Small, idyllic fjord villages lie like pearls along the Årdalsfjord, squeezed between steep mountains, waterfalls, rivers and the fjord. Indre Ofredal is one of these historic villages, rich in nature and heritage by the branch of the Sognefjord.
Around the middle of the 19th century, a sawmill, mill, boathouse, kitchen-building and forge were built at Indre Ofredal. The old sawmill at Indre Ofredal is part of the history of Norway as an industry nation.
Årdal and the Årdalsfjord
The Årdalsfjord is the part of the Sognefjord that runs between the outer part of the Lustrafjord and the industrial town of Årdalstangen.
The surrounding nature has facilitated amounts of cheap hydroelectric energy which in turn has facilitated industry in this area.
The industrial towns Årdalstangen and Øvre Årdal are the result of this. But it was in Indre Ofredal it all started.
Indre Ofredal – History
People have lived in Indre Ofredal since the middle of the 17th century. From the middle of the 19th century until the Second World War, Indre Ofredal was an important center for trade and business in the whole of Indre Sogn.
In this “industrial area” there was production, unloading and loading of raw materials and finished products.
The pine forest in Indre Ofredal has very good quality, and together with ordinary agriculture and fruit growing, this was the way of life for people in Indre and Ytre Ofredal.
Indre Ofredal today – Restoration and recreation by the fjord
After many years of decay, the association Ne fø´ Sjøen has now restored many of the houses at Indre Ofredal. They have a small cafeteria and offer accommodation in the old restored Boat House down by the fjord. Serving simple lunch menu, freshly baked Norwegian waffles, refreshments and soft drinks. Open during summer.
If you like to fish, Indre Ofredal is the perfect place. There is a large pier beside the boat house from where it is perfect for fishing in the fjord.
The dramatic nature around Indre Ofredal attracts guests who seek adventures all year round. Vettisfossen Waterfall, Utladalen Valley, the Jotunheimen Mountains and the Årdalsfjord and the surrounding dramatic mountains are great areas for activities such as hiking and mountaineering.
Bøttejuv is one of the most popular hikes in the area around Årdal. The view from Bøttejuv is one of the best you can experience. You should definitely put this hike on your “Bucket List”. From Bøttejuv you look straight down at the emerald green lake Årdalsvatnet, which lies 1320 meters below you. You can see Øvre Årdal in the background.
From there you also have a great view of the mountains in Hurrungane and Jotunheimen, the roof of Norway. The hike to Bøttejuv starts up in the Seimsdalen valley above Seim, near Årdalstangen, which lies in the innermost part of the Årdalsfjord. Season: Mid July to Mid September, these are approximate dates that depends on the weather, temperature and the amount of snow in the mountains. Guide: We recommend you to join a Guided Hike to Bøttejuv.
Other small idyllic fjord villages like Naddvik and Seim are also well worth visiting if you are in the area. You can reach these villages by car.
You get to Indre Ofredal by car via Årdalstangen to Seim and then through Ofredalstunnelen Tunnel, the world’s steepest tunnel, to Indre Ofredal.
Ofredalstunnelen – The worlds steepest Tunnel
The 2200 meter long Ofredalstunnelen Tunnel between Seim and Indre Ofredal is famous for being the the world’s steepest tunnel. But the tunnel that opened in 1992 was not meant to be as steep as it became.
Due to poor map data, the tunnel was made halfway with the wrong incline. This led to the last half having to be made very steep, at a 15.5% incline, to end in the right place in Indre Ofredal.
Sognefjord – What to See and Do
The Sognefjord, the king of the Fjords, is the longest fjord adventure in Norway. The fjord is 204 kilometers long and 1308 meters deep at its deepest. Join a fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. Take a mountain hike to Molden where the prize is a fantastic view of the Lustrafjord. See the beautiful stave churches that surround the Sognefjord. The Sognefjord is located in the middle of Western Norway.
Visit Sognefjord
Visit Sognefjord is the official destination company for the Årdalsfjord and Sognefjord area.
Indre Ofredal – Accommodation
Boat House in Indre Ofredal
Klingenberg Hotel at Årdalstangen
Indre Ofredal – Useful Links
Friends of Indre Ofredal Association – Ne fø´ Sjøen
Guiding in the Årdalsfjord Area – Bulder & Brak
Årdal Tourist Information – Visit Årdal
References
Årdal Municipality – Årdal Kommune
Wikipedia – Ofredalstunnelen