Photo: Erik den yngre / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized and converted
About This Hike
The yellow-marked Hæreid round walk starts in Eidfjord village centre, follows Eidfjordvatnet and then climbs for about ten minutes to the Hæreid terrace. The flat terrace was formed when glacial meltwater built a delta into the sea, which stood roughly 110 metres higher at the end of the last Ice Age. Today it holds Western Norway's largest known prehistoric burial field, with at least 350 visible mounds and cairns. Only nine finds are known from excavated graves, so the exact age of the complete landscape is uncertain; the documented finds date from the sixth century to around AD 1000, and some structures may be older. Continue to the Hodna viewpoint for views over Eidfjord, the fjord and surrounding mountains, then return on a mixture of asphalt, gravel, shore and forest paths. The standard loop is about 5.5 kilometres with 140 metres of ascent and normally takes 75–90 minutes. It is an accessible way to combine scenery, geology and local history, but the burial features are protected archaeology: stay on the route, leave stones in place and use the interpretation signs rather than walking over the mounds.
Highlights
- ✓ At least 350 prehistoric burial mounds and cairns across the terrace
- ✓ Hodna viewpoint over Eidfjord village, the fjord arm and the surrounding mountains
- ✓ The Hæreid terrace itself, a marine delta built by meltwater rivers at the end of the last Ice Age
- ✓ Sandy shore of Eidfjordvatnet on the outward leg, with benches for a rest
Getting There
Starts at the tourist office, Ostangvegen 23, Eidfjord. Village-centre parking, limited in high season.
Municipality: Eidfjord, Vestland
Trailhead: 60.466020, 7.085300 · Open in Google Maps
Before You Go
Start at the tourist office and use the yellow route map or obtain the current cultural-history map there. The burial field is an archaeological landscape, not an outdoor play area: do not climb the mounds, rearrange stones or make new cairns. Keep the loop separate from any guided museum product — a self-guided visit is a public walk, while guided history offerings and opening times need to be arranged directly with the operator.
Information checked: September 2026 against Visit Eidfjord / Destination Hardanger Fjord and Kringom heritage information.
⚠️ Safety Notes
- Wear good walking shoes; surfaces include asphalt, gravel, beach and forest paths.
- Stay on the yellow-marked route and follow the information signs at the burial ground.
- Treat the burial mounds and cairns with care: do not climb on, dig into or move stones from archaeological remains.