Bygland muncipality has approximately 1.300 inhabitants and covers a area of 1.312,2 km2. Bygland is a typical agriculture and forestry district. The higgest township is Byglandsfjord which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1993. The walking in Bygland is excellent and there are many marked trails from forest to high mountain terrain. The steamer “SS Bjoren” used to sail along the 50 km Bygland fjord and there are moves afoot to get it going again.

The Byglandsfjorden is well suited to many different water sports. You can paddle a canoe or kayak, go wind- surfing or hire a rowing boat. The falls sections south of the fjord are suitable for rafting, and this is arranged daily during the season. There is excellent fishing in the fjord and also in the Otraelva river.

Perch, trout, char and sea trout can be found in these waters. There are several places worth stopping on the Rv 39. The silversmiths at Byglandsfjord and the runestone at Grendi. In Bygland the local Byglandtun museum is worth a visit. At Storstraumen where the Rv 39 crosses Otra, the old locks which enabled the steamer to transit the lower part of the fjord to the upper part, have been restored.

The Reiarsfossen waterfall have a free fall 300 meters from the mountain at Ose. In Ose itself you will also find the Ose Kulturverkstad which displays examples of local art and culture. There is also a silversmiths in Ose. Overnight accommodation is plentiful in the district, ranging from good quality hotels to simple, small camping sites.

BYGLAND FARMYARD

Farm museum. Collection of buildings dating from between 1650 and 1750. Smokehouse, storehouses and buildings on stilts, as well as various artefacts. Exhibition from Setesdal Copper Works.

BYGLANDSFJORD STATION

Protected station area. Terminal for the old Setesdal railway which operated between 1896 and 1962.

OSE

At Ose, you will find an old local judge´s office. Storstoga, dating from the 1600s which currently is used for various exhibitions: Ose Turistheim, the oldest tourist station in the Setesdal Valley dating from 1887: and a folk music collection. At Ose Ullvare you will see an exhibition of traditional and modern knitting, and you can buy traditional knitted products.

REIARSFOSSEN WATERFALL

At Ose, the 200 metres Reiarsfossen waterfall cascades over the rocks. Acar road (toll) leads from Ose to the top of the waterfall and the lake of Reiårsvatn. Here you will find several good walking paths, some of which are marked.

OSE CULTURAL WORKSHOP

Writing room from around 1650. Changing exhibitions featuring different artists. The fiddle maker´s workshop, the fiddler´s museum. Baking cellar. Traditional food served. Traditional dancing in the summer. Otherwise only by prior arrangement for groups.

STORSTRAUMEN

Locks for the steam boats which took goods and passengers on the Bygland fjord. Now used by the D/S Bjoren.

THE BJOREN STEAMBOAT

Experience nature and culture, take the old steamer “Bjoren” for a trip on Byglandsfjord. The old wood-fired steamer is from 1886.

FÅNEFJELLET

At one time the road went across the Fånefjell mountain. Later it was constructed in the hillside along the lake. These old roads are now suberb walking paths where you can enjoy the scenery and study road construction methods of former times.

SOLHEIM POTTERY

Pottery workshop and shop selling pottery, prints and paintings in Byglandsfjord centre.

SILVERSMITH at BYGLANDFJORD

Gunnar Helle has a workshop with a sales outlet on the shores of Byglandsfjord.

OSE WOOL MERCHANTS

Handiwork, ceramics and knitted goods in the traditional Norwegian style. Baking cellar with wood fired ovens.

SILVERSMITH (SYLVSMED)

Eivind Sordal has a sales outlet and a works hop at Ose.

FISHING

Fishing-rod or net (by arrangement) in the Byglandsfjord. The salmon-type “Bleka”, dwarf salmon, trout and perch. Fishing licences.

GOLF

Golfclubs in Aust Agder.