POPULAR SUMMIT HIKES IN THE WORLD HERITAGE AREA - NÆRØYFJORD
The view is the very purpose of the mountain hike. In the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord region, the sight of dramatic mountains and narrow fjords will truly take your breath away. We have gathered the most popular mountain hikes in our spectacular fjord landscape!
BAKKANOSI 1398 MASL.
Magnificent view of the world heritage fjord, Nærøyfjorden
Start the hike from Jordalen, with the turn-off from the E16 in Nærøydalen. Park your car just after crossing the bridge over the Slettedalselvi river. From here, follow the new tractor road winding its way up the northern side of the valley towards the summer farm in Slettedalen. Beyond the summer farm, the route continues along a trail that gradually becomes less distinct. You will partly follow animal tracks on the left side of the river, crossing areas of marshland, although the terrain remains relatively easy to walk. As the valley becomes steeper, cross the river and continue on the right-hand side up towards Slettedalstjørni. The river is small and usually easy to cross. At Slettedalstjørni, turn right and continue along the northern side of lake 1314 before heading through rockier terrain to the right of elevation 1389 and onwards to the summit of Bakkanosi. For the most dramatic views, continue carefully towards the edge facing the fjord and further out along the ridge. Here, you are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views over one of the world’s most spectacular fjords — the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. Return along the same route.
Difficulty: Black — Challenging hikes recommended for experienced mountain hikers only. These routes require proper hiking equipment as well as knowledge of map and compass navigation. The hikes can be very long and may include rough terrain, steep ascents and sections where you must find the route independently in unmarked terrain.
PRACTICAL INFO.
Start: Jordalen, just north of the bridge over Slettedalselva, 530 meters above sea level.
Terrain: Tractor road, unmarked path, indistinct path, no path in rock and scree.
Time: 8 hours round trip
Elevation gain: 880 m up and down.
Highest point: 1398 MASL.
Length: 17.5 km round trip
Difficulty: Black
BREISKREDSNOSI 1189 MASL.
Special view over the Nærøyfjord with partially overhanging mountains!
Start the hike from Bakka, where parking is available between Bakka and Tufto. From here, a steep trail climbs up to the mountain farm Rimstigen, located approximately 700 metres above sea level. Continue towards Skarsvotni, where the route to Breiskredsnosi branches off at the northern end of the lake. From Skarsvotni onwards, the trail becomes less defined and can be unclear in several places. The path climbs gradually from Skarsvotni along the western side of Rimstigfjellet, passing the highest point of the hike at 1260 metres above sea level. From here, the trail descends slightly before continuing upwards again towards the summit of Breiskredsnosi.
The return can either be done as a round trip or by following the same route back. If you prefer a round trip, continue towards Dyrdal and take the ferry back to Bakka. The route follows the right-hand side (east) of lake 1107 and the left-hand side (west) of lake 1104 before descending quite steeply over the edge towards the mountain farm Vassete. From Vassete, a well-defined trail leads down to the idyllic mountain farm Hjølmo, where the route joins a tractor road that continues to the farm Drego. From here, a gravel road leads down to Dyrdal and the fjord.
Difficulty level: Black — These are demanding hikes intended for experienced mountain hikers. The routes require proper hiking equipment as well as knowledge of map and compass navigation. The hikes can be very long and may include rough terrain, very steep ascents and extended sections where you must find the route independently in unmarked terrain.
PRACTICAL INFO.
Start: Parking lot between Bakka and Tufto.
Terrain: Partially marked path to Rimstigen, then indistinct path, rocks and scree.
Duration: Approx. 10 hours (with return via Dyrdal)
Elevation gain: approx. 1335 m up and down.
Highest point: 1260 MASL.
Length: 19.5 km (with return via Dyrdal)
Difficulty: Black
RAMNANOSI 1421 MASL
View over the fantastic Flåm Valley
Start the hike from the hillside farm Ryo (turn off from Flåmsdalsvegen towards Håreina and Ryavegen). Please note that there is no designated parking area, so make sure not to block access for others. The first part of the hike follows a gravel road leading to the summer farms in Gudmedalen at approximately 950 metres above sea level, where you can see large cultivated fields established in the 1980s. From here, it is recommended to continue uphill on the right-hand side of the cultivated fields, even though there is no marked trail, as this avoids having to walk around the entire area. Continue up through the pass behind the fields, where you will eventually join a more visible trail. Follow the trail towards Stokkadalen at around 1230 metres above sea level, then turn left towards the summit of Ramnanosi. From this point onwards, the trail becomes unclear. As you approach the top, the cairn gradually comes into view. The slopes surrounding the summit are extremely steep, so proceed with caution.
