Top Things To Do In Odda Norway – The Valley Of Waterfalls

Oddadalen is a wonderful segment in the untouched countryside alongside Route 13, untouched doesn’t mean there arent things to do in Odda, Norway. It is known to be “The Valley of Waterfalls” because the distinct valley includes several waterfalls, lined-up similar to pearls added to the string with the radius of few kilometers. Some of the magnificent waterfalls include Latefoss, Espelandsfossen, Vidfossm Strandfossen, Tjornadalsfossen, etc. Furthermore, Oddadalen offers excellent hiking in the magnificent terrain.

 

The Odda Tourist Office in the town center will provide more details about the tips and guides regarding different places. The tourist office also has an equipment rental shop for hiking equipment too. From shoes to harness and clothing. If you are hiking in Norway make sure you have packed accordingly as the weather in Norway can sometimes make the trails even more difficult because of mud, as we found out when hiking Trolltunga after a rainy couple of days in the towns close to Trolltunga.

 

 

Top Things To Do In Odda Norway

 

Below are some of the cool things to do in Odda, from cool churches, waterfalls, museums, and with many options for activities in nearby towns too included. This is particularly great if you are looking for things to do near Trolltunga.

 

Reasons to Visit: 

• Valley of Waterfalls

With regards to what to do in Odda, one of the important scenic attractions in Odda Norway is Valley of Waterfalls. It provides wonderful hiking activity in the magnificent terrain. The waterfall is very close to Route 13 to have easy access from Norway. Moreover, you can take photos in the midst of natural scenery. We passed small stunning waterfalls on our drive from Bergen to Odda.

• Cool Churches to Visit

The important churches to visit in Odda are Odda Church and Roldal Stava Church. Odda Church is closed Saturday to Monday. Its open from 9am to 2pm on Tuesday to Fridays.

 

 

• Odda Church

One of the must-see churches is Odda Church, built in the year 1870. The architecture seems to be common in 1860 and 70s. It is located on the foundation of the previous church. It is a longship type of church, split into ship, choir, and weapon house with a tower on the top. After demolishing the old church, a new one was constructed. The foundation wall of a new church was built using the stones of the old church.

 

• Røldal Stave Church

The elegant church was constructed between 1200 and 1250 and is popular for its mesmerizing healing crucifix still at the church. As per the legend, the church sweats for about once in a year at “Olsok,” and the sweat has good healing power. The church is decorated beautifully and is considered a town church for the Roldal. Many pilgrim trails are found in connection with the Roldal Stave Church.

 

 

• Skare Church

Another famous sacred church is Skare, constructed in the year 1926. This specific church can accommodate about 230 people. It is situated in the village of Skare.

 

• Take A Guided Hiking Trip

Though there are several things to do in Odda Norway, one of the significant activities to take part in is hiking. Enjoy a guided hike to Trolltunga, and many others like Rossnos, Strand-Sandvin, and Havrenas.

 

 

Also Read: The best hiking tours in Norway for adventure and outdoor lovers.

 

• Tyssedal Church

This magnificent church is considered a parish church, found in the Odda municipality of Hordaland country. The famous architect named Axel Fronth constructed this modern looking elegant church in 1965. It is must-see place in the Tyssedal village which is not too far from Odda.

 

• Hike Trolltunga

A willowy spur of rock projected towards the void place above the Lake Ringedalsvatnet is Trolltunga, which is the best-photographed feature of Norway. It is most the most popular hiking trails in Norway and one that had us take this journey through Odda too. It’s fairly easy to get from Odda to Trolltunga. This is one of the closest towns to Trolltunga so very much the perfect base.

 

 

Also Read: Tops tips on all you need to know to hike Trolltunga safely plus what to pack for Trolltunga.

 

• Rossnos

Rossnos is the important and highest mountaintop, surrounding Odda city, and its cairn seems to be 1401 meters above the sea level. This hike is 6 hours return journey. To reach this location, you need to follow the main road from the center of Odda to route 13 via Kinsarvik. You need to pass over 2 gas stations on either side of the road to get to the starting area. I would strongly recommend passing through the Odda tourist office for more local information before taking on hiking trails, particular when the weather is bad or hasn’t been great over the last week before your visit. They will have some tips on safety too in addition to tips on things to look out for and what to avoid.

