KAYAKING AURLANDSFJORD AND NÆRØYFJORD

The Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord are two fjords that are great to explore from a kayak. Guided kayak trips start both from Flåm and from Gudvangen.

For safety reasons, we recommend guided kayak tours if you are going to kayak in the fjords. You can join guided kayak tours starting from Flåm in the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord and from Gudvangen in the innermost part of the Nærøyfjord.

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.

FJORDS NORWAY - Salthella beach by the Nærøyfjord.
Salthella beach by the Nærøyfjord.

NJORD – Guided kayak tours from Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord

FJORDS NORWAY - Kayaking the Aurlandsfjord
View from the kayak towards the Aurlandsfjord.

The Aurlandsfjord is a 29 kilometer long branch of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord. Along the Aurlandsfjord we have the villages Undredal, Aurland and Flåm. At Mt Beitelen, 11 kilometers from where the Aurlandsfjord starts, the Aurlandsfjord devides into two fjords; the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord.

In Flåm, in the heart of the Aurlandsfjord, you will find NJORD, which organizes guided kayak tours in the summer.

Season Kayaking: Summer, check with NJORD when they offer guiding. Seasons mentioned on this website are approximate dates.

The guided tours vary in length and time. They organize tours on the Aurlandsfjord that last only a few hours, but also guided tours where you get to experience both the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord. The longest guided kayak tours last several days, some of the tours are combined with mountain hikes and overnight stays in tents. On these tours you get to experience the best that our world heritage can offer.

Pictures and video from some of my kayak trips on the Aurlandsfjord

NORDIC VENTURES – Guided kayak tours from Gudvangen by the Nærøyfjord

FJORDS NORWAY - Kayaking Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord
Kayaking on the Nærøyfjord.

The Nærøyfjord is a 17 kilometer long branch of the Aurlandsfjord and was in 2005 included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The landscape on and around the Nærøyfjord is considered to be one of the most scenic fjord areas on earth, and was added to the list due to its unique natural quality and beauty.

In Gudvangen, in the heart of the Nærøyfjord, you will find Nordic Ventures, which organizes guided kayak tours in the summer.

Season Kayaking: Summer, check with Nordic Ventures when they offer guiding. Seasons mentioned on this website are approximate dates.

The guided tours vary in length and time. They organize tours on the Nærøyfjord that last only a few hours, but also guided tours where you get to experience both the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord. The longest guided kayak tours last several days, some of the tours are combined with mountain hikes and overnight stays in tents. On these tours you get to experience the best that our world heritage can offer.

Some of the guided tours start from Undredal by the Aurlandsfjord, this is stated on the website or by contacting Nordic Ventures.

Pictures and video from some of my kayak trips on the Nærøyfjord

Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord – What to See and Do

Nærøyfjord.
Nærøyfjord.

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. On 14 July 2005, the Nærøyfjord together with the Geirangerfjord became part of our common UNESCO’s world heritage.

From Flåm you can take part in a fjord safari or a fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. You can take this fjord cruise as a round trip (both ways) or one way combined with bus between Flåm and Gudvangen. See the great view from Stegastein viewpoint, 650 meters above Aurland. Taste the local goat’s cheese in Undredal or in Skjerdal, two villages by the Aurlandsfjord.

Flåm Railway is the train journey from fjord to mountain, perhaps the most beautiful railway in the world. You can 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 lower part of Aurlandsdalen, which is also the most popular, starts from Østerbø and ends at Vassbygdi in Aurland.

The Flåm Valley is a beautiful adventure. The valley between Myrdal (866.8 masl) and Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord is 18 kilometer long. The valley is narrow and the mountains are steep, and there are waterfalls and rivers wherever you turn around. Flåm Valley is a great place for hiking and biking. Flåm Zipline sends you off at over 100 kilometers per hour, you are just hanging in a thin steel wire high above the valley.

By the Nærøyfjord, we have the small villages of Gudvangen, Bakka, Styvi and Dyrdal. Styvi is the only place without permanent inhabitants during the winter, and is together with Dyrdal without road connection. Gudvangen is one of two ports where the iconic ferry trip along the inner part of the Sognefjord departs and arrives. Visit the Viking village Njardarheimr in Gudvangen and experience the history and culture of the Viking Age.

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

Many roads lead to the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area.
Many roads lead 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.

 

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.

USEFUL LINKS is a list of websites with great information on Norway and the Fjords.

Season and Safety - Kayaking on the fjords

SEASON - Many of the activities and attractions mentioned on this website are open only in summer and are closed in winter. This also applies to many of the roads and accommodations mentioned. Season and opening time will vary. It depends on where it is and what activity, attraction, road and accommodation it is, it usually opens in the summer and closes in the autumn, depending on i.a. the amount of snow and the risk of avalanches in the area. Hikes mentioned in this website have different seasons. See links to the various hikes to read more about the hikes and season.

SAFETY - Important Safety Information about kayaking in the fjords: For safety reasons, it is recommended to join a guided kayak trip if you are going to paddle on the fjords in Norway. The fjords can be exposed to strong winds and currents, and the weather can change rapidly even if nice weather and no winds are reported. There are steep mountain sides and cliffs in many parts of the fjords, this can make it difficult to enter land if weather gets bad or if an accident happens. It is recommended to avoid kayaking in thunderstorms and when there is wind and waves and bad weather conditions!

Watch out for and keep good distance to boats, ferries and cruise ships when kayaking on the fjords. Also remember to frequently look behind you. Some of the fjords are heavily trafficed with boats and ships.

It is recommended to keep a safe distance to steep mountain sides and cliffs where there is a risk of rockfall, landslides and avalanches. The guide companies in the different fjords usually have local knowledge about where to keep distance to land with regard to rockfall etc.

Read more about season, important safety information and your own responsibility when kayaking and when exploring Norway…

Flåm and Gudvangen – Map Overview