Norway is one of the best destinations to visit if you love to take things slow and appreciate nature. Located on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula with Sweden and Finland, Norway is iconic for its breathtaking fjords and picturesque small islands. One of the best ways to enjoy the country’s natural beauty is to visit the western island of Stord and stay in the best cabin in Norway – Ørnablikk.

Stord Island is one of Norway’s largest islands and is a significant transport link between the cities of Bergen and Stavanger. Most people don’t stop to explore the island and all its gems. It boasts charming downtowns, excellent hiking trails, incredible seafood restaurants and bakeries, breathtaking nature and more.

During summer 2023, I visited Stord, Norway with Caitlin of My Darling Passport. We spent two days and nights enjoying the beauty this island has to offer while staying at the best cabin in Norway. It was the perfect way to disconnect, tune into nature and experience the Midnight Sun.

The Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs during the summer solstice in places within the Arctic or Antarctic Circle. As the name explains, the Midnight Sun is when the sun is still visible at midnight. In addition to Norway, other great places to see the Midnight Sun are Canada (Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories), the United States (Alaska), Sweden, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Russia and Antarctica.

Overall, the country of Norway is the perfect destination for nature lovers. In this article, learn about the best cabin in Norway, which you could book through The Cabin Land, and discover the best things to do on Stord Island.

**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. During my time in Stord, Norway, The Cabin Land hosted me at Himmelhyttene’s Ørnablikk cabin for two nights. I was also hosted for a meal at The Strand.

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Traveling from Bergen to Stord:

Caitlin and I began our Scandinavia trip in the capital city of Norway – Oslo. The closest city to Stord is Bergen and what we did was take a short flight from Oslo to Bergen before picking up our rental car and driving another two hours to the island. (There are numerous direct flights from Oslo to Bergen daily.) You could find affordable flights through Skyscanner!

Another way you can get from Oslo to Bergen is by taking the Bergensbanen. Taking the train from Oslo to Bergen is one of the best ways to see the incredible landscapes of Norway. The train journey is a little over seven hours and there are 180 tunnels and 22 stops to enjoy.

Overall, the Bergensbanen is Northern Europe’s highest railway. The trains offer passengers a comfortable experience and a café where you can purchase snacks and beverages. During the journey, you’ll also experience vast forests, glistening lakes, towering mountains, small scenic islands and a great view of the fjords and waterfalls.

If you have room in your itinerary, it’s best to take the train, but if you’re only in Norway for a limited time, taking a flight will save you much time. Due to our itinerary and the amount of time we were in Norway, we took a flight from Oslo to Bergen.

Whether you take a flight or the train to Bergen, you will need a rental car to get around Stord Island. Please note that you do not need an international driver’s license to rent a car in Norway.

The drive from Bergen to Stord is relatively straightforward. You’ll mainly be on the E39 highway before driving onto a ferry. The ferry ride is around 40 minutes and it’s free!

Depending on the ferry you’re on, you may have to get out of your vehicle. If not, you can relax in your car but must turn the engine off. For those who venture onto the ferry, you can enjoy beautiful views, use the restrooms and purchase a snack. (I recommend trying the vanilla soft serve ice cream topped with cocoa powder, you’ll thank me later!)

If you don’t rent a car in Norway, the best way to get to and around Stord is by taking the bus. Bergen busstasjon N (Central Bus Terminal) will have a bus marked 400 Stavanger. You can take that and get off at Leirvik bussterminal, the main town and capital of Stord Island.

Stord also has a small regional airport, but flights are expensive and minimal.

The Best Cabin in Stord, Norway: Ørnablikk

Learn about the perfect cabin in Norway and what you must do to prepare for your escape.

Experiencing Hytte: The Best of Norwegian Cabin Culture

From the mountains to the fjords to the coastline, Norway has a lot of amazing cabins and cottages. Cabin culture is popular in this part of the world because Norwegians appreciate the great outdoors!

Just like how some people in the United States have a vacation beach home or mountain property, many Norwegians have a hytte. It’s a wooden cabin or cozy cottage people go to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature!

People have hyttes for outdoor activities like hiking to skiing and they range from self-service to luxury cabins with modern amenities. Overall, owning a hytte provides easy access to natural landscapes.

Renting Norway Cabins through The Cabin Land:

It’s no secret that my favorite part of visiting Western Norway was staying at Ørnablikk on the island of Stord. It is run by Himmelhyttene, but it can also be booked through The Cabin Land.

The Cabin Land is the perfect resource for finding the world’s best cabins and magical getaways. From treetop cabins to simple wooden huts outside National Parks, and large log cabins with a hot tub to Norwegian cottages, you can book beautiful accommodations through The Cabin Land to provide you and your party with the best unique experiences in Norway!

What is amazing about choosing a cabin rental in Norway through The Cabin Land is that a search bar will allow you to input your desired destination. After that, dreamy cabins and vacation homes will pop up in the surrounding area for you to choose from. It’s important to note that most of the holiday homes on The Cabin Land’s website are in remote locations, so each cabin rental may be a few hours’ drive from a larger city.

