Sunndal: Waterfalls, Valleys and Culture

Sunndal lies between Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park and the Trollheimen Landscape Protection Area. The municipality has several access points to the national park; Grøvudalen and Torbudalen are starting points for hikes. Valleys, riverside trails, a historic park and a rhododendron garden also shape the destination. When choosing a holiday home, it helps to first consider which of these landscapes and places you want to shape your stay.

Waterfalls, Valleys and Trails

Åmotan features a striking landscape of steep rock faces, moraine ridges and river terraces. Together, they form a fan-shaped river system where rivers from six valleys meet. Marked hiking trails let you experience Åmotan up close. Vinnufallet offers a different scale: the waterfall begins at Vinnubreen, the largest glacier in Møre og Romsdal, and plunges down the mountain slopes in lower Sunndal in several stages over a distance of around 860 metres. From the Holsskeidet rest area on the Rv 70, a constructed path and the Vinnutrappa Sherpa steps run alongside part of the waterfall.

There are different kinds of scenery to enjoy on a walk. The Drivapromenaden is easily reached from the centre of Sunndalsøra and follows the river for several kilometres along a constructed gravel path. By contrast, the trail along Håsøran leads from the Sunndal Jeger og fisk area through a wetland to the marina at Sunndalsøra. The well-known red boathouses stand out there; there is also a constructed bathing area and a sauna. At Seljebøvatnet, a shelter and fire pits are available, and you can rent a canoe.

Culture and Local Specialities

Leikvin Cultural Heritage Park brings together various traces of local history. The park includes the Sunndal bygdemuseum as its visitor centre, an Iron Age burial ground, a botanical garden, a mill house and the Løykja cemetery. The museum was founded in 1935 as Leikvin Bygdemuseum and has grown to include 13 buildings, showcasing many facets of Sunndal’s history. Phillipshagen offers a completely different garden experience: the rhododendron garden is laid out in the British landscape style, was created in the 1890s by the Briton Ethelbert Lort-Phillips, and features more than 50 plant species.

The musical play “Lady Arbuthnott – Frua på Elverhøy” is also part of Sunndal’s cultural offerings. It has been performed annually since 1996 and is now considered Norway’s longest-running musical play. It was written by Lars Ramsøy-Halle and Stig Nilsson. For a taste of local cuisine, try Sunndalsgraut: waffles with butter porridge are also known in the Sunndal dialect as “graut og vaffelkak” and are a staple at festive meals. Most traditional cafés in Sunndalsøra serve this speciality.

Excursions and Convenient Starting Points

The Aursjøvegen runs from Sunndalsøra to Eidsvåg, passing through the heart of one of Europe’s most important wild reindeer habitats. Aursjøhytta is also nearby, offering meals and overnight accommodation. There are several trails in the area; from there, you can walk out onto the Aursjødammen dam and see the monument to the development of hydroelectric power up close. Check the seasonal availability of food and overnight accommodation before travelling.

The ascent of Innerdalstårnet requires mountain experience and some scrambling: the route reaches 1,450 metres above sea level and is exposed. This is a different kind of outing from a riverside walk or a visit to cultural sites. When looking for a holiday home, you can therefore use your planned activities and their specific starting points as a guide, rather than choosing accommodation based solely on the place name.

Sunndal is easily reached via the E6 and the Dovre Railway between Trondheim and Oslo; you can also travel by plane, bus, train or car. Check the relevant connections for your journey. Discover more destinations: Grøa, Sunndalsøra, Ålvundeid, Ålvundfjord, Øksendal, Gjøra.

Back to the main travel overview: More Og Romsdal.