Høyanger muncipality in Norway has approximately 4.370 inhabitants and covers a area of 908,3 km2. The administrative center is the village of Høyanger, which has 2177 inhabitants (2009). Other villages in Høyanger are Lavik, Kyrkjebø, Austreim, and Vadheim. Høyanger was created on 1 January 1964 when the municipalities of Kyrkjebø and Lavik were merged. Høyanger is known for being one of the first industrial towns in Norway to use its steep mountains surrounding the town giving excellent conditions for producing hydroelectricity needed for electrolysis. The main product being produced in Høyanger was aluminium.
Stølsheimen Nature Reserve was created in 1990. The 367 sq. km. area stretches from high mountain-tops, through fertile valleys and sweeps over steep meadows down to the fjords. This area is perhaps best known for its mountain farms and lakes. From Ortnevik there are marked footpaths up to Stølsheimen and from Bjordal you may drive up the Stordal road to the summit (2.390 ft. above sea) to get an overall view of the are.
ORTNEVIK
Ortnevik is located on the south side of the Sognefjorden. The village is fairly isolated since there is only one road leading to it. Norwegian County Road 92 (Fv 92) comes to Ortnevik from the west. The village of Bjordal lies about 20 kilometres to the west along Fv 92. There is also a regular car ferry connection which goes from Ortnevik to the north side of the fjord. The ferry stops at Ortnevik, Måren, and Austreim, and a couple time each day it continues from Austreim to the village of Høyanger.
The village has about 45 year-round residents, but there are many more summer residents, since many people return to the village to live in their summer cabins in the village. The village sits in a small valley that has mountains on three sides and the fjord on the north side. The river Ortnevikelva runs through the village. Ortnevik Church is located in the village, serving the southeastern part of the municipality. There is also a small store, library, and community centre.
Sogn Aqua
Halibut hosted farmed in cold deep lakes are of very good quality and thus a great demand. The basis for Halibut farming on land is use of cold and pure deep lakes from the Sognefjorden. In Ortnevik Sogn Aqua can gain access to this resource, and increase in production will give us possibility to export of fish.
TELL TEIGEN (1923 – 1958)
Born Trygve, spesialised to balance on a stables of chairs on top of high masts. He was invited to the Olympic Games in Helsinki 1952 to show his skill. Tell worked as a balance artist at Ringling Brothers in USA. In 1958 Tell falled down an died. In 2008 a monument was built 20 meters high outside Høyangerbadet.
MASSNES WILDLIFE-MUSEUM
Wildlife-Museum with exhibitions of Zoology and natural- and cultural history. 12 minutes from Oppedal. Nature trail along the fjord in beautiful scenery and undisturbed orginal forest. In May and June you can watch the mating dances of the Capercaillie and the Black Grouse. Cafeteria open in the summer.
HØYANGER INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM
Høyanger Town Gate complex shows exhibitions of industrial, workers and history of Høyanger.
HYDRO ALUMINIUM
The company was established to take advantage of the hydro-electric power plants in the respective villages to create aluminum plants. Hydro is the fourth largest integrated aluminium company world wide. In Norway Hydro has plants in Rjukan, Raufoss, Vennesla, Karmøy, Høyanger, Årdal, Sunndalsøra, Holmestrand and Magnor.
PICTURES
Pictures taken by amateur photograps of local scenery worth seeing. GoNorway want to show pictures of good quality taken by anyone. Click on the small images and get a large image with a map and a txt of what you see. The photographers name with link to their Homepage, Facebook, Twitter and video on YouTube.
SOGNEFJORDEN
Sognefjorden is the largest and most well known fjord in Norway and the third longest in the world (behind the Scoresby Sund and Greely Fiord). Because the other two fjords are often ice-covered, the Sognefjorden is the longest open (ice-free) fjord in the world. Located in Sogn & Fjordane, it stretches 205 kilometres inland from the ocean to the small village of Skjolden, width 4.5 kilometres and depth 1,308 metres. The fjord takes its name from the traditional district of Sogn, which covers the southern part of the county.
The Outer Sognefjord and Dalsfjord area includes more than 100 walking trials, ranging from easy walks on the islands and lowland to more challenging treks to mountains. Trips to lower mountains, which you will find througout the whole area, offer terrific views of the coast, skerries and the sea. Høyanger borders on the Stølsheimen national park, one of Norway´s most popular trekking areas. Most trails in the Outer Sognefjord and Dalsfjord area are extensively used and therefore easily visible, but for more challenging routes a map is recommended.
HUNTING
For an individual hunter or a hunting team, deer hunting can provide both a challenge and a close-to-nature experience. There are several licensed hunting areas for various types of hunt (still, stalking etc.). If you want to, you can join in the preparation of the meat or engage in other activities such as fishing, diving, bird hunting, mountain treks or the hunt for a perfect photograph.
FISHING
Lakes and rivers throughout the area provide good chances of catching trout. In the salmon rivers you can catch larger fish as well. We therefore recommend that you ask your host, tourist office or local landowner before you go fishing. Angling is restricted in certain lakes and rivers. Fishing also requies payment of the national fishing fee. Forms available at the post offices.