Undredal is a beautiful fjord-village down by the Aurlandsfjord which is part of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord.
The movie Frozen I is inspired by this small village, with the surrounding steep mountains rising straight up from the fjord.
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Some highlights from Undredal and the surrounding area
Undredal is famous for the many goats and it´s local made White- and Brown Goat Cheese.
Undredal Stave Church in Undredal is Norways smallest church and had its 850-years celebration in 1997. At Undredal you will also find the smallest Fire Station in Europe.
Undredal is a great starting point for hiking in the surrounding mountains and for kayaking on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.
You do not need to go hiking or onto a fjord adventure when visiting Undredal. Many people just want so see and experience this beautiful village and the fjord from land, to buy some goat cheese from Underdalsbui and to learn about the tradition of goat cheese and farming in Undredal with tasting at Eldhuset by the pier.
Undredal Stave Church
Undredal Stave Church in Undredal is Norways smallest church and had its 850-years celebration in 1997. The year 1147 is found in the carvings inside the church and is used as the official date of the building.
One of the nearby abandoned Mountain Farms, Nedbergo (530 meters above the Aurlandsfjord) had more sun than the farms down by the fjords, and the people living there were quite wealthy. They even had reserved the foremost benches in Undredal Stave Church, and every sunday they crossed the Aurlandsfjord towards Undredal to go to church. If they were delayed due to weather or other conditions, the others had to wait until those from Nedbergo arrived before the worship service could start.
A visit or a guided tour included folk music inside the church can be ordered via Explore Undredal or at Undredalsbui Grocery Store during the opening hours. Every day during summer, from June 1st to August 31st, you can visit the Stave Church between 13:00 to 17:00 hrs. Tickets are then sold at the entrance.
Local made White- and Brown Goat Cheese
You should taste the local made brown and white goat cheese that is made in Undredal. You can taste and buy the rewarded Goat Cheese at Underdalsbui and Undredal Fjord Cafè/Eldhuset down by the pier.
Undredal has a long tradition in the production of goat cheese. The reason for that is of course the landscape. The goats are the best animals to utilize the resources in this steep fjord-landscape. In the old days it was natural for the farmers to use the goat’s milk to make farm products. Undredal had no road connection, and it was easier for them to sell and distribute brown- and white goat cheese rather than fresh milk.
Eldhuset hosts the tradition of goat cheese and farming in Undredal. They offer both taste, serving, exhibitions and program.
Hike to Hjødna Viewpoint and to Stokko by the Aurlandsfjord
The Hjødna Viewpoint is only a short hike from the center of Undredal. Contact Explore-Undredal for a guided hike which will take around 30 minutes from the starting point to the viewpoint.
The hike to Stokko is an easy walk on a 2.5 kilometer long trail (5 kilometer in total) down by the Aurlandsfjord. You start at Undredal, and hike outwards the fjord in North-East direction. The trail goes through old cultural landscape and old meadows, the highest point of the trail is 57 meters.
Pictures from Undredal and the Aurlandsfjord
The Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord
The Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord in Sogn are two of the worlds most beautiful and dramatic fjords. The name Nærøyfjord origin from the norse god ‘Njord’, the God of the Seafarer and the sea. Undredal is located by the Aurlandsfjord and is a great starting point for kayaking on the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord.
The Aurlandsfjord is a 29 kilometer long branch of the Sognefjord. At Mt. Beitelen, 11 kilometers from where Aurlandsfjorden starts and 5 kilometer from Undredal, the Aurlandsfjord devides into two fjords; the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord. The Aurlandsfjord continues 18 kilometer inwards to Flåm where it ends.
The neighbourhood
There are activities to do in this area all year round. You can join a Fjord Cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord or a fjordsafari to even get closer to the surrounding nature.
From May 1st to Sep 30th, you can take the ferry from Gudvangen, out the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord to Kaupanger, a two-hour “ferrytail” in the Sognefjord – the King of the Fjords.
In addition you can visit the Viking Village Njardarheimr in Gudvangen and experience the real history and culture of the Viking age. You can join guided kayak trips or hike along the fjord or in the surrounding mountains. This will give you a tremendous view over the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord area.
Stegastein Viewpoint is part of the Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route, 650 metres above Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord. Great view towards the Aurlandsfjord and the surrounding mountains. The road up to Stegastein is open all year, also during winter. But during winter, the road is closed just above Stegastein.
Video – Winter Fjord Safari on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord
Flåm Railway is one of top 10 scenic railways in the world. This is the train journey from fjord to mountain. It starts at Flåm at the inner part of the Aurlandsfjord and ends at Myrdal Train Station which is part of the Bergen Railway.
Cycle Rallarvegen (the Navvies Road) from Finse to Flåm. Take the first train in the morning from Flåm to Finse. (Order tickets a few days before, this to ensure they have bikes for rental at Finse. You need to ask for a ticket including both train and bike). Get your bikes at Hotel Finse 1222. This is the highest point of the Bergen Railway, 1222 metres above sea level. You now start the ride along Rallarvegen. This road was constructed while building the Bergen Railway in early 1900. You cycle mostly dowhill beside lakes, rivers and waterfalls down to the Flåm Valley which takes 6-8 hours or more.
Hike the Aurlandsdalen Valley. Wild scenery, wild rivers, narrow valleys, much history from old Norway and how they lived at that time. Many people consider this as the most beautiful and the wildest valley in Norway.
Video – Fjord Cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord
UNDREDAL – Useful Links:
Tourist Info: Visit Undredal
Booking.com: Undredal Camping
The local store: Undredalsbui
Activities in Undredal: Explore Undredal
Undredal Fjord Café: Undredal Brygge
World Heritage Info: Undredal
Church: Undredal Stave Church
Local Goat Cheese: Undredal Stølsysteri
Mountain Farm: Stigen Gard
FJORDS – Useful Links:
Official page for the Sognefjord: Sognefjord.com
Fjord Tours: Norway in a Nutshell
Fjord Tours: Plan and book fjord travel, accommodation and activities
Go Fjords: Big and Small Fjord Experiences
Fjord Pass: Great Discounts on Activities and Attractions in the Fjords
Visit Norway: Official page for Norway
Fjord Norway: Official page for Fjord Norway