Utladalen - wild and beautiful
Utladalen has a way of leaving a mark on those who find their way there. There is something about the powerful landscape that invites you in. In Utladalen The water roars and roars in the flowing water. The waterfalls rush out from the mountainside, and the Utla River flows with power and speed through the entire valley all the way down to Årdalsvatnet. Here are our best tips for your adventure into this fantastic valley:
1) Utladalen Nature house
On July 8th, Utladalen Nature House opens for the season. Utladalen Naturhus is run by a foundation, which takes responsibility for both management and facilitation in Heimre. Utladalen , operation of the summer café in the Nature House and accommodation/catering at Avdal Gard. In addition, Utladalen Nature House as an information center for Utladalen landscape conservation area and Jotunheimen National Park. In the old barn you will find an exhibition that tells the story of both culture and nature in Utladalen and West Jotunheimen Stop by when you're passing by - and they have good waffles too!
2) Accommodation
When traveling, the place you stay is an important part of the whole, and in Utladalen you will find the truly unique places to stay that will be burned into your memory. At the entrance to the valley, with easy access right off the road, you will find Svalheim Gard . Svalheim Gard probably has a 1000-year-old history with roots from before the Viking Age. There are traces that show that there has been activity at Svalheim since the late Iron Age, and Svalheim Gard is also mentioned in written sources from the 17th century.
Starting the journey inward Utladalen from the parking lot at Hjelle , you will quickly come to a detour up the mountainside to Avdalen. If you follow this path you will end up at Avdal Gard - and everything is in place for an experience of the rare. The farm has a long history, and a foundation has restored the houses so that the farm can accommodate hikers who need accommodation. Here you can also stop by the summer café and buy something good to eat or drink if you come hiking. You book Avdalen Gard easily online here.
Do you take the tour from the parking lot at Hjelle and follow the entire public road to the end, and you will come to the gem Vetti Gard . Vetti Gard has been a tourist station since 1875, and Edvard Grieg, William C. Slingsby, Fritjof Nansen and Queen Sonja have stayed here. Vetti Gard is a natural stopping point on the way to Vettisfossen , and here you can stay overnight or simply take advantage of the catering options in the café.
3) The Tindeveg bus
And finally, you'll get a real tip! If you're planning on taking the classic mountain hike from Turtagrø /Sognefjellet over to Skogadalsbøen and down Utladalen , you should start the hike by leaving your car in the parking lot at Hjelle in Upper Årdal . Hjelle is the last stop on this route, and instead of having to rush down Utladalen to get the bus back to Turtagrø early in the morning, you can take all the time in the world if your car is waiting for you here. The solution is simple: Start the trip by parking your car at Hjelle on the morning of the day you plan to start the trip, take the Tindevegsbussen to Turtagrø (it leaves at 08:55 from Hjelle ), and start the trip there. This way you ensure a stress-free hike through the world's most beautiful valley. And you can easily book the bus here: