The last stage of the Aurlandsdalen Valley hike goes from Østerbø to Vassbygdi, and is a Norwegian classic. The untouched and wild nature of western Norway, combined with its rich culture and history, provides a unique glimpse into the past. On this hike, you'll pass old and seemingly forgotten farms like Nesbø, Sinjarheim and Almen. You will also cross paths with beautiful sites such as Nesbøgalden, Berekvamsbrennevinet, Bjørnestigen, Likbjørka, and Vetlahelvete. Hiking this trail will help you understand why Aurlandsdalen Valley is often referred to as 'The Norwegian Grand Canyon”
Hiking Aurlandsdalen Valley
Welcome to Aurlandsdalen Valley. Here, you have the opportunity to either take the train to Finse and explore a 3-4 day journey down to Vassbygdi, or you can choose to take the stages as independent day trips with Østerbø Fjellstove as your starting point. From us, you can take the bus up to Geiteryggshytta or Stemmerdalen and hike back to Østerbø. Here you can enjoy a good dinner and an overnight stay, before doing the laste stage of Aurlandsdalen Valley, the well-known hike from Østerbø to Vassbygdi.
Geiterygghytta-Stemmerdalen - 3 hours - 10.2 km
Follow the trail up from the construction road north of the cabin and ascend on the west side of Sundhellerskarvet. Here there is a trail junction for the route to Kongshellern and Iungsdalen. The route to Steinbergdalshytta continues north and crosses Rausdalen. Then, a new ascent west of Bolhovd to Breibakka. Here you have a beautiful view of Stemmerdalen. Take the path diagonally down the mountainside to Steinbergdalshytta.
Stemmerdalen-Østerbø - 4 hours - 10 km
The route goes up the slope north of the cabin and continues up the mountainside with a view over Stemmerdalen. At the intake dam at Grøna, the trail joins an older route. Further, the journey goes over the bridge across Grøna, past Grønestøl, and down to Østerbø Fjellstove.
Østerbø-Vassbygdi - 6-7 hours - 20 km
Start on the gravel road between Fjellstova and Turisthytta, and follow the trail towards Vassbygdi marked with red T's. Pass by the old cemetery and over the bridge across Langedøla, past Viki to the formerly well-known Nesbøgalden. Originally, there were winding, vertical, and horizontal paths, fastened to cracks in the mountain. Later, they blasted out a broad path along the precipice by Nesbøvatnet. The trail takes us past Nesbø, beautifully situated by Nesbøvatnet. At the junction at Tirtesva, which was the original route, the upper route is now restored and offers a more powerful view than the route along the river. To assist you, railings and steps have been installed in the steep descent from Bjønnstigvarden. The journey continues past Svartatjødn. We recommend a detour to the cave "Vetlehelvete" west of the trail. Down to the river again and along it to the bridge over Veiverdalselvi and up to the Sinjarheim farm, inhabited until 1921 and now restored. Along the way, we pass the small Almen farm with the house built into a large rock.
Info : There are some moderately steep sections on the trail.
Transport : It is possible to take a bus from Vassbygdi to Østerbø Fjellstove (read more here).
Aurlandsdalen Valley represents some of the most grand and breathtaking Norwegian nature. Steep mountain sides drop straight down into narrow rivers at the valley floor. From every summit, there are panoramic views, and on the way up and down the mountains, you pass old and rustic summer farms.
The valley is rich in flora and fauna, hosting almost 500 different types of flowers — a paradise for appreciating colors and contrasts.
Hike through a landscape deeply influenced by both culture and nature, shaped by the people who have lived and thrived off it. The valley has been an important route for trade and transport, believed to have been in use since the age of the vikings.
Østerbø was the closest and highest farm on the “Sogn side” of the mountain, and people lived here all year round until the late 1900s.
Many stories and fairytales are tied to the valley. The painter Johannes Flintoe hiked the Aurlandsdalen valley in 1819, producing multiple paintings from the valley. The most famous one, Bjørnestigvarden, is preserved at the Norwegian National Gallery.
