Lærdal

Province · Vestland, 🇳🇴 Norway

Population 2,223

Area 1,336 km²

Time zone Europe/Oslo

Official website www.laerdal.kommune.no

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zoetnet / CC BY 2.0

Lærdal Essentials

Lærdal serves as a vital historical corridor connecting Eastern and Western Norway. The valley features the Borgund Stave Church, the country's most authentic medieval timber structure dating from 1180, and the 160 preserved wooden buildings of Lærdalsøyri’s 18th-century center. Modern engineering is represented by the 24.5-kilometer Lærdal Tunnel, the world's longest road tunnel, while the Aurlandsfjellet mountain road offers contemporary landscape architecture and art installations like the Vedahaugane viewpoint.

7 places

Scenic Mountain Peaks

Lærdal's landscape is defined by the transition from the Sognefjord to the high alpine plateaus of Filefjell and the Aurlandsfjellet massif. This collection features prominent summits like Bleia, which rises to 1,717 meters above the fjord, and peaks along the historic King's Road across Filefjell. These mountains provide access to rugged terrain and steep valleys characteristic of the interior of Western Norway, offering views of the Jotunheimen range and the Jostedalsbreen glacier.

15 places

G.Lanting / CC BY 3.0

Heritage Sites in Lærdal

Lærdal showcases a diverse collection of Norwegian architectural history. The centerpiece is the 12th-century Borgund Stave Church, the best-preserved of its kind, featuring intricate dragon carvings and tiered roofs. In the village of Lærdalsøyri, over 160 protected wooden buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries form a remarkably intact historic district. The list also includes the 19th-century parish churches of Tønjum, Hauge, and Borgund, along with the Stiftsstøtta monument, which marks the completion of the historic King’s Road over Filefjell.

6 places

Patrick Bal / CC-BY-SA

Mountain Stops & Campsites

This collection features strategic rest areas and accommodation options along the E16, Rv52, and the Aurlandsfjellet National Scenic Route. It includes HGV-accessible stops like Flotane, known for its solar-powered facilities, and historic mountain lodges like Breistølen and Maristuen. Several sites, including Galdane and Sjurhaugfossen, are positioned near the Lærdalselva river and the historic King’s Road, providing access to hiking trails, public toilets, and campsites for travelers crossing the Norwegian highlands.

15 places