Perched on the banks of the River Otra, Bykle is a small village in the north of Norway’s Agder county. It’s renowned for its centuries-old church and open-air agricultural museum and on the doorstep of southern Norway’s biggest ski area.
Things to do in Bykle
On the edge of Bykle is the Bydgetunet Huldreheimen, a historic farm clustered with turf-roofed buildings and offers insight into rural life in times gone by. It’s a short stroll from the Hans Olaf Aanensen-designed Bykle Church and its predecessor, the whitewashed Old Bykle Church. A highlight of this 17th-century church is the interior rosemåling - traditional paintings in a Norwegian folkloric style.
To the north of Bykle is Hovden, which is one of the most popular ski destinations in Agder. You can hit the downhill slopes of the Hovden Alpine Centre or take advantage of the 190 kilometres of cross-country trails that wind through the surrounding forest. Also in Hovden is the Hovden Waterpark and Spa, which features a Finnish-style sauna, a jacuzzi and several swimming pools.
If you drive in the other direction from Bykle, you’ll arrive at the Byklestigen, an ancient path established to connect northern and southern Setesdal. Once a treacherous route, it’s been restored in recent years, complete with information panels detailing the region’s history. Byklestigen is on the doorstep of several lakes where you can swim in the summer months.
Getting around Bykle
Bykle is just under four hours’ drive from Stavanger and Stavanger Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Buses connect Bykle with towns and villages across Agder while the village centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Having your own vehicle is the most convenient way of getting around the region.