15 hidden gems in Flåm and Myrkdalen

Foto: Sverre Hjørnevik / NorwaysBest.com

Translated from the original article on Norway's Best.

Discover hidden gems in the area around Myrkdalen and Flåm

The easiest way to find unique places when you’re on holiday is to chat to the locals. They often have their own, lesser-known places that they like to explore when they have time off, and that they show to family and friends who’ve come to visit. Here are 15 gems in and around Flåm and Myrkdalen – a gift from us.

1. The fjord community of Dyrdal

The idyllic Dyrdal is situated in the Nærøyfjord, and the only way to get to it is by boat. This used to be a lively fjord community with both a school and a medical centre, but now there’s only one man living here permanently. Hop off the fjord cruise from Gudvangen or Flåm and enjoy a day of hiking up the valley and swimming in the fjord with World Heritage status. Don’t forget to take food and drink with you. If you want to explore further, you can join the Bike & Hike at the Nærøyfjord to the peak of Breiskrednosi over Dyrdal.

2. Otternes Farmstead

Otternes is an original old farmstead, situated between Flåm and Aurland along the E16. The oldest of the 26 buildings dates back to the 18th century, and you can’t help imagining what it was like when people could be seen strolling among the houses. You’ll also enjoy a wonderful view across the Aurlandsfjord and in towards Flåm. Walk the 4 kilometres along the fjord from Flåm, or follow the signs from the road and park directly outside the farm.

Foto: Foap / VisitNorway.com

3. Brekkefossen waterfall

Brekkefossen is a lovely place to go for an evening walk if you’re spending the night in Flåm. The stone steps up to the viewing platform at the waterfall, built by Sherpas, were completed in spring 2020 and make access easy for most people. From the viewing platform, you get close to the majestic waterfall and can enjoy the view over Flåm and the Aurlandsfjord as well. Expect to spend 1-2 hours on this trip if you’re coming from central Flåm.

4. Hiking to Mt. Prest

The mountain route to Prest (1,478 metres above sea level) offers panoramic views across the Aurlandsfjord. This is a relatively easy, but steep, hike and you should expect to spend around 3 hours on it. Drive towards Stegastein and then on past Bjørgo.Start hiking on the path next to the car park. Take along a good packed lunch, and enjoy your day out with some pretty spectacular views.

5. Norway’s only shoe factory

Did you know that Aurland shoes were the original penny loafers, and that they’re still being made today? Join a tour of the factory in Aurland, the only one left in Norway, and hear the tale of how Nils Tveranger derived inspiration from Indian moccasins and how his shoes became so popular from the 1930s onwards. You’ll also get to see how the cobblers work nowadays. Maybe you’ll be tempted to buy a nice new pair of shoes with a lifetime guarantee from there as well?

Foto: Aurland Skofabrikk / NorwaysBest

6. Myrkdalen Galleri

There have been talented craftsmen and artists in Myrkdalen for generations, too. At Myrkdalen Galleri, which is both a workshop and a gallery, you can view beautiful wood carvings and graphics by Arne Mørkve and Geir Nymark. The gallery is open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.And if you find anything you like, you can buy it to take home with you. Myrkdalen Galleri is situated more or less in the centre of the valley next to the main road – look for the signs.

7. Mørkvesstølen and Svortetjødn

Mørkvesstølen is an idyllic and typically Western Norwegian farm. If you take the chairlift up from Central Myrkdalen, the walk down to the farm is beautiful and suitable for families. From here, you can look out over Myrkdalsvatnet and the mountains all around. If you’d like to keep on going, you can follow the path to Svortetjødn that is just above the farm. This small lake is in a beautiful, secluded spot and is perfect for a nice, cool swim in summer. Maybe you’ll see some of the more daring sheep climbing the steep rock face at the north end.

8. Undredal and Stokko

Undredal along the Aurlandsfjord isn’t completely secluded, but you could easily miss it on your way to or from Flåm. This charming fjord community with around 60 permanent residents and lots of goats is home to Norway’s smallest stave church and a dairy producing award-winning white and brown goats cheese.