 

• Strand-Sandvin and Havrenas

The hiking trip towards Strand-Sandvin and Havrenas is exciting and challenging. Though the snow covers up the trail, you can get guided tours on skis and snowshoes. These two places ensure to offer an enjoyable hiking trip in the best possible manner. When heading to Odda Norway, do not miss out on these two places.

 

 

Other Important Places to Visit in Odda And Nearby

Apart from the above activities, you can also visit other places and fabulously indulge in cool Odda activities.

 

• Knud Knudsen Outdoor Exhibition

Knud Knudsen was born in 1832 and known to be a pioneer of the Norwegian photography of the 1800s. He developed the earlier photo series of daily life and working life in Norway. He had taken plenty of landscape photos all over the city. Being a stylish innovator of photography, he received many awards and is known to be a well-known photographer of abroad and Norway. The outdoor exhibition has a huge collection of Knud Knudsen photographs.

 

• Norwegian Museum of Hydropower – Museum, and Café

A trip on the hydroelectric power station may sound less enjoyable, but it is regarded as the number one industrial landmark, which is worth a detour. This wonderful museum and cafe can be explored during the tour and is considered as a famous monument constructed with industrial ambition. Thorvald Astrup built the Tysso 1 power plant between 1906 and 1918. He mixed classical European architecture and Austere, which is a functionalist line.

 

• Latefoss Waterfalls

It is a famous twin-waterfall situated near Route 13. This waterfall is an internationally famous and attractive place. It is 165 meters tall and comprises of two distinct streams, gushing downwards from the Lake Lotevatnet. The volume of water flowing downward seems to be the highest. You can also visit other waterfalls like Tjørnadalsfoss, Strandfoss, Vidfoss, and Espelandsfoss in this region.

 

 

• Folgefonna National Park

One of the topmost attractions at Folgefonna National Park is Buardalen and Buar Glacier. The park was established in the year 2005, with 545 square kilometers. This national park has mainland Norway’s 3^rd largest icefield. It is known to be a magnificent place with glaciers snaking the height of the nearest valleys downwards. Do not miss to visit this glacier while visiting Odda Norway.

 

• Tjodnadelen Farm

You can check out Tjodnadelen Farm and grab a bite to eat your desired food. This farm looks like a fairytale castle at the Odda Valley, and it is 10 kilometer from the center of the town. It serves many traditional dishes for the people in their beautiful surroundings. Plenty of food is produced and made in this specific farm. Some of the specialties include lamb ribs, hardanger sausage, and other meat types.

 

• Hike Eidesnuten

If you want to hike Eidesnuten, you can get rid of your boredom and have fantastic enjoyment. You can also enjoy the wonderful views of Sandvinsvatnet and Sorfjorden. This place is must-see in Odda Norway. From Rodna, the trail path runs via wooden area through the waterfall and then continues alongside Eidesnuten.

 

• The Oddmund Stone

This huge boulder is considered a fabulous attraction. The Oddmund stone is named after Oddmund Hildal, who is a famous landowner. You can do plenty of things, get wonderful memories and cherishing moments at this location so do not hesitate to visit here.

 

• Tyssedal Via Ferrata

Experience a fantastic day in the footsteps of rallar by quickly climbing up the Tyssedal via Ferrata in Odda. It is an exciting and interesting activity, and the fabulous views and beautiful nature will surround you.

 

 

Places To Eat in Odda

Travelers can get tempted with the delicious food served at the top-notch restaurants in Odda. These restaurants ensure to satisfy the taste buds of the visitors in mind blowing way. If you are trying to do this trip on a budget, we did spot and use a small supermarket in the middle of town too. Some of the significant restaurants to eat in Odda Norway are:

 

• Vertshuset

Vertshuset is one of the best restaurants to enjoy a good atmosphere, value, service, and quality food. It has a good rating, so do not miss this restaurant. The hotel premise is situated in a calm environment to make your stay wonderful and sit with your family or friends for scrumptious food.

 

• Smeltehuset

Another place to have mouth-watering food is Smeltehuset. This restaurant has popular chefs who are highly experienced in preparing delicious food. If you head to Odda Norway, this is one place not to miss out as its quite a popular restaurant. You can taste fresh cuisine using vegetarian ingredients. Smelthuset also popular among locals too.

 

 

• Trolltunga Hotel Restaurant

Trolltunga Restaurant is considered the best place, famous for its great food. It has a personal and great service for visitors from various parts of the world. You are sure to enjoy Norwegian cuisine after taking part in the hiking at mountains, traveling a long distance, and enjoying adventurous spots of the region. Apart from the tasteful food, you can also enjoy having a wide range of local beverages.

