Aurland: Shoemaking, Fjord and Mountain Trails

Craftsmanship, fjord experiences and trails into the high mountains shape the different sides of Aurland. The workshop of Aurlands Skofabrikk and one of its two shops are in the village. At the same time, fjord cruises from Aurland take you to other places, and a shuttle bus runs to the Stegastein viewpoint. When choosing where to stay, it is therefore worth first considering the experiences that interest you most: shoemaking and local history, time by the fjord or an active mountain outing.

A shoemaking tradition with a history

At Aurlands Skofabrikk, you can book a guided tour of the workshop. It explores the traditional craftsmanship involved in making the Aurlandskoen and the shoe’s history. This gives you a specific opportunity to learn about a local craft, rather than seeing Aurland only as a starting point for excursions. Shoes also feature at Aurland Economusée, where the Aurland shoe has been made since the 1930s. For planning your trip, these two experiences can be grouped under an interest in shoemaking and local history.

The fjord and trails to higher ground

FjordSauna Aurland is located on a floating jetty in the Aurlandsfjord, in the centre of Aurland. This experience alternates hot sauna sessions with a refreshing dip in the fjord. If you are looking for a more restful contrast to a longer outing, this is another way to include the fjord in your stay. The sauna and mountain trails appeal to different travel interests, so you do not have to limit yourself to just one kind of holiday.

For a hike nearby, consider Prest: the summit is 1,478 metres high and offers panoramic views of the Aurlandsfjord. The route is considered a suitable summit hike for the whole family. Also nearby is Vinjaåsenhytta, on the trail between Aurlandsvangen, the Stegastein viewpoint and Bjørgo. If you would rather explore on two wheels, you can tackle Aurlandsfjellet from Aurland as a challenging bike ride with a long climb into the high mountains. The Aurlandsfjellet National Scenic Route runs between Lærdalsøyri and Aurlandsvangen.

Experience Aurland on foot and from the water

An easy walk through the centre of Aurland with a local Fjord Ranger from the Nærøyfjord World Heritage Park offers insights into the landscape, history and life by the fjord. It is a good way to complement your view of the area with a local perspective. For families or travel groups with different interests, the experiences described offer a range of options: an easy walk in the village, the summit hike to Prest described as a family-friendly outing, or the long climb by bike.

You can also choose from different ways to continue your journey. Fjord cruises from Aurland go to Undredal, Gudvangen or Flåm. A shuttle bus runs to the Stegastein viewpoint, and a hiking bus goes to Aurlandsdalen. These services give you different ways to use Aurland as a starting point for trips and hikes. If your trip is focused mainly on mountain outings, Aurlandsfjellet and its long climb can be an important part of your plans. If you are more interested in the fjord and local experiences, the fjord cruises and FjordSauna offer other ways to explore.

For more ideas of places to visit, you can also discover Finse, Gudvangen, Stålheim, Flåm, Aurlandsvangen and Undredal.

For the broader travel overview: Aurland.