Vestre Slidre municipality in Norway has approximately 2.250 inhabitants and covers a area of 463,2 km2. In the beginning of the last century, Hovifoss works was the biggest industrial area in Valdres. It had a mill with a dryer, produktion of soles and whetstones, engine factory and a boat factory, fiddle maker, sawmill, carpenter’s workshop and a power plant. The works is beuatifully located in a landscape which invites outdoor acitivities as fishing, picking of berries and mushroom, etc.

THE FARM RÅ

Preserved farm, situated at Røn. In the country courtyard there are 10 buildings, and the oldest are from the first half of the 1800th century. The cultural historic value lies in the totality it represents.

THE GARBERG FIELD

Grave site that stretches from the Slidrefjord, several kilometers up the hill – along the upper village road. More than 900 findings of old relics, approx. 660 grave stone heapes and a specially carved stone. In the man’s grave, discovered in 1870, there was – amongst others – unveiled a roman sword dated back to early 300’s A.C. This unique findings engaged the first scientific research of the area in 1872. Grain cultivation is proved dated back to 1500 B.C.

The findings shows a large and well organized community 3000 years ago. Bronze – which was not to be found here – was traded from countries abroad. The Einang stone has a central loaction at the Garberg field. This is Scandinavia’s oldest rune stone, and it still holds its original position (from the 2nd half of the 300’s). The text on the stone reads something like: “I DID THESE – INSCRIPTIONS FOR THE GODS”.

MO CHURCH RUINS

On the west side of the Slidrefjord – over the Einang bridge. Ruin of a small Middle Age church in gothic style. Probably dates from approx. 1200. During the excavations they found more than 80 Middle Age coins, and six of the oldest was from King Sverre’s ruling days (1177-1202). Findings of wheel crosses and tomb stones are to be seen from the 11-1200th century. Built as a parish church for the farms in the region.

OLBERG

Hill, 1000 msl. on the west side of the Slidrefjord. The wooden beacon (veten) on the top is most probably from the Viking Age (approx. 950). The beacons placed on several hilltops in Valdres was constructed to alert danger, war or intruders. The easiest access to Olberg is by driving up the “Trillebakkene” on the west side of Einang sound.

HAMRISSLØTET

Well preserved village castle on a peninsula on the west side of the Slidrefjord, at Hamre farm. The Valdres King Brage the Old might have lived here around 500 A.C.

TING STONE

The legends tells that King Olav was here when he negociated with the farmers of Slidre on his christening march in 1023. This district is apparently the last to be christened in Norway. One thing is for sure; the people of Valdres are quite stubborn when it comes to what they believe in! Only after the king had burnt farms in the area and made a lot of trouble the Valdres people agreed to be christened. The name of Olav V. was engraved on the Ting stone in 1987.

LOMEN STAVE CHURCH

Hvam or Kvam is an old name for Lomen perish, and was during the 13-14-1500’s often used together with the name Lomen. After 1612 the name Kvam has not been used as the name for the perish, but is preserved in the name of Kvams Road. This is an old road, running eastbound from Lomen stave church, through old farm courtyards at Midt-Lome, Hauge and Ringestad, and almost in direct line over the hill to Windingstad in Volbu, where it meets the old road to Hanekneet on to Gausdal. Guided tours every summer.

The Stave Churches are constructions of high quality, richly decorated with carvings. In virtually all of them the door frames are decorated from top to bottom with carvings. This tradition of rich ornamentation appears to go back to the animal carvings of the Viking age. The dragons are lovingly executed and transformed into long-limbed creatures of fantasy, here and there entwined with tendrils of vine, with winding stems and serrated leaves. The elaborate designs are executed with supreme artistic skill. The stave church doorways are, therefore, among the most distinctive works of art to be found in Norway. However, it is difficult to connect them with the Christian gospel.

MONUMENTAL STONE

Jørn Hilme the master violinist at the Hilmesberget in Ulnes (along the road towards Fodnes).

SKIING

Vaset is winter Norway at its most beautiful. The floodlit ski tracks for evening skiing. Prepared ski-skating for the skilled and exciting ski safari experiences give great challenge. There are ski schools for children. Adding the fact that Vaset has snow guarantee from 1 November, the needs for wonderful cross country skiing adventures in beautiful surroundings should be more than covered.

Vaset, an eldorado for cross country skiing enthusiasts. At 1000 msl, lies the gate to a magnificent mountain area, with vast moutain plateaus and challenging tops of up to 1900 msl. More than 120 km of prepared ski tracks in a varied, but not dangerous terrain, with good opportunities to “make your own tracks”.

At Vaset you also find Brennabu Ski Center with 3 pists, sledging hills and children’s ski lift. The area offers winter horseback riding and horse sleigh riding.