Easy hikes and walks around Hovsfjorden

Train station in Geilo. The Bergen / Oslo train runs here. Stops en route: Sandvika, Asker, Drammen, Hokksund, Vikersund, Hønefoss, Nesbyen, Gol, Ål, Ustaoset, Haugastøl, Finse, Hallingskeid, Myrdal (transfer option to the Flåm Railway), Upsete, Mjølfjell and Voss.

Follow signs to bike track. It is in the wood behind.

Very nice and educational exhibition about Huldra, Mare. Muru, Fossegrim, Haugafolket Norwegian folk law.

This huge model of a Sparkstøtting can be seen in the Geilo center A kick sled (short for Norwegian sparkstötting) is a form of transportation and sports equipment that is particularly common in Scandinavia. It can be used on ice and snow and is often used as a bicycle replacement in winter. In the traditional construction, a kick sled is used to transport two people and consists of a chair built on two wooden or metal runners, with two handles attached to the backrest as handlebars. By twisting the wrought-iron runners, the sled can also be steered with a transport load in larger radii (several meters). One person can take a seat and is pushed on the sled by a second person. On downhill and gliding sections, the pusher can stand on the skids. Modern sports kick sleds have no seat, but only consist of runners and handlebars. Sparkstøtting is widespread in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Clearing snow requires a certain amount of traffic, so loose snow becomes firmly compacted and forms the ideal route. The heavy traffic pushes the snow away, making it difficult to pedal. Sprinkled with gravel or salt is also an obstacle to kicking. In this way, the kick has largely survived in the peripheral areas. Source: Wikipedia

On the same day that King Haakon VII opened the Bergen Railway in Geilo, Dr. Holms Sanatorium opened its doors. Doctor Ingebrikt Christian Holm was a specialist in respiratory diseases. In 1909 he used his knowledge and founded the Dr. Holms Høifjeldshotel. At first it was Dr. Holms Hotel was a sanatorium for wealthy people who benefited from the fresh mountain air. In 1916 Dr. Holm the hotel and the following year it was sold to Hotelcompagnie a/s. dr Holm's former sanatorium became a magnet for wealthy families from Oslo and Bergen, as well as nobles from Denmark and England. Source: www.drholms.no

Geilo station on the Bergen Railway (794 m above sea level) was opened on December 21, 1907. The station building is constructed of yellow-painted wood.

Opening hours (2023): Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00 Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m Sunday: closed

Geilojordet was originally a farmstead. Geilo Farm has a history dating back to the Middle Ages. From 1924, Geilojordet was an independent farm before the municipality of Hol acquired it, along with its buildings and land, in 1984. Geilojordet is open from the end of June to mid-August. It comprises nine buildings dating from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. All the buildings are open to visitors. There is a small, charming playground for children. Admission is free.