Things to do in Laerdal

No. 4 of Night Attractions in Norway

Flåm

Flåm is a fjord town in western Norway, located at the end of the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord, and surrounded on three sides by steep mountains. This town, with only a few hundred permanent residents, is a gateway to the fjords: large cruise ships can dock directly at the pier, and railways, cruise boats, and roads converge here. The town's signature attraction is the Flåm Railway. The train departs from the platform by the fjord, climbing about 20 km to the Myrdal station at an altitude of about 865 m,where it connects with the Bergen Railway. The entire line features steep gradients and continuous tunnels, with a short stop at Kjosfossen waterfall, allowing passengers to get off and gaze up at the waterfall cascading from the cliff top. For a different perspective, you can take a cruise boat from the pier into the Naeroyfjorden, flanked by cliffs on both sides, or head to the Stegastein- LOOKOUT, which hangs about 650 m above the Aurlandsfjord, to take in the entire fjord and the town below. There are bicycle rental points in town. You can ride downhill from Myrdal along the old mountain road built by railway workers back to the town, or take a leisurely ride through the valley. If you get tired of exploring, why not try the local specialty, brown goat cheese, at a restaurant? The town is small and can be explored on foot.

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Norway

Flam Train

Flam Trainis a sightseeing railway line running through the mountains of western Norway. One end is Myrdal, a mountain station on the Bergen Railway, and the other is hidden at the end ofAurlandsfjord, whereFlåmlies. This branch line of approx. 20 km connects theheart of the Sognefjordwith the Bergen Railway. The entire line has an elevation drop of approx. 866 m and is one of the steepest standard-gauge railways. To conquer this steep mountain terrain, the line winds through 20 tunnels, 18 of which were excavated by hand over nearly 20 years. Board this vintage-colored train and enjoy the leisurely pace, which allows you to take in the scenery frame by frame: rivers winding through deep valleys, waterfalls cascading down steep slopes, snow-capped ridges, and endless alpine pastures passing by. The train makes a short stop at Kjosfossen waterfall, where passengers can get off and stand on the viewing platform to watch the water plummet from the cliff top and feel the mist on their faces. A common way to travel is to take a train from Bergen or Oslo to Myrdal and transfer to the Flam Train down to the fjord, or travel in the opposite direction, climbing fromFlåmup into the mountains.

Borgund Stave Church

The Borgon Stave Church is located in Lodar, Norway, and is a very famous stave church. It is listed as a Sogn-style triple-nave stave church, and it is the best preserved of the 28 existing wooden churches in Norway. Today it is no longer a church, but a museum, maintained by the Norwegian Society for the Protection of Antiquities.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Sognefjord

Naeroyfjorden

NaeroyfjordenLocated in western Norway, it is a branch of the Sognefjord system known for its narrowness, connecting to the main Sognefjord via the Aurlandsfjord. It was carved by ancient glaciers and stretches for approx. 17 km, with mountains on both sides rising nearly 1,800m above sea level and standing almost vertically from the water's edge. In many places, the water narrows to approx. 250m, making a boat trip through it feel like traveling through a mountain crevice. In 2005, it was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO along with the Geiranger Fjord, and it is a classic representative of Norway's fjord landscapes.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Sognefjord

Aurlandsfjord

Traveling 2–3 km further into the fjord from Flåm, you will reach Aurlandsfjord. Norwegians have utilized the terrain to design the water-rich Aurlandsdalen Valley into a hydroelectric power station for domestic use. Crossing mountains at an altitude of 1,400 m, you will see small mountain cabins and old white buildings. This village, named Undredal, has a long history, with 80 households, 500 goats, and a very small stave church built in 1147 with only 40 seats.

Laerdalstunnelen

No. 14 of Best Things to Do in Vestland

Stegastein- LOOKOUT

Stegastein- LOOKOUT is a modern-style fjord lookout on the Aurlandsfjellet mountain road. It is on the route to Sognefjord. The lookout extends from the side of the road and is suspended in the air, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the entire Aurlandsfjord from a high vantage point.

Aurlandsfjellet scenic route (north entry Lærdalsøyri)

Vindhellavegen

No. 5 of Night Attractions in Norway

Sognefjord

Sognefjordis one of the longest and deepest fjords in Norway. The 200+ km waterway cuts inland from the coast north of Bergen, reaching the foot of the Jotunheimen and Jostedalsbreen national parks. Glacial meltwater carrying rock flour flows into the fjord, giving some of its branches an emerald green hue. The Nærøyfjord branch is the signature of the entire fjord: at its narrowest point, it is only approx. 250 m wide, with cliffs rising almost vertically from the water, and it has been listed as a World Heritage Site.Sognefjordis over 1,300 m deep in its deeper sections, with mountains on both sides rising from the water. Traveling through it by boat, you see steep cliffs when looking up and deep fjord waters when looking down.