It was winter, and we visited Aurland and Flåm by the Sognefjord, seeking for some cold adventures. And we got what we wanted; Winter and Frozen Fjords.
It is easy to understand why more and more people discover how beautiful and exotic the Norwegian Fjords are during winter. The fjords is a great playground for those who want to ski, go snow-shoe hiking, take a winter-cruise or join a RIB-boat on the fjords or just take in the cold, crispy air and enjoy the beautiful winter-landscape.
Read also: Spring Magic in the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.
Read also: A summer trip in the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.
Read also: Autumn in the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.
Team “Frozen Fjords”
We (@tfbergen , @torb and @fjords) met in Aurland by the Aurlandsfjord and stayed at Vangsgaarden Guesthouse for the long-weekend. Aurland and Vangsgaarden is a perfect base for exploring this area. It is a short distance to the fjords and the mountains and the activities, attractions and sights from this place.
Borgund Stave Church, Stegastein Viewpoint and Otternes Farmyard
On our way to Aurland, we stopped by Borgund Stave Church in Borgund, located in the Lærdalsdalen Valley near Lærdal. Borgund Stave Church was built around the year 1181 AD and is the most visited stave church in Norway.
There is a visitor centre and a café nearby where you can buy tickets and get information and guided tours of the church. The visitor centre is open from mid-April to mid-October. Check the official Borgund Stave Church website for more information about opening hours, tickets, and guided tours.
On our first evening, we drove up to the Stegastein Viewpoint, a short but steep drive from the centre of Aurland. Stegastein is a 33-metre-long platform made of laminated wood, located 640 metres above the Aurlandsfjord.
This is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Norway, and we went there to try some night photography. We spent a few great hours at Stegastein and enjoyed the most beautiful night view of the stunning winter landscape. It was just as we had hoped for.
We also visited Otternes Farmyard, located between Aurland and Flåm. Otternes is a clustered farmstead with 27 old buildings dating back to the 18th century. From the farmyard, there is a fantastic view of the Aurlandsfjord.
The protected farmyard originally consisted of four farms. At its peak, more than 60 people lived there, including those who lived nearby and worked on the farms. The farms were operated in the traditional way until they were eventually abandoned.
Below, you can see photos from our first day in this beautiful winter landscape. There is also a video showing how wonderful it can be in winter – this video is from a later trip that I made to Stegastein.
Fjord Safari on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord
The next morning, we headed towards Flåm, located at the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord. Flåm is a fantastic starting point for many great experiences and activities in stunning and wild nature.
Where the Aurlandsfjord ends, the Flåm Valley begins. If the Aurlandsfjord is a fairytale, then the Flåm Valley is an even more beautiful one – and both are must-see experiences.
Flåm was the starting point for our next adventure: a Rib-boat safari on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord with Fjord Safari. In the safe and sturdy RIB boats from Fjord Safari, you have the best opportunity to experience and explore the nature and wildlife up close in these two wonderful fjords.
We had two fantastic hours in the Rib- boat – what a day we had on the fjord! We were also lucky enough to see both deer and seals up close while exploring these beautiful and wild fjords, which are part of our common World Heritage.
The FjordSafari tours start in Flåm and are available all year round. FjordSafari also offers other activities such as snowshoe hikes, Viking dinners, cultural evening tours, and tailor-made hiking trips.
The Flåm Railway
The day after our fjord adventure, we returned to Flåm, the starting point for the Flåm Railway, which has been ranked as one of the ten most beautiful train journeys in the world.
The Flåm Railway runs through the stunning and wild Flåm Valley and is recognized as one of the top ten most scenic railways in the world. This is a journey from fjord to mountains, and many travellers make the trip both ways.
The Flåm Railway runs between Flåm, located at the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord, and Myrdal Station (867 metres above sea level), which is part of the Bergen Line. With its 20 tunnels and a gradient of 1 in 18 on nearly 80% of the route, the Flåm Railway is one of Norway’s most spectacular train journeys.
This is the journey from fjord to mountains, and we travelled it both ways. We had taken this train ride several times in the summer, but experiencing it in winter was completely different – a truly recommended adventure!
Flåm Railway – Tickets: You can purchase tickets for the Flåm Railway on the Norway’s Best website.
Flåm Railway – Season: All year round. The trip between Flåm and Myrdal takes just under an hour each way. The number of departures and times vary depending on the time of year.
Snowshoe hike with a fjord view
The day began with a wonderful winter snowshoe hike in the mountains above the Aurlandsfjord, near the Stegastein Viewpoint.
Together with my hiking companions, I experienced the incredible views over Aurland, Flåm, and the fjord sparkling below us. This is an area that truly showcases the fjord landscape at its wintry best.
For those who want to experience the same, guided snowshoe hikes with FjordSafari, based in Flåm, are highly recommended. FjordSafari offers a variety of winter activities, including tours in the Stegastein area with warm drinks, photo stops, and fascinating stories about nature and local culture.
You can also join a combined Snowshoe hike and Viking dinner at Ægir in Flåm – a perfect combination of fresh mountain air, stunning views, and a local culinary experience.
Winter in the Nærøyfjord
After a pleasant lunch at Marianne’s Bakery & Café in Aurland on our last day, we drove to Gudvangen to see and experience the Nærøyfjord, surrounded by its beautiful and steep mountains.
Gudvangen is the small village located at the innermost part of the stunning and wild Nærøyfjord. Here, you can, among other things, visit the Viking Village Njardarheimr in Gudvangen and experience the authentic history and culture of the Viking Age. The village is a great starting point for many wonderful experiences in and around the Nærøyfjord.
The innermost part of the Nærøyfjord was partially covered in ice the day we visited, and the mountains towering above the fjord were blanketed in snow. The sun even made occasional appearances, and for us, more-than-average photography enthusiasts, it was a fantastic time wandering around one of the farms in this beautiful fjord landscape. We captured some beautiful images that were safely stored on our memory cards that afternoon.
We also made many new friends at the farm, who happily posed as models for our “photoshoots” by the Nærøyfjord. The old Norwegian spælsau sheep that live there probably have no idea how lucky they are to call this beautiful postcard-like landscape their home.
Thanks to Vangsgaarden and Fjord Safari
Thanks to Vangsgaarden who welcomed us to stay with them during our stay, and also to Fjord Safari for letting us join them on the epic winter-cruise on the fjord. We are longing back, and hope to see you again soon.
Here you can read about another winter trip to Aurland.
Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord – What to See and Do
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.
Visit Sognefjord
Visit Sognefjord is the official destination company for the Aurlandsfjord, Nærøyfjord and Sognefjord area.
Hotels and accommodation in the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area
Overview of hotels and other places where you can spend the night in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.
Sakte – Stay and Explore the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord
“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.
