Things to do in Aurland Municipality, Western Norway: The Best Nature & Parks

Experience the very best of nature, wildlife, history and local slowfood Fjord Norway has to offer! The RIB boat tour will show you the Unesco listed Nærøyfjord up close and personal. The hike goes from the fjord to the goatfarm Leim (360m amsl) with breathtaking views along the way. Enjoy a tasty local lunch based on goat produce and a tour of this traditional farm. Car back to Flam.

CYCLING - RALLARVEGEN 80 km - Season: 10/7-30/9 Rallarvegen, the service road built for the construction of the Bergenline, has won a special status as a cycle track and is becoming more and more popular every year. Rallarvegen Haugastol - Flam In addition to the Haugastol -Flam stretch, there is a 43 km road further on the west of the Gravahals tunnel, from Upsete to Voss. Because of the altitude difference from Haugastol, (988 m), round Taugevatn (1301m) to Flam (2m), the majority of cyclists travel westwards. From St. Hans (Midsummer 23/24 June - Mid September), the Norwegian State Railways (NSB) adds a special cycle-train to/from Oslo-Voss. Rallarvegen the Navvies'Road) is designated as a cultural monument and important part of Norwegian National Heritage. The road runs parallel with the Bergen railway, which opened in 1909, and passes by NSB-owned buildings, many of them old guard's houses. There are now listed buildings and all carry plaques showing the year in which they were built. Early in the season there is still a fair amount of snow on the ground, so during this period we advise you to take the cycle on the train from Finse to Hallingskeid. The route is closed for vehicles approximately 15 km west of Haugastol at Storurdivatnet (1140m), and it continues purely as a trail/cycle-track the rest of the way. The Storurdi guard's house offers refreshments and simple accommodation. At 1222 metres above sea level, Finse is Norway's highest railway station. Located in Finse are the Norwegian Mountain Touring Association (DNT) Finsehytta, Finse 1222 (hotel) and the Rallar (Navvies') Museum. Further west, the road is somewhat rutted. The Rallar Museum uses the Fagernut guard's house (20 km west of Finse) as a refreshment shop (no accommodation). Hallingskeid Station at 1110 m.a.s.l. is located 21 km from Finse and 15 km from the Myrdal road crossing. There is a DNT-self-service lodge at Hallingskeid. From here, the road gradually descends through fantatic West Norwegian countryside with many waterfalls. Be careful at Klevagjeldet- the track follow a narrow mountains ledge with nothing to stop you plunging down into the river below! Meals & accommodation: Vatnahalsen Hotell (812m.a.s.l.) 2 km from Myrdal station. Cafe Rallaren at Myrdal station. The final 20 km goes through Flamsdalen, a valley famous for its beauty and Norhtern Europe's most exciting railway journey. The line falls 865 m over the course of the valley. The upper section has 21 sharp curves, and at this part it is wise to get off your cycle and walk! At Flam there is a wide choose of accommodation ranging from hotel, B & B, pension, hostel, cabins and camping. TABLE OF DISTANCES: Haugastol -Finse= 26km/Finse-Myrdal=36km/Myrdal-Flam=17km/Myrdal-Upsete tog (5 min.) Upsete-Voss=43km ACCOMMODATION/MEALS: HAUGASToL : Haugastol Turistsenter ph. 32 08 75 64 + bicycle rental FINSE: Finsehytta (DNT) ph. 56 52 67 32 + bicyle rental FINSE: 1222 ph. 56 52 71 00 VATNAHALSEN: Vatnahalsen Hoyfjellshotell ph. 57 63 37 22 MYRDAL: Cafe Rallaren ph. 57 63 37 56 FLaM/AURLAND: TOURISTOFFICE ph. 57 63 33 13 + bicyclerental Flam ph.91 35 16 72 INFO RALLARVEGEN/ROADSITUATION:

The best way to see the fjord landscape is from above! This excursion brings you through the favourite hiking terrain among the locals, 1000 meters above the famous Sognefjorden. The path twists along the edge of the mountain in an altitude there are no trees growing, which means that you are able to watch miles of spectacular scenery around you during most of the trip. We walk up the mountainside as far as you are comfortable with, before returning down through a short distance of coniferous forest. The hiking trip ends by the viewpoint at Stegastein. Tickets may be purchased in combination with a sightseeing bus ride, or seperately if you have your own transport.

One of the most popular things to do in Gudvangen is a tour through the Magical White Caves, which leads you through a cave-labyrinth full of exciting shadows, lightening with Aurora (Nothern light), colours and sounds. You will also discover a large mountain room with a green lake as well as a stone bar and dining area. It is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. The ordinary round trip takes from 30 minutes to 45 minutes and the minimum size of a group to visit or hire the Caves is set of 20 people. The tour through the cave-labyrinth begins in a welcoming hall where helmets and jackets are given to those who wish. The naturally white mountain walls, partly with running water and small lakes, gives quite incredible reflections and effects with the right use of lighting.