55
Hesla Farms
Experience authentic Norwegian culture and let your body and brain rest in the oasis. Find peace among the barns and farmhouses, enjoy the silence in the garden, and meet our chickens that roam freely in the yard.
Welcome home to Ligia and Knut and to Hesla Farm! Amid beautiful and sunny surroundings, you'll find this rustic and unique farm from the 18th century. The farm is one of the oldest farms in Gol and has beautiful buildings with an exciting history.
Stay in a barn, an old Hallingstugu, and other farm buildings – all the original buildings and rooms have been upgraded with modern facilities. With a focus on eco-tourism and reuse, many old objects have been given new life. The barn has been converted into a conference room. A total of 25 beds spread across 11 units with fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms. Local and national products are available for sale in the farm shop.
The farm is only a few hundred meters from the center of Gol, which has a varied offer of restaurants, shops, activities, and events suitable for most. Close to many hiking trails and ski slopes and a short drive to popular winter destinations like Hemsedal and Geilo. The nearby Golsfjellet has a culturally rich landscape with good activity opportunities all year round, such as cycling, fishing, and hiking in the summer, as well as great trails for winter cross-country skiing and alpine skiing.
History
The earliest mention of Hesla Farm in written history is from 1528, but the farm has been exploited and inhabited since the early Viking days. Consisting of 6 different buildings, including the barn, the "Stabburet" is the oldest among them. Built in 1632, it still accommodates guests today.
The name comes from Hesli, a town where hazel grows, and the water is colored red by bog ore. This means the farm by the marsh or the pool of water where hazel grows. On the farm are several hazel trees, also called the nut forest, which are rare in Gol.
Since 1738, the farm has been run by the Hesla family, who gave it the name "Hesla Farm." The family has offered wayfarers a place to rest and recover. In 1923, Hesla Farm officially opened as a guesthouse, offering guests to stay in "Gunhildbu" and "Kårhuset." Eventually, "Drengestua," "Hallingstugu," "Stabburet," and a part of the main house, "Våningshuset," were made available to accommodate more guests.
The 9 houses have been renovated with materials that preserve the architectural and historical heritage of the houses in Hallingdal. By engaging in tourism, we can share a part of Norwegian culture while maintaining its constructions, traditions, and authenticity.
Today, Ligia and Knut are the hosts at Hesla Farm. They take pride in creating good visitor experiences aligned with tradition and history. They guarantee a pleasant stay at Hesla Farm, and you are warmly welcome to us both in summer and winter.
Gol
The farm is only a few hundred meters from the center of Gol. In Gol, there are many things to see and do throughout the year, whether you like hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, or a bit of everything. In Gol Center, you'll find a significant variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants, and several times a year, the tourist office organizes festivals for tourists and residents. Only a short drive from the farm will you find Golsfjellet. The whole family can enjoy active and relaxing days in friendly surroundings with magnificent views of this culturally rich landscape. Gol also has an exciting history with old buildings, a stave church, and an open-air museum. If you need more information on what to do in Gol, the tourist office in central Gol is easy to locate and will help you with all your needs.
Hallingdal
Situated between the two main cities, Oslo and Bergen, and along the railway, you'll find Hallingdal. Most famous for its beautiful nature but also for one of Norway's longest toboggan runs, Norway's best area for kiting, magnificent waterfalls, and a renowned bear park. Try dog sledding or explore one of our 150 downhill runs for alpine skiing. You can also enjoy our cross-country trails that stretch as much as 2,000 km across the region. In addition to excellent fishing and hunting opportunities, Hallingdal is also an upcoming region for mountain biking. Stay with us and discover Hallingdal and our genuine nature experiences.
Source: Hallingdal Reiseliv
Hesla Farms