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Voykit pocket guide · Norway
Hovden
Spend 2 days in winter for skiing or 1 day in summer for hiking; longer only if you want multiple ski runs or a full‑day trek.
Hovden is a high‑altitude resort in Setesdal, famous for alpine and cross‑country skiing, a snow park and summer outdoor activities. Winter sports need at least two days; a quick summer hike can be done in a day.
- Country
- Norway
- Best months
- Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Aug (hiking)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (limited activities)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- NOK
- Money
- Currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK, kr); the euro is not used. About 11.5 NOK to €1 — check.
- Daily spend
- Budget NOK 800–1,200 excl. bed · Mid NOK 1,200–1,800 excl. bed · High NOK 1,800+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- EEA roaming applies: EU and EEA SIMs work at home prices.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 113 · Fire 110
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: Included; round up or add 5–10% for good service.; Café and bar: Nothing expected.; Taxi: Round up.; Guides: Optional.
- Water
- Tap water is excellent; streams in the mountains are usually drinkable, but avoid water below farms and grazing.
- Toilets
- Free or card-paid (NOK 10–20) in towns; trailheads often have pit toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Ski‑centre lift ticket (full day) | NOK 400–750 |
| Coffee at a café | NOK 30–50 |
| Meal at Støylen Restaurant | NOK 200–350 |
| Boat rental on Hartevatn (1 hour) | NOK 150–250 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KRS · Kristiansand Airport Kjevik
- about 130 km (81 mi) by road, shuttle or rental car (check)about 81 mi (130 km) by road, shuttle or rental car (check)
Typical fares
- Kristiansand Airport → Hovden (rental car)
- ≈ NOK 500–650 per day (check)
- Hovden Ski Centre day‑pass
- ≈ NOK 400–750 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is the most reliable; Rv 9 runs through Hovden. Limited bus service; taxis available in summer.
See and do
Known for
- Alpine skiing
- Cross‑country trails
- Snowboard park
- Hovden Badeland
- Mountain hiking
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Storhedder (Skutesteinen) | Drive 15 km (9.3 mi) north on Rv 9, then hike 2 km (1.2 mi)Drive 9.3 mi (15 km) north on Rv 9, then hike 1.2 mi (2 km) | ≈45 min |
| Old Bykle Church | Drive 20 km (12 mi) south to Bykle, park near the churchDrive 12 mi (20 km) south to Bykle, park near the church | ≈30 min |
| Vatnedalen Dam | Drive 12 km (7.5 mi) east on local roadsDrive 7.5 mi (12 km) east on local roads | ≈35 min |
Sleep
- Hovden Høyfjellsenter
- central, cabins for groups up to 380 people
- Hovdehytta
- oldest tourist cabin, various sizes, self‑catering
- Bjåen Fjellstove
- Swiss‑style mountain lodge, 11 km (6.8 mi) northSwiss‑style mountain lodge, 6.8 mi (11 km) north
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Unnskyldoon-skyl |
| Thank you | Takktahk |
| How much is it? | Hvor mye koster det?vohr mee-eh koh-ster deh |
| Do you speak English? | Snakker du engelsk?snahk-er doo eng-elsk |
| Where is the ski lift? | Hvor er heisen?vohr er hay-sen |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, first names; avoid: Small talk that is too personal
- Nature: Greet other hikers, close gates, carry litter out; avoid: Loud music on trails
- Home visit: Shoes off; bring flowers or chocolates; 'takk for maten' after the meal; avoid: Arriving late
- Conversation: Modest, factual, humorous; avoid: Showing off wealth — Norwegians are rich but understated
- 17 May: Dress up, join the crowds, wave a flag; avoid: Treating the parades as a tourist show
- Queues: Take a number; avoid: Pushing in
Scams and watch-outs
- Public transport is sparse in winter; plan a rental car.
- Snow conditions can close some lifts early; check the ski centre website.
Hovden is safe; main risks are icy roads in winter and occasional avalanche warnings on backcountry slopes.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Hovden yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Alpine skiing
- Cross‑country trails
- Snowboard park
- Hovden Badeland
- Mountain hiking
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Hovden, revision 5248430 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5248430
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/hovden). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.