Hardanger Juice and Cider Factory (Lekve farm)

The apples hanging from the trees along the steep south-facing slopes at the bottom of Hardangerfjorden are the sweetest kind. In May, the many apple trees are in bloom and it is an incredibly beautiful sight. It is from this lush area in Ulvik, also known as Norway's Fruit Orchard, that Hardanger Saft- og Ciderfabrik gets their apples which they use to make their cider.

It is said that it was the local monks who started growing apples in the 13th century. In 1858 it became possible to trade sugar freely, and cider production really took off. Today, cider from Hardanger Saft- og Ciderfabrik is sold throughout Norway.

In Ulvik, the winters are mild and the summer nights are bright, which gives the apples the best conditions. The apple trees also thrive in the light soil that originates from the glaciers of the last ice age. Lekve farm grows 20 different types of apples, which are used to make the delicious cider at Hardanger Juice and Cider Factory.

Tours are available of Hardanger Juice and Sider Factory, where you can also taste the golden cider drops before buying a few bottles to take home. You can also take part in the annual Fruit and Cider Route in Ulvik, a collaboration between Lekve Farm and two other cider producers from the small village. There's also a restaurant on site, which is open for groups of 20 plus people.