Aurland

Province ·🇳🇴 Norway

Population 1,866

Area 1,459 km²

Time zone Europe/Oslo

Official website aurland.kommune.no

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Explore Aurland

Aurland Essentials

Aurland showcases the dramatic landscape of Western Norway, centered around the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord and the steep Flåm Railway that ascends 863 meters to Myrdal. The region features engineering landmarks such as the 24.5-kilometer Lærdal Tunnel and the Stegastein Lookout, which extends 30 meters over the fjord. Cultural sites include the 12th-century Undredal Stave Church—Scandinavia's smallest—and the historic Otternes farm cluster, which preserves 27 buildings from the 18th century. The area is also a hub for high-altitude hiking through the Aurlandsdalen valley.

10 places

Natural Wonders of Aurland

Aurland’s landscape is defined by the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, a narrow branch of the Sognefjord surrounded by cliffs rising 1,700 meters. The region features diverse geological formations, including Kjelfossen and Kjosfossen, which are among Norway's highest and most powerful waterfalls. The terrain extends from the fjord's edge to the high mountain plateaus of Bakkanosi and Rimstigfjellet, reaching glaciers like Øyaskavlen. The area also encompasses high-altitude wetlands and the Stegastein viewpoint, an architectural structure extending 30 meters over the Aurlandsfjord.

12 places

Viewpoints & Heritage Sites

This collection highlights the architectural and natural landmarks of the Aurland region. It features the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjorden, Europe’s narrowest fjord, and the Stegastein viewpoint extending 30 meters over the Aurlandsfjord. The list also includes significant religious sites, such as the 12th-century Undredal Stave Church—the smallest of its kind in Scandinavia—and the Gothic stone Vangen Church. Visitors can also locate the Kjosfossen waterfall along the Flåm Railway and the 19th-century Bakka Church.

7 places

Alpine Huts & Mountain Shelters

This selection features essential mountain accommodation across the Aurlandsdalen valley and the surrounding Aurland highlands. The list includes a mix of staffed lodges, self-service DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) cabins, and private fjellstoves. These sites provide strategic rest points for hikers traversing the historic route between Finse and Flåm, offering traditional Norwegian architecture and basic amenities in remote alpine terrain, ranging from high-altitude wilderness shelters to fjord-side chalets.

9 places