From Undredal, there’s a lovely path suitable for families all the way down to the edge of the fjord to Stokko. Stokko used to be a farm, but now it’s just a big, beautiful patch of grass that is perfect for a break, playtime and maybe a swim in the fjord. This hike covers 2 km (one way) and is signposted from Undredal.

Foto: Sverre Hjørnevik / NorwaysBest

9. Stay in an old hay barn

Fancy trying some overnight accommodation that’s well out of the ordinary? In Myrkdalen, you can actually spend the night in a converted hay barn that was formerly used in early summer just after the cattle had been put out to graze. From the cabin, you can see over Myrkdalen and Myrkdalsvatnet if you look out of the window.There’s room for two to three adults or a family of two adults and two children if you’d like to enjoy some very special accommodation in the heart of nature.

10. Holo and Vetle Grungen

Another fantastic hike starts just before you start on the hairpin turns towards the Vikafjell mountain plateau, approx. 10 minutes’ drive or 6 km by bike from Myrkdalen Hotel. From the mountain farms in Holo, you follow the marked trail up Grungagjelet towards Vetla Grungavatnet lake until you reach the small mountain farm of Vetle Grungen. Don’t forget to pack a lunch and your swimming costume!Families with children aged 12 and over can join in the Bike & Hike from Myrkdalen.

Foto: Sverre Hjørnevik / NorwaysBest.com

11. The Royal Postal Road from Styvi

The Nærøyfjord is a gem in itself, and one of the most wonderful ways to get close to the fjord is to hike along the old Royal Postal Road between Styvi and Bleiklindi (directly across the fjord from Bakka). Take a fjord cruise from Flåm or Gudvangen, and get off at the old and beautifully preserved Styvi farm. Follow the path to Bleiklindi (pale linden), which is named after the large linden tree with its special pale green leaves. This trip covers a total of 10 kilometres.

You can also join a guided paddle and hiking trip which combines fjord cruise, kayak paddling across the Nærøyfjord and hiking on the Royal Postal Road.

12. Stalheimsfossen

Stalheimsfossen is situated at the top of the Nærøydalen Valley, near Stalheimskleiva. If you drive from Flåm to Myrkdalen, you won’t be able to help noticing both this and Sivlefossen directly next to it. Take the exit to Stalheimskleiva, or stop at the bottom of the steep rocky path – there’s a one-way system going down. There’s a car park here, and a lovely 900-metre path all the way up to the waterfall.

13. Sunset from Stegastein

The Stegastein viewing platform is definitely no hidden gem – it’s a must for anyone who’s driving past. That said, it’s less common for people to enjoy the view across the Aurlandsfjord and the World Heritage landscape at sunset. Make the most of your holiday and head off on a trip from Flåm after dinner every evening from 19 June to 2 August.

Foto: Sverre Hjørnevik / NorwaysBest

14. Fjord view from Vikafjell

Vikafjell at Myrkdalen has lots of great trails to follow, no matter what kind of distance you want to travel. These include the simplest trails with local fjord views, precisely because you’ve already been up to the mountain plateau. One of these is Ovriseggi, a slightly undulating, signposted path where you can enjoy views across the Sognefjord, Vikøyri and the spectacular Hurrungane mountain range. Drive up to Vikafjell from Myrkdalen until you’ve passed the tunnel, watch out for the exit to the car park on the right-hand side. Expect to spend about 2-3 hours on this trip.

15. Tower Suite at Fretheim Hotel

When you arrive at the the historic Tower Suite at Fretheim Hotel, you can start imagining what it was like back in the days when the English aristocracy would come to Flåm to fish for salmon. From here, you have beautiful views across central Flåm and towards the Aurlandsfjord. This suite occupies two levels, with a jacuzzi in the bath on the lower floor and seating and a double bed on the upper floor. This is really ideal for anyone wanting a romantic holiday.

Foto: Marius Moldvær/Flåm AS