15 Hidden Gems in Flåm and Myrkdalen

Discover hidden gems in the area around Myrkdalen and Flåm

The easiest way to find unique places where you are on vacation is to talk to the locals. They often have their own, lesser-known spots they like to go to when they have time off, and which they show to friends and family visiting. Here are 15 gems in and around Flåm and Myrkdalen from us

1. The fjord village Dyrdal

Idyllic Dyrdal is located inside the Nærøyfjord, and the only access is by boat. It used to be a bustling fjord village with both a school and a clinic, but today there is only one man who lives here permanently. Get off the fjord cruise from Gudvangen or Flåm and enjoy a day of hiking up the valley and swimming in the World Heritage fjord. Remember to bring food and drink.

2. Otternes Farm Village

Otternes is an original old rural hamlet located along the E16 between Flåm and Aurland. The oldest of the 26 buildings date back to the 18th century, and one cannot help but dream oneself back in time while wandering among the houses. There is also a beautiful view of the Aurlandsfjord and towards Flåm. Walk the 4 kilometers along the fjord from Flåm, or follow the signs from the main road and park right outside the hamlet.

This year, a pop-up restaurant is being organized here throughout the summer, where some of the country's best chefs will be serving up exciting meals in unique surroundings.

3. Brekke Falls

Brekkefossen is a nice evening hike if you are staying overnight in Flåm. The Sherpa-built stone steps up to the viewpoint by the waterfall were completed in spring 2020 and make it easy for most people to walk. From the viewpoint, you look straight across and down at the waterfall, and at the same time have a view over Flåm and the Aurlandsfjord. Allow 1-2 hours for the hike if you are starting from Flåm center.

4. Hiking to Mt. Prest

The mountain route to Prest (1,478 metres above sea level) provides you with 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 nice packed lunch, and enjoy your day out with some pretty spectacular views

5. Norway's only shoe factory

Did you know that the Aurland shoe is the original penny loafer and that it is still being produced today? Join us for a tour of the factory in Aurland, the only remaining one in the country, and hear the story of how Nils Tveranger drew inspiration from Native American moccasins and how it became so popular from the 1930s. At the same time, you will see how shoemakers work today. Perhaps you will leave with a new pair of shoes with a lifetime guarantee?

6. Myrkdalen Gallery

Also in Myrkdalen, there have been skilled craftsmen and artists for generations. At Myrkdalen Gallery, which is both a workshop and gallery, you can see beautiful works of woodcarving and prints by Arne Mørkve and Geir Nymark. The gallery is open from 10 am to 6 pm Monday - Friday and from 11 am to 6 pm Saturday - Sunday. If you find something you like, it is entirely possible to purchase art to take home. Myrkdalen Gallery is located roughly in the middle of the valley near the main road, look for signs.

7. Mørkvesstølen and Svortetjødn

Mørkvesstølen is an idyllic and typical Western Norway mountain farm. If you take the chairlift up from Myrkdalen center, it's a nice and family-friendly hike down to the farm. From here, you have a view over Myrkdalsvatnet and the surrounding mountains. If you want to continue walking, you can follow the path to Svortetjødn a bit above the farm. The pond is nicely secluded, perfect for a refreshing swim in the summer. Perhaps you'll see some adrenaline-seeking sheep climbing the steep mountain wall at the northern end?

8. Undredal and Stokko

Undredal along the Aurlandsfjord is not entirely hidden, but it's easy to drive past on the way to or from Flåm. In this charming fjord village with about 60 permanent residents and a whole lot of goats, you'll find, among other things, Norway's smallest stave church and a dairy that produces white and brown goat cheese of award-winning quality.

From Undredal, one can take a nice and family-friendly path right along the fjord's edge to Stokko. Stokko was once a farm, but is now just a large and beautiful grassy area perfect for a break, playing, and perhaps a dip in the fjord? The hike is 2 km one way and is marked from Undredal.

9. Overnight stay in an old barn

Would you consider an overnight stay that is completely out of the ordinary? In Myrkdalen, it is actually possible to stay in an old cattle barn. A barn that was previously used early in the summer when the cows had just been let out to pasture. In the Tråfjos today, you can still see traces of the old structure. Through the large window, you look out over Myrkdalen and the Myrkdalsvatnet lake. Suitable for two to three adults or a family of two adults and two children, who want a special overnight experience in the midst of nature.

10. Holo and Vetle Grungen

Another great hike begins before you reach the Vikafjell plateau, a 10-minute drive or 6 km bike ride from Myrkdalen Hotel. From the mountain pastures in Holo, you walk up the marked trail in Grungagjelet and along Vetla Grungavatnet until you reach the small mountain pasture Vetle Grungen. Remember to bring a good packed lunch and swimwear!

11. The King's Road from Styvi

The Nærøyfjord is a gem in itself, and one of the finest ways to get close to the fjord is to walk the old Royal Mail Road between Styvi and Bleiklindi (directly across the fjord from Bakka). Take a fjord cruise from Flåm or Gudvangen and disembark at the old, well-preserved farm Styvi. Walk the path there and back to Bleiklindi, which is named after the large lime tree with a special light green color on the leaves. In total, the trip is 10 kilometers long.

It is also possible to join a guided kayak and hiking tour in Nærøyfjord. The tour includes a fjord cruise, paddling across the fjord from Dyrdal, and a hike on the old royal road.

12. Stalheim Waterfall

Stalheimsfossen is located at the top of Nærøydalen, by Stalheimskleiva. If you drive from Flåm to Myrkdalen, it would be quite an achievement not to notice this waterfall and the nearby Sivlefossen. Turn off at the exit for Stalheimskleiva, or stop at the bottom of the steep road which is one-way downhill. There is a designated parking area, and a well-maintained 900-meter-long path leading right up to the waterfall.

NB! Stalheim Falls is only accessible on foot

13. Sunset from Stegastein

The Stegastein viewpoint is definitely not a hidden gem, rather a must-see for anyone passing by. What not as many have done is to enjoy the view of the Aurlandsfjord and the World Heritage landscape at sunset. Make the most of your holiday and join us on a trip from Flåm after dinner every evening from June 19 to August 2.

14. Fjord view from Vikafjell

Vikafjell near Myrkdalen offers many beautiful hiking trails, whether you want to go for a long or short walk. Here you can find among other things the easiest hikes with fjord views in the area, simply because you have already driven up to the mountain plateau. One of these is Ovriseggi, a gently rolling, marked trail that offers views towards the Sognefjord, Vikøyri, and the spectacular mountain range Hurrungane. Drive up to Vikafjell from Myrkdalen until you have passed the tunnel, then look for a turnoff to the parking lot on the right side. Allow 2-3 hours for the hike.

15. The Tower Suite at Fretheim Hotel

As you enter the Historic Tower Suite at Fretheim Hotel, you start to dream back to the times when English lords came to Flåm to fish for salmon. The suite offers a magnificent view of Flåm center and towards the Aurlandsfjord. The suite is spread over two floors, with a jacuzzi in the bathroom downstairs and a sitting area and double bed upstairs. It is especially suitable for those who want a romantic vacation.