Difficulty: Black — Challenging hikes recommended for experienced mountain hikers only. These routes require proper hiking equipment as well as knowledge of map and compass navigation. The hikes can be very long and may include rough terrain, steep ascents and sections where you must find the route independently in unmarked terrain.
PRACTICAL INFO.
Start: Ryo, the communal barn. Approximately 650 meters above sea level.
Terrain: Tractor road, unmarked path, indistinct path.
Duration: Approx. 3 hours round trip
Elevation gain: approx. 770 m up and down.
Highest point: 1421 MASL.
Length: approximately 9 km round trip
Difficulty: Black
HOVDUNGAVARDEN 1243 MASL.
Spectacular views over Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord
Start the hike from Li (turn off from Onstadvegen onto Liavegen). Park your car where the road splits towards Vikesland and Li. From here, follow the road up to Li and continue to the right between the farms and through the farmyard. The route follows a tractor road heading northeast up the hillside, gradually narrowing into an old packhorse trail leading towards the mountain farm Sele at 460 metres above sea level. Continue uphill to the right of the uppermost houses at Sele, where the turning area for the road from Vikesland is located. Here begins the historic trail to Hovdungo. Along the route, you will notice deep cracks in the ground, locally known as “joer”. Stay on the trail, as these fissures may be hidden by vegetation and can pose a danger to both people and animals. The trail then climbs up to the rocky outcrop Klanten, after which the terrain becomes relatively flat for the final 500 metres towards Hovdungo. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views if you carefully walk closer to the edge. The trail then continues steeply southwards along the ridge past Håvardsnipa (approximately 1000 metres above sea level) and onwards to Hovdungovarden at 1243 metres. Blåskavlavarden, the highest point at 1443 metres, lies a further 2 kilometres away. Return along the same route. It is also possible to start the hike from Vikesland towards Sele via the tractor road.
If you want a shorter trip, the view from the mountain farms at Hovdungo is fantastic, and is thus a great turning point.
Difficulty: Red — Longer hikes suitable for experienced and physically fit hikers. Proper hiking equipment is required. The routes often follow a combination of marked trails, open terrain, rocky sections and scree.
PRACTICAL INFO.
Start: Parking where the road splits to Vikesland and Li, 175 meters above sea level.
Terrain: Good trail
Time: 5 hours round trip
Elevation gain: 1060 m up and down
Highest point: 1243 MASL.
Length: 11 km round trip
Difficulty: Red
PREST 1457 MASL / RØYRGRIND 1353 MASL
Panoramic view of the Aurlandsfjord!
This summit is a favourite among the locals, and along the hike you are rewarded with spectacular views of the Aurlandsfjord — stretching from Beitelen at the outer fjord all the way to Flåm at the innermost end. The trail begins at approximately 800 metres above sea level from the parking area in Kvammadalen, where a well-defined path leads towards Høgås. The trail becomes steeper as you continue towards Røyrgrind, where you first reach the viewpoint cairn at 1363 metres above sea level. The actual summit of Prest lies about one kilometre further on, marked by a cairn at 1478 metres. From the top of Prest, you can also enjoy views along the ridge towards Blåskavlen, the highest mountain in the area.
Difficulty: Red — Longer hikes suitable for experienced and physically fit hikers. Proper hiking equipment is required. The routes often follow a combination of marked trails, open terrain, rocky sections and scree.
PRACTICAL INFO.
Start: Parking lot in Kvammadalen, 800 meters above sea level.
Terrain: Good path to Høgås, then good but steep path. Unmarked.
Time: 4 hours round trip
Elevation gain: 545 m up and down.
Highest point: 1457 MASL.
Length: 6.5 km round trip
Difficulty: Red
RIMSTIGEN 700 MASL
Sightseeing tour in the Nærøyfjord!
If you enjoy steep climbs and spectacular views, Rimstigen is the hike for you. The trail begins at a signposted starting point along the road between Bakka and Tufto, and the ascent starts immediately. Along the way, the route passes through both forest and open landscape, offering several breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord and the surrounding mountains. Parts of the trail have been carefully restored and stone-pitched by Sherpas from Nepal, making it easier to navigate the steep mountainside. At the top of Rimstigfossen, you will reach the guestbook box at Rimstigen, where mountain farms and small houses once stood. If you wish to extend the hike, it is possible to continue onwards towards Breidalen and Breidskredsnosi or Dyrdal.
Difficulty: Red — Longer hikes suitable for experienced and physically fit hikers. Proper hiking equipment is required. The routes often follow a combination of marked trails, open terrain, rocky sections and scree.
PRACTICAL INFO.
Start: Parking lot between Bakka and Tufto, approximately 2 meters above sea level.
Terrain: Good path, but steep.
Time: 3 hours round trip
Elevation gain: approx. 700 m up and down.
Highest point: 700 MASL.
Length: 4.6 km.
Difficulty: Red