If Tysnessåto (753 m. above sea level) is the king of Tysnesfjellet, then Hovlandsnuten is certainly the queen. Many would say that the view from here is the most beautiful in Tysnes.

At this peak, you can practically sit and dangle your legs and look down at the village, while admiring the sharp Kvinnherad mountains on the other side of the Onarheimsfjord. If the fjord is also empty, you can expect to be completely sold out. In this article, we will describe two different routes to Hovlandsnuten: from Skaret and from Årbakka. It can be fun to walk one way up and the other down, if you and your hiking group have the opportunity to park your car in both places. It is only a five-minute drive between the two starting points.

Skaret - Vasstøl - Hovlandsnuten

This popular route passes one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island and an idyllic lake.

Parking

There is ample parking at highway 78 between Vevatne and Nymark/Hovland. On Google maps the location is marked as “Tourist parking: Hovlandsnuten”. See map HERE.

Description of the hike: The first half hour of the hike is on a nice forest road up towards Vasstøl. After a few minutes of walking you will see beautiful Fossane on your right. You will encounter the river that leads down to the waterfall several times further up in the terrain, and here you will often catch a glimpse of trout.

When you reach Vasstølstjødno, follow the path to the left along the lake, and on the other side (follow the signs) turn left again and begin the gradually steep climb up Sandlopeskaret. From Vasstøl to Hovlandsnuten it is 3 kilometers to walk, and it takes about an hour, depending on the shape. The path is steep and rocky at times, but clear and easy to follow. Gradually you go more into heather and scrub.

Labeling

There is an information board at the starting point, and the trail is well signposted and marked. Grading

Red. Demanding due to steep sections.

Elevation difference and length 170-727 meters. Length about 4 km up.

Time required: 1.5-2 hours from the parking lot to the top. Remember to bring something good to eat, because you'll want to sit here for a while! :)

Årbakka - Svinadalen - Hovlandsnuten

This hike starts in the village and goes via a nice slope in the mountains. The view only becomes more and more impressive with every meter of altitude you gain.

Parking

Park at the old yellow garage a few hundred meters south of the exit to Årbakka Handelsstad on Fv 78. See map HERE.

Description of the hike: From the parking lot, walk about 500 meters north on the county road and turn left onto Liavegen, which you follow to the end. Eventually you will come to two stone huts. Go through the gate here and follow the path up into the terrain. You will then go through a spruce field in steep terrain. Gradually you will come up into more open landscape, but this is definitely a hike that will test your fitness. The beautiful Svinadalen Valley (see picture below) is located along the route, where you can take a break at the saddle and enjoy the view before continuing uphill towards Hovlandsnuten. You can expect about an hour to Svinadalen and half an hour from there to the top. Remember good hiking shoes with ankle support. The trail is alternately dry/rocky/wet.

Labeling

The trail is signposted and T-marked. Grading

Red. Demanding due to steep sections

Elevation difference 60-727 m

Time required: 1.5-2 hours from the parking lot to the top. Have a nice trip!