Skageflå by the Geirangerfjord – Fjord Cruise and Steep Hike to Mountain Farm

Skageflå is an abandoned mountain farm high above the Geirangerfjord. The entire experience, including a fjord cruise and the hike up to the mountain farm, is considered one of Norway’s most spectacular. From Skageflå, you get stunning views down to the fjord and to the Seven Sisters waterfall on the opposite side of the fjord. Map to use: Geirangerfjorden 1:25000.

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The Geirangerfjord is one of two fjords in Norway that is part of our common UNESCO World Heritage. Geiranger and the fjord is a great base for hiking and fjord cruise. And the scenery is out of this world.

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: 2–3 hours.

ELEVATION: This hike starts at approximately 1 masl (Skagehola). Highest point at approximately 250 masl (Skageflå).

SEASON: June to Mid September. These are approximate months and depend on weather, temperature and snow conditions in the mountains.

SUITABILITY: This hike is not suitable for children! There are several steep, narrow and exposed sections on this hike. The hike is steep and exposed, and the trail is narrow. You should not be afraid of heights! The trail is secured by fences, and it takes around 45 minutes from the shoreline to the mountain farm. At Skageflå, there is a grassy plateau that ends in steep cliffs down towards the fjord. Keep a safe distance from the edge.

GUIDE: We recommend using a guide on this hike. See Uteguiden for information about guided tours.

NAVIGATION: We recommend always bringing a map and compass in case of 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. 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 Skageflå on the Fjord Guiding Website.

The Skageflå Mountain Farm

Skageflå is far down there. Skageflå, Geirangerfjord and the Seven Sisters Waterfall.
Skageflå is far down there. Skageflå, Geirangerfjord and the Seven Sisters Waterfall.

There have been farmers at Skageflå since the Middle Age, and it was one of the wealthiest farms in the Geirangerfjord area due to the lush pastures in the Skagadalen Valley.

In the early years, the trail up to Skageflå went through a steep and difficult mountainside.

Due to this, in year 1855, the council in Geiranger decided to give financial support to rectify the trail.

Fjord Cruise and Hike to Skageflå

The trail up to Skageflå is steep, narrow and airy.
The trail up to Skageflå is steep, narrow and airy.

The hike to Skageflå starts with fjord cruise from Geiranger to Skagehola, the shore below Skageflå where the trail starts.

The most common thing to do is to join the fjord cruise, hike up to Skageflå and then return the same way down to the shore and take the fjord cruise back to Geiranger.

The hike is steep and exposed, and the trail is narrow. You should not be afraid of heights! The trail is secured by fences, and it takes around 45 minutes from the shoreline to the mountain farm.

From Skageflå, you can return back to the fjord and join a boat back to Geiranger.

Fjord Safari on the Geirangerfjord. Seen from Skagehola, the start of the trail to Skageflå.
Fjord Safari on the Geirangerfjord. Seen from Skagehola, the start of the trail to Skageflå.

Online Booking – Fjord Cruise to Skagehåla

The boat from Geiranger Fjordservice entering Skagehåla.
The boat from Geiranger Fjordservice entering Skagehåla.

We recommend to book the Fjord Cruise Tickets online some days in advance to be sure the boat is not fully booked. There are several departures from Geiranger and from Skagehola every day during the summer season.

The Fjord Cruise operates from May to mid October, the season can vary. On the website of Geiranger Fjordservice there is information about the season for fjord cruises on the Geirangerfjord and when the fjord cruise passes by Skagehåla.

It is also possible to book boat transport to Skagehola with a RIB boat with Fjord Guiding. On the website of Fjord Guiding you can also read more about Skageflå and the history of the abandoned mountain farm. There you can also read about the mountain hike to Skageflå.

Online Booking Fjord Cruise from Geiranger to Skageholo
Geiranger Fjordservice
Active Geiranger

Geiranger and Geirangerfjord – What to See and Do

The Geirangerfjord is like a fairytale. It is unique and exceptionally beautiful. And the fjord is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Visit Flydalsjuvet, Ørnesvingen and Dalsnibba viewpoints and see the iconic views of Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord. The Geirangerfjord is located in the southwestern part of the county of Møre og Romsdal, north in Western Norway.

Visit Ålesund

Visit Ålesund is the official destination company for the Sunnmøre, Geirangerfjord,  Hjørundfjord and Ålesund area.

View from the abandoned mountain farm Skageflå. View outwards the Geirangerfjord and to the "The Seven Sisters" waterfalls on the other side of the fjord.
View from the abandoned mountain farm Skageflå. View outwards the Geirangerfjord and to the “The Seven Sisters” waterfalls on the other side of the fjord.

Hotels and Accommodation in Geiranger

View from Hotel Utsikten in Geiranger.
View from Hotel Utsikten in Geiranger.

Hotel Union is situated on a hill just above the centre of the tourist village of Geiranger. The hotel has 197 rooms in several categories, from well-equipped standard rooms to luxury suites. Union Bath & Spa invites you to enjoy your spa experience among one of the most beautiful landscapes in Norway.

Hotel Utsikten is the hotel located at the top of Geiranger. There is no other place where you can wake up, have breakfast or enjoy a dinner like with the incredible view that you have from this hotel. The hotel has been located there since 1893. It was at that time when most of the hotels in Geiranger were established. Hotell Utsikten is open from May to September.

Havila Hotel Geiranger is located in the center of Geiranger, right at the heart of the beautiful Geirangerfjord. The hotel is within walking distance of shops and restaurants in Geiranger. The express boat pier, ferry pier, bus stop and activity and adventure center are located right next to the hotel. Restaurant Skageflå offers an exciting a la carte menu with local ingredients inspired by the fjord and surrounding mountains. For season and opening hours, see Havila Hotel Geiranger’s website.

Other places to stay in Geiranger are Geiranger Camping, Geirangerfjorden Feriesenter and Grande Hytteutleige og Camping.

 

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.

Geiranger Skageflå Homlongsetra Hike – Map Overview