A vision for gods and everyone else
The legend of Mt. Hoven
An old legend says that Hoven is named after Odin's horse Sleipner, who on a trip over the mountain struck hoven and left the powerful imprint in the mountainside that is so clearly visible today. No one knows if this is entirely true, but what is certain is that the view up here is just as powerful and magical now as before. The difference is that now it is accessible to absolutely everyone - not just old gods and fit mountain people.
Legend has it that the god Odin, with his eight-footed horse Sleipner, jumped from Auflemfjellet and across Lobukta to the top of the mountain at Lostranda, now known as Hoven.
On this stormy day, they came rushing around Auflemåsen towards Lohøgdene and wanted to take the shortcut across Lobukta towards the mountain peak above Lostranda. The god aligned Sleipner on a hill up in the hillside and waited for a real storm gust that could grab Sleipner and lift them to verses.
Suddenly there was a flash of lightning and strong gusts of wind, and Sleipner lost its footing and was lifted high out of the hillside. Throw after throw, they were whirled around. They descended the mountain Skåla. Inside the valley, things were calmer, and they then cut sideways towards the rounded mountain peak further west - the mountain above Lostranda. Sleipner had to stop abruptly and became unbalanced, but put their eight heads down hard and got a grip close to the edge of the mountain, but kicked loose a big chunk.
Odin - the god of knowledge and wisdom
Odin (Norse: Óðinn) is, according to Norse mythology, the most powerful and wise of the gods. He is considered both the chief of the gods and the god of the chiefs. He is married to Frigg, the most powerful goddess in Asgard.
Hugin and Munin
Hugin (Thought) and Munin (Memory) are two rams that fly over the worlds of both men (Midgard) and gods (Asgard) while they observe what is said and done. When night comes, they sit on Odin's shoulders and whisper to him what they have observed. This is why it is said that Odin is the wisest god of them all.
The cabins that transport people from the fjord up to Hoven are named after these frames - Hugin and Munin.
Photo: Bård Basberg/Loen Skylift