Hiking in Balestrand
A view from Raudmelen
Grading: Demanding
Kilometer: 4 km one way
Height difference: 80m – 972m – 80m
Time: 6 hours – round trip
Kreklingen is approx 5 minutes by car or 15 minutes walk from Balestrand quayside. The hike starts from Balestrand’s primary school, 80 meters above sea level. From here you enter the forest and walk through a dense network of trails used by the schoolchildren, until you are on the trail towards the summit of Raudmelen.. You follow a well-maintained, sometimes steep path up to Orrabenken, 370 meters high, with its excellent view over the village and one of the most open parts of the Sognefjord. This is a popular resting place with picnic tables and benches. From here there is an alternate return route.
From Orrabenken you walk through over planks and stones over bogs and through birch forest to Klukkshaug, where you have a clear view of the remaining route to the summit. Then the forest opens up, and you have open views over several fjord arms.There is another good resting place at Buråsi, 575 meters high, where you have a view of Esedalen and the innermost part of the Esefjord. From here there is an alternate descent.
The trail from Buråsi towards the summit is steep but comfortable, much of it on stone steps made by Sherpas from Nepal. At the summit there is a small open hut built by architecture students from Bergen. Note that this hike follows the route of Balestrand’s annual mountain running race, which happens in mid-September.
Grading: Easy
Kilometer: 5 km round trip
Height difference: 80m - 200m - 80m
Time: 2 hours - round trip
The route starts at the information board at Kreklingen by the school sports hall. This is an easy route on a well established path with bridges and partly gravelled. The path goes along the hills above Balestrand centre, through forest and old farmland. You can choose various starting and finishing points and you can also choose whether to go all the way to Skåsheimsdalen or turn back half way at Sandstølen.
There are several nice resting places and benches along the way. Starting points are at Skåsheim, Granlia, Fjærestadfeltet and the main starting point at Kreklingen by the school sports hall.
Grading: Moderate
Kilometer: 4.5 km round trip
Height difference: 80m - 430m – 80m
Time: 3 hours - round trip
The route starts at the information board at Kreklingen and first follows route 7C and 7. It follows a good path with a moderate ascent up to Orrabenken (370m). Orrabenken is a good resting place with picnic tables and a panoramic view over Balestrand and the Sognefjord. Just above Orrabenken is Orramyri and here you turn off route 7 and follow route 7B towards Balastølen. The junction is marked with a sign. This area has some good pasture land though grazing ended here in the 1930’s.
There are still two old farm buildings at Fjærestadstølen which show the building style of the area. These were used by the Fjærestsad farms up until the 1950’s. The summer farms were in Langedalen, a long days’s walk away over the mountains to the west. From Fjærestadstølen you either go straight down on the blue marked route or go a bit further on and down on a red marked route to Sandstølen. Both ways go down to route 7A which is marked with yellow. When you reach the yellow marked route turn to the left and follow the path back towards Kreklingen.
Advice: There is no drinking water en route so take plenty to drink. The area from Orrabenken and up to Fjærestadstølen, especially at Orramyri can be wet so wear waterproof footwear or take a change of socks.
Grading:Easy
Kilometer:1 km round trip
Height difference:80m - 100m - 80m
Time:1 hour - round trip
The route starts at the information board by the school sports hall. The route is in the Kreklingen recreational area and has orange markings. It is a loop of approx 1 km along a good path through the forest. There are information boards along the path which describe the flora, fauna and more. At the “Ja steinen” there is a place for a camp fire, benches and running water. There is also a shelter where you can barbecue and have picnics. Ideal route for families with small children.
Grading: Moderate
Kilometer: 5.4 km round trip
Height difference: 80m - 575m - 80m
Time: 4 hours - round trip
The route starts at the information board at Kreklingen and first follows route 7C and 7. It follows a good path with a moderate ascent to Orrabenken (370m). Orrabenken is a good resting place with picnic tables and a panoramic view over Balestrand and the Sognefjord. Between Orramyri and up towards Buråsi it can sometimes be wet in places. At Buråsi you will find the Buråsi bench which is situated on the northwest edge of the mountain side with a marvellous panoramic view down to Esedalen and over Esefjella.
