Sør-Aurdal: Peaks, Gorges and Culture

Sør-Aurdal offers many different reasons to spend time outdoors and explore local history: a distinctive summit route, a forest path beside a gorge, winter sports, fishing opportunities and cultural sites. Which of these experiences you choose to focus on can also shape your choice of where to stay.

Summit Route and Gorge Views

Ørneflag is the highest peak in Sør-Aurdal municipality and also the southernmost peak in Valdres. The hike starts in Storekrak and follows the DNT route. It is about eight kilometres each way; the ascent is listed as taking two to three hours and gaining 350 metres in elevation. The time estimate refers to the ascent, not a complete round trip—an important distinction when planning your day.

The Fønhusstigen at Kverrvilljuvet, also known as Hølerajuvet, offers a different landscape experience. The path winds through the forest alongside the Hølera River to a viewpoint at the gorge. Information boards explore local history and nature, along with quotations from Mikkjel Fønhus’s books. While the ascent and elevation gain guide your hiking plans at Ørneflag, here the focus is on the river, forest and gorge views.

Open-Air Museum and Memorial Site

Bagn Bygdesamling is an open-air museum on the E16, five kilometres south of Bagn in Sør-Aurdal municipality. The museum comprises 19 buildings. Alongside the historic buildings, there are several permanent exhibitions, film screenings and a listening station—different ways to explore local history in one place.

Bagnsbergatn is the Bergatn farm and a national war memorial site associated with Bagn Bygdesamling. The site is accessible to hikers year-round. Sør-Aurdal’s cultural offerings therefore include both an open-air museum with buildings and exhibitions and a memorial site. If history is one of your travel interests, these destinations may be just as important as outdoor plans when choosing an area for your holiday apartment.

Winter Sports with Different Focuses

In Hedalen, there are more than 120 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails. They pass through high alpine terrain with far-reaching views, as well as extensive marshlands and protected forest landscapes. The length of the trail network makes cross-country skiing a distinct focus for holiday planning.

In Reinli, Stavadalen Skisenter has nine downhill runs, three ski lifts and a dedicated area for tubing and sledging. Also in Reinli, Stavedalen Park is a family park open year-round. Its attractions include Valdres’ first indoor play park, a simulator room, an electronic dartboard, air hockey and a café. The park also has a Supertube run and ski slopes with runs for beginners and more experienced skiers. For winter activities, you can choose between groomed cross-country ski trails in Hedalen and downhill runs, lifts, tubing and sledging in Reinli; the park also offers indoor attractions.

Fishing on the Begna

The Begna offers opportunities to fish for trout, perch, pike and whitefish between Bagn in Valdres and Nes in Ådal. The river is easily accessible from both banks via the E16 and Austsidevegen; many fishing spots are signposted, and fishing paths run along the riverbank. If you’re planning to fish during your holiday, you’ll find practical information on the river section, fish species and how to find your way along the banks.

Then compare the location of the specific holiday apartment with the destinations you want to visit. This way, you can tailor your search to your itinerary without needing to give every experience the same priority.

Discover more destinations

Gausdal, Nord-Fron, Gran, Dovre, Vestre Slidre.

Back to the broader travel overview: Oppland.