The municipality stretches from the Hardangerfjord to the mountains that reach 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) above sea level.

[4][5] Of the municipality's total population, nearly half live in the village of Ulvik at the end of the Ulvikafjorden.

[6] The parish of Graven (later spelled "Granvin") was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law).

This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a set of eight lozenges arranged around a point, making a symmetrical rosette design.

The charge has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used.

The municipality is situated around the Hardangerfjord's northeastern arms: the Osa Fjord and Ulvikafjorden, extending far into the Hardangervidda plateau.

After the dissolution of the union between Sweden and Norway in 1905, Ulvik was one of the few municipalities that returned a majority in favour of a republic rather than a monarchy in the national referendum on the issue.

The municipal council (Heradsstyre) of Ulvik is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms.

The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

The Norwegian National Road 13 continues through Ulvik before crossing the Hardanger Bridge which goes over the Hardangerfjord.

Ulvik is also visited in the summer by numerous foreign cruise ships who travel along the fjord.