Photo: Bulder og Brak
Early Summer in the Fjords and the Mountains
5 Days – Partly Guided
Feel the power of water in Utladalen while the snow is melting in the mountains. Either by foot or paddling a kayak, you explore lush valleys by the fjord with views on high top mountains still covered by snow. This is the ultimate adventure mix to enjoy early summer in the area.
Highlights
- Fjord kayaking
- Vettisfossen, Norway’s highest protected waterfall
- From lush valleys to snowy mountains
- Restored farm visit
Included
- Bus from/to Oslo
- 4x Accommodation incl. breakfast
- 4x Dinner
- 4x Packed lunch
- Local transportation to the activities
- 1x guided hike
- 1x guided kayak & hike trip (incl. kayak rental)
- JVB App with access to maps, tracks, vouchers and all necessary travel documents
- Organizational support and backup from our team
- CO2 compensation
Season & Prices 2026
May-June*
Daily departures
Prices:
Adult: NOK 14.900
Single room suppl.: NOK 2.000
Children (12-17 yrs): NOK 12.000
*This program is also possible during the rest of the summer and early fall, please let us know if you wish to travel later.
Description
Embark on this 5-days adventure from the little town of Årdal, by the end of the Sognefjord. Surrounded by an amazing nature, the former industrial town is a perfect starting point to explore the area. Either by foot or by kayak, you get to experience the mountains and the fjords during springtime. Imagine green fjords, lush valleys, old mountain farms and waterfalls powered by melting snow in the high mountains. This is the kind of landscape that will accompany you on this trip.
You spend two days with a local guide showing you around Sognefjord and one day hiking by yourself in the beautiful valley of Utladalen, where you get to experience Vettisfossen. A 275 metres high waterfall, the highest free falling one in Northern Europe. This area is especially impressive in the early summer when snow is melting in the mountains and the waterfall are powerful, but other seasons have their charm too and the program is doable too. Summer with the valley full of flowers and fall with the vibrant autumn colours. Do not hesitate letting us know if you prefer travelling later during the season.
Day to Day
Practical Information
Add-on
Travel to Bergen instead of Oslo
You can choose to end your trip in Bergen instead of Oslo for the same price, if you chose to travel by bus.
Fjord cruise from Flåm to Bergen: NOK 990
If you wish to end your trip in Bergen, you can chose to travel the last bit by boat from Flåm to Bergen. This is a perfect way to say goodbye to the fjords and extend your stay in western Norway. The boat trip takes 5 hours.
Extra night in Oslo (price on request)
If you are interested in exploring more of the capital of Norway you can add one extra night in Oslo, including breakfast.
Extra night in Bergen (price on request)
Norway’s second-largest city, surrounded by mountains and fjords. Well worth seeing.
Important Details
To fully enjoy your hiking adventure in the mountainous areas, it’s important to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and local temperatures. For a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we recommend wearing warm, waterproof clothing, hiking boots that provide ankle support, sunscreen and sunglasses. It is not recommended to wear trail running, everyday shoes or sneakers when hiking.
Accommodation
Klingenberg Hotel, Årdalstangen
Opened in 1861 for hikers and climbers passing by in the region for outdoor adventures. At the very end of the Sognefjord, at the border with Jotunheimen National Parc – home of the highest mountain chain of Norway – the hotel offers accommodation right by the fjord. Some of the 49 rooms even have a fjord view.
Meals
The hotel restaurant offers food based on local ingredients. For breakfast there will be a buffet. Here you also need to make yourself a packed lunch that you bring to lunch for the day. Dinner will be served in the afternoon/evening.
Any dietary needs? Please let us know.
Route
Gravel/trail
Our selected hikes where you walk on your own are well-marked, and you will meet other hikers. Some trails can be narrow and rocky. Therefore, we recommend ankle-height mountain boots.
You will receive an access to our JVB-app before travelling. This one contains GPX-files, itineraries description and detailed information for your trip.
Difficulty
Medium
Some hiking experience is required. The hikes are not very long but the hiking routes vary from gravel road to steep and rocky single-track paths which can be challenging.
On day 4, we will use kayaks to and from the trailhead. No kayak experience is required, but you should feel comfortable in a boat for this to be a nice experience. We think the kayaking add an extra dimension to this hiking adventure, contact us for eventual alternatives without the kayaking.
Equipment list
When you book with us, we’ll provide you with a packing list to ensure you have all the necessary clothing and gear.
Transport
Travel green. Enjoy the trip from the big city towards Valdres and Jotunheimen! The express buses take you straight from the capital to the heart of Norway. On the way you will pass mountains, valleys, rivers, and beautiful farms.
Arrival / Departure
Departure time from Oslo Bus Terminal to Årdalstangen
10.20 am – 3.43 pm*
Departure time from Årdalstangen to Oslo Bus Terminal
09.02 am – 2.45 pm*
*Note: Depending on the season, your day of arrival and your final destination, there might be more or less departures, also there might be departures straight from Oslo Gardermoen airport to Jotunheimen and Valdres. This can apply also to the journey back to Oslo. Please share your travel plans with us and we will find the best possible bus departures according to your trip.
See More of our Summer Adventures