Rimstigen – Steep hike from Nærøyfjord to 725 m above sea level

The hike from Tufto down by the Nærøyfjord up Rimstigen is very steep. This two‑kilometre long trail starts at the fjord and ends 725 metres higher, offering dramatic views and a rewarding climb. Map to use: Nærøyfjorden 1:50000.

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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.

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 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: 4–6 hours.

ELEVATION: The hike starts down by the fjord and ends at the viewpoint at the top of Rimstigen, 725 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 avalanche and 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, steep and demanding hike, you should be an experienced hiker to do this hike. There are several steep, narrow and exposed sections along the trail to Rimstigen.

GUIDE: We recommend using a guide on this hike. See Fjord Tours for information about guided tours. Guided hikes up the Rimstigen trail are offered via Fjord Tours, see Fjord Tours website for information about the season and about the hike. A private guide will be with you, the hike also includes transport from Flåm, Gudvangen or Voss.

NAVIGATION: 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 avalanche and landslides. In the summer, before the snow on the mountainside above Rimstigen has melted, there is a risk of snow avalanches across the trail to Rimstigen.

NOTE – We recommend you to not hike if there are ice and snow on or above the trail. Keep in mind that if it is raining or wet on the ground, there is an extra risk of slipping and falling since the trail to Rimstigen is so steep!

NOTE – The road between Gudvangen and Bakka/Tufto is prone to landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather.

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. 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 Rimstigen on UT.no.

The Starting Point of the Rimstigen Hike

The trail up Rimstigen is marked.
The trail up Rimstigen is marked.

The Rimstigen Trail starts at Kvernaviki between Bakka and Tufto by the Nærøyfjord.

When we did the hike, we came from further out the Nærøyfjord in our kayaks, we had been staying overnight in our tent at Salthella Beach in the middle of the fjord.

The normal way is to drive five kilometers from Gudvangen at the innermost part of the Nærøyfjord towards Bakka further out the fjord.

There is a sign with directions and information about the hike just before you arrive the Tufteelvi River. There is a small parking lot at the starting point of the hike.

Just 4-5 minutes after the start of the hike up Rimstigen you get this view out over the Nærøyfjord. Maybe it's the most beautiful view of the entire hike?
Just 4-5 minutes after the start of the hike up Rimstigen you get this view out over the Nærøyfjord. Maybe it’s the most beautiful view of the entire hike?

The Rimstigen Hike

View from Rimstigen trail down to Tufto by the Nærøyfjord.
View from Rimstigen trail down to Tufto by the Nærøyfjord.

The trail up to the Rimstigen Viewpoint is very steep, but the trail is normally in good condition with stairs of stones on parts of the trail. Due to the steep terrain, the trail goes in a zigzag pattern upwards on the south side of the Tufteelvi River which is a waterfall in the upper parts.

The trail are surrounded by forest in the lower part, but in some parts you can see the fjord. Further up there are less threes, and at the Rimstigen Viewpoint 725 meters above the fjord you are above the timberline. From there you have a fantastic view down to the Nærøyfjord and to the surrounding mountains.

The hike ends at the Rimstigen Viewpoint, and the return goes down on the same trail back to the starting point.

The hike to Rimstigen will take you around two to three hours one way. Remember to bring enough water, food and clothes on this hike. There are no rivers from where you can fill your bottles, it is too steep and dangerous terrain.

Christopher Seymour´s hike up Rimstigen

Christopher Seymour´s own words: – Join me as I hike to the top of Nærøyfjord on an exhausting and breathtaking trail. I fought through cold rain, intense elevation, blistering wind and I was rewarded by some of nature’s best views. This video is a true testament to hard-fought goals and the heart of landscape photography. Video: Christopher Seymour.

Gudvangen – Where the Vikings still live

Njardarheimr Viking Village in Gudvangen.
Njardarheimr Viking Village in Gudvangen.

Gudvangen is the innermost village by the beautiful and wild Nærøyfjord and is a perfect starting point for many great adventures in beautiful and wild nature.

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.

Today you can visit the Viking Village Njardarheimr in Gudvangen and experience the real history and culture of the Viking age.

Gudvangen at the innermost part of the Nærøyfjord which is a branch of the Sognefjord in Norway.
Gudvangen at the innermost part of the Nærøyfjord which is a branch of the Sognefjord in Norway.

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.

The Nærøyfjord, our common world heritage. Drone image taken from Gudvangen.
The Nærøyfjord, our common world heritage. Drone image taken from Gudvangen.

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.

 

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.

Hike to Rimstigen Viewpoint – Map Overview