 

• Tyssedal Hotel Restaurant

Tyssedal Hotel is situated at the seashore of Sorfjord, which is about 6 kilometers from the town of Odda. The famous hotel is situated among the charming environ with a valley found between the mountains and fjord on the west. It is well surrounded by natural beauty, so the taste buds are sure to enjoy spectacular scenic cliffs in this hotel. During your stay, you can enjoy free sauna, private parking, wifi, and many others facilitate. Get local and international cuisines prepared by professional chefs.

 

 

How To Get To Odda

I will share a detailed post on how to get to Odda shortly. With regards to our journey to Odda, our main reason for the visit was to hike Trolltunga and Odda is one of the closest towns to get to Trolltunga. There are a few things to do in the small town as I have mentioned above. During my research, I found buses and trains but with us coming from Bergen to Odda we wanted an easy and independent way to get around at our own leisure so we opted to rent a car from Bergen. We then drove from Bergen to Odda passing through edge of the coastline roads with stunning waterfalls before getting on a ferry or two to reach Odda.

 

If you are driving at to Odda I would strongly recommend not driving at night as there are no lights on many of the country roads and with them being right on the edge with ocean roads to your side, in the dark freaked me out a little bit as that’s not what I am used too. The scenery in the day time is absolutely magical though. Also in one of the posts, I mentioned to make sure you do not miss the last ferry like we did on one occasion, so you end up taking a much longer route through long tunnels, again freaking scenery for someone with claustrophobia to be driving the tunnels for what seemed like a lifetime. When it was my turn to drive I had to get my husband to keep talking to me so that my brain concentrate on the driving and the conversation and leave less room for the fact that the long arse tunnel was never-ending. The longest we passed through was 11KM! That is one big ass mountain! I survived and I am sure most of you will be just fine.

 

 

Where To Stay In Odda

If you are going to hike Trolltunga you are most likely to base yourself in Odda. My advice to you is to book as early as possible for your hotel. I had left it a little too late and ended up with camping on Odda as many of the hotels had sold out. Some of the restaurants mentioned above are part of hotels too. I will link to a more details post of where to stay in Odda and near Trolltunga shortly but for hotels in Odda, also consider; Trolltunga Hotel,  Vikinghaug, Hardanger Hotel and The Blue House Hotel. With not so many options in the small town, especially during the busy summer hiking seasons, these places will book up months in advance.

 

 

Final Thoughts On Visiting Odda

Hopefully, after reading this post you will be booking flights to Norway‘s cute little town for some adventure and r&r. Odda is charming and if you looking for a beautiful place to regroup and reconnect with nature this place will be just what the doctor Odda-ed – See what I did there :). Of course, there are plenty of things to do as well if you want to combine your r &r with mountain treks or glacier hiking or just sitting by and admiring amazing waterfalls. There is that too. The places here and surrounding towns are interesting with fun-filled activities you can enjoy with family, friends and even involve your kids too. 

My one piece of important advice: 

• Please arrive with the right equipment for the walk or hike you are doing. This is from clothing to shoes. We saw people hiking in Converse, flip flops and it had been raining too. Much of the first 3-6km were muddy and slippery. It is dangerous and puts anyone on the trail and those that would be coming to help you should you hurt yourself at unnecessary danger. Visit the tourist office for rental equipment and advice if you are a newbie.
• Make sure you have told someone about where you are going, make sure your devices are charged up in case of emergency. You have no idea how many times people have to be rescued when they could have take simple precautions. You are using up emergency resources when this can be easily avoided.
• Please consider nature and the damage you are causing – Please take all the litter back down to the bins with yours. The trail to Trolltunga, especially the last 2km has so much garbage from people leaving bottles and plastic instead of taking it back down to the bottom of the trail at the end of their hike. 
• Be responsible and leave nothing but footprints. Norwegian cities are mostly clean and with popularity of some trails, it seems to be attracting a lot of inconsiderate and immature travellers. Please don’t be a douche bag when nature is already providing you with stunning and location to explore, relax and seek adventure.
• End of PSA.

 

 

Need More Tips On Visiting Norway? Also See

• How To Spend A Weekend In Bergen
• Taking In The Views From Mount Ulriken
• The Best Way To See The Fjords In Norway
• 10 Ways To Enjoy Your Trolltunga Adventure
• Camping To Fjord Views

 

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