Mjølkeflathytta is the Day Trip Cabin in Lærdal and is located at Mjølkeflaten, 85 metres above sea level. From the cabin, there are beautiful views of Lærdal, both down towards Lærdalsøyri and up the lower part of the Lærdal Valley.
The hike to Mjølkeflathytta is approximately one kilometre and takes around 30 minutes each way. If you would like a longer hike, you can continue from Mjølkeflathytta along the marked trail to Stødno and then follow the well-maintained gravel road along the south side of the Lærdalselvi River back towards Lærdal.
Mjølkeflathytta – The Day Trip Cabin in Lærdal
Mjølkeflathytta is the Day Trip Cabin in Lærdal and is located at Mjølkeflaten, 85 metres above sea level. From the cabin, there are beautiful views of Lærdal, both down towards Lærdalsøyri and up the Lærdal Valley towards Ofta and Hauge.
The hike to Mjølkeflathytta is approximately one kilometre and takes around 30 minutes each way. The trail to the cabin is marked and signposted, and some sections across the smooth rock have been equipped with steps and safety chains.
Most people hike from the parking area at Grandavegen to Mjølkeflathytta and return the same way. However, it is also possible to continue from Mjølkeflathytta to Stødno and then return to Lærdal along the Lærdalselvi River. This makes for a beautiful round trip that is longer and more demanding than the hike to Mjølkeflathytta and back.
There is a public car park for visitors to the Day Trip Cabin at the end of Grandavegen, close to where the hike starts. See the map with some useful map markers for the hike, including the parking area.
PLEASE NOTE – The Day Trip Cabins are open to everyone and are intended as places to take a break and find shelter during a hike. Overnight stays in the cabins are not permitted, partly for fire safety reasons and because the cabins should remain freely available to all visitors. Take all rubbish with you and leave the cabin clean and tidy, just as you would like to find it. Read more about the Day Trip Cabins and the rules for using them (only available in Norwegian).
Important Information at the Start of the Hike
From the car park, follow the prepared gravel path underneath Hedlerbrui Bridge. Then walk up on the west side of the bridge and cross the Lærdalselvi River using the pavement.
Do not cross the main road, either at the start of the hike or near the tunnel entrance on the other side of the river. The Fodnes Tunnel emerges close to the start of the trail, and traffic can enter and exit the tunnel at high speed.
After crossing the bridge, just before the Fodnes Tunnel, you will come to a gate. From there, walk down towards the river on the west side of the bridge. Then follow the marked trail towards Mjølkeflathytta.
Round Trip via Stødno and the Lærdalselvi River
If you would like a longer hike, you can continue from Mjølkeflathytta along the marked trail to Stødno, which is located farther up the valley.
From Stødno, the route continues along a road (Fv 271) and across Øye Bridge near Lærdal Hospital. From there, follow the well-maintained gravel road along the south side of the Lærdalselvi River back towards Lærdal.
The entire round trip is approximately 5.5 kilometres, with the highest point at around 90 metres above sea level. Allow around three hours at a leisurely pace, or more if you want to take breaks along the way.
The trail between Mjølkeflathytta and Stødno crosses smooth rock in several places and includes some steeper sections with steps and safety chains. The rock can become slippery and difficult to walk on when wet. Other sections of the trail can also be uneven and demanding. The final section of the trail down towards Stødno passes through uneven terrain and dense forest.
The walk back along the Lærdalselvi River is easy and follows a pleasant gravel road through the cultural landscape, with views of the river, mountains and farms around Lærdal.
Towards the end of the round trip, you will pass the Norwegian Wild Salmon Centre in Lærdal. Here, you can visit the exhibition about the Atlantic salmon – and perhaps finish the hike with a well-deserved cinnamon bun and something hot or cold to drink at Laksen Bakery & Café. Check the café’s opening hours before your hike.
The video below shows a few glimpses from the round trip via Stødno. First, we see the view from the trail between Mjølkeflathytta and Stødno, towards the Lærdal Valley and the Lærdalselvi River. This is followed by a few clips from down by the river, before the video ends with a view across the Lærdalselvi River and up towards the terrain on the other side, where Mjølkeflathytta is located.
Season and Important Information
The hiking season is usually from May to October. These dates are approximate and will vary depending on the weather, temperature and snow conditions.
Avoid the hike in bad weather, fog, thunderstorms, snow or icy conditions.
Keep your distance from grazing animals and close all 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 grazing animals.
Hiking 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 description of the hike to Mjølkeflathytta on UT.no. You can also find a description of the hike from Stødno to Mjølkeflathytta on UT.no. This describes the route in the opposite direction to the round trip described here. Unfortunately, the information on UT.no is only available in Norwegian.
Lærdal, Gamle (Old) Lærdalsøyri and Lærdalsdalen Valley
“All roads lead to Lærdal” – and Lærdal is for many of us the gateway to the Sognefjord. On your way down the Lærdalsdalen valley you can stop and experience our heritage from the Vikings and the Middle Ages.
Borgund Stave Church and the old Vindhellavegen Road, which is part of the old King’s Road, are the most famous cultural monuments in the Lærdalsdalen valley.
Visit Lærdal and the beautiful old town of Gamle Lærdalsøyri. Experience Galleri Bryggja where the local painter and artist Kristen Olav Grøttebø show his beautiful paintings in the exhibition in his painting studio/workshop.
Also a visit to Fredag & Fretland is recommended. This is the local bakery and patisserie near by the old town in Gamle Lærdalsøyri.
TIP – If you are in Lærdal, we recommend that you treat yourself to a moment of well-being at the sauna AUGA, which is located down by the Lærdalsfjord. Remember to book an appointment in the sauna in advance.
The National Wild Salmon Centre (Villakssenteret) is located between Lærdalselvi river and the center of Lærda, not far from Gamle Lærdalsøyri. In the Wild Salmon Centre you can see the salmon “live” when they go up the river.
Laksen bakery & café at Villakssenteret has a large selection of fresh baked goods, good coffee and homemade pizza. That alone is reason enough to visit Villakssenteret in Lærdal.
Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route is a 47-kilometer-long stretch of road between Aurland in the Aurlandsfjord area and Lærdal by the Sognefjord. Stegastein Viewpoint is part of the road, 650 meters above Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord.
NOTE – The road from Aurland up to Stegastein is open all year, but in winter the road is closed between Stegastein Viewpoint above Aurland and Erdal by the Lærdalsfjord.
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 Sognefjord area.
Hotels and Accommodation at Borgund and in Lærdal
Husum Hotel at Borgund
Borgund Hyttesenter og Camping at Borgund
Lærdal Ferie- og Fritidspark in Lærdal
Lærdal Hotel in Lærdal
Lindstrøm Hotel in Lærdal
Lærdalsøren Motor Hotel in Lærdal
Sanden Pensjonat in Lærdal