The Suldal Watercourse and the Wild Salmon

The Suldal Watercourse is the longest and most water-rich river system in Rogaland. Its uppermost source is the Solfonn glacier on Hardangervidda, where the Storelva river flows southwest to Røldalsvatnet lake. From there, the water flows into Suldal municipality via Brattlandsdalen down to Suldalsvatnet lake, where the Suldalslågen river carries the water further down to Sandsfjorden fjord. Suldalsvatnet and Suldalslågen offer a range of wonderful nature experiences, with Suldal's own wild salmon symbolizing life in the river.

Suldalsvatnet Lake

Suldalsvatnet Lake is the largest lake in Rogaland and one of the deepest in Norway, measuring 28 km in length and 376 meters in depth. Historically, the lake has been extremely important for the municipality, as it has in many ways connected the farms along the Suldal valley. For many centuries, people would often enter Hylsfjorden and cross Hylsskardet before taking a boat further to Nesflaten in the north and embarking on the journey over the mountain. Along the way, one encounters Suldalsporten, which is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the municipality. Today, the National Tourist Route Ryfylke/RV13 runs alongside the lake, providing an excellent starting point for boat trips and fishing.

Suldalslågen River 

Suldalslågen is Western Norway's most water-rich river, flowing calmly and powerfully for 22 km from Suldalsvatnet lake at Suldalsosen down to Sand and Sandsfjorden fjord. Here, the river culminates in a wide five-meter waterfall, known as Sandsfossen. Salmon have been faithful to Suldalslågen throughout history, and every year they repeat the same cycle of migrating up their home river after often spending several years at sea. Suldal salmon actually travel as far as Greenland, Canada, and the British Isles. Today, Suldalslågen is one of the best salmon rivers in the country, attracting hundreds of anglers every single year. It is also possible to float down the river on a salmon safari or in a boat on a river expedition. During the summer season, you can also visit Norway's first salmon studio at Sandsfossen.

Read more about Suldalslågen and fishing at suldalslagen.no.

Hydropower

The municipality's hydropower is also why Suldal became home to Northern Europe's largest hydropower project in the 1980s: the Ulla-Førre development. This project is most visible in the Suldal mountains at the Blåsjø reservoir, which stores 6 percent of Norway's annual power demand 1000 meters above sea level. During the summer season, you can drive up here via the construction road named Blåsjøvegen. In total, the Ulla-Førre development consists of 6 power plants/pumping stations, 28 reservoirs, and 100 km of transmission cables. Suldal is also part of other major power projects such as Røldal-Suldal Kraft and North Sea Link.

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