When you book a cabin through The Cabin Land, they will get you in touch with the homeowner so that you both can communicate directions, logistics and more for your memorable woodland getaway.

Staying in a Secluded Norwegian Cabin:

Meaning eagle-eye view, Ørnablikk is one of the largest treetop cabins in the middle of the woods on Stord Island. It’s a spacious, cozy and new cabin that is perfect for enjoying during all seasons in Norway, plus it overlooks the North Sea, the nearby small islands of Bømlo and Stord Airport.

After seven months of hard work, heavy walks in the woods, tears and laughter, Himmelhyttene’s first treetop cabin is ready for Norwegians and international visitors to enjoy! One of the main reasons why Ørnablikk is one of the best cabins in Norway to stay at is because of its remote location. In fact, it requires an hour’s hike through the woods to get to!

Before our adventure to Stord Island, we were in touch with the owner of Ørnablikk, who provided us with thorough instructions on preparing for our stay. Because the cabin is located 9 meters into the middle of the woods, we were told that we could only bring a backpack to the cabin.

There obviously wasn’t a road to get to the cabin either, so we had to leave our car overnight at the bottom of the trail. Thankfully, Norway is a safe country, so our rental car and belongings were secure. I also didn’t have any prior worries either.

Even though we stayed in the cabin for two nights, we made our way down the hill the next day to explore the island, check on the car, swap out clothing items and drive around. In our backpacks, we brought a change of clothes, pajamas, undergarments and basic toiletries. We also brought an extra sweater when it cooled down in the evenings.

During the hike up, we wore typical outdoor apparel with trekking boots. Even though it’s 30 feet above sea level, the hike up and down to the cabin was strenuous, with many loose rocks and steep paths. It’s best to be mindful of what you bring in your backpack and what you wear. (Also, don’t forget to bring water for your hike.)

What’s nice about hiking up to this mountain cabin in the summer is that the sun stays out until late, so you don’t have to worry about timing. Take your time up the mountain, enjoy the beautiful surroundings and also see the Midnight Sun, if you travel in late June! If you visit during the winter, it’s a wonderful place to watch the Northern Lights dance in the sky.

A few important things to note about the cabin is that you must pick up and drop off the linens at the beginning of the hiking trail. You will also need to clean up the cabin, refill the water tank and keep it in the condition when you first checked in. You can pay extra to have a cleaning service come up to the cabin to clean when you check out.

The reason why you have to do all the cleaning is because of how remote the cabin is. It’s not easy for a cleaning service or housekeeping to come and go as it is for regular hotel rooms.

Not only does the cabin offer some of the best views in Norway, along with incredible memories to be made, but it also has three comfortable queen-sized beds, one being a swing bed! There are also two cozy couches in the living room, a dining table, a kitchen, a bathroom and a shower. There is lots of space! (Between the three beds and two couches, Ørnablikk can sleep up to 10 people.)

Ørnablikk is suitable for children to stay at and pets are welcomed. There is also WiFi and fresh bottled water! (Cell service was also available at the cabin.) Please keep in mind that there is no washing machine.

The best things to do at the cabin are unplugging and taking things slow. If you’re wondering what to do at the best cabin in Norway, enjoy the panoramic views, especially during sunset, read a book, make a comforting cup of tea, cook a delicious meal, play cards or board games and tell stories. There is no television at Ørnablikk, so you could thoroughly enjoy your cabin holiday.

Summer is a high season for Norway’s tourism. If you plan to stay at this epic cabin in Norway from June through August, you must book your woodland getaway in advance.

What to do When You Visit Stord, Norway:

Located in Vestland County, Norway, in the district of Sunnhordland, Stord is the largest municipality in the region and offers everything from the most breathtaking nature to quaint small villages.

What attracts people to Stord, Norway is its variety of landscapes. There’s a stunning coastline, breathtaking fjords, enchanting forests, agricultural land and beautiful mountain areas for plenty of outdoor activities.

Below are the best things to do on Stord Island:

Wander through the Town of Leirvik:

Leirvik is Stord’s largest town and it offers lovely streets for you to walk through and enjoy on a beautiful day. Almost everything you need can be found in Leirvik, near the best cabin in Norway – Ørnablikk. There are restaurants, cafés and bakeries, clothing boutiques, grocery stores, outdoor adventure shops and more.

The Best Places to Eat on Stord Island:

The best places to eat in Leirvik are The Strand and Bakeriet Frugård. The Strand is an American restaurant in Stord that has delicious bites with a great drink menu. We savored small plates like popcorn shrimp, lobster tacos and mac and cheese croquettes with a pear tarte for dessert.

Frugård Restaurant is a local’s favorite that features Norwegian and European dishes. We both enjoyed the seafood soup with fresh bread. Since it was on the chillier side during our time in Stord, this meal hit the spot!

Norway prides itself on its baked goods like cinnamon rolls, krumkake cookies, tartes, kringle and more. There was nothing I loved more than enjoying a heartwarming cinnamon bun with a cappuccino every morning during my time in Norway. The best places to enjoy baked goods and a lovely breakfast are Baker Brun and Urt & Ugras Café.

