Rysstad, Setesdal, Norway
An 1800s mountain summer farm in Setesdal, now an eco-luxury glamping destination with eight-course seasonal dining, a 1600s distillery, and UNESCO-recognised seter traditions.
Brokkestøylen is a working støyl, a mountain summer farm dating from the 1800s. Eco-luxury domes sit among forest and river in Setesdal, open June through October. A distillery from the 1600s still operates on-site, producing Highland SKOG gin and Geitrams vinegar. The river Fåråni runs below. No crowds, no fixed menu, no mobile signal in the surrounding wilderness.
The ambition here is not formal perfection. It is hygge, generosity, and the feeling of being at home. Living seter traditions, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, shape everything from the kitchen garden to the pace of the day. Guests slow down. They breathe. They eat what the land provides that week. Gastronomy, nature, and accommodation merge into a single, unhurried stay.
Trollkjelene in the river Fåråni draws swimmers to deep natural potholes and smooth rock slides. These formations carry UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status. Half-day canoe tours cross into Reinstyrland, a wilderness with no mobile coverage and Europe's southernmost wild reindeer. Guided nature walks combine forest therapy, freshly ground coffee, and outdoor cooking around Brokkestøylen and the Setesdal valley. A certified instructor leads breathwork, sauna, and cold bathing sessions for groups of up to eight. The 1600s distillery opens for tours, classic gin tastings, or hands-on courses where guests distil their own bottle. All activities run for small groups and require advance booking.
Explore additional experiences in the surrounding area.
Route length: 7.8km loopEstimated time: 1.5hLoop routeUnderforlii naturreservat is a forest nature reserve set to be established on June 24, 2025, managed by Statsforvalteren i Agder with protection class 1a. It aims to conserve forest environments.
Route length: 5km loopEstimated time: 1hLoop routeHomsli naturreservat, established in December 2025, is a forest nature reserve under protection class 1a and managed by Statsforvalteren i Agder. The area is officially protected for nature conservation.
Route length: 3.2km loopEstimated time: 42minLoop routeSkorsfjell naturreservat is a nature reserve established in December 2024 under protection class 1a. It is operated by Statsforvalteren i Agder and categorized as a forest reserve.
Route length: 3.8km loopEstimated time: 51minLoop routeNordre Lia naturreservat is a strictly protected nature reserve established in 2017 and managed by Fyresdal kommune. It is classified under protection class 1a and aims to preserve forest ecosystems.
Route length: 10.8km linearEstimated time: 2.5hDifficulty: EasyLinear routeBispevegen is a hiking path with a ground surface, offering a well-marked trail with good visibility. It is suitable for hikers looking for a clearly visible and trailblazed route. The sac_scale rating indicates it is designed for hiking activities.
Route length: 1.1km linearEstimated time: 15minLinear routeKleivevegen is classified as a highway path, which generally supports hiking activities. Being a path, it is likely narrower and suitable for pedestrian use.
Area sceneryStraight-line distance from hotel: 13 km directZeter is a climbing route. This route is categorized as a climbing bottom route.
Straight-line distance from hotel: 15 km directGardefjellet naturreservat is a protected nature reserve located in Agder, Norway. It is classified under protection class 1a and has been protected since June 21, 2019. The reserve is managed by Statsforvalteren i Agder and features forest conservation as part of its protection plan.
Straight-line distance from hotel: 17 km directFugldalen naturreservat is a strictly protected nature reserve classified as protection class 1a. Established in 2011 and operated by Fyresdal kommune, it serves as a forest conservation area.
Route length: 1.5km linearEstimated time: 7minLinear routeVestre Gausvatn is noted as a highway track, indicating a route designed for travel on foot or by bike. The name suggests it may be near or associated with the body of water named Gausvatn.
Secret Dining Setesdal is the signature experience. It begins with an aperitif and unfolds across eight seasonal courses. The menu never repeats. It follows what the regenerative kitchen garden, neighbouring farms, and the surrounding landscape yield that week. This is green gastronomy rooted in Setesdal. Each meal tells the story of the valley through local raw ingredients, foraged flavours, and seasonal rhythms. Highland SKOG gin and Geitrams vinegar come from the on-site distillery, which dates from the 1600s. The full stay wraps aperitif, dinner, dome overnight, and breakfast into one continuous arc. All 2026 dates are fully booked. Reservations for 2027 open after summer.
The badstue sits within the støyl grounds. Sessions are bookable and intimate, never crowded. A certified breathwork and mindfulness instructor leads combined sessions of guided breathing, sauna heat, and cold bathing in the river Fåråni for up to eight guests. Cold plunges happen in the same natural pools at Trollkjelene where smooth rock and deep potholes have shaped the water for centuries. The philosophy is simple: sauna is not just heat, it is wellbeing, science, and value in one experience. Between sessions, the forest and the sound of running water do the rest.
Sustainability at Brokkestøylen is not a programme. It is the founding identity. The property is a living continuation of seter traditions recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Food grows in a regenerative kitchen garden steps from the dining table. Neighbouring farms and local Setesdal producers supply what the garden does not.
Menus are never fixed. They follow the seasons and use only what nature provides that week, eliminating waste by design. The 1600s distillery produces Highland SKOG gin and Geitrams vinegar from local botanicals. Eco-luxury domes sit lightly on the land. Guest numbers stay small, with limited-capacity experiences booked in advance. The goal is presence, not volume.
Brokkestøylen Glamping offers 1 accommodation type.
Eco-Lux Nature Pod
A 30 m² eco-luxury dome with panoramic views over a flowing river in Setesdal, featuring soft furnishings and natural light. Used as part of the signature overnight stay experience including dinner and breakfast.
Sleep in an eco-luxury dome on an 1800s støyl in Setesdal. Green gastronomy, river bathing, and genuine hygge, open June to October.
Metsa AI is an independent travel directory platform. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by this hotel. All trademarks and brand names belong to their respective owners. For inquiries, please contact us at info@metsa.ai. Any stated affiliation or endorsement will be clearly indicated.
