Adventure Weekend in Flåm and the Fjord Villages - FJORDS.COM

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It was an adventure weekend in the two branches of the Sognefjord, the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, where we experienced some of the finest scenery Norway has to offer – from dramatic fjords to atmospheric moments in the fjord villages of Aurland, Flåm, Gudvangen and Undredal.

We walked along the Nærøyfjord, drove a car over Aurlandsfjellet Mountain Road and kayaked on the Aurlandsfjord. What a fantastic weekend we had in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.

From Undredal to Bakka and boat across the Nærøyfjord

Morning mood in Undredal by the Aurlandsfjord.

We woke up to a beautiful day, and the sun was shining from a clear blue sky. We had breakfast on the pier at Undredal down by the Aurlandsfjord.

The movie Frozen I is inspired by this small village, with the surrounding steep mountains rising straight up from the fjord. It was difficult to break up, we could stay there all day long.

We drove to Gudvangen and continued out the fjord to Bakka. We had arranged in advance to meet Svein there, and he took us over the fjord in his boat. The boat took us over to Bleiklindi, the starting point of our hike along the Old Postal Road by the Nærøyfjord.

Most of the old postal road goes down by the fjord. It is an easy hike on a well prepared trail. The highest point of the trail is around 50 meters (this is just an assumption).

Hiking along the Nærøyfjord

The inner part of the Nærøyfjord was like a painting that day, with beautiful weather and with new motif’s turning up at almost every step we took. We passed small beautiful headlands like Holmo, Odnes and Klungrenes on our way to Styvi.

The six kilometer long trail is part of the Old Postal Road between Christiania (now Oslo) and Bergen.

In the old days, the usual way of carrying the mail was by boat between Lærdal and Gudvangen. During winter the mail was transported on the ice, but due to a lot of uncertainty regarding the ice, it was built a road partly on both sides of the Nærøyfjord between Styvi and Gudvangen.

Styvi, the end of the hike along the Nærøyfjord.

We arrived at Styvi around midday. Styvi was the endpoint of our hike and the view from there was spectacular, both in and out the Nærøyfjord.

We relaxed on the pier at Styvi and enjoyed the view to the fjord and the surrounding mountains and waterfalls.

We had agreed with Svein in advance that he should pick us up at Styvi in his boat later that day, and we got a great boat trip inland across the fjord, back to Bakka which was the starting point of our fjord-adventure.

The Old Postal Road along the Nærøyfjord - from Holmo. — The Old Postal Road along the Nærøyfjord – from Holmo.

The Royal Postal Route – 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.

Read about your personal responsibility and how to stay safe in Norwegian nature.

BEFORE YOU GO: Weather and conditions are crucial. Always take this into consideration before setting out on a hike. Avoid this hike in bad weather, fog, thunderstorms, snow or icy conditions. Bring proper clothing, good hiking shoes, map and compass, food and enough water. Always check the weather forecast before you go.

GRADING: Easy. This is a general assessment based on distance, terrain, elevation gain and exposure.

DURATION: Approximately 2 hours each way. This hike starts at Bleiklindi and ends at Styvi, approximately 5 kilometres further out along the fjord.

ELEVATION: The hike follows the fjord at a low elevation, with several small hills along the way, but never climbs more than approximately 40–50 meters above the fjord.

SEASON: June to August. These are approximate dates and depend on weather, temperature and snow conditions in the mountains. This is an avalanche-prone area surrounded by high and steep mountains, with risk of snow avalanches as well as rockslides and landslides. Always make your own assessment of these risks before and during hikes in this area. We recommend avoiding this hike during spring and during or after rainfall due to increased avalanche and landslide risk.

SUITABILITY: This is a relatively easy hike suitable for most people with normal physical fitness. The trail is clear and has few exposed sections, but be aware that the terrain can be uneven and slippery in wet conditions. In some places the trail is narrow with steep drops down to the fjord. Extra caution is required in these sections.

GUIDE: We recommend using a guide on this hike. See Fjord Tours’ website about guided tours on this hike. The guided tour includes transport by road to Bakka, boat transport across the fjord from Bakka to Bleiklindi, a guided hike from Bleiklindi to Styvi, and boat transport from Styvi back to Bakka.

MOBILE COVERAGE: Mobile coverage is often limited or unstable on many of the hikes described on this website, and in some places there is no coverage at all. Bringing an extra power source/power bank for your mobile phone is recommended.

GRAZING ANIMALS: Keep a safe distance from grazing animals, avoid sudden movements and always close gates behind you. Dogs must be kept on a leash, as required by law during large parts of the year. Read more about hiking near grazing animals.

OFFICIAL HIKE DESCRIPTION: Hike descriptions on fjords.com may be incomplete or contain errors. Always check updated information from official sources before setting out on a hike. You can find many hikes on UT.no, including maps and elevation profiles. Here is a hike description of The Royal Postal Route on UT.no.

Gudvangen, Nærøydalen and Stalheim Viewpoint

View from the garden at Stalheim Hotel towards the Nærøydalen Valley.

Since the day was still young, we decided to see more of this beautiful area. We drove to Gudvangen at the innermost part of the Nærøyfjord and had a stroll around there before driving up the Nærøydalen Valley to Stalheim Hotel.

Stalheim Hotel is a great lookout for seeing the wild and narrow Nærøydalen Valley from above.

A copious day with many beautiful nature experiences was over, and we already started to look forward to kayaking on the Aurlandsfjord the next day.

IMPORTANT! Due to the high risk of rock falls and due to the narrow and steep road along and below Stalheimskleiva, the Old Stalheimskleiva Road is now permanently closed to cars and other vehicles.

