Byglandsfjord

«It’s so beautiful here! And warm too! It’s not uncommon for us to hear on the news that “Byglandsfjord is the warmest place in the country”. I wasn’t aware of that before I moved here,» laughs Hege Kristine Jore Gakkestad.

Hege Kristine moved with her husband and children to Byglandsfjord several years ago and has zero regrets. The village, with just over 300 inhabitants, lies to the south of Byglandsfjorden, a beautiful freshwater lake stretching 34 kilometers through the Setesdal Valley. This lake has long been the heart and lifeblood of the surrounding villages, with its clear waters and many, many beaches of fine-grained sand. On warm summer days, a refreshing swim offers the perfect way to cool down. «It’s quite wonderful to be able to take both morning and evening swims right below our home,» Hege Kristine says.

It’s not just shops, workplaces, cafes, hair salons, and other places that are a short drive away. Evje also offers a ski jump, martial arts classes, and many other recreational activities for those who are interested in that, but still want to live in a rural setting.

The village may be small, but it offers plenty for its residents: a grocery store, kindergarten, primary school (first until seventh grade), and a large multi-purpose hall that’s popular among locals of all ages who enjoy sports and fitness. There are great facilities for volleyball, beach volleyball, tennis, and multi-sport courts – all just a short walk away.

For Hege Kristine, the music and theater scene in the municipality was a big draw when she and her family decided to move to Byglandsfjord and take over her grandfather’s farm. Music has always been a big part of her life, so joining the choir Kong Hanes eftf and the theater group Bygland Dramatiske Celskab was a no-brainer. Laughter is never in short supply, to say the least. «It’s an amazing community, with people of all ages,» Hege Kristine says.

People are open, and there’s a lot of room to shape things yourself. You can start anything if there’s interest – that’s just part of the culture here.

A bit secluded, in a peaceful hiking area by Byglandsfjorden, you’ll find some stunning buildings in the classic dragon style. These are the old train station buildings, constructed in 1895 as the terminus for the Setesdal Line. Here, the travellers came by train, before taking the water route further north. Although the railway is no longer in service, the area and its buildings are preserved as a heritage site. They’re still put to good use, housing –among other things– the local library.

However, this love of tradition doesn’t close the door to fresh, modern ideas. Byglandsfjord warmly welcomes new residents, valuing their perspectives and contributions. One last fun fact – Byglandsfjorden even has its own beer, made by local brewery Bygland Bryggeri. Byglandsfjorden Blonde is quite the hit!