Gudvangen is a tiny village at the head of the wild and beautiful Nærøyfjord, known for its dramatic scenery, the Viking village Njardarheimr and as a starting/end point for fjord cruises and outdoor adventures in this UNESCO‑listed fjord. The fjord’s name comes from the Norse god Njord, the god of seafarers and the sea.
Today you can visit the Viking Village Njardarheimr in Gudvangen and experience the real history and culture of the Viking age.
INFORMATION ABOUT ROADS IN THE GUDVANGEN AREA – Many of the roads in Western Norway can be prone to landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. The roads in the Gudvangen area, in Nærøydalen, to Bakka and to Undredal are some of these exposed roads.
Gudvangen by the Nærøyfjord
Gudvangen is a perfect starting point for many great adventures in beautiful and wild nature. Gudvangen is a tiny village where the Nærøyfjord ends. The Nærøyfjord is a perfect base for adventures and nature experiences. If you include the nearby area on and around the Aurlandsfjord, you can stay there for weeks and discover new and wonderful adventures every day.
As you can see on the featured image, the main road between the Sognefjord and Voss and Bergen goes directly behind Gudvangen and the fjord. But if you are in Gudvangen and sit down by the fjord and look out at the fjord and the surrounding mountains, then you are suddenly in your very own world where you hear the sound of the waves lapping and from the waterfalls plunging down the steep mountainsides.
The Viking Village Njardarheimr at Gudvangen
One of the main historic events in the Middle Ages, the Battle of Fimreite, happened in the Sogndalsfjord. In year 1184, King Sverre Sigurdsson with his 14 longships and King Magnus Erlingsson with his 26 longships met in the Sogndalsfjord outside Fimreite for the final battle about the Kingship of Norway. King Sverre won the battle and King Magnus and more than 2000 men were killed in the battle.
Today you can visit the Viking Village Njardarheimr in Gudvangen and experience the real history and culture of the Viking age. Learn and experience how the Vikings lived, worked, travelled, discovered and conquered.
You can join a Viking Diner in the Viking Foodcourt which is part of the Njardarheimr Viking Village. You must buy tickets to attend a Viking Diner at Njardarheimr. Groups must prebook.
Fjord Cruise on the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord
Book a Fjord Cruise Ticket here. Here you will experience the UNESCO Protected Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord in a fjord cruise. Numerous wild and beautiful waterfalls and rivers characterize the landscape, crossing the rugged mountains and deciduous and coniferous forests on their way down to the fjords. Beautiful villages with a sustained cultivated landscape with remainders of old farms and mountain pastures and unique cultural monuments gives a extra dimension to the dramatic natural landscape.
A fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord can be done both ways. You can start the fjord cruise from Gudvangen or from Flåm. You can do a round trip or one way only, we recommend you to do a round trip. You cruise throught the same fjords, but the experience is totally different when you cruise through the fjords the opposite way. Remember to book a bus ticket between Flåm and Gudvangen if you need that, you can book a bus ticket when you book the fjord cruise. Season: all year.
Guided Kayak Trips on the Nærøyfjord
The Nærøyfjord is great to explore from a kayak. You can join guided kayak-trips with Nordic Ventures with base close to the Shell Gas Station by the fjord in Gudvangen at the inner part of the Nærøyfjord. The video below is from the inner part of the Nærøyfjord, between Gudvangen and the area outside Styvi and Dyrdal.
NOTE – For safety reasons, we recommend you to join a guided kayak trip if you are going to paddle kayak on the fjords. Here are some good advices on how you can be safer when kayaking on the fjords and during other activities and when traveling in Norway and Western Norway in general.
Season Kayak: Summer, check with the guide company when they offer guiding. Seasons mentioned on this website are approximately dates.
Ferry trip on the Sognefjord between Gudvangen and Kaupanger
Gudvangen and Kaupanger are the two ports where the iconic ferry trip along the inner part of the Sognefjord departs and arrives.
This is a two and a half hour long fjord cruise on the Sognefjord and the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, between Kaupanger and Gudvangen.
On this ferry trip you will see the mighty Sognefjord, where the fjord is at its widest. The outermost part of the Aurlandsfjord is narrower than the Sognefjord, but still quite wide. The Nærøyfjord is narrow and the precipitous mountains rise high above the fjord.
Countless rivers and waterfalls cascade down the steep mountain sides. On this ferry trip you can see and experience the stark contrasts and the beautiful and wild nature of this wonderful piece of Norway.
You can take your car on this ferry trip.
Season: Summer, see link for more information about season and scedule.
Guided hike to Rimstigen above the Nærøyfjord
The Hike from Tufto by the Nærøyfjord to Rimstigen Viewpoint is very steep. The two kilometer long Rimstigen Trail starts down by the fjord and ends 725 meters above it.
A guided hike up to Rimstigen and back will take you around seven hours, and the prize is a fantastic view of the UNESCO Protected Nærøyfjord. A private guide will be with you and a light meal will be served in amazing surroundings.
The guided hike includes transportation from Voss, Gudvangen or Flåm to where the hike starts.
The fjords through four seasons – magic all year round
By the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, nature changes its attire with the seasons – from the budding life of spring and the lush valleys of summer, to the golden hues of autumn and the quiet, snow-covered mountains of winter. Each season has its own unique character, and every journey offers memories for a lifetime.
I have travelled to the fjords of Western Norway in all four seasons, and each journey has offered its own special experiences. Spring entices with blooming orchards, green mountainsides, and mirror-calm fjords; summer with sunny days and lively fjord villages; autumn with its magical display of colours; and winter with peaceful, snow-covered landscapes.
Here you can read about four trips – one for each season – in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.
They all rank high on my list of the most memorable fjord experiences and remind me of just how amazing the nature is, no matter what time of year you visit Western Norway.
Experiencing the fjords in the low season offers peace, better photo opportunities, and a more sustainable visit for the local community, the guest, and the environment.
Gudvangen Fjordtell and Restaurants
Down by the fjord, beside where the Fjord Cruises departs and arrives, you have Gudvangen Fjordtell. In close distance, there are several restaurants in addition to Viking Diner in the Viking Foodcourt which is part of the Njardarheimr Viking Village. You must buy tickets to attend a Viking Diner at Njardarheimr. Groups must prebook.
St1 Gas Station and Joker Grocery Store in Gudvangen
In Gudvangen, close to the fjord, there is a St1 Gas Station and Joker Grocery Store which is open every day. In addition to groceries, kiosk goods, sausages, buns and soft ice cream (soft ice cream is sold from April to October), they have a selection of fishing equipment, car supplies and medicine outlets.
There are several charging stations for electric cars in connection with the petrol station in Gudvangen, both Tesla and other charging stations.
And the best of all, they have a Coffee Machine. If you have a Coffee Deal at St1, you can get free coffee in all St1 Gas Stations in Norway that has a coffee machine, included the one in Gudvangen. Remember, you need to bring your own Coffee Cup. You can buy a cardboard cup if you have forgotten your own cup.
St1/Joker Gudvangen is a great offer for travellers who need to top up provisions, fuel and batteries. And a cup of Coffee is a nice start to the day, especially in Gudvangen 🙂
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.
