Visit with local couple Anne and Leif Bjarte, who will welcome you into their harmonious home and garden to discuss daily life in rural Norway and their passion for gardening. As lovely as their 19th-century wooden house is, the grounds are even more spectacular. Anne is a garden designer, while Leif is a landscape architect. Together, they have created a house and garden that exudes harmony and serenity. It is an exceptional setting to learn about life in the shadow of Forresfjord waterway. In the garden, you will find perennials and roses in bloom and all sorts of other fragrant plants. You will also browse the greenhouse where vegetables and fruits are cultivated. Herbs and spices have their places, too. Besides being added to dishes to enhance their flavors, they are picked for tea, a cup of which you will be served. Traditional Norwegian waffles and jam will be offered as an accompaniment.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Visit a local couple; one a garden designer, the other a landscape architect.
• Explore their garden and greenhouse to learn about the plants’ characteristics.
• Discuss daily life, especially during winter in the shadow of Forresfjord waterway.
• Snack on traditional Norwegian waffles and jam.

Delve into the history of Norway by visiting a revered World War II museum and a monument dedicated to Norway's first king, who united the country in the 9th century. Drive inland through the lake-dotted countryside to the Arquebus War Museum, which is located at the head of a beautiful fjord. One of Norway's largest museums, this former chair factory building now holds thousands of artifacts that detail the events of World War II in Norway, starting with the Resistance movement. As you browse the exhibitions, you will gain a better understanding of everyday life during the German occupation, the valiant efforts of the merchant marine, and the secret radio transmissions that helped defeat the Germans. The museum is named for a partisan radio operator whose codename was arquebus, a type of 15th-century gun. Many of the museum's dioramas feature mannequins dressed in authentic uniforms in wartime situations, so they truly come to life. A large collection of tanks, cannons and smaller weapons is also on display. Not far from the museum, you will find a display of natural beauty at Steinsfjellet, an elevated lookout with panoramic views of the North Sea, where you’ll make a photo stop. Nearby is Haraldshaugen monument; erected in 1872 to mark the 1,000-year anniversary of Norway's unification, this national monument looms over the supposed burial site of Harald Fairhair, the first king of Norway. After a brief stop at this monument of obelisks, you will return to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Reap the benefits of Nordic walking on a delightful hike through Haugesund and on into the outskirts by following a picturesque mostly coastal trail. At the onset, you will be briefed on how to walk Nordic-style, using specially designed poles that help to maximize the benefits. This method of walking tones the body, burns nearly 50% more calories than traditional walking and puts less pressure on the knees and joints. Best of all, Nordic walking is easy to do. The gently winding route will pass architectural highlights such as Our Savior’s Church – a Gothic-style building with red-facing brick – and Haraldshaugen, a national monument to Harald I, the first king of unified Norway, who was supposedly buried there in the 10th century. You will also see the haunting Rising Tide sculptures that are part horse and part oil-drilling machinery before pausing for a traditional trail snack of brown cheese and bread.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike along a coastal trail that passes through Haugesund and on into the countryside.
• Walk Nordic-style, a method that burns more calories and is less stressful on joints.
• See churches, a monument to Norway’s first king and an unusual sculpture park.
• Stop for a traditional trail snack of bread and caramel-flavored brown cheese.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Hike a heritage trail along a stretch of sand often voted Norway’s most beautiful beach and pause at Viking memorials and historical sites along the way. The scenery will change from urban to rural as you cross the bridge to Karmoy, one of the largest islands in southwestern Norway. Much of the island has remained wild and undeveloped, especially its white beaches facing the North Sea. At beautiful Akra Beach, you will experience the serenity of nature on a leisurely hike along a coastal trail to the village of Ferkingstad. The guide will point out the beach’s distinctive dune flora and how it supports a variety of wildlife. There are also cultural and historical monuments on the trail, such as the stone memorial said to symbolize the warrior daughters of a Viking king and the ruins of a Viking longboat house. The hike will end at Fisherman’s Memorial, a simple stone cross commemorating fisherman lost at sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike a coastal trail through the wild countryside on Karmoy Island.
• Watch for wildlife, especially birds such as geese, gulls and kingfishers.
• Stop at a Viking memorial and at the ruins of a Viking longboat house.
• Finish the hike at a memorial that commemorates the fishermen lost at sea.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ride a Rigid Inflatable Boat known as a RIB across the sea to Røvær and Feøy islands while the skipper regales you with entertaining stories. The open-air RIB will offer unobstructed views in all directions, and as you will see the natural beauty of the sparsely populated islands is considerable. Many of the islanders support themselves by sheep farming and fishing for Atlantic herring, a mineral-rich fish that is vitally important to the economy and to the diet of the marine life that inhabits these cold waters. Be sure to keep an eye out for whales, orcas and dolphins, which are often seen breaching the water’s surface as they feed. Sea eagles are also frequently spotted. To enhance your understanding of the islands, the skipper may share stories about the Vikings that lived there more than a millennia ago and the German soldiers that occupied the area during World War II.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zip across the sea to sparsely populated Røvær and Feøy islands on a Rigid Inflatable Boat.
• Hear stories about local life, historical events and the Vikings that once lived in the area.
• Look for whales, dolphins and orcas in the surrounding seas.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Hike to the summit of the rock formation Himakana and enjoy sweeping views that will only get better the higher you climb. The well-maintained trail begins in the village of Nedstrand, which is tucked away near the confluence of two fjords. Although the gravel trail is steep at times, it is still quite manageable, even for novice hikers. Its relative ease to climb is the reason that Himakana is nicknamed the “mini Trolltunga,” as ascending Trolltunga – a similar but much larger rock formation – is considerably more challenging. Trolltunga may be three times higher, but it isn’t three times more scenic, another reason Himakana is such a popular hike. Chances are, you will spot plenty of other nature lovers on the trail, especially at the summit, which overlooks Lysevatnet Lake. Before descending, you will enjoy a light snack and a bar of Kvikk Lunsj, a chocolate-covered wafer known as the “hiking chocolate.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike up Himakana, a rock formation that juts out high above Lysevatnet Lake.
• Appreciate that the trail is relatively easy to climb, even though steep in areas.
• Enjoy spectacular views the entire way, but especially from the summit.
• Snack at the top of Himakana before starting the descent.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy an orientation tour of Haugesund with photo stops at two of its most notable points.

