Sylte: Nørdsjø Trail and an old mountain route

Sylte reveals two different sides of the landscape: a historic mountain route with traces of past summer farming and the Nørdsjø Trail over Kilebrekka, which passes through the village. The circular route offers views of fjords, valleys and lakes. When choosing a holiday apartment, these themes can help you decide: would you like to focus on a historic route or compare the course and route features of the Nørdsjø Trail?

Old mountain route and summer farming history

The Syltedalen–Syltehornet–Ekremsdalen route follows an old mountain route between Åheim and Sylte. Preserved mountain farm huts in this area bear witness to past summer farming. They give the route a cultural and historical dimension that differs from the Nørdsjø Trail’s landscape views. The route continues to the main road in Sylte.

Plan the Nørdsjø Trail

The Nørdsjø Trail over Kilebrekka passes through Sylte and offers views of two fjords, two valleys and two lakes. As a circular route, it lets you choose your own starting point and destination. There are several parking areas and numerous picnic spots along the route for breaks. The flexibility to choose your starting point and destination, together with the parking areas, provides practical guidance when planning your trip.

The elevation profile is important when choosing a direction: the climb from Syltedalen to Kilebrekka is steeper than the stretch from Sørdalen to Øverberg. Many therefore prefer to climb from Syltedalen on foot or by bike, then descend towards Sørdalen. Comparing the two helps you distinguish the route sections when planning, rather than viewing the loop as a single continuous climb.

The surface also varies. Most of the trail follows quiet asphalt roads; some sections use busier asphalt roads and gravel tracks. If you plan to cycle, both this variation and the difference in elevation gain are practical features to take into account.

Access and choosing a holiday apartment

Syltedalen is not accessible by bus. You can drive there or continue on foot or by bike from the main road. There is a bus stop on the main road near the exit from Ekremsdalen. If you plan to take the bus, check the relevant local service before travelling.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Sylte, you can plan your stay around the focus you prefer: the Nørdsjø Trail and its varied route features, or the mountain route and its history of summer farming. This lets you include the trips that interest you in your holiday plans without treating the circular scenic route and the cultural and historical route as one and the same.

More to discover in Vanylven

The wider destination of Vanylven offers other distinctive cultural and landscape attractions. Åheim is home to St. Jetmund’s Church, one of Norway’s oldest stone churches, built around 1150. It is a living cultural heritage site used by the local community for services and events. From the Tusshornet viewpoint, the view extends across the entire Vanylvsfjord. Hakalletrappa offers views of the open sea, the Stad peninsula with Vestkapp, and the coastal islands between Runde and Stad. Other things to discover in Vanylven include the old olivine quarries along the Åheimselva, which you can explore.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Eide, Åram, Åheim, Rovde, Myklebost, Fiskå

Back to the regional travel guide: Vanylven.