Etne municipality in Norway has approximately 4.000 inhabitants and covers a area of 735,4 km2.
Etne has a varied landscape, extending from the archipelago at Etnefjord, south to Lake Ølen and north to Skånevikfjord. In the north, Åkrafjord intersects through a barren and heavily eroded mountain glacier, where the municipality´s highest point rises 1,638 meters above sea level. Etne has three nature reserves: Brattholmen, Skåno and Langebudalen. Lakes in the area include Løkjelsvatnet. Etnesjøen is the administrative centre.
Sæbøtunet hamlet and the post Road between Etne and Skånevik are but a few. The village of Skånevik is best known for its timber-framed buildings and decorative shop-fronts. This is also the reason why Skånevik is often called the “Pearl of Sunnhordaland”.
Etne is widely renowned for its varied cultural history. In the Middle Ages, from 1161 till 1184, Stødle was a seat of power from where King Magnus Erlingsson reigned. Although he was crowned at the age of five, King Magnus lived a short life, falling in battle at twenty-eight years of age. It was King Magnus´s father, Earl Erling Skakke who in 1160, according to legend, commissioned his own private chapel which became what is today Stødle Church.
In close vicinity to the church is a burial mound and ring formations in the ground, evidence that suggest the area was an important centre during the Bronze Age. Traces of early history are also to be found in other parts of Etne. The Bruteig Stones in Stordalen are one of western Norway´s most important archaeological sites from this period. Examples of the more recent past are plentiful in Etne. Sæbøtunet hamlet and the post Road between Etne and Skånevik are but a few.
Langfossen waterfall is a waterfall located in Vaulaelva river. Langfossen waterfall total fall is around 612 meters, where it leaps out into Åkrafjorden. The waterfall is the fifth highest waterfall in Norway.
European route E134 runs along the base of the waterfall, making access very easy. In march 2011 CNN / Budget Travel sat Langfossen waterfall as one of the worlds ten most beautiful waterfalls. Picnic area, kiosk, toilets.
SKÅNEVIK
The village with a population of approximately 1.000 inhabitants is situated on Skånevik fjord and is surrounded by rugged hills covered in beautiful forest. The village of Skånevik is best known for its timber-framed buildings and decorative shop-fronts. This is also the reason why Skånevik is often called the “Pearl of Sunnhordaland”. Cultural events are many and varied on the yearly calendar with the Skånevik Blues Festival being the biggest and most well known.
SÆBØTUNET RURAL MUSEUM
Guided tours daily from mid-June to mid-August.
OLD INN
A restored Inn and guesthouse dating from 1785. A classic example of the beautiful wooden buildings in the centre of Skånevik.
NORWEGIAN MOTOR MUSEUM
Exhibition of diverse types of motors from 1898 up to today in the centre of Skånevik.
BRONZE STATUE
Statue of Magnus Erlingsson, King of Norway 1161-1184. Outside the Town Hall, Etne town centre.
MEMORIAL
A memorial to the shipwreck of “Folgefonden”, which sank 22. August 1908 with the loss of 26 lives. Located in the park close to the ferry quay in Skånevik.
GJERDE CHURCH
Erected in 1676. Unusual wall decorations. Rune stone outside the church.
GRINDHEIM CHURCH
Dating from the Middle Ages (1728). Rune stone about 4 metres high outside the church. Interesting stone cross beside the church. Burial mounds nearby in the vicinity of Rygg school. There were originally 250 burial mounds here dating back to the Bronze Age.
STØDLE CHURCH
The Viking chieftain, Erling Skakke´s private chapal from around 1160. Extended in wood around 1650. Burial mound and worship stone monument west of the church. Fine view of the villaga of Etne.
CARVED STONES
North of Stødle Church, on the eastern side of the old farmstead at Stødle, an imposing great stone stands prominently in the field. This is known as Helgeberg – the holy stone. In the Bronze Age this was a centre for cult getherings to ensure e good harvest. Also visible are special ring formations and wheel symbols.
BRUTEIG STONE
Stone carvings at Flåte, at the end of the valley, Stordalen. Very ornate and interesting carvings from the Bronze Age. Boats, humans, trees, foot prints, spirals. etc.
DUE STONE
Diverse carvings from the Bronze Age including circles and sun-crosses. Path from the car park to the site of the stone.
BURIAL SITE at ETNE
Large burial site close to the shore, buriel mounds and a grave with four stone pillars at Skånevikstranda.
KYRPING TRADING POST
An old trading post at Åkrafjord. Many of the buildlngs have been restored externally and internally.
THE OLD ROAD to ÅKRAFJORDVEGEN
This road was built during the sacond world war and was the largest project in the history of the highway authorities. About 1000 laboursers were engaged here in 1940. The road is closed in winter.
THE ICECARVED GROTTOS
In Rullestadjuvet you find a marked path from Skromme. 30 minutes walk from the bridge by the E134 highway. Steep but fenced on the uppermost stretch. A deep hole in the rock face measuring up to 3-4 metres in diameter, carves out by ice and stones in the tumultuous river throughout hundrede of years.
EXOTIC GARDENS
At Skånevik Sæbjørn Amland´s exotic gardens contain many unusual plants and trees, hidden paths and scenic view points.
FISHING
In Etne You find a varied offer of sea fishing rivers and inland lakes. There are three watercourses in the municipality. Sørelva river, Fjæraelva river and Mosnes river. Etneelva river is among the most important salmon rivers on the west coast. There are about 40 lakes in the municipality, most located in Etnefjella. The lakes in Sørfjellet and Middle Etnefjell is most used. Some of them are regulated, but you will also set out the fish. The area is easily accessible, with a road leading to Rus and Skarstøl.
In Stordalsvatnet can hire boats and nets. Here there six species; freshwater trout, char, salmon, sea trout, sticklebacks and eels. In Åkrafjorden is Rullestad lake is the most used water, but the mountain is also lakes for trout fishing. Campsite at Halvfjordingen hire out boats. The area is also adapted for wheelchair at Rullestad lake.
GOLF
Golfclubs in Hordaland.