From Buråsi follow the sign towards Fjærestadstølen on route 7D. Before you begin the steepest descent you come to Grauthaug which is an outstanding viewpoint. From Grauthaug the path goes steeply and steadily down to Fjærestadstølen. From here you can choose between the blue or the red marked route. Both lead down to the upper part of route 7A which is marked in yellow. When you reach the yellow marked route turn to the left and follow the path towards Kreklingen.
Grading: Challenging
Kilometer: 9 km to Kreklingen
Height difference: 80m - 972m – 80m
Time: 6 hours – one way
Skåsheim is approx 5 min by car or 20 min by foot from Balestrand quayside. The route starts at the information board at Skåsheim.From the starting point on Skåsheimvegen follow the farm track and turn left onto a path into the forest before you reach the farm. The first part of the path goes along route 7A to Gamlestølen and is part of the yellow marked route to Kreklingen. The route then goes along the old path up to the mountain farm Kallbakk (620m). Kallbakk is part of the Skåsheim farm. Here the owners have restored a cabin formerly owned by Balestrand Sports Club which was often used in the 1950’s and 60’s as the starting point for ski runs.
From Kallbakk the path is fairly flat through the Kallbakk valley and along the idyllic Kallbakk river before the landscape becomes steeper and the path goes up towards Raudmelen. At the top of the path you come to a ridge, Raudmelsegga, where you meet route 9 which goes to the top of Raudmelen. A good round trip is to carry on down route 7 to Kreklingen.
Advice: The north side of the ridge going towards Raudmelen is precipitous. There are wonderful views down to Esefjord. Be very careful on the steeper parts especially in bad weather.
Grading: Challenging
Kilometer: 12 km via Raudmelen and route 7 to Kreklingen
Height difference: 80m - 1136m – 80m
Time: 10 hours – one way
Skåsheim is approx 5 min by car or 20 min by foot from Balestrand quayside. The route starts at the information board at Skåsheim. From here walk along the farm road towards Bruhjell and then onto the forest road signposted towards Bruhjellstølen. The route goes steadily and steeply up towards Bruhjellstølen (600m) where there are the remains of the old summer farm buildings, unused since 1947. From here you have a panoramic view over the fjord landscape and to Vangsnes, Leikanger and Balestrand.
After Bruhjellstølen the terrain is less steep and a path marked with white cairns leads up to Fagravatnet lake. From Fagradalen the path goes along route 4 which comes up from Saurdal. It then goes further on to the sign at Nonskard where you meet route 5 coming from Munkeggi. From Nonskard it is only 5 - 10 minutes walk northwards to the top of Spenane (1136m). At the top there is a fantastic aerial view 1000m straight down to Esedalen. The route down goes via Nonskard and down towards Raudmelen. You pass route 8 which turns off to Kallbakk. From Raudmelen go down route 7 to Balestrand.
Advice : The north side of the ridge going towards Raudmelen is precipitous, but has a marvellous view down to Esefjord. Take great care here especially on the steeper parts and in bad weather.
Grading: Expert
Kilometer: 12 km one way
Height difference:10m - 1426m - 300m
Time:10 hours - one way
Esebotn is approx 4 km from Balestrand centre in the direction of Dragsvik. The route starts at the information board in Esebotn where you follow a tractor road on the west side of the open ground. The preparing of this gound with it’s stone wall edges as well as the track in Yglebotn is the result of the impressive work carried out by farmer Anders Gjerde between 1880 and 1930.
When you come up the valley you have to cross the river. This is difficult to do before the snow has gone. After wading the river continue into the impressive Yglebotn, where the track has been laid. The track was made in the 1880’s in order to get the animals up and down to the mountain farm, Langedalen. When you have passed the stone engraved with ‘1885’, take the path to the right which goes steeply up to Gulleplestølen. The path goes further on the east side of Gulleple and further up the mountain on the south west side of the glacier, Bjønnabreen. From Bjønnabreen (1400m), you can look westwards from the highest point between you and the sea. NB Caution - towards late summer/autumn Bjønnabreen glacier also often has new, invisible ice.
