Sølvgarden Hotellog Feriesenter: Explore the heart of traditional Setesdal

In the scenic village of Rysstad, deep in Norway’s Setesdal valley, there is a place where tradition is lived, celebrated, and passed down with devotion. Sølvgarden Hotell og Feriesenter is a cultural meeting point, a tribute to generations of craftsmanship, and a place where guests are invited to sit back, relax, and experience some of the finest landscapes the country has to offer.

Often referred to as “the Valley of the Silversmiths,” Setesdal has been known for its elaborate traditional silver for over a century, and Rysstad is its shimmering capital. It is where you will find the glint of handmade silver, the sound of the Hardanger fiddle, the flavour of cured, smoked lamb, as well as Sølvgarden Hotell and Feriesenter. Here, the traditions of silversmithing, folk music, and mountain hospitality come together under one roof, in a setting as rooted in heritage as it is in nature.

The story of Sølvgarden did not begin in a boardroom or tourism strategy meeting, but with a man and his many callings. In the 1960s, Olav Rysstad, a truck driver and silversmith, opened a simple kiosk and campground. Over time it grew, first with a service building with a small kiosk, a silversmith workshop and sanitary facility in the basement. In the following decades, his son Trygve Rysstad expanded the business further, adding cabins and a café under the name Rysstad Feriesenter.

“It experienced steady growth and small expansions until the first groundbreaking for the hotel took place in 2007,” says Manager Torfinn Rysstad. “In 2009, Sølvgarden was completed, and now serves as a modern hotel and holiday centre with roots deeply embedded in both our family history and the culture of Setesdal.”

Sølvgarden offers a wide range of accommodation, from comfortable hotel rooms and charming cabins to a well-equipped campsite. In the hotel, guests will also find a restaurant with a strong focus on local and traditional cuisine, as well as a range of activities and cultural experiences available on-site and in the local area.

A doorway to the best of Setedal

Beyond Sølvgarden, Setesdal offers a treasure trove of cultural and natural experiences, with rivers for fishing and swimming, mountains for hiking, and winter trails for both alpine and cross-country skiing.

Conveniently situated about two hours from Kristiansand Airport, the hotel is easily accessible by rental car or public bus via the scenic National Tourist Route 9, so whether you are arriving from the southern coast or travelling through Norway, Sølvgarden is a natural stopover and a perfect base for those exploring the region.

Families and hiking enthusiasts will find plenty of well-marked trails throughout the valley, and in the nearby Valle, you will find three Via Ferrata climbing routes, which make for the perfect daytrip. Løefjell offers a family-friendly route suitable for beginners, while Nomelandsfjellet and Straumsfjellet cater to more experienced climbers. “You can reach famous destinations like Kjerag and Lysefjorden within an hour from Sølvgarden, and the iconic Preikestolen is only about two hours away,” says Rysstad.

If you are looking for a more relaxed, but culturally fulfilling stay, the region also has plenty to offer. Just 600 meters from Sølvgarden is the Setesdal Museum, which showcases traditional life in the valley. Visitors can explore exhibitions on old buildings, costumes, local photography, and more. The museum also features a scale model of the long-lost Hylestad Stave Church and tells the story of its ongoing reconstruction using traditional techniques from the Viking Age.

Another highlight is the historic steamship DS Bjoren, one of the valley’s most charming summer attractions. Restored in 1994, this floating cultural treasure now offers scenic Sunday cruises on Byglandsfjord. It is a favourite among both locals and visitors and offers a peaceful and nostalgic way to experience the beauty of the Setesdal waterways. “We also have our own silversmith workshop, RysstadSylv, where traditional bunad silver and jewellery are handcrafted,” Rysstad says.

Whether you come for the silver, the stories, or the stunning surroundings, Sølvgarden is your doorway into one of Norway’s richest cultural landscapes.

Host and hostess, husband and wife, Torfinn and Linda Rysstad.

Web: www.solvgarden.no
Facebook: Sølvgarden Hotell og Feriesenter
Instagram: @solvgarden