Årskog Museum is an old farm typical of the western coast of Norway, which the brothers Lars and Olai Årskog bequeathed to Fitjar Municipality in 1980. The farm had been in the same family for approximately 400 years. Situated close to the sea, there is a valuable cultural landscape consisting of piles of stones cleared from the area and drystone walls, a farm cluster and boat houses, representing the combination of agriculture and fishing that was usual along the coast of Norway.
www.komtilfitjar.no The oppstad loom
The Oppstad loom is the oldest known loom of its type. With their woven pieces, Berta Liarbø and Hilma Lønning have helped to keep an important part of Norwegian cultural heritage alive. Weaving is demonstrated on the Oppstad loom at Årskog museum.
Contact Sunnhordland Museum tel.: +47 53 41 38 99
www.sunnhordland.museum.no Fitjar Church 8
The church lies beautifully situated near the Håkonar park, in the middle of the centre of Fitjar. Up to 1866, a stone church dating to the twelfth century occupied the site, and stones from the old Fitjar church can be found around the churchyard. Some of the furniture and fixtures have also been preserved. Guided tours by agreement with the churchwarden Harald Johan Sandvik. tel.: +47 53 45 85 24/ +47 90 05 20 59 www.komtilfitjar.no
The Håkonar park 8
Håkonarparken (Håkon’s park) is situated in the heart of Fitjar village, and has a statue of Håkon I of Norway, who died in the battle against Eirik’s sons in 961 AD. The statue is made by the sculptress Anne Grimdalen. www.komtilfitjar.no The kings well
A relic from the days when King Harald Fairhair and, later on, his son, Håkon the Good, had a royal estate on Fitjar. This is the old well that was called ‘the king’s well’ or ‘Håkon’s well’ by the locals. A brochure with a map is available from the tourist information office. www.komtilfitjar.no rimsvarden 10
The burial mound sits alone,
commanding a fantastic view high above Fitjarbygda and the islands. It is one of the biggest prehistoric memorials in Hordaland. A brochure with a map is available from the tourist information office. www.komtilfitjar.no
engesund
Engesund is a 350 year old inn and trading post in the Fitjar islands. The town-style main house was built in 1840 by the adventurous sailing ship skipper Tollev Thomsen from Tysnes. Færøysund
An old trading post and inn situated idyllically in the straits between Stordøya and Færøy in Langenuen, the post was in use from 1630 to 1965, when it was moved to Sandvikvåg.
rydlandssago, Sawing mill 9 The sawing mill containing a waterpowered circular saw was built in 1916 and was in operation unto approximately 1990. The sawing mill was renovated in 1996. The mill is situated where the highway R545 crosses the Tinnselvo river, on the border between the municipalities of Stord and Fitjar. The island Smedholmen 11
Smedholmen is a small island northwest of Fitjar town which is a government owned outdoor area. Here lies a small, typical west Norwegian fishfarm and farm. There is also an unique collection of old boats; the sailing ship “Seladon” to name one, the way it did more than 100 years ago. Possible race with the boats along the shore for groups, and fishing trips and different arrangements with kayak, rolling course, building and guiding. They also offer sailing courses in modern boats, or in your own boat. tel.: +47 90 89 48 57
[email protected] www.smedholmen.com
k ayakiNg iN FiTjar iSlaNdS – lilliaN NeSSe
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NeW! engesund fish farm and information centre
Everyone who wishes to find out what a fish farm is and how it is run can come and visit. You can taste the salmon we produce, and you can have a look in the salmon cages. This is an unforgettable trip in our beautiful archipelago. You can also buy dinner or lunch here, made from our own salmon. A 1 1/2 hour guided tour costs NOK 100 per person. Summer opening hours , mid June – mid August: Every day from 10.00 – 20.00. Open on request the rest of the year. Visitors are picked up at the quay in Fitjar. The menu and prices are listed on our website: www.engesund.net Contact: tel.: +47 951 89 950 email: [email protected]
Activities
Trip suggestions for bicycle. The trip suggestions start and finish in Fitjar town.
• storavatnet lake around: A nice trip around the biggest lake in Fitjar. The trip is 16 km long.
• Kråko sea cabin area: This is a varied trip that runs along a small traffic road in the cabin area at Kråko. The trip is 13,5 km long.
• vestbøstad around: A easy , short trip (5 km).Part of the route contains walking and bicycle road.
• svartavatnet. A varied route with steap rising. Here you can choose if you will walk or bicycle the moutaintrip. The trip is 12,3 km.
A bicycle guide is available at the tourist information office. Map, tour description and GPS files are found at
www.visitsunnhordland.no eNgeSuNd FiSHiNgFarm
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k ayakiNg iN THe FiTjar iSl aNdS – lilliaN NeSSe THe Sail SHiP Sel adoN
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Bicycle rental
Trading house Larsen at Fitjar tel.: +47 53 45 75 00
Padleåro, Fitjar & Stord kayak rental and guiding 51
Do you want a meeting with the wet element, and do you have a dream about finding your own islet? Then kayaking is something for you. Padleåro offers coursing in sea kayaking. We also offer guided kayak tours in Sunnhordland, but you can also rent a kayak and explore the nature pearls on your own. tel.: +47 47 38 35 79 www.padlearo.no
Paradise for boating enthusiasts Fitjar is often called the island paradise in Sunnhordland. Possibly the most beautiful access to Fitjar is via the sea route. Hundreds of boating tourists have found their paradise here, among islands and islets - there are as many of these as there are days in the year. revu
Fitjar calls itself, for good reason, ‘Revu city’, and in 2014 there will be a summer revue in May/June/July.
www.fitjar-fjordhotell.no The culture trail
The walk takes you past the Håkonar park, the Kongsbrønn (the King’s Well), Rimsvarden and cultural monuments in the centre of Fitjar. The walk is mostly on tarred road, and some tracks, and takes about one hour. Brochures with maps and information are available from Fitjar Fjordhotell and Larsen multihandel AS. Hiking tracks
Fitjar’s mountain wilds are easily accessible. Hiking maps can be purchased at the Tourist Information Office. The gravel path to Svartavatnet lake is a good hike. The walk begins at the parking space by the water power station, and leads to Svartavatnet. The walk is about four kilometres long. The path is adapted to the needs of wheel chair users, and has a number of good picnic spots with a view over the Fitjar village. Also try the walk in Rossneset. Park by the club house near the sports grounds. The path starts behind the club house.
Marinas
Trading house odd larsen aS New versions of traditional village shops - SPAR, Mx Sport, Larsen Multihandel, sub-post office, Annemors café, Hårloftet hairdressers and Galleri Flora. Good harbour facilities with a petrol and diesel pump, bunkering, shower, toilet, access to electricity, fresh water, washing machine, tumble dryer and waste container.
tel.: +47 53 45 75 00
Welcome to the idyllic Fitjar Fjordhotel
We offer 24 rooms of high standard, restaurant, piano bar, outdoor restaurant and beachvolleyball Fitjar Sportell is a more basic and cheaper option – here we offer singlerooms, doublerooms and family rooms! Fitjar Fjordhotell is organising a summer cabaret in Fitjar. Shows from 23. May til 5. July. Tel.: +47 53 45 77 00 • post@fi tjar-fjordhotell.no • www.fi tjar-fjordhotell.no