Aurland - The natural choice
Aurland’s dramatic scenery makes it a popular destination, as home to the Nærøyfjord World Heritage area, the lush Aurlandsdalen valley, ranked one of the ten most popular walks in Norway by the Norwegian Trekking Association.
A total of 80% of the municipality is situated 900 metres above sea level, where mountain goats can enjoy views of the receding mountains and fjords.
The symbol of Aurland municipality is fittingly a mountain goat. Its slogan is ‘the natural choice’ Not only does Aurland have a lively cultural heritage where farmers cultivate steep mountainsides and make the world’s best goat’s cheese, you can also see traces of our Viking ancestors.
King Sverre’s family on his mother’s side lived here. This may be where he sought refuge from ‘Baglerne’.
It was a good place to live, protected by the mountains and with the best ‘motorway’ out into the world; the fjord. Fjord comes from the Norse word ‘ferd’, which means to travel.
The prosperity that accompanied the oil industry led to tunnels being built and the fjord is no longer the main thoroughfare, the E16 road is, with its 44 tunnels between Bergen and Aurland and with the world’s longest car tunnel, the Lærdal Tunnel, as queen of them all, at 25 kilometres long.
“The prosperity that accompanied the oil industry led to tunnels being built and the fjord is no longer the main thoroughfare, the E16 road is, with its 44 tunnels between Bergen and Aurland and with the world’s longest car tunnel, the Lærdal Tunnel, as queen of them all, at 25 kilometres long”.
We are proud of our World Hertiage status, our local craftsmen and summer farmers. We are proud of housing the only school for organic agriculture, Sogn jord- og hagebruksskole SJH). And last, but not least, we are proud of the fact that you can travel here with The Flåmsbana railway and a minimal carbon footprint.
World Heritage
In 2005, the Geirangerfjord in the neighbouring county Møre og Romsdal and the Nærøyfjord here in Aurland were inscribed on the World Heritage List as ‘West Norwegian Fjords’.
In our opinion, ecotourism is the only way to go. As a fjord on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, we are obliged to preserve the area’s nature and culture for future generations. We are incredibly proud of this World Heritage status and it provides the foundation for how we run 29|2 Aurland.
World Heritage status is the highest international recognition of quality awarded to a landscape, and only areas that can document outstanding cultural and natural values, combined with expedient management, can be included on the list..
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Since 2005, National Geographic Traveler has twice ranked the West Norwegian Fjords the best preserved attraction on the World Heritage List. Not ‘the best’, but ‘the best preserved’. Take care of it for the future.
We are a member of the SAKTE alliance, an organisation of food and artisan producers and activity companies that offer local products based on the World Heritage area.
We work closely with local craftsmen and farmers, and we are a member of the Nærøyfjord World Heritage park
The Flåmsbana railway and “Norway in a nutshell”
In the 19th century, members of Europe’s royal families, spearheaded by the German Kaiser Wilhelm II, sailed up the fjords inspired by the national romantic paintings they had seen exhibited in central Europe. The royalty and their entourages were transported by horse and carriage from the fjord up to the rivers and mountains. Today, enormous cruise ships call at the quay in Flåm, the fourth busiest cruise ship harbour in Norway. The biggest attraction is the Flåm Railway where Flåm is the final stop. This unique section of railway starts in Myrdal, a stop on the Bergen Railway, and winds its way down the mountainside to the Aurlandsfjord and runs parallel with the Navvies Road. We also recommend hopping off the Bergen Railway at Finse, or Myrdal, and doing the last section by bike.
National Geographic Traveler Magazine has called the Flåm Railway one of the best train trips in Europe, and, in 2014, Lonely Planet called it ‘the world’s most beautiful train journey’. A trip on the Flåm Railway is part of the popular ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ round trip that continues by boat on the Nærøyfjord. You can either take a ferry from Flåm to Gudvangen or take the express boat to Bergen, a five-hour boat trip along the world’s longest and deepest navigable fjord: the 220-km Sognefjord known as the King of the Fjords. For a complete green stay: Come by train, spend two days with us and experience Aurland on foot, in a rowing boat or by bike and continue your journey on the express boat.
