The Horndalen valley and the mountain farms at Skålane.
Horndalen with mountain farms Skålane. Photo: Therese Ruud, Statens vegvesen

The snow road between the fjords

From fjord to fjord across a barren mountain noticeably marked by the snow, and with the view of Aurdalsfjorden as the grand finale.

This scenic route will give you many powerful impressions, and the contrasts are compelling between the fiord and the high mountain where there is snow on the ground most of the year. One of the most characteristic features of this route is the desolate and apparently completely untouched landscape it runs through. The exception is the power line, which bears witness to the presence of human beings.

Combined with the Lærdal Tunnel, this makes a unique circular trip from Gamle Lærdalsøyri to Aurlandsvangen. The road is closed in winter, but the stretch from Aurlandsvangen is open as far as the viewpoint at Stegastein all year round.

Travel information

Length
47 km
MASL
0 – 1308

Norwegian Scenic Route Aurlandsfjellet runs between Lærdalsøyri and Aurlandsvangen [5627]. Driving through the Lærdal Tunnel, the world’s longest road tunnel with a length of 24.5 km, will allow you to enjoy a wonderful round trip.

For cyclists: Aurlandsfjellet can be a demanding cycle ride with a long climb up the mountain whether you start from Lærdal or from Aurland. The stretch from Stegastein towards Aurlandsfjorden may have a lot of traffic in the summer.

Traffic and road information

Telephone +47 815 48 991

Traffic alerts in map (Norwegian only)
Traffic alerts in telephone app (Norwegian only)

Map information

GPS, Lærdalsøyri:
61.101395, 7.460039
GPS, Aurlandsvangen:
60.910982, 7.191303

Gpx file download for gps and navigation app.
In this file, the direction of travel is from Aurlandsvangen to Lærdalsøyri. Gpx files for all Scenic Routes. Any alternative driving pattern must be adapted by the users themselves.

Information

Emptying toilets from motorhomes and caravans is not permitted in our toilets. The facility is not designed for such use. 

Winter information

Opened

The road over the mountain is closed in winter. Previous closures are 07 October and 6 November. Previous openings are 7 May and 3 June. The road from Aurlandsvangen to the viewpoint Stegastein is open all year round. NOTE! After opening, the road may be closed for a period at night and in bad weather. Click on the snow icon in the map for information about closures. 

Road condition

There are restrictions on the length of buses and the maximum length is 12,4 metres.

Experiences

What is often found to leave the strongest impression on visitors at Aurlandsfjellet is the feeling of being somewhere where there are few traces of human beings. Here the quality lies in the little things, such as touching the snow or dipping your toes in an ice-cold mountain lake. The desolate landscape is quite unique. The route runs from the fiord to the mountain, from the lush valley to the rocky high-mountain desert.

The "snow road" over Aurlandsfjellet offers many and strong contrasts, and the viewpoint of Stegastein is a natural place to stop on your way down from the mountain. The road between Aurlandsvangen on Aurlandsfjorden and Lærdalsøyri on Sognefjorden is an excellent starting point for great hikes with magnificent views of the fiords.

Useful links

The 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes

Norwegian Scenic Routes are roads that run through unique Norwegian nature. Along the roads you will find artworks, viewpoints and rest areas with innovative architecture in beautiful landscapes.

View all Scenic Routes