Sirdal
Municipality · Agder
About Sirdal
The Suleskard mountain road to Setesdal, skiing at Fidjeland and Ålsheia, and the autumn sheep round-up from the high pastures.
What to do and where to stay in Sirdal
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Suleskarvegen over SuleskardViewpoint
The summer-only road from Suleskard to Brokke in Setesdal climbs over 1,000 m on the old 'skin road', where Setesdal people carried furs to pay tax in Stavanger.
From Suleskard (upper Sirdal) east towards Brokke, Valle · 1–1.5 h drive · usually about 21 May – 1 November; closed in winter
2Hilleknuten from FidjelandHike
A steep climb straight up from the Fidjeland ski lift; the first 300 vertical metres take about half an hour, and the top has a 360-degree view over the Sirdal heights.
Fidjeland, upper Sirdal · 1–4 h · summer
3Lunde churchHistory & culture
A Rogaland-style church finished in 1873 that keeps an altarpiece and pulpit from 1620, with paintings by Gottfried Hendtzschel from 1637.
Lunde, Sirdal valley · 15–30 min · all year (outside); interior at services
4Badefossen at BjunesSwim
Where the Sira bends at Bjunes the regulated river runs over small falls into a pothole about 20 m deep, with smooth rock and a shallow pool for small children.
Bjunes, Sira river · 30–90 min · July–August
5'Map of Norway' in the rock north of GuddalsbruaLocal oddity
Across the river north of Guddal bridge, a rock face shaped like a map of Norway; look from the car or park and walk a short way along the road.
North of Guddalsbrua, Sirdal valley · 5–10 min · all year
6Old Tonstad and Tonstad churchHistory & culture
Tonstad's old centre by the former harbour on Sirdalsvatnet, with old bakeries, inn and hotel buildings, near a long church on a site that held a Mary church from the 1300s.
Tonstad, south end of Sirdalsvatnet · 30–60 min · all year
7TonstadbadetActivity
The indoor pool by the Sira in Tonstad has a 33°C wellness pool with jets and whirlpool, a 3.5 m deep sports pool with diving tower, a sauna and a steam room.
Central Tonstad, by the Sira river · 1–2 h · all year; family swim Tue/Thu afternoon and Saturday 10–15:30
8Røseknuten from ÅlsheiaHike
From the Ålsheia ski centre at Sinnes a route climbs past tarns and lifts to Røseknuten over Valevatnet, passing Røsefoten, said to be a troll's footprint.
Ålsheia, Sinnes, upper Sirdal · 2–4 h · summer and autumn (snow-free)
9ØysteinshedlarenHike
A rock shelter 22 m deep a short walk from the road by Tjørhom power station, with traces of early use. Legend says King Øystein slept here. Mind falling rock.
West of Tjørhom power station, by Øysteinsevja, Kvæven · 30 min
10Skeie burial fieldLocal secretHistory & culture
23 Migration Period burial mounds (AD 400–800) in pine forest, with a rest area, signs and paths between them. Keep off the mounds.
Skeie, west side of the Sira river · 30 min