Going forward on to Keipen you get aerial views down to Sværefjord and towards Esefjord. From Keipen you follow the same path back to the glacier and continue in a north/northwesterly direction (look for the stone cairns) so that you come round on the north side of Øvre Trollabotnvatn. By Dalsdalsvotni there is a little cabin, Erlingbu, which is open and you can use for shelter. Here you meet route 19 and follow this down to Dalsdalen. If you want a simpler route to Keipen Dalsdalen is also a good starting point. It is difficult to cross the river in Yglebotn before the snow has gone. Be aware that you must cross a glacier on this route. The route is best suited to mid summer when the snow has melted and the ground is drier.
Grading: Expert
Kilometer: 2.5 km one way
Height difference: 10m - 1259m – 10m
Time: 8 hours - round trip
Vindreken is one of Norway’s most painted mountain peaks. It is the steepest marked route in Balestrand. The route starts at 10m and goes to a height of 1200m up the ridge to Vindreken. If you follow the marked route it is safe to go without ropes.
At the top of Vindreken you are well rewarded for your efforts with a fantastic view over the fjord landscape and the impressive Esefjell mountains. Vindreken consists of two summits, the one behind is slightly higher but the best views are from the one at the front. The view from the cliff edge on the northside is particularly spectacular. NB Do not take this route in bad weather!
You can take an alternative way down via an unmarked path to the summit behind (NB it is dangerous to start the descent between the two summits!) and then from there towards the glacier lake and power lines and further down to the cabin at Grisagrø where you meet route 11A. Do not take this route in bad weather. Do not begin your descent between the two summits. It is easy to get stuck!
Grading: Moderate
Kilometer: 3.5 km one way
Height difference:10m - 370m - 10m
Time:3 hours - round trip
Ese is approx 3 km from Balestrand centre going towards Dragsvik. The route starts at the information board by the parking place in Ese. Walk back along the main road towards Balestrand for approx 2-300m then take the farm road to the right. The route goes along the old path to Selbøstølen. Here you can enjoy walking through an untouched valley with precipitous cliffs rising up 1200m and the Ese river in the valley bottom. Halfway along the valley you cross a river on a bridge. Right by the bridge is «Dammen», an idyllic pool with good trout fishing. On sunny days in the afternoon and evening you get a lovely backlight on the walk into the valley.
At the end of the valley there is an old summer farm, Selbøen. It is said that when this was in use most of the milk was delivered to Kviknes Hotel. The children would carry the milk and often received a treat from “Kari i holmen” when they arrived. The water course in Esedalen was the first to be used for energy production in the area with a dam up at Styggevatnet and a power plant down in the valley. Now there are only the remains here.
Grading: Challenging
Kilometer: 2.2 km one way
Height difference: 10m - 535m - 10m
Time: 4 hours - round trip
Ese is approx 3 km from Balestrand centre going towards Dragsvik. The route starts at the parking place in Ese and then goes the along the track up to Ese camping. (The farm here is owned by Lars Halvard Ese, whose father received the ‘royal’ title of ‘shooting-king’ 4 times). From here follow the signs along a marked path which goes steeply and steadily up to a cabin at Grisagrø. The cabin was built here for the power line workers.
The area is vulnerable to large avalanches. The last avalanche was in 2011 sweeping trees and boulders over large parts of the farm down in the valley. The bridge was also swept away in the avalanche so until a new one is made you need to wade over the river here. It is possible to go further to Langedalen and Vindreken from Grisagrø but these routes are unmarked
Grading: Challenging
Kilometer: 4.1 km one way
Height difference: 50m - 1098m - 50m
Time: 7 hours - round trip
Lunde residential area is approx 9 km from Balestrand centre. First go approx 8.5 km along road 55 towards Sogndal and then take the left turning to Lunde and drive approx 500m to the end of the road.The route starts at the information board at the parking place in the Lunde residential area. Tjuatoten is a mountain ridge which rises majestically to a height of 1098m over the fjord with spectacular views over the Sognefjord and the nearby fjord branches, Esefjord, Vetlefjord and Fjærlandsfjord.
