Explore the Cultural Heartland of Hjartdal in Mythical Telemark

Journey along the historic Sogevegen (Saga Road) and experience cultural heritage at its very best. Discover the secrets of Telemark, where mythical sagas, fascinating history, and breathtaking nature converge.

Enjoy the taste of delicious cheeses from Nordbø Gard, learn about the unique pollarding trees (styvingstrær) at Myljom-To, and visit the landmark Hjartdal Bygdemylle (Village Mill), which beautifully sits by the waterfall and still produces flour and grains from local crops.

The Cultural Landscape Centre in Hjartdal: Nature and History

Hjartdal is recognized nationally, along with Svartdal, as a "selected and particularly valuable cultural landscape." This area has successfully preserved its biodiversity, including wildflowers, insects in the meadows, and birdlife in the deciduous forests. It is also home to large quantities of Telemark's official county flower, the orchid Systermarihånd.

The preservation success is deeply rooted in Hjartdal being an active agricultural village with many farmers and grazing animals.

At the Cultural Landscape Centre, nature manager and folk singer Ingvill Buen Garnås invites you to explore the history and future values embedded in the cultural landscape. Ingvill often spices up her stories with:

• Mythical sagas and beautiful folk songs from the area.
• The true story of the 1540 farmer uprising, a crucial part of Hjartdal and Telemark's history.

Location and Hours: The Cultural Landscape Centre is located in the same building as Holm Landhandel and shares the same opening hours from June to August. The centre welcomes groups year-round by appointment and can tailor arrangements.

Step Back in Time at Holm Landhandel (General Store)

Holm Landhandel is centrally located along the Sogevegen via Nutheim. This was the village's general store until 1980. Local enthusiasts initiated a renovation project to restore the store as a natural stop along the historic road, fueled by love for the community and local products.

Plan a stop here to soak up the cozy atmosphere. You can purchase:

• Locally produced sheepskins from Øvre Funner farm.
• Mohair yarn from Telespinn in Svartdal.
• A selection of flavorful cheeses from Nordbø Gard.
• Unique interior design items and local art.

Take a break and enjoy freshly baked waffles and a cup of coffee with a view of Hjartdal Church and the stunning cultural landscape.

The Protective Symbolism of 'Skinnfellroser' (Sheepskin Roses)

At the farm Øvre Funner in Hjartdal, you can visit Funnerfellen, which produces soft, beautifully colored sheepskin rugs. They stamp unique patterns, called "Skinnfellroser," onto the leather surface using carved wooden stamps inspired by old sheepskins from the Hjartdal and Tuddal area.

These patterns hold symbolism, often representing love. In ancient times, farmers were highly superstitious and believed that placing the sheepskin rug in their bed would protect them from evil forces and illness.

You can view and purchase these unique sheepskins (no two patterns are identical) in the old farmhouse (eldhuset). Pre-orders are also possible.

* Pollarding Tree (Styvingstre): A deciduous tree shaped by repeated cutting of branches at fixed intervals for a specific purpose, primarily to gather animal fodder (leaves, twigs), or bark (for tanning fishing nets and hides).

Sustainable Farming and Trollish Trees at Myljom-To

The farm Myljom-To practices a special and sustainable form of harvesting nutritious animal feed. In the steep slopes of the farm, you will find nearly 200 pollarding trees (styvingstrær)—deciduous trees that have been trimmed for hundreds of years, developing highly characteristic shapes over time.

Mythical Shapes: In the twilight, these trees can resemble the silhouettes of spirits and trolls, likely inspiring artists who visited the district in the previous century.
Learning Centre: The farm hosts courses on leaf harvesting and has built a small museum to convey the history and knowledge of this practice.

This type of harvesting was common before modern machinery and fertilizers. Myljom-To is therefore one of the very few farms in Norway that still practices it, making it an absolute must-visit destination.

Hjartdal Bygdemylle: A Piece of Norwegian Food History

Visit Hjartdal Bygdemylle (Village Mill) and explore the history of a vital part of Norwegian food production.

At the Egderud waterfall in Hjartdal, grain has been milled the old-fashioned way since the 1700s (though now powered by electricity instead of water).

Exhibition: Take a guided tour of the mill's exhibition, "Fra jord til bord" (From Soil to Table), and witness the millstones grinding the grain into different types of flour. You can purchase various coarse barley flours for your own baking.
Outdoor Area: The area is set up for swimming at the Egderud waterfall with a lovely stone-paved rest area. A stair bridge called "Myllestigen" offers a beautiful view of the waterfall and the mill.

Don't miss the "Kønnmagasinet" (Grain Magazine) at Magasinbakken. This spectacular two-story viewpoint is built in the same style as the viewpoint in Flatdal and aims to convey the art history of the area.

• Discover stories about the grain magazine and the artists who visited, including the famous Henrik Sørensen (1882–1962).
• From the second-floor viewpoint, you can enjoy the motif that inspired one of Sørensen's most famous paintings of Telemark.

Taste the Traditions: Farm Cheeses and Nordbø Gard

Up in Hjartdalsbygda lies Nordbø Gard og Stule, one of the oldest farms in the area, with an impressive history stretching back to the late Iron Age. Historically, Nordbø Gard served as church property, crown property, a venue for the local assembly, and a sheriff's farm.

Today, it is a family-run farm focused on dairy production and preserving the region's old food traditions.

Craftsmanship: Explore the traditional production methods of cheesemaking (ysting) and churning (kinning).
The Taste of Telemark: Savor the flavors of homemade butter, sour cream, traditional cheeses, and prim (a sweet brown cheese spread).

Bjordal Stule (Summer Farm)

The summer farms (støler) have always been crucial for farms in Telemark, allowing milkmaids to graze cows in the outfields during summer. This tradition continues at Nordbø.

Visit: Everyone is welcome to visit Bjordal Stule during the summer (July–August), where you can be served traditional sour cream porridge (rømmegrøt), coffee, and waffles.
Capacity: Both the farm and the summer farm have certified dairies and can serve up to 30 people. This is a must-visit destination to explore the authentic flavors of Telemark.

Accommodation and Venue Rental in Hjartdal

In the midst of the unique cultural landscape, several options are available for staying or hosting events:

Hjartdal Fjellstoge (Mountain Lodge): Offers accommodation and venue rental, suitable for companies, organizations, or private parties (courses, corporate trips, or family gatherings). In winter, groomed ski trails run right by the cabin, and it's a great starting point for peak hikes like Rennevassvarden.

Sud-Hovland Farm: Offers historic accommodation centrally located in Hjartdalsbygda. You can rent the Gamlestoga or Gjestestoga (Old and Guest Cabins), both equipped with modern kitchens and bathrooms. The area provides short distances to great cultural trails.

Nordbø Pensjonat (Guesthouse): Located along Sogevegen and a popular starting point for cycling tours. This cozy guesthouse offers accommodation (including breakfast) and has its own café serving lovely meals on weekends.

Teleros Farm: A former shared barn now run by a young farmer. The "Uppåstugu" on the second floor above the barn offers a great rental venue for about 40 people. It features long tables, sofas, and views over Hjartdalsbygda, with a glass wall allowing you to look down into the barn itself. Suitable for parties, meetings, and courses.

Hjartdal offers many exciting experiences for those who travel through the Sogevegen via Nutheim. Before your visit, we recommend contacting the various locations to confirm availability. The warm hospitality and fantastic products offered will give you memories for life. Welcome!