Sunnfjord includes the municipalities of Førde, Gaular, Naustdal and Jølster in Western Norway. Here you will find good hiking in varied terrain between glacier and sea. Here are a few suggested walks in the area.
Fossestien in Viksdalen
Fossestien is a nature 21-kilometre-long trail from Gaularfjellet to Viksdalen, with an altitude difference of 500 metres. The path follows old trails that have been used by livestock and people for generations. Along the way you will see many large waterfalls and several lakes.
This picturesque nature path follows the main branch of the Gaular watercourse, with became a protected state asset in 1993. The path is clearly marked all the way, with signs featuring place names and distances. The trek alternates between paths, wooden bridges and footbridges along the river and a varied forest terrain. You will pass several clusters of summer pasture huts. One group of huts is still in use today as a mountain pasture farm.
The lowest section has a narrow gorge with steep sides, a little canyon. The path winds its way through luxuriant vegetation, teeming with local flora and fauna, but also past farms with livestock. Take a container with you, there are plenty of wild berries and mushrooms to pick in season. Trout also abounds in local streams and in all the lakes. Remember to buy a fishing licence – these are available from shops and accommodation businesses locally.
You can start your ramble from any of the following points: Torsnesstølen, Longestølen, Likholefossen watherfall or Eldal. The trail goes over a broken terrain so you need sturdy footwear. The path is not suited to cycling or riding on horseback.
Storehesten
Storehesten means "the big horse" in Norwegian, and this mountain is a characteristic landmark in the Sunnfjord region. Storehesten, which overlooks the inner parts of the Dalsfjord, a historic Viking landscape, is 1,209 metres high. From the centre of Bygstad, follow the signs marked "Storehesten" that will take you to the car park, the starting point for the hike. From here there is a well-marked trail, with red Ts all the way to the summit.
Allow about three hours to reach the top. A map is available at the Spar-shop in Bygstad centre. From the top of the mountain there is a fantastic view of the Ålfot Glacier to the north, and the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Northern Europe, to the east. To the south one can make out the mountains surrounding the town of Bergen in the distance, and to the west the North Sea.
Glacier walk on the Jostedalsbreen Glacier
In olden times people only ventured on to the glacier when this was necessary. But from the 19th century onwards traffic increased. Tourists also found their way up on to the ice. In 1890 the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) decided to appoint guides with exclusive rights on certain routes over the Jostedalsbreen Glacier. Want to try a glacier walk? Two Sunnfjord municipalities, Førde and Jølster, border the Jostedalsbreen Glacier National Park. And two companies in Jølster, Glacier Team or Jølster Rafting, offer guided hiking trips on the Haugabre Glacier, daily in summertime.
Further information
For more information on hiking in Sunnfjord, contact Førde Tourist Information, Langebruvegen 20 (phone: +47 57 82 22 50) or Jølster Turistinformation in Skei (phone: +47 57 72 85 88).