The first part of the path goes along a forest track and then on a path up through the forest. At the pylons you get very fine views towards Balestrand and Esefjord. From here the path is less steep as it goes up through the birchwoods to Storesteinane. From Storesteinane it becomes steadily steeper towards the top where you get fantastic views. For another spectacular view take a short walk westwards from the cairn on the summit until you come to the edge of the cliff down to Esedalen, approx 1000m straight down. To the west of the cairn you can also see the contours of an old stone sun cross on the ground. Take plenty to drink as there is no drinking water en route.
Grading: Easy
Kilometer: 1.7 km round trip
Height difference: 50m - 85m – 10m
Time: 1 hour – round trip
The route starts at the information board in the Lunde residential area and is an easy walk. The path goes first round the hill, Klibberg. There are several benches along the route, often with good views where it is nice to stop. The path then goes down towards the fjord where you cross the main road and follow alternately the old farm tracks and the laid paths. Along the fjord edge there are good rocks for rod fishing in the fjord or just to sit on and enjoy the fjord landscape. The path ends at the Dragsvik ferry terminal.
Evidence of stone age settlements from approx 8000 years ago have recently been found by Klibberg. Due to the rising of the land, it is probable that these settlements were originally on the shoreline.
Grading: Moderate
Kilometer: 1.6 km round trip
Height difference: 50m - 140m - 50m
Time: 1 hour - round trip
The route starts from the information board in the Lunde residential area. This is a varied round trip which first goes up past Solveig and Rolf Haukaas’ enamel workshop. There is a short ascent up a wooded slope of old oak trees and then a flatter part on soft mossy ground through the pine forest. At the highest point you meet route 12 from Tjuatoten and follow this down, first towards Lundestølen which is approx 30m from the path and further on down to the forest road for the last part.
Kilometer: 0.9 km round trip
Grading: Easy
Height difference: 5m - 25m – 5m
Time: 1 hour - round trip
Lunde Arboretum is approx 9 km from Balestrand centre along road 55 towards Sogndal. Take a right turn off road 55 into the Lunde arboretum parking place. The route starts at the information board in the parking place by road 55. This is an easy path in the Lunde recreational area. The path goes through the arboretum which contains approx 150 types of trees and bushes from around the world. The area was originally part of the vicarage garden at Tjugum. The priest, Jakob Sverdrup, planted the first tree in the 1880’s. The best known tree is the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) which has been measured as the biggest in Scandinavia. The arboretum also has Norway’s biggest sweet chestnut, Himalayan cedar and Nootka cypress. (The storm of Christmas 2011 blew down the cypress). Down by the fjord there is a public bathing area with benches, tables and a diving board.
Grading: Moderate
Kilometer: 2.5 km one way
Height difference: 300m - 574m - 300m
Time: 3 hours - round trip
Nessane is 27 km outside Balestrand centre, on road 55 towards Bergen/Førde.Start at the information board in Nessedalen. The path to Norddalsvatnet lake is an easy path that goes alongside the river Norddøla towards the summer farm Nedre Norddalen. This used to be the summer farm for the farms at Ytre Nesse. The last half of the path ascends steadily to Norddalsvatnet lake.
Grading: Moderate
Kilometer: 3.1 km one way
Height difference: 300m - 740m -300m
Time: 4 hours – round trip
The family friendly path to Hesjedal runs along the moderate rise of a moraine ridge up through the Breidalen valley. The path is surrounded by pine ridges and open marshes. Breistølen (locally also called Breien), is the mountain area belonging to the farmers at Indre Nesse. The mountain farms were in use until 1955 and several of the farm buildings are still in good condition. From Breistølen the path passes a stream and continues on a steady ascent towards Hesjedalen lake and Hesjedalen mountain farm where it meets route 3 coming from Tenndalen. The lake has a good trout population and is well suited for rod fishing. You can fish here with a rod without a license.
