Hiking in Vestland – 7 trails from Aurlandsdalen and Vidden to Jostedalsbreen

Vestland is Norway's most fjord- and water-tight county. Here, deep fjords meet steep valleys, glaciers, high mountains and rapidly changing weather. The county was formed in 2020 through the merger of Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane and is still a unified county. It includes Bergen, Sogn, Nordfjord, Sunnfjord, Hardanger, Voss, Sunnhordland and large parts of Jostedalsbreen, Sognefjorden and Hardangerfjorden.

To the south lies Rogaland. To the north follows Møre og Romsdal, to the east Innlandet and Buskerud. Bergen is one of Europe's rainiest cities, and luckily, wetness is often a bigger problem than cold. Wet rocks, swollen streams, fog and soaked clothing affect both safety and stamina.

The highest point in Vestland is Store Skagastølstind, or Storen, at 2,405 meters according to the Norwegian Mapping Authority. The peak is located on the border between Luster and Årdal in Hurrungane and is Norway's third highest mountain. The easiest route still requires climbing. Storen is therefore a mountaineering destination, not an ordinary hiking peak.

Below are seven destinations with different requirements. Some are suitable as day trips. Others require stage planning, DNT cabins or a guide.

1. Aurlandsdalen – historic hiking route with clear stage logic

Aurlandsdalen is a historic hiking route from Geiteryggen to Vassbygdi, approximately 40 kilometers depending on the route and stage division. The National Agency for Cultural Heritage has designated the trail as a historic hiking route. It is therefore not one of DNT's official SignaTUR routes.

The most used day stage goes from Aurlandsdalen Turisthytte in Østerbø to Vassbygdi . Expect about 19 kilometers and about six hours in good conditions. The path goes through ravines, over paved sections and along steep valley walls. There are airy sections, slippery sections, marshland and small wadis. In heavy rain or snowmelt, the water levels can become a real obstacle.

For a longer trip , Finse–Vassbygdi is an alternative of three to four days:

• Finse–Geiterygghytta
• Geiterygghytta–Steinbergdalhytta or Østerbø
• Østerbø–Vassbygdi

DNT states about 49.6 kilometers and a total of about 1,989 meters of elevation gain for this arrangement. Aurlandsdalen Turisthytte in Østerbø is a serviced DNT hut. Always check current opening times, bookings and transport with DNT and UT.no. DNT's Medvind concept can be an alternative for those who want to use the mountain road and get simpler starting logistics.

Level and season: Demanding mountain hike. Usually June–September, but snow, water levels and trail status determine.

Transport: Finse is reached by the Bergen Railway. Vassbygdi has bus and parking facilities, but timetables vary. Check Skyss and Vy before departure.

Start early. Carry a packed lunch, rain gear, a headlamp, a map, a compass, and offline maps. Turn around before weather and fatigue make it difficult to leave the valley.

2. Vidden - Bergen from Ulriken to Fløyen

The path runs between Ulriken and Fløyen over the mountains near Bergen. It is an easily accessible walk, but not a walk without challenges. The surface alternates between stones, roots, wet boulders, gravel and footbridges.

There is no official set length. Route choice and starting point affect the result. The usual distance between Ulriken and Fløyen is often given as around 13–14 kilometers, while other descriptions state 13–18 kilometers. If you start from Montana or go up to Ulriken instead of using the Ulriksbanen, the trip will be longer.

Expect several hours of hiking and noticeable elevation changes. The ground can be slippery after rain, which is a normal rather than unusual scenario in Bergen.

Level and season: Medium demanding. Possible most of the year, but winter conditions require different equipment and more experience.

Transport: Bus and city connections are available to Montana, Ulriken and Fløyen. Check current operations with Bergen and Hordaland Turlag and local transport operators.

Bring water, a packed lunch, a shell jacket and an offline map even if you are walking near built-up areas. Mobile coverage and assistance are not an excuse for poor planning.

3. Trolltunga – long day trip with high load

Trolltunga is located in the western part of the Hardangervidda plateau near Odda. From Skjeggedal the trip is about 27 kilometers round trip and often takes 10–12 hours. From Mågelitopp it is about 20 kilometers and takes about 7–10 hours.

It is a long and demanding day trip with steep sections, rocks, queues and a lot of visitor pressure. Many people underestimate the return journey in particular. A viewing platform does not change the physical strain on the way there.

The official season and availability are regulated. For 2026, the official Trolltunga website states 1 June–30 September, but dates, parking, shuttle bus and trail status are subject to change. Always check the information before departure. Parking or reservations may be required.

Level: Very demanding day trip. Good fitness and experience of long days in the mountains are required.

Safety: Start early. Bring two liters of water as a base, a packed lunch, an extra sweater, rain gear, first aid kit, a headlamp, and an offline map. The trail is partially secured, but security is no substitute for judgment. Fog can make the return trip slower than planned. Turn around if the weather deteriorates or the group's schedule is disrupted.

4. Flatbrehytta and Flatbreen – mountain trail near the glacier

Fjærland is an important gateway to Jostedalsbreen National Park. From Supphelledalen, a popular but demanding trail leads up to Flatbrehytta at approximately 994 meters above sea level . The hike offers views of Flatbreen and the Fjærlandsfjord.

The terrain consists of steep paths, rocks and uneven sections. The difference in height is noticeable on the legs, especially when the weather is warm or when rain makes the rock slippery. Check the current trail status with local sources, UT.no and Norsk Bremuseum .

Bøyabreen is another offshoot of Jostedalsbreen in Fjærland. It should be experienced from a distance. The path to the glacier itself is not safe for free hiking.

