A romantic getaway in Norway, in a treehouse above the Hardangerfjord
Woodnest's first treehouse was built for a proposal, and you still reach it on foot. Here is what a romantic stay above Odda involves, from the climb to the extras you can add.
Key points
Woodnest has four treehouses fixed to living pines above Odda, and the first one was built so that a shy Norwegian man could propose in it. If you are planning a romantic getaway in Norway, a stay with us starts with a steep climb of 20 to 60 minutes on a marked trail. At the top, a warm nest for two is waiting, with heated floors, your own shower and the Hardangerfjord in the window.
Key points
- Four private treehouses sit far apart on the mountainside above Odda, about 3 hours by car from Bergen Airport.
- You arrive on foot, on a steep and marked trail with 160 to 225 metres of ascent.
- Woodnest Mountaintops take two guests and have a bathtub. Woodnest Originals have the shortest climb.
- Extras such as the Lovenest Package (990 NOK), champagne (600 NOK) and rose petals (300 NOK) are booked by email.
- Meals are not included, the northern lights are extremely rare here, and we can never promise snow.
Is a treehouse a good choice for a romantic getaway?
Yes, as long as you are both happy to walk for it. The treehouses are spread across the mountainside, so once you close the door, nobody else is in sight. You let yourselves in with a keycode, which means there is no desk and nobody waiting for you at the top. Drones are not allowed unless you ask us first, to protect the privacy of every guest.
Many of the couples who stay with us come to propose. If that is your plan, send us an email before you arrive, and we can have rose petals, champagne or a cake waiting in the treehouse when you get there.
How Woodnest began
I fell in love with a girl from Sydney and told her that if I ever married her, I would build her a treehouse to propose in. I kept that promise. Ten metres up a tall pine, where the only way in was to climb the tree itself, I built a simple, rustic treehouse and asked her there. She said yes. That first treehouse became the start of Woodnest, and you can read the whole story on how Woodnest began.
Every treehouse since has been built from locally sourced, sustainable materials and placed so the trees around it are disturbed as little as possible.
Which treehouse should we choose for two?
Woodnest Mountaintops sit high above the fjord and take a maximum of two guests. They have a bathtub, the air is crisper up there and the silence is profound. Allow 30 to 60 minutes for the climb, with 208 to 225 metres of ascent.
Woodnest Originals are tucked into the heart of the forest, where the story first took root. The climb is the shortest, 20 to 45 minutes with 160 to 185 metres of ascent. They sleep two and have room for up to four.
Every treehouse has a queen size bed with bedding and towels, heated floors, fibre WiFi and a kitchenette. The toilet and shower are inside the treehouse (we know, can you believe it?!), so once you have arrived, you will not need to go out again until you leave.
What can we add for a special occasion?
You book these by writing to post@woodnest.no:
- The Lovenest Package, a welcome platter with cheese, biscuits, cured ham, fruit and a bottle of locally produced cider, for 990 NOK
- A bottle of champagne for 600 NOK
- A bottle of red or white wine with chocolate for 600 NOK
- Rose petals for 300 NOK
- Cake for special occasions, on request
If you would rather give the stay to someone else, a Woodnest gift card lets them choose their own dates.
What does the climb involve?
The trail starts at the garage, where parking is free, and climbs on steel and wooden steps, stone paths and uneven ground. It is steep and can get slippery when wet, so please consider carefully whether it suits you both before you book. Wear proper hiking shoes and bring a headlamp. You can rent a backpack, a head torch and hiking poles for 300 NOK per person, and snow spikes are free to borrow in winter.
You carry your own bags up, so pack light enough that you are still smiling at the top. Anything you do not need can stay in your locked car or, if you ask us before check-in, in a small storage room by the garage.
When is the best time to go?
It depends on what you hope to find. The best chance of snow is from mid-January to the end of February, and there may be snow from November to the end of March, but the weather here is unpredictable and we can never promise it. The northern lights are extremely rare at our latitude, so please do not plan a proposal around them. You would normally have to travel to the north of Norway to see them.
How do we book and get there?
You see free dates and prices in our booking engine. At weekends the minimum stay is two nights, and there is no check-in or check-out on Saturdays. Check-in is from 3 pm and check-out is at 11 am. If you cancel four weeks before check-in, you get a full refund, and two weeks before you get 50 % back. After that there is no refund. If your dates are taken, email us with the dates you want, and we will let you know if something opens up.
The closest airport is Bergen, about 3 hours by car from Odda. The best route goes via the ferry between Jondal and Tørvikbygd, which you do not need to book ahead. Public transport in the area is tricky to say the least, so we strongly recommend renting a car. Full directions are on our travel and practical information page.
Good to know before you book
Meals are not included. In the Norwegian cabin tradition, you bring your own groceries and cook simple meals on two induction hot plates, with pans, oil, salt and pepper provided. Shops are closed on Sundays, so buy what you need on the way.
The view across the fjord includes a zinc factory with lights and steam. We would rather you hear that from us than discover it at the window. Pets are not allowed, and the location means we cannot offer access for wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
If all of that sounds right for the two of you, book your nest and send us an email about the occasion.