The name of Haugesund as a settlement goes back at least to the year 1217 when it was mentioned in the Norse Sagas’, but it did not get its town rights until 1854 by King Oscar I of Sweden/Norway. Today the town has a population of approx. 35000. It is the natural capital of the region, situated between the Boknafjord, north of Stavanger and the Hardangerfjord. Haugesund is inseparably linked to the sea and owes its prosperity to the rich herring fisheries which took place mainly in the 19th century.

Drive through the central parts of the town - past the pink Town Hall erected in 1931 as a gift from a local ship owner and his wife. Continue towards Haraldshaugen, a national monument celebrating the unification of Norway into one kingdom. It commemorates the Battle of Hafrsfjord where King Harald Fairhair won over the chieftains of 29 historic counties and gathered Norway into one kingdom in 872 A.D. The monument was raised here as it is believed to be the site where King Harald the Fairhair was buried.

Your panoramic drive also takes you to the Steinsfjellet viewpoint. Although only 744 ft. above sea level, it offers a wide view to Haugesund, the fjord and surrounding islands. Steinsfjellet is one of the favorite starting points for nature walks and hikes for the locals.

Thereafter continue the sightseeing through the close surroundings and back to the starting point.

Immerse yourself in Norway's intriguing past by visiting Avaldsnes, where the country's first king lived in the 9th century, and a reconstructed Viking farm.

A scenic drive across Karmsund Sound takes you to Karmøy Island, where you will soon reach the village of Avaldsnes. The past comes alive here, as you will discover at the Nordvegen History Centre, an attraction located where King Harald Fairhair lived after unifying Norway in 872. While browsing the exhibits, you will learn about Norway's early kings and warriors, who have been immortalized in Norse sagas and songs. Archaeological digs have added even more insight, giving you a clear picture of Norway's fascinating history.

Stop to visit St. Olav's Church, which was constructed of stone in the 13th century. Outside, you will see an obelisk known as Virgin Mary's Sewing Needle because according to one legend, it is the needle she lost while sewing in heaven. Another legend claims the obelisk is a petrified magician, while still another claims that the apocalypse will occur if the leaning obelisk ever touches the church. It's dangerously close.

A short walk from the church will bring you to a replica Viking farm with several buildings constructed based on various archaeological finds in Rogaland County and using original techniques. There is a longhouse, granary and boathouse; all of which show how the Vikings lived more than a thousand years ago. Costumed Viking hosts will welcome you and offer further understanding of Norway's past.