Aurlandsdalen is wild and beautiful, located near Flåm and Aurland by the Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the Sognefjord. The valley is one of Norway’s most popular hiking routes. Map: Aurlandsdalen 1:50000.
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Many people combine this hike with biking along the Rallarvegen (the old Navvies Road), that is an excellent option if you have the time. This story is from the lowest part of the Aurlandsdalen Valley, a 20 kilometer long hike starting at Østerbø and ending at Vassbygdi in Aurland.
Season, guiding and important safety information
SAFETY & RESPONSIBILITY: Follow the Mountain Code when hiking in Norway. Conditions can change from summer and sunshine to winter and frost within minutes. Always be prepared for rapidly changing weather.
BEFORE YOU GO: Weather and conditions are crucial. Always take this into account before setting out. Avoid the hike in bad weather, fog, thunderstorms, snow or icy conditions. Bring appropriate clothing, good hiking shoes, a map and compass, and enough food and water. Always check the weather forecast before you go.
DIFFICULTY: Demanding. This is a general assessment based on distance, terrain, elevation gain and exposure.
DURATION: 7–10 hours.
ELEVATION: This hike starts at 820 masl (Østerbø Fjellstove). The hike ends in Vassbygdi, 50 masl.
SEASON: Mid June to Mid September. These are approximate months and depend on weather, temperature and snow conditions in the mountains. This is a landslide-prone area, always make your own evaluation about this danger before and during this hike.
SUITABILITY: This hike is not suitable for children! This is a long and demanding hike, you should be an experienced hiker to do this hike. There are several steep, narrow and exposed sections on this hike.
DURING HIGH WATER FLOW –The bridge over the Veiverdalselvi/fossen, just 250 meters south-east of Sinjareheim, is narrow and is not secured with railings.
During heavy rain, parts of the trail along Aurlandsdalen can be flooded with water. Rivers can take new courses and cross/cover the trail at exposed points. This can make it difficult, sometimes downright dangerous and impossible, to cross the exposed parts of the trail in heavy rain and high water flow. One of the most exposed places, which during high water flows is often exposed to the river crossing the trail, is Grovselvi, which runs in steep terrain just north of Sinjarheim, between Sinjarheim and Almen.
NOTE – This is a summer- and Autumn hike. We recommend to avoid this hike in the spring and during and after rainfall due to this gives a higher risk of landslides. Hiking the Aurlandsdalen Valley is not without risk. There is a risk of rock fall and rock avalanches, especially during spring and early summer, and during and after rain.
NOTE – Most of the pictures in this article are from hiking the lower part of the Aurlandsdalen Valley, not over Bjørnestigen.
GUIDE: We recommend using a guide on this hike. See Norway´s best_ for information about guided hikes in Aurlandsdalen. Due to the steep terrain and the danger of avalanches, we recommend you to join a Guided Tour when hiking Aurlandsdalen. The guides also know when it is not safe to hike along Aurlandsdalen.
NAVIGATION: We always recommend using a map and compass on hikes. Parts of the hike cross high mountain terrain, where the trail is not always clearly visible. The area can also occasionally be covered in fog.
MOBILE COVERAGE: Mobile coverage is often limited or unstable on many of the hikes described on this website, and in some areas there is no mobile coverage at all. Note that there is no mobile phone coverage in large parts of Aurlandsdalen. It is recommended to bring an extra power bank for your mobile phone.
LIVESTOCK ON GRAZING LAND: Keep a safe distance from grazing animals, avoid sudden movements and close gates behind you. Dogs must be kept on a leash as required by regulations for much of the year. Read more about how to behave around animals and nature in Norway.
OFFICIAL TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Descriptions on fjords.com may be incomplete or contain errors. Always check updated information from official sources before you go. Many hikes in Norway can be found on UT.no, which provides maps and elevation profiles. Here is a trail description of Aurlandsdalen on UT.no.
Østerbø – the start of the Aurlandsdalen hike
Nesbø mountain farm in Aurlandsdalen.
We arrived at Aurlandsdalen Turisthytte (815 masl) at Østerbø, which is the start of the trail that runs along the lower part of the Aurlandsdalen valley.
It was mid day. We packed our rucksacks and started to walk down the valley 15 minutes later. The day was beautiful with the sun shining from a clear blue sky.
