Setesdal

Soon afterwards the Hallandsfoss, a 15m/50ft high waterfall, is seen on the left, with a number of deep potholes (gouged out by swirling melt water). Beyond this, in a wider part of the valley, is Valle (alt. 307m/1,007ft), chief place in the Setesdal, with old houses and a church of 1844.

Road 9 runs northwest from Kristiansand, turning away from the west bank of the river Otra and passing the cemetery and the road to Ravnedal Park. At Mosby a road goes off on the right to Vennesla and Grovane (old-time railroad.)

Road 9 then continues past the Langevann and Eigelandsvann, passes through Hægeland (octagonal church, 1830), crosses an expanse of wooded heathland and crosses the Otra on the Birkeland bridge.

The village of Årdal has a fine wooden church (1827), with a runic stone (ca. 1100) in the churchyard. 300m/330yd south of the church can be seen a 900-year-old oak tree.

Årdal is a perfect base for those looking to explore the national park Jotunheimen. The park offers summer and winter activities.

North of Årdal, at the foot of Lysheia (845m/2,772ft), is Bygland, with a 19th century church. In the churchyard are prehistoric cult stones, and there are several old burial mounds in the surrounding area. Good fishing in the fjord.

Byglandsfjord (alt. 207m/680ft), on the south side of the lake of that name, through which the river Otra flows, was formerly the terminus of the Setesdal railroad, which closed in 1962; it is now a winter sports resort (chair-lift, pistes).

Road 39 (blasted from the rock at certain points) now runs along the east side of the Byglandsfjord, with the Årdalsfjell (760m/2,495ft) rearing above it on the right.

Evje (alt. 185m/607ft, pop. 1,400) has boatyards, woodworking industry and felspar quarries. In Evjemoen, to the south, was a nickel plant (closed down in 1946) using ore from Flåt. The minerals of this region (amazonite, beryl, aquamarine) will be of interest to geologists. There are several museums in Evje that highlight local minerals. Hornnes, 5km/3mi south of Evje, has an interesting octagonal wooden church (1826-29).

The road from Rustfjell runs through magnificent scenery to Helle, which has a long tradition of silversmithing.

Hovden (alt. 740m/2,428ft), beautifully situated above the outflow of the Otra into the Hartevatn, is the main winter sports and climbing center in the Setesdal (lifts).

North of Hovden go past the Lislevatn, the Breivatn and the Sessvatn, reaching the highest point between Kristiansand and Haukeligrend (917m/3,009ft). From Haukeligrend the Haukeli Road descends to Haugesund.

At Nomeland a road branches off on the left to the Brokke power station, from which there is a beautiful view of the valley. Nearby is Sylvartun, an old wooden house with a collection of silversmiths' work.

9km/5.5mi from Valle is the farm of Flateland, where a side road (2km/1.25mi) goes off to the Setesdal Museum (old wooden houses).

Displays include a collection of local costumes and an exhibit highlighting local farming.

Road E 39 crosses Otterå fjord on the Storestraum bridge and continues along its western shore. To the left is the Reiårsfoss waterfall. At the north end of the fjord are a number of old store-rooms built on piles (stabbur). Following the course of the Otra, the road now skirts the Rustfjell (1,070m/3,511ft), to the left.