Øystese: Fyksesund Fjord RIB Safari & Forgotten Trails Hike

Your hiking journey begins in Botnen, a small, roadless hamlet at the innermost end of the narrow Fyksesund fjord branch. We travel there by RIB safari from Øystese, entering the landscape the way locals once did - through the dramatic waterway that cuts deep into the mountains.

From Botnen, we step ashore and follow the old mountain route once used by farmers moving livestock between the fjord and their summer farms in the highlands. This forgotten trail links nature, culture, and generations of Hardanger history.

A journey through culture and nature

The hike leads up the steep, impressive Botnadalen valley before following a high-level ridge path with sweeping views of Fyksesund and the surrounding mountains. As you ascend, the landscape opens dramatically—from the narrow fjord below to the broader Hardangerfjord, and on clear days all the way to the Folgefonna glacier on the horizon.

Along the way, our local guides share stories from life in this isolated fjord community: tales of resilience, tradition, and the unique challenges of living between mountains and sea. This is a rare chance to experience Hardanger’s landscape through the eyes of the people who breathe the fjord every day.

The Experience

This route is unlike most hikes in Norway—remote, authentic, and reachable only by boat. It offers a true off-the-beaten-path adventure without crowds, guided by locals who know every turn of the trail. The hike ends in Hovland, where the road meets us again. From here, we continue by minibus back to Øystese.