We soon arrived at Nesbø farm close to Lake Nesbøvatnet. This farm was deserted around 100 years ago but has since been restored by the new owner. It is a beautiful farm built around 1664.
Most of the farms in the Aurlandsdalen Valley were abandoned between 1875 and 1907 and many emigrated to America to become farmers and start a new life over there.
The trail splits in two, you can walk over Bjørnestigen or down along the river
View from Bjørnestigen towards Aurlandsdalen.
Soon the trail splits into two and we chose to hike along the lower trail and not over Bjørnestigen.
Bjørnestigen is a steep rise to more than 1000 meters above sea level.
Vetlahelvete, the largest pothole in Aurlandsdalen.
The lower trail continues along the river until the two trails again meet close to Vetlahelvete (Small Hell), the biggest glacial pothole in the valley.
Bjørnestigen has a great view over the Aurlandsdalen Valley but is pretty steep down towards Vetlahelvete and might be difficult if the trail is wet.
Arriving Sinjarheim Mountain Farm
Bridge over waterfall before arriving Sinjarheim. This bridge is narrow and without railings.
The trail continues through a fantastic landscape towards Sinjarheim Mountain Farm, which was the last farm to be abandoned in 1922 but it was used as a mountain farm until 1964.
We passed a wild, tumbling river before arriving Sinjarheim.
Sinjarheim mountain farm in Aurlandsdalen.
The farm Sinjarheim consists of seven buildings, including a drying house for corn, and has through the last few years been restored to its former state.
So now, once again, there is farming in the summer and the students from Sogn Agricultural School in Aurland use it as a practical teaching station.
Steep trail down to Almen Mountain Farm
Crossing the Grovselvi between Sinjarheim and Almen can be challenging and downright dangerous when the water level is high.
From Sinjarheim the trail is steep down towards Almen Mountain Farm, the last farm in Aurlandsdalen before Vassbygdi. The house is well protected under a big rock, which is why, perhaps, it’s so well maintained.
They say the people who lived there always talked very loudly, this to drown the noise from the river.
Almen Farm in the lower part of Aurlandsdalen.
Soon we were down at Vassbygdi (50 meters above sea level), which is where the hike in Aurlandsdalen ends. The day was still young, and our next goal was Gudvangen and to kayak out the Nærøyfjord to Skalmeneset outside Styvi.
We used almost five hours on this walk but recommend to use the whole day so you can enjoy and absorb more of this beautiful valley.
There is now a bus-service that has made it easy to travel to and from the start and end of the Aurlandsdalen hike. The bus will transport you between Flåm, Aurland, Vassbygdi and Østerbø. This Bus-service is delivered by Norway´s Best.
Video from another hike along Aurlandsdalen Valley
This video is from another hike along the Aurlandsdalen Valley. Here we chose to hike along the other (upper) trail, over Bjørnestigen. Bjørnestigen is a steep rise to more than 1000 meters above sea level.
Flåm, Aurland and Gudvangen are perfect starting points for experiences and activities in and around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, two of the world’s most beautiful and dramatic fjords. On July 14, 2005, the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord and the surrounding area were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Geirangerfjord. The Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord are both branches of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord, which is located in the middle of Western Norway.
“Sakte” is a collaboration between companies that provide adventures, accommodation, dining and short-travelled food- and products. “Sakte” are located in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord and is an offer for those who want to contribute to a sustainable society in the world heritage area.
Reis Sakte – Hiking towards Skjerdal and the Aurlandsfjord.
HOTELS, MICHELIN AND USEFUL LINKS
Here you will find an overview of recommended hotels and accommodations in Western Norway – FJORDS HOTELS, FJORD SPA and FJORDS LIVING.
You will also find an overview of MICHELIN KEY HOTELS in Western Norway – hotels recommended by Michelin.
There are 13 restaurants that have awarded Michelin Stars and Michelin Guide’s Point Of View in Western Norway. Seven of the Michelin restaurants are located in Stavanger, five in Bergen, and one in Bekkjarvik on the coast near the Hardangerfjord. Here you will find an overview of MICHELIN RESTAURANTS in Western Norway.
USEFUL LINKS is an overview of websites with useful information about Norway and the fjords.
Aurlandsdalen Valley – Map Overview
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