AUSTREPOLLEN

Inside the Mauranger power station

From bear hunting to power station

The development and expanding of the power station turned the village upside down and changed the daily life for the farmers.

Roads where build and Mauranger power station was shot into the mountain,  finished in 1974. Roads where build to Rennedalen and dams at Mysevatn.  This in turn led to decrease in agriculture and many earned their daily bread in the power company.

30 years later the bulldozers were back to build the 110 km (3300 f) long tunnel  The Folgefonn tunnel underneath the glacier opened in 2001.

A old building at Gjerdetunet

Gjerdetunet

Cluster of farmhouses and a granary from 1588.

The farm is particular famous for its  bear hunters. The shotguns they used are still at the farm, the bearskins however are missing.

The farm is run by Sunnhordland folk museum and a guided tour is available upon request.

Latest generation still run the farm, in addition they`ve started a mini power plant.

Read more about Gjerdetunet here

The Øvrehus cabins

Transit routes to Folgefonna glacier

The first transit route across the glacier started in Austrepollen, via Lonelia, Mysevatnet and Hundsøyra. Local forces has maintained and marked parts of the track. Today its more common to drive the stationroad to Rednedalen, then a quick and steep hike to Fonnabu.

If you prefer to stay in the village for a while you can purchase fishing cards  to try your luck in the river from the powerstation. ( you are required to buy fishing cards)

Anny and Sverre Øvrehus will rent you a cabin.

(Photo: © E.Sundal)