Important: Never go out onto a glacier on your own. Glacier hiking requires a trained guide, ropes, crampons and the right safety equipment. Cracks can be difficult to see even when the surface appears stable.

Level and season: Demanding mountain trail, mainly summer and early autumn. Rain, snow and ice can make the trail unsuitable.

Bring water and a packed lunch. Water near glaciers and streams may be murky or rising rapidly. Ticks are present lower down in the valleys; mosquitoes can be a nuisance on calm evenings.

5. Dronningstien in Hardanger – steep panoramic passages

Dronningstien, or HM Queen Sonja's Panorama Trail, runs between Kinsarvik and Lofthus and is known as Queen Sonja's favorite trail. It combines fjord views, forest, steep slopes and paved sections.

Exact trail length and status may vary depending on the selected start, finish and current diversion. Therefore, check the current description at UT.no and Visit Hardangerfjord before planning instead of relying on a single number.

Expect large elevation changes, stairs, roots, wet rocks and a long descent. It is a demanding day trip for experienced hikers, not an easy walk between two villages.

Transport: Kinsarvik and Lofthus have seasonal bus and ferry connections. Check timetables and plan your return journey before you start.

Dogs must be kept under control. Orchards, pastures and private land are located close to the trail. Close gates and do not walk through plantations outside the marked route.

6. Husedalen – four waterfalls on the way to Hardangervidda

Husedalen at Kinsarvik is a marked valley with four waterfalls: Tveitafossen, Nykkjesøyfossen, Søtefossen and Nyastølfossen . The path follows the valley up towards Hardangervidda and is suitable as a shorter destination or as the first part of a longer mountain hike.

The surface is uneven with rocks, roots, wet areas and steeper sections near the falls. Elevation difference and actual trail length depend on how far up you go. Check current status with UT.no and local managers.

Level: Medium to demanding depending on the turning point.

The waterfalls pose a risk of slipping and falling. Keep your distance from the edges and do not walk on wet rocks to get better pictures. During heavy rain, the water flow can increase rapidly.

Husedalen can also be a gateway to longer trips towards Hardangervidda and DNT cabins. This requires better navigation, more food and preparation for pathless sections, fog and whatnot.

7. Store Skagastølstind – not an ordinary hiking stop

Storen is Vestland and Norway's third highest mountain, 2,405 meters according to the Norwegian Mapping Authority. It is located in Hurrungane on the border between Luster and Årdal. The peak is an advanced climbing and mountaineering destination.

There is no standard hiking trail to the top. Even the easiest route requires climbing, exposure, rope technique and experience in alpine terrain. The approach from Turtagrø and the Skagastøl area goes through rocky high mountain terrain, but that is only the beginning of the trip.

Storen is not suitable without climbing experience. Leave the task to experienced climbers or hire a qualified mountain guide. Weather, rockfall, snow and glacier conditions must be assessed by people with the right expertise.

For regular hiking in Hurrungane, you should instead choose a verified UT route with lower technical requirements. The question is not just whether you can reach a peak, but what the terrain actually requires when visibility disappears.

Public access rights in Vestland – freedom with clear boundaries

In Norway, outdoor life is based on the distinction between open space and closed space . Open space is roughly natural land where free movement is possible without disturbing housing, agriculture or other uses. Closed space includes farmyards, cultivated land, gardens, orchards and areas near houses and cottages.

In the open countryside, you are normally allowed to camp for a maximum of two days in the same place and at least 150 meters from inhabited houses and cabins. Camping in the countryside, near buildings or in special tent areas requires a permit or follows local regulations.

Fire bans apply in or near forests and other open areas between April 15 and September 15. Local fire bans may be stricter. Check the fire danger the same day. An enclosed fire pit is often a safer option, but even that should be used with discretion.

Dogs are subject to a national leash requirement from 1 April to 20 August. Municipalities can extend the period, and local rules apply in many tourist and conservation areas. In Vestland, you must also take grazing animals, game and birds into account.

Motorized traffic in open areas is not included in the right of way. The right of way means that you must be considerate, not leave waste, close gates, avoid damage to vegetation and respect privacy.

The rules differ from Denmark, where camping is often tied to special tent sites or permits, and from Sweden and Finland, where the right of public access has different wording and local restrictions. In Vestland, there are many national parks and protected areas, including Jostedalsbreen, Hardangervidda and Jotunheimen. There may be separate regulations there, especially near glaciers.

Along the fjords there is a lot of private land, orchards, holiday homes and coastal buildings. Do not walk straight across cultivated land to save a few minutes. Steep fjord valleys and areas near glaciers require extra consideration.

Equipment for Vestland's water

Vestland places greater demands on rain protection than many other counties in the Norway series. Start with the big parts:

• a tent that can withstand persistent rain and wind – see HikingStore's tents
• a backpack with a functioning carrying system and internal waterproofing – see backpacks
• a sleeping pad that maintains insulation when the ground is cold and damp – see sleeping pad
• a sleeping bag or quilt that suits the actual temperature of the night – see sleeping bags

A thin sleeping pad can save weight but will cause ground chill and poor recovery. For the sleeping system, read HikingStore's guide to down, CUIN and fill weight . Complete with shell clothing, dry spare socks, map and compass, GPS with offline maps, headlamp, first aid kit, water capacity and lunch bag.

Also read the packing list for mountain hiking in the summer . The best equipment is not the lightest on paper. It's the one that works when the rain continues, visibility disappears and your legs get tired.

The next county in the Norway series is Møre og Romsdal .