Tenndalen
Marking: The path is marked with signs and red markings on the stones and trees.
Grading: Challenging
Kilometer: 7.1 km one way to Hesjedalen
Height difference: 20m - 740m -20m
Time: 8 hours - round trip
The route starts at the cable car mount at Sagi. The cable car was used to transport goods up to the plateau above the waterfall. From here the path goes along the old route towards the mountain farms at Tennfossen. The cable car mount at the plateau is a good place to stop for a rest and enjoy the view over the fjord. At Tennfossen there were three farms, the last was abandoned in 1970. The watercourse in the whole valley is protected and free of any technical interventions giving unique views of the many waterfalls. The path flattens and goes along beside the river winding like a serpent through the valley.
The path crosses the river on a bridge at Tenndalsstølen, a summer farm owned by the Lindane and Sæle farms. The route then follows the east side of the Stordalen valley. At the end you have to wade over the river and follow the trail through the birch woods up to Hesjedalen and the mountain farm there. Here route 3 meets route 2 coming up from Nessadalen. Hesjedalsvatnet lake has a good trout population and is well suited for rod fishing. You can fish here with a rod without a license.
Saurdal
Saurdal—Balestrand
Grading: Challenging
Kilometer: 12 km one way
Height difference: 620m - 1136m - 80m
Time: 7 hours - one way
Saurdal is approx 14 km from Balestrand centre. Drive approx 7km along road 55, then turn onto a forest road up to Saurdal and continue up the hillside a further 7km. The route starts at the information board in Saurdal at the top of the Saurdal road and is marked with red and white markings and stone cairns. The route goes through mountain valleys, along water courses and to mountain tops. First walk along route 5 towards Munkeggi (NB do not take the turn off to Hanevikelvi) until you come to a sign towards Hanevikstølen. From here take the old path into the Saurdal valley.
At the outlet of Målsnesvatnet lake the path continues over the bridge and towards Hanevikstølen, a summer farm which was in use until 1955. From Hanevikstølen follow a path up over the mountain side and on towards the plateau between Storevarden and Bukkaberg. Here you can choose to take a detour up to Storevarden. In Fagradalen you meet route 9 which takes you further to Spenane (1136m) and Raudmelen (972m) and from there on route 7 down to Balestrand. Or you can of course choose to go back to Saurdal.
The whole watercourse in Saurdal with its lakes and rivers is well suited for rod fishing. In recent years Oddmundsvatn lake has had a good trout population. You can fish here with a rod without a license. Advice: In parts of Saurdal and below Raudmelen there are some wet moorland areas so wear waterproof footwear or take a change of footwear/socks.
Munkeggi
Marking: The path is marked with signs and red markings on the stones and trees
Grading: Challenging
Kilometer: 7.8 km one way
Height difference: 600m - 1270m - 600m
Time: 8 hours - round trip
The route starts at the infomation board at the top of the Saurdal road. The path goes along Saurdalseggi towards Kvilehytta and Gamlelinken. To the west you can see the mast of the Flå telelink station. Igdedalseggi is easily visible with its two characteristic cairns on the top
The route then goes on to the eastern top of Munkeggi at 1270m. Here you have a marvellous view over the vast mountain landscape of Midtre Sogn. Beware! - on the north side there is a drop of 1000m straight down to Esedalen. Between Igdedalseggi and Munkeggi you can choose an alternative route back by going down to Nonskard and along route 9 and then along route 4 back to Saurdal.
The whole watercourse in Saurdal with its lakes and rivers is well suited for rod fishing. In recent years Oddmundsvatn lake has had a good trout population. You can fish with a rod here without a license. This route is also well suited to a high mountain ski tour where you can for example ski down to Skåsheimsdalen via Raunekletten.
