Setesdal

Setesdal (Urban East Norwegian: [ˈsêːtəsdɑːɫ]; older spelling: Sætersdal) is a valley and a traditional district in Agder County in southern Norway. It includes the upper parts of the Otra river valley including Bykle Municipality, Valle Municipality, Bygland Municipality, Evje og Hornnes Municipality, and Iveland Municipality. The Otra river flows through the Setesdal valley into the sea near the city of Kristiansand. It flows southward from the Hardangervidda plateau in Telemark county. The historic Setesdal region starts at Evje and extends as far as the farm Bjåen, at the edge of the traditional region of Telemark. Øvre Setesdal (lit. 'Upper Setesdal') typically refers to the area of Bykle Municipality and Valle Municipality. Nedre Setesdal (lit. 'Lower Setesdal') includes the southern municipalities of Bygland Municipality, Evje og Hornnes Municipality, and Iveland Municipality. The Norwegian National Road 9 runs through the whole Setesdal valley.