The old road along Stalheimskleiva has been maintained and repaired in recent years, so the road is now open to walkers. Do not stay longer than necessary and do not pitch a tent in this area due to the high risk of rock falls! The old road along Stalheimskleiva and the area around the road is closed in winter.

Driving Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route

After hiking along the Nærøyfjord the day before, we drove to Lærdal and stayed at the cozy Lærdal Hotel by the Lærdalsfjord, on the other side of the Aurlandsfjellet Mountain. The reason we stayed in Lærdal was that we planned to drive Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route to Undredal the next day, and then to kayak the Aurlandsfjord.

The road across Aurlandsfjellet is a journey across a mountain landscape of snow and rocks with the occasional sprig of grass. Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route is a 47-kilometer-long stretch of mountain road between Lærdal and Aurland.

Stegastein Viewpoint is part of the road, 650 meters above the Aurlandsfjord. The view from Stegastein towards the Aurlandsfjord is spectacular.

The road between Aurland and Stegastein is open all year, but during winter the road is closed in the high mountain, between Stegastein and Erdal on the other side of the mountain. Erdal is a small village down by the Lærdalsfjord, close to Lærdal.

The road from Stegastein down to Aurland is steep and narrow, with a total of seven hairpin turns. We continued driving to Flåm, through the Flenjatunnelen Tunnel and down the Undredalsdalen Valley to Undredal by the Aurlandsfjord.

Kayaking out from Undredal on the Aurlandsfjord

At the beach at Undredal, close to Underdalsbui, we packed our kayaks and glided into the Aurlandsfjord. The feeling was fantastic, sitting in the kayak on the Aurlandsfjord outside Undredal. The silence, only surrounded by the fjord, the beautiful nature and the steep mountains.

Undredal is special for me, this is where I started kayaking in the fjords in the nineties. I still remember the feeling from that early morning, more than 20 years ago, the first time I paddled out from Undredal. The fjord was like a mirror that day, exactly how it was this day.

View from the kayak towards the Aurlandsfjord.

We paddled across the fjord towards the steep vertical rock face below the abandoned Nedbergo Mountain Farm. We always keep good distance to the rock face, you never know when a piece of rock may fall into the fjord.

We continued out the Aurlandsfjord, passed Mt Beitelen where the Aurlandsfjord devides into two fjords; the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord.

Further out the fjord we discovered some seals lying on the shoreline. They are some curious creatures, and after they jumped into the fjord, they followed us for a long time.

We turned in the middle of the Aurlandsfjord and crossed the fjord to the other side before paddling back. We passed a small lighthouse out on a headland, about a kilometer before entering the Nærøyfjord.

The Aurlandsfjord was like a mirror that day.

There we had a break on land, from there it is great to look inwards towards Mt Beitelen and where the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord divide.

We continued kayaking towards the UNESCO Protected Nærøyfjord and paddled a short distance into the Nærøyfjord before we turned back and paddled back into the Aurlandsfjord towards Undredal, the end of our adventure.

Our adventure was coming to an end, we´d had a wonderful few days in our favorite playground. The memories will be with us forever, and we will be back soon.

Kayaking on the Fjords – Guiding and Important Safety Information

SAFETY & RESPONSIBILITY: Kayaking in the Norwegian fjords and lakes can be an incredible experience, but conditions can also be demanding and change rapidly. Read more about responsibility and important safety information here, and get an introduction to kayaking in Norway at Visit Norway.

GUIDED TOURS: For safety reasons, it is recommended to join guided kayak tours when paddling in the fjords. Njord Sea Kayak and Wilderness Adventures in Flåm and Nordic Ventures in Gudvangen offer guided kayak tours on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.

GUIDE & EXPERIENCE: It is recommended to use a guide when kayaking in the fjords and lakes of Norway. For safety reasons, you should avoid paddling alone. You should be an experienced kayaker with knowledge of paddling, safety and rescue techniques.

COURSES & REQUIREMENTS: Many guided kayak tours require certifications such as the “Wet Card”, a basic kayaking course, and training in self-rescue and assisted rescue. Requirements vary between operators and between single and double kayaks.

CHECK WITH THE OPERATOR: Kayaks are usually provided by the guide companies. Always check with the operator regarding required skills, experience and certifications before joining a tour.

SEASON: Kayaking in the fjords typically takes place during summer. Check with the operators for exact seasons. Dates mentioned on this website are approximate.

EQUIPMENT & COLD WATER: Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD). A dry suit with warm layers, preferably wool, is strongly recommended. The water in Norwegian fjords and lakes is cold, even in summer. Bringing a paddle float for self-rescue is also recommended.

WEATHER, WIND & WAVES: Always check weather conditions before heading out. Fjords and lakes in Norway can be exposed to strong winds, currents and rapid weather changes. Sudden winds can create frequent and large waves. Avoid kayaking in thunderstorms, strong winds or rough conditions.

BOAT TRAFFIC: Keep a safe distance from boats, ferries and cruise ships. Always stay alert and check behind you frequently. Some fjords have heavy marine traffic.

STEEP MOUNTAINSIDES AND CLIFFS: Many fjords and lakes have steep mountainsides and cliffs. This can make it difficult, and in some cases impossible, to get ashore if the weather deteriorates or an emergency occurs. Keep a safe distance from steep terrain where there is a risk of rockfalls, landslides or avalanches.

WHALES & ORCAS: Whales and orcas are sometimes seen in the fjords. These are wild animals and must be treated with respect. Never paddle towards them, and always keep a safe distance.

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.

Undredal was beautiful that day... — Undredal was beautiful that day…

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.

Reis Sakte - Hiking towards Skjerdal and the Aurlandsfjord. — 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.

Adventure Weekend in Flåm and the Fjord Villages of the Sognefjord