Fjordane
Sværaskardet
Grading: Challenging
Kilometer: 8.4 km one way
Height difference: 700m - 764m - 10m
Time: 5 hours - one way
Gaularfjell is approx 45 km from Balestrand centre. First take road 55 towards Sogndal and turn onto road 13 towards Førde.This route can be taken either up or down. The easiest way is to drive up to Gaularfjell and park there. The first part goes along a short part of the waterfall path. The path divides and route 14 goes on past the cabins at Torsnesstølen. After you pass the highest point at 764m follow the path along the west side of Skaravatnet lake. At the end of the lake you get wonderful views back and also on down the valley to Sværefjord.
Historically this route was part of the oldest thoroughfare in the region between Sunnfjord and Sogn. Beside Skaravatnet lake there is a stone monument in memory of Hugleik Tungøen from Oldedalen. He was on his way home, together with Johannes Kvamme, from a long journey to carry a letter to the King and his officials about the difficult conditions in Olden and Stryn which made it impossible for the farmers to pay their taxes. On the way up to Gaularfjell by Skaravatnet, just before Christmas in 1706, Hugleik died in a snow storm.
As you come down the valley below Skaravatnet you come into more vegetation. In one of the waterfalls that the path passes it is possible to go behind the waterfall into a cave. At the bottom of the valley you follow a forest track down towards the fjord. There are several places with slippery bare rock. You need to go carefully and have good footwear.
Menesstølen
Marking: The path is marked with signs and red markings on the stones and trees.
Grading: Challenging
Kilometer: 2.2 km one way
Height difference: 25m - 750m – 25m
Time: 6 hours - round trip
Menes is approx 27 km from Balestrand centre. First take road 55 towards Sogndal and turn onto road 13 towards Førde. Turn off on the road to Menes. The path starts at the parking place at the end of the Menes road. From the farm at Menes follow a path which goes steadily and steeply up through the woods. It becomes less steep at the top where you go over a flatter area to the summer farm at Menesstølen. The view from here over the fjord landscape is fantastic, with Fjærlandsfjord to the east and Sognefjord to the south.
Menesstølen - Haravollnipa
Kilometer: 7.5 km one way
Grading:Challenging
Height difference: 25m – 1406m - 25m
Time: 10 hours - round trip
The path starts at the parking place at the end of the Menes road. From the farm at Menes follow a path which goes steadily and steeply up through the woods. It becomes less steep at the top where you go over a flatter area to the summer farm at Menesstølen at around 760m. Route 15 ends here.
From Menesstølen follow route 15A along a marked path towards Krosstjønna (approx 929m). Now you are on the ridge and can enjoy en easy part on firm ground while at the same time enjoying the wide open views to Fjærlandsfjord to the right, Vetlefjord to the left and Sognefjord behind. The top of Haravollnipa is 1405m. The ridge continues northwards via several peaks the highest of which is Melsnipa (1547m), Balestrand’s highest mountain. NB walking along these ridges and peaks should only be done in the company of a guide and only in good weather.
Erlingbu
Grading: Challenging
Kilometer: 3 km one way
Height difference: 300m - 1070m - 300m
Time: 6 hours - round trip
Dalsdalen is approx 27 km from Balestrand. First take road 55 towards Sogndal and turn onto road 13 towards Førde. The route starts at the information board at the end of Dalsdalsvegen at a height of approx 300m. The forest road to Dalsdalen is open for hikers who want to drive up. Or you can walk up from the main road. From the information board the path goes through the valley to the summer farm Påfunn. From here the path goes steadily and steeply up, partly on the north side and partly on the south side of the river Remaelvi. There are wading places where the path crosses the river.
You go through a beautiful landscape along the whole route with rivers, streams, waterfalls and rapids and good views up to Bjønnabreen and the alpine landscape around Keipen. At the end of the Dalsdalsvatnet lake which is approx 1070m is Erlingbu. This is a little cabin open for those who wish to have some shelter. The path going up towards the summer farm can sometimes be wet so wear waterproof footwear or take a change of socks.
All hikes arranged by difficulty
Tenndalen
Saurdalen—Balestrand
Munkeggi
Raudmelen
Kallbakk—Raudmelen
Bruhjellstølen—Fagradalen—Spenane
Grisagrø
Tjuatoten
Sværaskaret
Menesstølen—Haravollnipa
Erlingbu