GUDVANGEN – WHERE THE VIKINGS STILL GO BERSERK

Gudvangen is the innermost village by the beautiful and wild Nærøyfjord. The name Nærøyfjord origin from the norse god ‘Njord’, the God of the Seafarer and the Sea.

 

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

 

Season and Safety

Many of the activities, attractions, roads and accommodations mentioned on this website are open only in summer and are closed in winter. Season and opening times will vary, it usually opens in the summer and closes in the autumn, depending on, among other things, the amount of snow and the risk of landslides and avalanches in the area.

Important information about roads in Western Norway: There are restrictions on the length of vehicles on many of the roads in Norway. Many roads in Western Norway are prone to landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. There might also be a chance that some of the roads are closed in short periods, especially during winter, due to weather and danger of rock- and snow avalanches and other dangerous conditions. Some of the roads in Western Norway are closed during winter! Winter tires are required in winter. Read more about Tyre Requirements in Norway...

It is important to take precautions for weather and road conditions, both when you drive and when you are out in nature in Norway. It is recommended to use a guide on the tours described on this website. Read more about safety and your own responsibility...

Visit Sognefjord

Visit Sognefjord is the official destination company for the 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.

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

FJORDS NORWAY - The UNESCO Protected Nærøyfjord
The inner part of the Nærøyfjord. Gudvangen is in there somewhere…

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.

FJORDS NORWAY - Fjord Cruise on the Nærøyfjord. View from Gudvangen.
Fjord Cruise on the Nærøyfjord. Drone-view from Gudvangen.

The Viking Village Njardarheimr at Gudvangen

FJORDS NORWAY - Njardarheimr Viking Village at Gudvangen.
Njardarheimr Viking Village.

One of the main historic events in the Viking age, the battle of Fimreite,  happened in the Sognefjord. In year 1184, King Sverre Sigurdsson with his 14 Viking Ships and King Magnus Erlingsson with his 26 Viking Ships met in the Sognefjord 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

FJORDS NORWAY - It is a fantastic experience to sit in the back of the boat from The Fjords and see the beautiful and wild nature. Here from the Nærøyfjorden.
It is a fantastic experience to sit in the back of the boat on a fjord cruise. Here from the Nærøyfjord.

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

FJORDS NORWAY - Kayaking on the Nærøyfjord.
Kayaking 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 is one of 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 Gudvangen and Kaupanger. You can take your car on this ferry trip. Season: Summer, see link for more information about season and scedule.

FJORDS NORWAY - The Sognefjord
The Sognefjord and Lærdalsfjord seen from Haukåsen near Kaupanger. The ferry that runs between Kaupanger and Gudvangen is small compared to the gigantic Sognefjord.

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.

FJORDS NORWAY - Guided hike to Rimstigen above the Nærøyfjord.
A guided hike to Rimstigen gives you a great view down to the Nærøyfjord. This picture was taken from the trail, well below the top.

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.

FJORDS NORWAY - Here we see Gudvanegn from a distance out in the fjord, photographed with a drone.
Here we see Gudvangen from a distance out in the fjord, photographed with a drone.

 Shell Gas Station and Joker Grocery Store in Gudvangen

FJORDS NORWAY - coffee kettle on the fire...somewhere in the mountains.
Coffee kettle on the fire… somewhere in the mountains. Illustration photo.

In Gudvangen, close to the fjord, there is a Shell 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 also two charging stations for electric cars in connection with the petrol station. More charging points are planned, both for Tesla and others, during 2023.

And the best of all, they have a Coffee Machine. If you have a Coffee Deal at Shell, you can get free coffee in all Shell 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.

Shell/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 🙂

Hotels and accommodation in Gudvangen

Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord – What to See and Do

Flåm, Aurland and Gudvangen are perfect starting points for experiences in and around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, two of the world’s most beautiful and dramatic fjords that are also included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Join a fjord safari or a fjord cruise. See the fantastic view from Stegastein viewpoint and taste the local goat cheese in Undredal. Visit the Viking village Njardarheimr in Gudvangen and experience the history and culture of the Viking Age. Flåm Railway is the train journey from fjord to mountain, perhaps the most beautiful train journey in the world. Combine this train journey with cycling along Rallarvegen which goes from the high mountains via Flåmsdalen Valley to Flåm. Aurlandsdalen Valley is one of Norway’s most popular hikes. The Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord are both part of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord which is located in the northern part of the county of Vestland, in the middle of Western Norway.

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.

FJORDS NORWAY - Reis Sakte - Hiking towards Skjerdal and the Aurlandsfjord
Reis Sakte – Hiking towards Skjerdal and the Aurlandsfjord

How to travel to the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area

It is easy to travel to Flåm and Aurland, the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord. Almost “all roads” go to Flåm and Aurland, and you can also travel there by train, bus and boat. It is only a short distance between the two neighboring villages of Flåm and Aurland.

You can start this fjord adventure by train from Oslo or Bergen to Myrdal station. Then you get to experience the Bergen Railway between Oslo and Bergen and Flåm Railway, one of Norway’s most spectacular railway lines, from Myrdal station to Flåm, which is located down by the Aurlandsfjord. If you take Flåm Railway, you get to experience the beautiful Flåmsdalen valley at the same time.

There are several daily bus departures between Oslo/Bergen and Flåm.

The nearest airport is Sogndal Airport at Haukåsen near Kaupanger. Most flights that go to and from Sogndal Airport come from and go to Oslo and Bergen. From the airport to Flåm, it is 70 kilometers by road, including a wonderful crossing of the Sognefjord by ferry.

FJORDS – Accommodation in Western Norway

HOTELS - ACCOMMODATION - LINKS

Here you will find an overview of recommended HOTELS in addition to SPA & BATH HOTELS and OTHER ACCOMMODATION PLACES in Western Norway. The combination of beautiful nature, activities that you can do in all four seasons and a stay at a great accommodation is unique. A stay in one of these places will do you good, both for body and mind.

There are ten restaurants that have awarded Michelin stars and Michelin awards in Western Norway. Eight of the Michelin restaurants are in Stavanger and two in Bergen. Here you will find FJORDS MICHELIN, where you will also find a list of recommended hotels in Western Norway, recommended by Michelin.

VISIT NORWAY is the official travel guide for Norway. VISIT NORWAY'S FJORD GUIDE gives you a good overview of the most beautiful fjords in Norway. USEFUL LINKS is a list of websites with great information on Norway and the Fjords.

Gudvangen by the Nærøyfjord – Map Overview