The wild valley Aurlandsdalen
Aurlandsdalen valley has been popular for generations; join us to find out why. We can promise a tour filled with an abundance of nature experiences.
The route takes us from Finse to the east of the St Paul mountain, with magnificent views, and on to Geiterygghytta lodge. The trip continues down the narrow and wild Aurlandsdalen valley, one of Norway's most popular and talked about hiking routes. We hike through a cultural landscape: the route follows old bridle paths, with some sections on broad ledges on the mountainside, and past abandoned farms and settlements. This is Western Norwegian nature at its very best.
Historical walking route
DNT and the Directorate for Cultural Heritage re-opened four historical routes for walking in the summer of 2018. One of these is the beautiful road through the Aurlandsdalen valley in Sogn og Fjordane.
Booking
You can book a place on our trips through our online booking(only norwegian).
Maximum number of participants: 12 (plus two tour leaders)
Welcome letters are sent to participants 1-2 weeks before the start of the tour, with information such as the name and contact information of the main tour leader.
Date
3 to 7. july
21 to 25. august
Price:
NOK 7.990,- From Finse stasjon / To Ål stasjon
Non-member surcharge NOK 1,500,-. Sign up for DNT-membership.
The package includes: Accommodation, tour guides, extra buses, all meals (breakfast, packed lunch/thermos, normally three-course dinner) except: First day only dinner and last day only breakfast plus packed lunch/thermos.
Tour grading: red
Norway’s mountains are beautiful in the summer, but even the easiest hike can be challenging if the weather turns; winds, rain and snow are possible. With proper equipment it is often these trips you remember best with their comradeship and memorable stories. Pack your backpack wisely.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrival at Finse station (1,222m) – Geiterygghytta lodge (1,229m), about 15 km/5 hours
Meet at Finse station at 12:40. From Finse station, we head up to Klemsbu cabin (1,600m). Klemsbu cabin, also known as ‘the Waffle Cabin’, is a popular meeting and resting place on trips from Finse. There’s a fantastic view back towards Finse and Hardangerjøkulen (the sixth largest glacier on mainland Norway). The T-marked trail continues down and further east of Omsvatnet lake and along Geiteryggvatnet lake to Geiterygghytta lodge. Since the trip started quite late in the day, we may have to wait for second seating for dinner. Afterwards we have a briefing with the guide and get to know each other.
Day 2: Geiterygghytta – Steinbergdalshytta lodge (1,060 m), about 10 km/4 hours
Today’s leisurely breakfast is complete luxury! We can take our time, since it's a comfortable distance to Steinbergdalen. If the weather is good we may take a detour up Bolhovd mountain (1,507m).
Our hostess Solveig welcomes us to the lodge with dinner and a comfortable bed for the night. We spend the evening discussing the following day’s trip and just doing whatever we please.
Day 3: Steinbergdalen – Aurlandsdalen Turisthytte lodge (820m), about 10 km/4 hours
After a hearty breakfast, we pack lunches and thermos flasks and start the day’s trip.
The route continues along a lush mountainside and over rivers. The last section leads through a forested areas towards Aurlandsdalen Turisthytte lodge and we get a sense of the wilderness that awaits us on the next leg.
Once at the lodge, we enjoy a delicious dinner and a well-earned rest outdoors or in the fireplace lounge. We stay at the lodge for two nights.
Day 4: Aurlandsdalen Turisthytte – Vassbygdi village, about 15 km/6 hours
This classic hike down the Aurlandsdalen valley is well known. Aurlandsdalen valley has some of the most beautiful and magnificent scenery in Norway. Sheer mountains plunge into deep river ravines. There are trickling streams and mighty waterfalls; abandoned farms and historical mountain summer pasture farms; and rare flora, including pyramidal saxifrage – one of the most beautiful mountain flowers. Almost 500 varieties of plants can be found here. The local bus takes us back to the lodge at 17.30, where dinner awaits.
Day 5: Day trip and return journey
After breakfast, we enjoy a morning walk before taking a special bus service to Ål, arriving at about 15:00.
Please note that the program is subject to alteration.
All time calculations are made from an average speed of approximately 3 km/h. Please note that breaks, weather and trail conditions, etc. are not included in estimated hike times.
Accommodation:
In staffed cabins the participants sleep in 4-6 bed rooms and must use a sheet sleeping bag.
Please read more about the cabins we will visit:
- Geiterygghytta
- Steinbergdalen Turisthytte
- Aurlandsdalen Turisthytte
How to get to/from the meeting place?
As a participant you are responsible for arriving in good time at the meeting place for the trip. Neither the tour guide, nor DNT administration, can - for various reasons - organize carpooling with private cars. It is important that you secure a transport solution before you sign up for the trip.
By public transport from Oslo:
Day 1.Train from Oslo S to Finse.
Day 5: Train from Ål to Oslo.
See timetables on vy.no
DNT Oslo og Omegn is not responsible for changes/errors in the timetable. Participants are responsible for checking whether the timetable is correct before registering for the trip.
By car:
To Ål. Parking at the station. Train from Ål to Finse.
Map and route descriptions:
Turkart Skarvheimen 1:50 000. Please see ut.no (in Norwegian, use Google translate) for updated map and route descriptions.
What to bring:
For the safety of yourself and other participants, you need to bring appropriate clothing and equipment in your backpack. Please see our recommended
Summer Hiking gear list.
Important information about DNT tours
When you sign up for this tour, you confirm that you have read and accept the terms and conditions set out in the ‘Terms and conditions for participating in organised tours with DNT in Norway’.