Located in the AMFI shopping mall in Stord, Baker Brun has everything from pastries to cakes and salads to open-faced sandwiches. Urt & Ugras is a charming café situated in the heart of downtown Leirvik and has cinnamon buns, cakes, salads and fresh poke bowls.

Things to do in Leirvik:

Leirvik, also known as Vikjo to locals, is a scenic town with harbors, marinas and parks to enjoy on a beautiful day. The boutiques in town offer everything from clothing to home décor.

The town also boasts a public swimming pool, cinema, public parks, walking and bike trails, and more. It also has the Sunnhordland Museum, an Open-Air Museum that takes you through the history and culture of this region, from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, up to the present day.

Within walking distance to the heart of town is Storddøra Monument, a 52-foot stainless steel structure on a breakwater jetty that stands as the gateway to Stord.

Also located close to the heart of Leirvik is Stord Church. It was once a stone church that was established in the 14^th Century. It was rebuilt in the middle of the 19th Century and later restored in 1957. (Most Norwegians are Lutheran.)

An easy hiking trail you can access from Leirvik is Strondavegen – Landåsen. It’s an easy-to-moderate loop trail that takes you into the woods. The trail offers beautiful scenery and it’s great for bird watching!

Spend an Afternoon at Stord’s Brewery:

What is remarkable about staying at the Himmelhyttene cabin in Norway is that the hiking trail to get to it is off a main road that leads to Fitjar. Situated in the northeastern part of the island, Fitjar is part of the municipalities of Stord. Numerous small islands are located off Fitjar and should be explored during a trip to Stord, Norway.

One of the most beautiful breweries I’ve ever been to was En Liten Øl. It’s in a jaw-dropping coastal area with a unique geological diversity of rocks and minerals shaped over time by ice and water; locals love this craft brewery to unwind, enjoy good beer and make memories with friends and family.

En Liten Øl is situated at Port Steingard in Fitjar and offers a sustainable solution using aluminum cans versus glass bottles. Using natural ingredients and good craftsmanship, this fantastic brewery offers a range from light ales to IPAs and seasonal beers to fruity sours. Click here to see all of En Liten Øl’s beer selection.

In addition to incredible craft beer, you could also enjoy delicious meals and baked goods at En Liten Øl. Caitlin and I had the salmon with potatoes and pickled cucumbers, along with a flight of different beers.

There is both indoor and outdoor seating at En Liten Øl and since it’s located on the water, you could relish the breathtaking scenery and colorful boat houses that surround the brewery.

Hike to Stovegolvet – Stord’s Highest Point:

From Stord’s Lundsseter hydroelectric power station, you can access a 3.7-mile challenging loop trail that will take you to the island’s highest point – Stovegolvet.

This epic hike in Stord will have you starting at a steep incline. It will then flatten out where you can enjoy beautiful views and bird watching. After that, the ascent to Stovegolvet gets very steep that you’ll have to hold onto a chain attached to a rock to get to the top.

Once you reach the summit, you will realize the challenge was worth it all! The views are some of the best in Norway!

Have a Relaxing Spa Day in a Floating Sauna:

Like in Oslo, Stord also has a floating sauna on the lake in the center of Leirvik called Sauna Stord. You could enjoy a public or private sauna for up to nine people.

With a spa package, you will also get face masks and peels. There are also changing rooms and cold showers that you could use. Plus, the views are breathtaking!

What’s also lovely about enjoying Sauna Stord is that you can sip a warm cup of tea during your spa day. Click here to discover the different sauna packages and pricing.

Go Bike Riding around the Island:

In addition to great hiking trails, Stord also has a lot of excellent cycling routes. One of the best bike trails is Litlabø and Sagvåg, an 11-mile trail that takes you around the coast and through wooded pathways.

Enjoy a Summer Day at Sponavikjo Beach:

Not only could you enjoy the best woodland cabin experience in Norway during your time in Stord, but on a beautiful summer day, you could have a wonderful beach day!

Sponavikjo Beach is a sandy beach outside Leirvik that is perfect for sunbathing, fishing, picnics, kayaking, canoeing and making memories with family and friends.

Below are more cabin destinations:

Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Western Catskills, New York

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

I hope you all enjoyed learning about the best cabin in Norway and discovering the top things to do on the island of Stord in Southwestern Norway. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.

Basic Facts of Norway:

Currency: Norwegian Krone, Capital: Oslo, Time Zone: Central European Standard Time

*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.

In addition, a great and secure luggage storage to utilize during your summer Europe trip is Nannybag! It is easy to use; all you do is download the Nannybag app, type in the city that you will be visiting and when you plan to arrive and depart. At a small cost per luggage, Nannybag will list the stores, restaurants or hotels where you could drop your bag off at the city you are visiting.

Nannybag is also insured against theft, loss and breakage. It’s a convenient way to store your bags when you are traveling from one city to the next in Europe.

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