Kinsarvik

Kinsarvik is a village in Ullensvang municipality, Vestland, Norway, on the Sørfjord arm of the Hardangerfjord, about 120 km south-east of Bergen. It is a full-day trip by bus and boat. One option is the Norled Hardangerfjord cruise package, which includes a bus from Bergen bus station at 07:25 to Norheimsund, where the boat takes over for the fjord leg to Kinsarvik; current fares are listed at norled.no. The alternative is the Vy train from Bergen to Voss, then a regional bus to Kinsarvik, a bus ride of about 1 hour 5 minutes, for a total of about 2.5 hours each way, with train fares from 139 NOK (about $14.50) and bus fares on Entur. Kinsarvik is set among orchards, a defining feature of the Hardanger district, which is known for apples, cider and fruit farms, and in late spring the blossom is a main draw. The village has a medieval stone church, Kinsarvik Church, dating from the twelfth century, and the nearby Husedalen valley has a trail past a chain of waterfalls, which adds a moderate walk of a few hours for those who want exercise. A practical day involves the early departure from Bergen, arrival in Kinsarvik around midday if travelling by public transport, lunch in the village, a visit to the church and a walk along the fjordfront or towards the waterfalls, and a return in the late afternoon or early evening. Last connections should be checked before the day starts, as services thin out in the evening. The best season is May to September, with May for blossom and summer for the cruise and hiking. Nearby farms and cideries sell fruit products in season. Food and drink options are modest in scale, so lunch plans are worth confirming. Further information is available at visithardangerfjord.com.