For many travelers who base themselves in Kristiansand, the Setes Valley (Setesdal) offers one of southern Norway’s most rewarding day-trip or multi-day excursions. Stretching north from the coast along the European route E9, this long, glacier-carved valley links the seaside vibe of Kristiansand (Kristiansand) with high-mountain landscapes near Hovden (Hovden). It’s a corridor where living traditions, folk music, and artisanal silversmithing meet cliffs, pine forests, and deep green lakes.
Historically, the Setes Valley was a remote farming and herding region whose isolation helped preserve distinctive cultural practices. The valley is famous for its bunad costume with ornate silver filigree, hardanger fiddle tunes and “stev” vocal ballads, and the whitewashed, steep-roofed farmhouses that dot the slopes. At Rysstad (Rysstad), the Setesdal Museum (Setesdalsmuseet) and its open-air exhibits bring the past to life with historic buildings and demonstrations, while the Valley of Silver (Sølvgarden) tradition is celebrated through local workshops and hotel decor. The unique cultural blend earned Setesdal recognition on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage lists for its folk music traditions.
For a practical base close to Kristiansand, consider Evje (Evje), about an hour’s drive up the E9. Here, families can pan for gemstones at the Mineral Park (Mineralparken), explore old quarries, or try white-water rafting on the Otra River (Otra). Byglandsfjord (Byglandsfjord) is a serene lake further north where the vintage steamboat Bjoren (Bjoren) sometimes runs summer cruises; it’s one of the world’s few remaining wood-fired steamers, and gliding across the still water with valley walls rising on both sides is a timeless experience. Valle (Valle) and nearby Rysstad are hubs for traditional crafts, while Hovden at the northern end offers alpine skiing in winter and mountain hiking and biking in summer.
Getting there is straightforward: follow the E9 north from Kristiansand. The drive is scenic and well maintained, with frequent pull-offs for photos and picnic spots beside the Otra River. Public transport runs buses up the valley, but having a car gives more flexibility for village stops and trailheads. Several towns have tourist information centers with maps for short, family-friendly hikes to viewpoints or waterfalls, and there are well-marked cycling routes and canoe rentals for those who want to slow down and savor the landscape.
Food and lodging reflect the valley’s rural character. Expect hearty, local fare—trout from Byglandsfjord, cured meats, brown cheese, and waffles—and a mix of cozy guesthouses, riverside cabins, and mountain hotels. Craft shops sell handmade silver jewelry and textiles; pieces from Setesdal silversmiths make meaningful, locally rooted souvenirs. Summer brings festivals featuring hardanger fiddles and traditional dance, and you may even catch a local “kveding” (folk singing) performance in a church or community hall.
What makes the Setes Valley relevant to visitors in Kristiansand is the variety within easy reach: in a single day you can explore a museum of living heritage, paddle a calm lake, hike to a panoramic viewpoint, and cap it all with a farmhouse dinner. Stay longer and the rewards multiply—mineral hunts with kids in Evje, steaming across Byglandsfjord, scaling via ferrata routes near Valle, or skiing above tree line in Hovden. If you’re seeking an authentic slice of southern Norway where nature and culture are inseparable, the Setes Valley is the perfect complement to coastal time in Kristiansand.