Lofthus Orchards & Monk's Steps
Lofthus / Munketrappene
An orchard town on the eastern shore of Sørfjorden, with hillsides covered in apple and cherry orchards; 616 stone steps carved by medieval monks climb straight up to the plateau above.
Lofthus is the place with the most concentrated orchards in Hardanger, where spring blossoms frame the fjord and the glacier-capped peaks. Along the road, roadside stalls and farms sell apple juice and cider, and farms such as Lofthus Cider accept reservations for tastings. The Monk's Steps are said to have been built by 13th-century monks. They climb about 600 m from behind the village to the Nosi viewpoint, a round trip of about 3–4 hours that is steep and demanding. They can also be linked with the Queen's Trail to form a loop to Kinsarvik.
Opening hours
Open all day; farm shop usually open in summer
Nearby sights
- Agatunet
- Husedalen Valley
- Hardanger Folk Museum
- Trolltunga
- Norwegian Museum of Hydropower and Industry
- Hardanger Bridge
- Fonna Glacier Ski Resort
- Skjervsfossen