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![Glacier fall at Bondhusbreen.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/kvi_41.jpg?itok=R53rfaSZ)
Bondhusdalen
The Bondhus area in Maruanger has been a magnet for tourists ever since the stream of tourists to Norway's west coast began in the middle of the 1800s. The magnificent landscape with the "ice trail" up to Bondhusvatnet Lake, the ice falls from Bondhusbreen glacier and Keisarstigen trail up to Folgefonna are still popular tourist attractions.
![The Ancient Ash Tree](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/kvi_36.jpg?itok=o_7Mt5TO)
![Elias Fiigenschoug’s painting of Halsnøy monastery , 1656](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/kvh_192-1.jpg?itok=9VO9I-NR)
Halsnøy Monastery
Halsnøy Monastery is situated in the midst of the lush fjord country in Sunnhordland, on one of the old spits, or “necks”, that has given name to the island. Gently sloping fields lead down to the sea on both sides, in the south towards the Kloster Fjord, to the north towards the sheltered Klostervågen.
![Maters Fjord with Holmedalsberget in the background.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/kvi_37.jpg?itok=mDDqfdul)
Holmedalsberget
If you want to be on your own for a long day in a magnificent deciduous forest in demanding terrain, then HOLMESDALSBERGET is the right place. This is a big forested area by Matres Fjord in the southwestly part of Kinnherad. Here, we find one of the largest deciduous forests in Hordaland. The forest stretches over several kilometres.
![Main mine shaft in Valaheigruva mine.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/kvi_32.jpg?itok=ybqiInvs)
Varaldsøy- mining
There is still a lot of ore in the abandoned mines on Varaldsøy Island. If today's prices and availability of ore continue, it is doubtful whether the mines will resume operation. But, the pyrite is there, if the market should return. On Varaldsøy Island one finds at least nine mines and prospect pits, that for the most part date back to the latter part of the 1800s.
![At lake Gaupåsvatnet.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/190/nvh_334_gaupas_koronitt_150.jpg?itok=Wq7ffNPu)
![Rope making](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/1/kvh-260-verftet.jpg?itok=ViAYY7jN)
Sandviken
Close to the tunnel opening at Amalie Skrams vei in Ssandviken, there is a cultural monument of European dimensions; a rope making works that produced rope and fishing tackle for West and North Norway.
![Årstad in the 1890s](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/kvh_253-2.jpg?itok=5wIhsIRt)
Årstad
Alrekstad (later Årstad) is the birthplace of Bergen. The estate was an estate for Harald Hårfagre and several of his descendants: Eirik Blodøks, Håkon den gode og Olav Tryggvason. These first kings moved with their courts and guardsmen from estate to estate. From these estates the king ruled the country.
![In the middle of the flat pastures at Torsnes was the farmyard of the estate, undivided until the middle of the 1700s](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/1/kvh_381-2_fonna_112.jpg?itok=3bxpYqSH)
Torsnes
When bishop J.Neumann was on a visitation in Hardanger in 1825 he also visited Torsnes, the seat of the Galtung family. They were then in the process of pulling down the old dwelling house on the farm. As the committed observer of ancient monuments and antiquarian buildings that he was, bishop Neumann has provided us with interesting details: