About Østerbø Fjellstove

HISTORY

The route from Hol over Geiteryggen to Aurland has been an important route for trade and travel up through history. In earlier days it was the shortest route from farm to farm between East and West. Cattle and horses have been hearded through these hillsides for several hundred years accompanied by shepherds- up to Stemberdalen (Steinbergdalen) where the pastures were particularly good. After a good season of grazing - they were sold at markets in autumn.

In 1850 there were around 10 farms in Aurlandsdalen Valley. Almen – Sinjarheim – Teigen – Berekvam – Skorgarden – Nesbø – Vikaneset – Aurviki and two farms in Aurdalen valley (Østerbø). There has been settlements in the Aurlandsdalen valley since the 1600, but there are also signs that the valley was inhabited before the Black Death 1349. After the plague, the vally was left empty for around 250 years - a fate shares by so many small villages in Norway.

Østerbø (Øvstebø) is mentioned for the first time in 1626. Back then it was two farms, The farm that is called Østerbø Fjellstove today was owned by people from Aurland until 1860. In 1860 the farm was bought by the “Stor Uren” farmer from Urdvassbotn by Strandavatn.

The last farmer was Svend Svendsen from Hol. He ran the farm from 1895 to 1911 and was laid to rest as the last one at the mall mountain church yard at Østerbø. Svend Svendsons widow sol the farm in 1930 to Johannes Midje, married to her daughter Karoline.

Johannes and Karoline Midje owned and ran the farm “Belle” down by Vassbygdi and used Østerbø as a summer pasture and farm. In 1938 they started receiving tourists and so began our history as a tourist station Østerbø fjellstove.

Before we had roads and electricity in 1973, all food and equipment was transported by horseback. There are many stories about difficult and challenging conditions to make sure both guests and hosts were fed and warm. The midje family owned Østerbø until our current owner Per Steinar Melås from Leikanger bought the destination.

The road is finished and Østerbø get electricity.
Rebuilding the Fjellstova building
The helicopter hangar was finished.
The barn “Fjøset” is repurposed as a new conference room.
The Olympic cabin and Nya Stabbur is built. Both was in use during the olympic games at Lillehammer.
The conference room was expanded with an additional building.
Cabins 1-6 was built.
The “Trollstova” was built, Østerbø got its own room for playing pool and a refurbishment of the rooms.
Four new cabind for rent. Cabins 7-10 and our kitchen is rebuilt.
The helicopter hangar is repurposed as our hotel.
Fibre Wifi and our road gets a asphalt cover.
The camsite gets a new BBQ cabin.
Østerbø starts a collaboration with NAF camping regarding our campsite.
Cabins 11 and 12 are built
A new apartment building with four new apartments was opened during summer 2011.