Hiking through Aurlandsdalen
GEOGRAPHY
Aurlandsdalen (the valley of Aurland) lies in the county Sogn og Fjordane about 200 km north-west of Oslo.
HOW TO GET THERE
By car: Drive to Gol direction Geilo. Before Geilo take to the right to Hol, drive through the village Myrland. Before the tunnel by the Geiterygghytta there is a parking. It is also possible to make a shorter tour, then drive further to Steinbergdalshytta and park there.
In the summertime (the valley is not accessible in winter) there are good public transport connections to Aurlandsdalen. Take the train/bus to Gol, from there an extra bus to Geiterygghytta/ Steinbergdalshytta/ Østerbø.
CABINS
Geiterygghytta, 1'229 m (member of DNT)
Steinbergdalshytta (private), Østerbø (private)
MAP
Aurlandsdalen, turkart (1:50'000)
DURATION / TIME
2 days / August 2002
TOUR DESCRIPTION
Aurlandsdalen is one of the most famous valleys in Norway. It is a steep, narrow and wild valley with an old history. It is a nice weekend-tour and it is also possible to connect it with a hiking in the Nationalpark Hardangervidda or in Skarvheimen.
Geiterygghytta - Østerbø (~ 6 h. + break)
From the parking nearby Geiterygghytta it is only 2-3 km to walk. The hut is very nice and has two mountain foxes and one reindeer, whish live outside the hut. The next day we started to walk down in the valley and we passed the Steinbergdalhytta, a wonderfull hotel with Norwegian decorations. In Østerbø we had a nice dinner and a shower. We put up a tent at the camp in front of the cabin.
Østerbø - Vassbygdi (~ 6 h. + break)
The second day and the last part, the valley started to get wilder, more steep and narrow. It is a nice path belong a river, where we had a fresh bath at the end of the tour. From Vassbygdi we got a bus back to the parking. This bus stops also by Østerbø and Steinbergdalshytta (for time schedules contact DNT). This is a nice tour if don't have to climb peaks and if you like to experience a typical Norwegian valley. It is possible to choose between nice, comfortable huts or staying in tent.
