Framed by the mountain plateaus of the Setesdalsheiene, Valle lies in the heart of southern Norway’s Setesdal Valley. It encompasses eight villages that include the administrative centre of Valle, as well as scenic moorlands, photogenic waterfalls and sprawling lakes.
Things to do in Valle
Explore the historic buildings clustered in Rygnestadtunet, an open-air museum that looks exactly as it did when it was abandoned in 1919. Legend says that it was originally built by Vonde-Åsmund in the mid-16th century while grave excavations suggest the area was settled from as early as 900 AD. In addition to its centuries-old storehouse, brook mill and barns, the site features a blacksmith’s workshop, a farmhouse and a sauna.
If you want to stretch your legs, you can follow the “Bishop’s Road” that connects Valle with Fyresdal and passes over a high plateau that priests and bishops once used to access parishioners. It’s the site of an annual trek known as The Bishop’s Road March, which begins in the small hamlet of Kleivgrend along the edge of the Setesdal heaths.
Another popular hike leads through Veiåjuvet canyon to Gloppefoss, one of the highest waterfalls in the Setesdal Valley. Even during the summer months, it experiences a good flow of water, which cascades over a rocky outcrop along the Veiåne River. Follow the trail that crisscrosses back and forth across the river while keeping your eyes peeled for beavers and deer.
Getting around Valle
Valle is just over four hours’ drive from Oslo and Oslo Airport while Bergen is a little over five hours away. Buses connect Valle to towns and villages across the region. The village of Valle is small enough to explore on foot while having your own vehicle is the most convenient way of getting around the municipality.