 minutes.

Day 2: Wool, fjord charm, and overnight stay in historic surroundings

Driving time: approx. 1.5 hours
Distance: approx. 60 km

After a good breakfast at Alver Hotel, you're ready for the day's experiences. The first stop is Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, just a short 15 minute drive away. This family-run business has been producing yarn and carded wool since 1898, and several of the machines still in use are more than a hundred years old.

In 2013, the factory was granted Économusée status, and visitors can join a guided tour that follows the wool’s journey from raw material to finished product. Be sure to book the tour in advance. (Email: post@ull.no)

Photo: Ganeshfoto 

The factory shop is a popular attraction - so make sure to allow plenty of time. Here you’ll find yarn in a wide range of qualities and colours, as well as books, knitting and felting accessories, wool garments, blankets, and other beautiful products. Parts of the production area are visible from the shop, so you can watch the machines in action while you browse.

Once your bags are filled with yarn and inspiration, continue the journey to Osterøy and the picturesque village of Mjøsvågen.

Photo: Visit Bergen / Linn Kjos Falkenberg - visitBergen.com

You can choose between two routes that take roughly the same amount of time: Drive across the Osterøy Bridge (about one hour from Hillesvåg), or take the ferry from Breistein to Valestrandfossen (check the ferry schedule at Fjord1). The ferry ride takes 12 minutes.

In Mjøsvågen, you can stop by Mjøsvågen Landhandleri to pick up a simple sandwich style lunch. If the weather is nice, enjoy your meal at the outdoor seating area by the fjord, or bring it with you. The area is great for a stroll - explore the old wooden houses, small workshops and boathouses lined up close along the water's edge.

Mjøsvågen. Photo: visitOsteroy 

If you’d like a short break from wool and yarn, you can visit the sauna Flabellina, beautifully located at the innermost point of the bay. Here, you can combine hot sauna sessions with refreshing dips in the fjord, while enjoying the tranquillity, the view, and the closeness to nature.

The final leg of the day takes you to Fjordslottet Hotel, just a ten-minute drive away. The hotel is set in a rural landscape and offers a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy a good dinner and a restful night’s sleep - ready for the final leg of your journey the next day.

Tip: Day 3 starts at Norlender Knitwear AS, just a few minutes from Fjordslottet Hotel. If you find yourself with extra time today before arriving at the hotel, feel free to stop by Norlender today instead.

Day 3: wool, culture, and city life - the final journey through design in the Bergen region

Driving time: approx. 2 hours and 10 minutes
Distance: approx. 120 km

The day begins with a good breakfast at Fjordslottet Hotel before heading to Norlender Factory & Outlet, just a ten-minute drive away. Here, you’ll get insight into the production of classic Norwegian wool sweaters - made in the same location since 1927. The factory outlet offers a wide selection of garments produced in Norway. If you'd like a guided tour of the factory, this can be booked in advance. (Email: sales@norlender.no)

Next up is Osterøy Museum, beautifully situated in the cultural landscape of Osterøy. The museum showcases traditional crafts and practical work methods from earlier times and during summer regular guided tours are available. At the museum shop, you can buy knitting kits, plant-dyed yarn and products rooted in age-old traditions.

The journey continues to Dale of Norway, about a 40-minute drive from the museum. On the way, you can stop for a break at Dalegarden Outlet & Café, just a few minutes from the factory. Here, you can enjoy traditional food in a relaxed setting – and maybe find a good bargain at the outlet.

Dale of Norway has been the official supplier of sweaters to the Norwegian national alpine and cross-country ski teams since 1956. Visit the shop to see how they combine local production with international recognition. You’ll also find a small museum showcasing the evolution of their iconic designs.

After your visit, the trip takes you back to the centre of Bergen, where you can end your journey with a relaxing stroll along Bryggen. If you’d like to bring home more wool products, there are still plenty of options: Just above the Tourist Information, you’ll find Oleana’s city centre store, and not far from there is Husfliden Bergen AS - known for its wide selection of quality products, traditional costumes, handicrafts, and Norwegian knitting yarn.

From Husfliden, it’s a short walk to Bryggen Husflid, where you’ll find selected items from both Dale of Norway and Norlender. We also recommend exploring the area behind the historic Bryggen façades - here, you’ll find small workshops and galleries, many of which have shops where you can meet local artists and buy handmade crafts.

Adapt the trip to your own pace

Do you feel some days include too much driving, or would you like to spend more time at certain stops? Feel free to adjust the itinerary to suit your own preferences and needs. This is just a suggested route - an inspiration for how you can create your own wool-themed journey in and around Bergen.

You can find more suggestions for road trips in Bergen and the surrounding region here.