The Setesdal valley is one of the great inland landscapes of southern Norway — a deep, river-cut valley running north from Agder into the highlands, lined with farms and old stave-church communities and shadowed by steep, forested ridges. The Otra river, which runs the full length of the valley, has always been the lifeblood of Setesdal, and at Rysstad in Valle municipality, Sølvgarden Hotell & Feriesenter has placed a floating sauna directly on it — offering one of the most scenically distinctive sauna experiences in the region.
A Sauna on the Otra
The floating sauna at Sølvgarden bobs gently on the river, with views looking up toward the mountains and across the green valley floor. The sauna itself is a private-booking facility, meaning guests have the space entirely to themselves — ideal for couples, small families, or a tight group of friends who want to share the experience in their own time. After sweating it out inside, the direct plunge into the Otra river is immediate: the river runs cold year-round, and in winter, ice bathing in the river is a bracing highlight for those who seek it.
The Sølvgarden hotel and holiday centre provides full backup facilities: changing rooms, parking, and access to the hotel restaurant for a meal before or after the session. Food and drinks can be arranged as part of a wider stay or sauna package.
Rysstad and Valle
Valle is the cultural heart of Setesdal — home to the Setesdal Museum and the distinctive Setesdal regional crafts and music traditions, including the Hardanger fiddle. Rysstad itself sits in a broad, flat part of the valley floor where the Otra widens and slows, making it ideal for the floating sauna setup. In summer, the river banks around Sølvgarden are excellent for swimming, paddling, and fly-fishing. In winter, the mountains above Rysstad offer backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.
A sauna stay at Sølvgarden is naturally combined with an exploration of the valley — the drive north to Bykle and Hovden is just thirty minutes and passes through some of the most dramatic scenery in Agder.
