The area around the Aurlandsfjord is part of the Nærdøyfjord’s landcape conservation area which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The area is famous for it’s majestic steep mountain sides along the beautiful fjords. Aurlandsfjord is a fjord arm of the long Sognefjord in Sogn and Fjordane County.
As you can se, the Aurlandsfjord is an arm from the grand Sognefjord, with Flåm down south and Aurland to the east. At the end of the Nærøyfjord you find Gudvangen.
Around the Aurlandsfjord there are several paths for those who like hiking. Spectacular trails heading all the way from the fjords to the mountains, giving you the most beautiful views! Mount Prest is one of the spots worth a visit.
The magnificent view on the way from Aurlandsvangen. You can already witness the beauty of the Norwegian landscape as you drive up the curved road to the mountain.
Aurlandsfjord i direction to Undredal and the Nærøyfjord. The road is narrow and you might meet some queue due to buses driving up and down this popular route
Stegastein view point on the way to mount Prest
Stegastein is a 4 m wide ramp of steel and pine built in 2006, designed by Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen. It looks like a water slide or waterfall with only a plate of glass to prevent you from sliding over the edge in the loose air!
The architecture is a picture magnet itself, but as you walk out on the ramp you understand what the fuss is all about… What a magnificent view!
30 m straight out – 650 m above the fjord – Breath taking!
You get to Prest by walking from the village Aurland or by driving up the mountains, either from Lærdal or from Aurlandsvangen. From Aurland you drive past Stegastein view point to a parking place on the left side of the road, marked on the map.
The road over Mount Aurland, between Aurland and Lærdal, is a part of the Nationals Tourist Road. (For an article about a dramatic trip to Lærdal, see: https://caravanladies.com/marketdays-in-laerdal-ended-with-a-fire/ )
As a big contrast you can take the main road back. Lærdalstunnelen, a 24,5 km long tunnel, making it the worlds longest tunnel.
Mount Prest and the viewpoint up in the mountains
Mount Prest is situated in Skarvheimen mountain area on an elevation of 1478 m above the fjord. From Prest you can see Mount Blåskavlen, the highest mountain in Aurland municipality, with an altitude of 1809 meters above sea level. You can see a lot of mountains in the area, including glaciers.
From the parking place you find a T-marked path to the viewpoint below Prest. The marking is a part of The Norwegian Trekking Association’s (DNT) network of trails. You don’t have to walk far to get to get the first sighting of the fjord. The trail is easy to follow. You start down to the left, and can glimpse Flåm to the right.
This is the start of an amazing walk with magnificent view and nature!
The trail to the viewpoint is 2,6 km (with some zig zag walking due to hunting nice views!). You can easily place your feet but the trail is steep, 550 m elevation from the parking to the viewpoint, leading you to the most amazing view!
Look at this! The panoramic view you get at 1365 m above sea level is stunning! You can see far into the Aurlandsfjord and the beautiful surrounding mountains. The viewpoint on the highest top to the right. Definitely wort the hike!
From here you can see past Undredal to Nærøyfjord to the right and also the village Aurlandsvangen down to the left and all the way to the village Flåm. Flåm is visited by many cruise ships and is where the famous railway Flåmsbana starts on its summit towards Myrdal station and the connection to Bergensbanen. Flåmsbana is one of Europe’s steepest railways with normal tracks and adhesion operation.
The viewpoint at 1365 m above sea level.
A perfect hike with magnificent view!
Mount Prest is not far from the view point and since we’ve got this far we head up to the top. There are no red T’s to the top but it’s not difficult to find if you look at a map.
The view from mt. Prest is totally different from the viewpoint. It’s mostly rocks, mountains and some snow on top. You see the mountain plateau’s and an indication to where all the fjords are. Got me to think about The Crand Canyon in the US!
Looking North east, with Mount Blåskavlen to the left.
Heading down from Prest
Instead of heading down the same way we got up we hiked down on the eastsside of Prest, down the Vetlabotna valley. A rocky route before you enter the green parts on the valley. walking along the sheeps trails. From here you see the nationals tourist road leading over Mount Aurland to Lærdal. We spotted some caravans resting at a viewpoint up in the valley.
Looking back at a trail worth visiting. Easy access from the road, not to far, with magnificent view. We’ll be back!
Aurlandsvangen
The way down to Aurland continues to give you impressions. The curved road down the mountainside. Birds enjoying the green scenery surrounding the fjord. A safe beach, shielded from the fjord, and the steep mountainsides reaching all the way from deep down in the fjord to the mountaintops.
As you raise your head you can see the viewpoint from a far! Thinking back to the magnificent view looking down at the fjord, mountains, glaciers and villages.
Spending the night in Aurland area
There are several campsites close to Aurland. One close to the village Aurlandsvangen, perfect for Stegastein, mount Prest, swimming in the fjord or passing through. One of them up in the mountains, perfect if you’re hiking the Aurland valley.
The parking space below Prest has room for several cars, and is a nice spot for boondocking if you want to get a picture of the sunset or sunrise. The road to Lærdal over Mount Aurland also has several spots to spend the night.
To keep Norwegian nature as beautiful as it is –
Remember not to leave anything behind except big smiles 😀
For more about the world inheritate in this region see link to Unesco below. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1195
For more about the National Tourist Roads in Norway, see the website: https://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en
For tips to Norwegian trails in the mountains visit the Norwegian Trekking Association (in short DNT). Norway’s biggest outdoor activities organisation. In norwegian only, but you can see where the routes are and you can find DNT cabins. https://www.dnt.no/
