Top 3 city centre tours in Årdal
A little off the beaten track, you will find exciting experiences for both young and old. What lurks deep inside the copper mines, do you think? PHOTO: Jan Ove Skjerping
Vettisriket gives you the 3 best hikes to go on Årdal with the city center as a starting point. You haven't seen Årdal before you've seen it from above! Fjords and mountains as far as the eye can see are balm for the soul and make it well worth walking up the steep mountain sides towards the goal.
1. The Blåberg Mines
Start at the Square in Øvre Årdal Follow Storevegen and Flotavegen towards Øvstetun and the start of Tindevegen - the road up Fardalen towards Turtagrø . At the fourth bend you cross Fardøla by walking over the Kleivi bridge, and from here you continue on a clear path that leads you up to a mining area that was in full operation 300 years ago. The old copper mines are an exciting destination in themselves for both young and old, and you get a beautiful view of the entire Øvre Årdal , Årdalsvatnet and towards Bøttejuv. You can also glimpse Årdalstangen in the distance. Time: about 1.5 hours
2. "Heirsnosi" Tusenmeteren "
Start at the Square in Øvre Årdal . Go up Tyinvegen (RV 53) until you reach the 400-meter mark, where the old road up the mountainside winds in narrow bends. Follow the gravel road all the way to the top, and you will get a fantastic view of both Øvre Årdal , Årdalsvatnet and Hurrungane in the distance. An alternative is to take your bike from Sletterust, and cycle the old construction road all the way to " tusenmeteren " and then down the turns to Upper Årdal Time: about 2-4 hours.
From Middagshaugen PHOTO: Jan Ove Skjerping
3. Middagshaugen
Start at the square at Årdalstangen. Middagshaugen with its 1122 m above sea level is a fantastic hiking destination for those with a taste for views and uphills. Drive on Fv 53 to Årdalstangen, and stop at Haugane. The path goes from the water basin at the top of "Tippen" through forest and beautiful landscape. You will follow the path towards Geisdalen over Geisdalsbekken and up to Finnsåsen and Middagshaugen . In some places it is windy and steep, but the path is clearly marked the whole way. From the cairn on Middagshaugen you have a fantastic view of Årdalstangen, the Sognefjord and towards Hurrungane in Jotunheimen Time: about 5 hours.