Top 10 Things to do in Orsta, Western Norway

This fine peak gives fantastic views over the mountains in the region, with the orstafjord and orsta town centre straight below. Season May-Oct. Duration 3-4 hours. Distance and total height gain: From the centre 5.7 km. 4,265 ft. From the waterworks: 3,805 ft total height gain, 4.2 km. Access Bus or drive on the E39 to orsta.

The views over the fjords and mountains in the Sunnmore Alps are spectacular. Season Jun-Oct. Duration 2-3 hours. Distance and total height gain: 3 km. 3,520 ft. Access Bus or car/ferry in the direction of Saebo. Take the ferry without the car to Leknes, or take the car with you to Urke. Worth noting The tour down from the southern peak and through a narrow gorge between the south peak and the middle peak may be regarded as demanding with some moderate climbing. The view is best from the southern peak in any case.

orsta Ski centre is located in the middle of the beautiful Alps of Sunnmore, in the western part of Norway. The ski centre is suitable for everyone, young and old, with various difficulties and with a childrens area. One chair-lift and three lifts provides transportation to the various runs. Those who enjoy cross-country skiing, can use 17 km of tracks. 5 km of the tracks are with lights and can be used after dark. The company Bakkar og Berg has buildt offroad-tracks for bicycles, which can be enjoyed during spring, summer and autumn. orsta Ski centre provides bicycles and ski-equipment for rental. The orsta Ski centre is located a ten minutes drive from the town centre towards “Saebo”.

THE IVAR AASEN CENTRE, with its special focus on language and literature and its unique architecture guarantees you a wealth of memorable experiences while you are here and plenty of food for thought after your visit. Opened in 2000, the main building was designed by the Norwegian master architect Sverre Fehn and boasts the most prestigious architectural award that Norway has to offer. THE INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS AND EXHIBITS have so much for visitors to see and do - time will simply fly by! Every single day, they present something new about the languages of the world and from the current debate on the language situation in Norway. IVAR AASEN (1813-96) was the language researcher and writer who changed the course of Norwegian history. He created New Norwegian, a written language based on living dialects all over the country, and some of Norway's best loved songs came from his pen. The CAFETERIA offers you tasty meals and snacks and the chance to browse through the day's news in papers from many parts of Norway. The GIFT SHOP contains hundreds of articles and gifts, many of which are exclusive to the Centre, at a wide range of prices. GUIDED TOURS are organised every hour throughout the summer season, or as and when the need arises. Every Tuesday and Friday their friendly farm cat Lurivar will take children on a tour designed especially for them.

Alti Ørsta is a shopping center located at the water’s edge in the center of Ørsta. Here you will find over 30 shops, including pharmacy, Vinmonopolet (liquor store), cafe and restaurants. We have 400 free parking spaces and is the largest shopping center in Southern Sunnmøre.

On the mountain plateau Grothornet 900 metres above sea level lie the Julian Castle and the Isfla Castle. These are low stone-built labyrinths maybe from the Bronze Age, called Troy Castles, which are found in many parts of Europe. Vartdal is the only known place between Finnmark and the Oslo Fjord where such labyrinths are found, and only here are they placed high up in the mountains. A well-marked footpath starts from Bjarte Myklebust at Vartdal.

The orstad Tourist Information Office shared a house with the orsta Art Gallery. The ground floor contains an art exhibition area with various exhibitions, and here you also fint the tourist information. It is open troughout the year. The Olav Stromme collection can be admired at the 1.st floor. With a few exeptions it is exposed continuously. The building also hosts concerts and lectures among other things.