Aurdal: Fjord, Slopes and Cultural Landscape

Aurdal connects the Aurdalsfjorden on the valley floor with the treeless mountain area on Aurdalsåsen. Swimming and fishing, winter activities and historic buildings shape different sides of the area. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider which experiences you want to define your stay: time by the fjord, winter activities or discoveries in the cultural landscape.

From the Fjord to Aurdalsåsen

The Aurdalsfjorden lies on the valley floor in Aurdal; from there, the area stretches up to the treeless mountain area on Aurdalsåsen. The interplay between the historic buildings and the surrounding cultural landscape is characteristic of Aurdal. The change from valley floor to open mountain terrain gives the area a distinct range of landscapes, without reducing Aurdal to just one kind of holiday experience.

There are good opportunities for swimming and fishing at the Aurdalsfjorden. If you want to fish, you can find fishing spots along the shore, including at the golf course, the Sundvold Bridge, Aurdal Fjordcamping and in Turmo. These named spots provide specific guidance for this activity; they are at various locations around the fjord. When planning your stay, you can decide whether swimming, fishing or the landscape between valley and mountain should take priority for you.

Winter between Slopes and Cross-Country Trails

The Aurdal Valdres Alpine Centre has five ski lifts and 14 slopes or runs of varying difficulty. For winter sports enthusiasts, the range of difficulty is as much a consideration as the number of runs. You can make your choice based on the kind of run you are looking for, without equating the slopes with the other winter activities available in the area.

Aurdal also has 120 kilometres of cross-country trails, which are actively used in winter alongside the Valdres Alpine Centre. This distinction may matter when choosing a holiday apartment if you are mainly interested in downhill skiing or would rather spend your winter time on the cross-country trails.

Routes on Foot and by Bike

Another excursion option is Valdresbanevegen. This well-marked, 34-kilometre return route follows the former railway line on foot or by bike via Noraker and Aurdal to the old Bjørgo railway station. The route is suitable for everyone; as a walking route and a cycling route, it offers a different way to experience Aurdal and the surrounding area than a day on the slopes.

The Vardeberget viewpoint is nearby. The hike there offers views of Aurdal and Vestringsbygda. You can choose a hike where the viewpoint itself and the views of these two places are the main focus. Valdresbanevegen and the hike to Vardeberget are different ways to make your trip active: one is the 34-kilometre route along the former railway line, while the other takes you to a viewpoint overlooking Aurdal and Vestringsbygda.

Church, Music and Local Traditions

Aurdal Church dates from 1737. It is a typical East Norwegian wooden cruciform church and has a gatehouse of the same age. Its protected status is “Automatically listed (1650–1850).” These historic features make the church a distinctive part of the area’s history; its description includes its architectural style, the old gatehouse and its protected status.

The Hemsing Festival is held in Aurdal every year. It combines music with local culinary traditions and experiences of nature. Most of the festival’s concerts take place in Aurdal Church. If you want to include culture and music in your trip, the festival complements the nature and activity options that Aurdal also offers.

More Places to Discover

Also discover Leira i Valdres, Skrautvål, Tisleidalen, Ulnes and Fagernes.

For the overview of the wider area, visit Nord-Aurdal.