Book at www.visitflam.no and www.norled.no
National Tourist Route Aurlandsfjellet & Stegastein Look-out point
Stegastein look out point - where the contrast between modern architecture and nature makes for a beautiful experience looking out over Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord. Foto: Sverre Hjørnevik
Most of Norways 18 National Tourist Routes are breathtaking, no matter what direction you drive in, however, Aurlandsfjellet Tourist Route might be the exception. We highly recommend driving it from Lærdal towards Aurland. The road starts by climbing from the fjord, up the mountain side to where the snow refuses to leave for most parts of the year
This landscape is untouched, moonlike and magnificent - constantly in motion with the weather. From the summit, the road dives down towards the fjord, in narrow hairpin turns only interrupted by Stegastein Look-out point. A stop well worth taking
Aurlandsdalen Valley - The “Grand canyon of the North”
Aurlandsdalen Valley, the “Grand Canyon of the North” is widely known for being one of the most iconic hikes in Norway. Hike through wild and beautiful landscape, close to dramatic waterfalls, cliffs and the river. The experience is second to none, the views are amazing and the memories are ever lasting.
Historically, The Aurlandsdalen Valley has been the main road between eastern and western Norway - an important route for trade and travel. Today, the valley is a loved outdoor treasure, and a pure cultural testament to the old Norwegian ways of living with, and of the land.
Local crafts
We want to give our guests time – time to learn about the history and culture of the people who live here and time to absorb the impressions the landscape makes. The time it takes to look after the natural environment. Why not row? Or paddle? Or cycle? Or ski – from the mountains down to the fjord? Leave winter behind in the mountains and greet spring down beside the fjord? Admire a starry sky free of light pollution? Try fly fishing in the river?
Sample the local fare? We have the best goat’s cheese, the best beer, the best goat meat sausages – and definitely the best bread. And we forgot to mention the Aurland shoe. What would Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk have been without a pair of ‘Weejuns’ (NOR-weegians) that are made at Aurlandsskoen skofabrikk, the only shoe factory left in Norway. We are a member of the SAKTE alliance, an organisation of food and artisan producers and activity companies that offer local products based on the World Heritage area.
Marianne Holme
MARIANNES BAKERY
Our dear friend Marianne Holme bakes the best bread, cinnamon buns and raisin buns at her bakery, Mariannes Bakeri! Organic and made with love. Marianne likes to say that ‘A bun without raisins is not a bun’. So that’s you told. She gets up at five in the morning every day to bake, and she never forgets to pick her own organic raspberries when she gets home in the evening. She’s a woman and a half! Her bakery is a place where members of the community can meet, and, not least, enjoy an Italian espresso.
Aurlandsskoen
SHOE FACTORY
The Aurland shoe has its own unique style and has inspired fashion across the world. Michael Jackson did the Moonwalk in his weejuns, copies of the Aurland shoe. And best of all, this traditional shoe is still in production here in Aurland. They can also make you shoes according to your wishes. The Aurland shoe has been in production since the 1930s and with this long history of being a corner stone in Aurland, we would like them to continue production for many years to come.
Rein Glass
GLASS ART
Merete Rein and Thomas Petersen have brought the art of glass-blowing to Aurland and have a workshop down beside the fjord. Through a large window, you can watch how this red-hot molten material becomes beautiful fragile glass. Merete is inspired by the scenery of Aurland, as many artists have been before her, along the Sognefjord. At Rein Glass you will find unique and original artwork - the perfect original present to your loved ones.
Leim Summer farm
SUMMER FARM TRADITIONS
Enjoy a 30-minute walk up to a unique experience of a summer pasture goat farm, cheese traditions and sample the goat’s cheese and traditional fare. Sit back, enjoy the view and the lush surroundings while getting at taste of something real. Meet the locals; the four-legged variety and the dairymaids.
Gøril Lie
LOCAL GOAT FARMER
Our friend is a goat farmer with a passion for what she believes in. Take local food for example, blue cheese, or the fact that she believes it should be possible to make a living as a farmer in Norway. Gøril is one of our highly valued ‘incomers’ to Aurland, and she is a woman of many talents. Not only is she keeping the goat farming tradition alive in our little community, but every 17 May, Gøril leads the national day parade with her fiddle to the delight of young and old alike, and she also plays the accordion!
Li Summer farm
LEARN ALL ABOUT TRADITIONS
Local farmer Gry Lie can take you on a guided walk to the summer pasture farm Hovdungo, and will let you sample local fare and tell you stories about the nature and culture of the fjord landscape. Lean back and enjoy the view, and the taste of real Norwegian nature
Join us on a guided tour amongst the local craftsmen in Aurland.