Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke - the architectural route by Visit Ryfylke

The Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke is one of the longest of Norway’s 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes. The route through Ryfylke – from Oanes by the Lysefjord to Hårå in Røldal – is 260 kilometres long and travels Rv. 13 and Fv. 520.

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The Norwegian Scenic Routes offer exceptional scenic experiences, passing through some of the country’s most magnificent landscapes. Along the way are viewpoints and picnic areas, designed to enhance the pleasure of travellers and to fit in with the surrounding scenery. Scenic Route Ryfylke is an exciting encounter with the very best of Fjord Norway – with stunning fjords, a myriad of beautiful islands and islets, forests, heathlands and lush farmland, sheer cliffs, screes and boulder fields, and a cultural landscape that tells of Ryfylke’s long history. Your journey starts at Oanes in the south, overlooking the mouth of the Lysefjord. Here you will find some of the most spectacular natural attractions Norway has to offer. Both Preikestolen and Kjerag are popular as destinations and photographic motifs. A little further north you will find petroglyphs at Solbakk and Årdal Old Church. Skomakernibbå rises high above the southern shore of the Jøsenfjord.

nasjonaleturistveger.no

The fjordside village of Jelsa, with its old wooden houses and distinctive church, is well worth a detour. You can pause at the picnic area overlooking the Lovrafjord, before you continue to Sand. In this village do visit Ryfylke Museum, and stop at the Salmon Studio at Sandsfossen to watch powerful salmon swim upstream and cross the Høse bridge to their spawning areas. Sit down and relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy the panoramic view from the cafe. During summer you can visit the museum farm

Further north, just before you reach Saudasjøen, is Svandalsfossen. A series of stairs takes you close to the waterfall – where you can really sense the force of the water! Near the town of Sauda you can visit the new buildings at Allmannajuvet designed by the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. In Sauda town centre you can enjoy friendly shopping. From Sauda and Allmannajuvet the journey continues to Røldal. The road over Saudafjellet, which takes you through a varied landscape and a 900-metre high mountain pass, was completed in 1960. The scenery is magnificent and parts of the road are quite narrow, so please take your time. Saudafjellet pass, on Rv. 520 between Hellandsbygd and Røldal, is closed in the winter when the snow can pile up to five–six metres thick! Since the Scenic Route Ryfylke is a long and varied stretch of road, it is worth taking your time. There are lots of opportunities on the way to make short detours and to take a break from driving, whether you are keen to find out more about Sauda’s industrial history or just want to explore one of the lovely little shore villages such as Sand. Along this route you can take part in many attractions, or you can set off on a hike in constantly changing terrain. The drive through Ryfylke offers a versatile experience on a challenging road with many charming aspects. For more information: ryfylke.com nasjonaleturistveger.no

FILTER ©Photography: Jarle Lunde / SuldalFoto.no

Kolbeinstveit with activities for the entire family. Make a stop at Nesflaten where you can learn about hydro power and visit the design hotel Energihotellet.

Experience world class and historic architecture while driving through a spectacular landscape over mountains and along fjords, rivers and lakes in Suldal, Sauda and Røldal. Highlights of the route include Allmannajuvet in Sauda by Peter Zumthor and Geir Grungs architecture for Røldal Suldal Kraft in Nesflaten. The Architectural Route has the best collection of architectural works in fjord Norway and is the only tourist route in Norway highlighting both modern and historic architecture in a day trip format. The route is part of the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke. The route also has several historic architectual sites with the oldest, the Røldal Stave Church, dating back to the 1200s. The area has long farming traditions and there are several prime examples of traditional farm buildings, such as Kolbeinstveit from 1850, along the route. Industrial architecture in the area inlcudes the housing for workers of the smelting plant in Sauda from the 1920s.

©Photography: Jiri Havran / Statens vegvesen

Located in Ropeid, a peninsula in Suldal, Venterommet, which translates to the waiting room is a waiting room for travellers with the express boats to Sauda and Stavanger. The building has large glass panes that make for close contact with both the fjord and the mountainside. Venterommet was opened in 2004. Architect: Jensen & Skodvin

©Photography: Per Berntsen

©Photography: Helge Stikbakke / Statens vegvesen

Total driving time 2,5 - 3 hours (not including time spent at stops along the route). Note: The road from Allmannajuvet in Sauda to Røldal is closed during winter months (varying dates). Hiking along the route: Svandalsfossen, Hylsskaret and Røynevarden. All are shorter hikes suitable for most. ©Photography: Fredrik Fløgstad / Statens vegvesen

Museums along the route: Ryfylkemuseet in Sand, Kolbeinstveit, Industriarbeidar-museet in Sauda, Allmannajuvet.

©Photography: Per Berntsen

©Photography: Per Kollstad / Statens vegvesen

The Allmannajuvet zinc mines were in operation from 1881 to 1899. During these years a total of 12,000 tonnes of zinc ore were extracted. Today, the mining area is a museum. Designed by Peter Zumthor and opened in 2016. The buildings in the gorge are designed in an industrial construction style to embody the story of the mines. The installation consists of a gallery, a café building, toilet and parking facilities, paths and stairs. For opening hours see www.saudaferie.no

The Svandalsfossen waterfall is a mighty spectacle when the river runs high. The 540 steps, completed in 2006, bring visitors into close proximity with the powerful waterfall and the lush, magical vegetation that characterises the area. Architect: Haga & Grov Sivilarkitekter

Stops particularly suitable for families with young children: Kolbeinstveit, Røynevarden, Allmannajuvet and Svandalsfossen. For more information visit the Suldal Tourist Information at Fossheim in Sand, designed by the famous architect Arnstein Arneberg, and the Sauda Tourist Information.

Geir Grung (1926 – 1989) designed the hydo power station, which opened in 1965, housing, and the hotel, Energihotellet, which is located beside the hydropower development plant in Røldal - Suldal. The area is one of the best-preserved examples of the functionalistic style in Norway. Park your car at Energihotellet and take a stroll down to the power station and residental area. For more information or questions about the architecture, contact Energihotellet.

The church was built between 1200 and 1250, and is famous for its healing crucifix still in the church. Røldal was one of the most important sites of pilgrimage in Norway during the middle ages and pilgrims continued to come until 1835. The church is beautifully decorated, and is still the parish church for Røldal.

Høsebrua lies in the village of Sand in Suldal. The bridge is a footbridge over the Suldalslågen salmon river. It lights up beautifully on dark autumn and winter nights and leads to the recreational area across the river. The bridge won Bridge of the Year from Travel + Leisure Magazine in 2014. Architect: Sami Rintala/ Eggertsson og Ivan Kroupa.