This beautiful 2-days-hike is a must for visitors of the Stølsheimen nature preserve! The gentle slopes, stunning lake sceneries and the various mountain summer farms in their lovely surroundings make Stølsheimen a perfect hiking area for families and others.

Route: Bjergane – Selhamar - Åsedalen – Rapen – Selhamar
Bjergane-Selhamar: ca. 2 hours
Selhamar-Åsedalen: 4-5 hours
Åsedalen-Bjergane: 4-5 hours
Total hiking time: 2-3 days
Total length: ca. 36 km
Elevation asl./gradient: From 885 m to 1060 m

Transportation:
By car from Vik or Voss on the Rv13 up to Vikafjellet, take off in westerly direction on dirt road towards lake Kvilesteinsvatnet. Toll road (50 NOK). Or bus from Vik or Voss (Route 23-503), go off at Skjelingen and walk on the dirt road to Bjergane.
More information: www.ruteinfo.net

Free car park at Bjergane.Driving distances to Bjergane: From Voss 53 km, from Vik 32 km, from Bergen 150 km

Accommodation:
This hike can be recommended with two overnight stays in the tourist lodges Selhamar and Åsedalen.
Information about the tourist lodges in Stølsheimen: www.bergen-turlag.no

From Bjergane the track follows the valley Raudbergdalen to the cultural monument Gryteberget, where people in former times carved their bowls of soap stone directly out of the bedrock, a few unfinished bowls still remaining. From there it is not far to the provisioned tourist lodge Selhamar.
From Selhamar, follow the signs in Northern direction to Åsedalen. The path takes you around the red mountain Raudberg and along several nice lakes, like Rappavatnet, Geitdalsvatnet and finally Hallsetvatnet with the mountain summer farm Halsetdalen. From there, the path leads on along the lake to the provisioned tourist lodge Åsedalen at 800 m asl.
From the tourist lodge the track goes up the valley and then leaves it via Grautaleitet, climbing up to 1060 m. The mountain summer farm Rappen can be reached either by taking the high path between the mountain tops Killingdalseggi and Jørendalseggi or by taking the lower route via the valley Dyredalen (not marked, but path clearly visible) and along the lake Store Rappavatnet. From Rappen, signs lead you back to Bjergane.

Fishing permission is required for the lakes. Available at toll road pay point at Skjelingen, at the tourist lodges and at Gamle Trevaren in Vik.

Be prepared for all kinds of weather, and never go hiking alone!

Maps:
Hiking Map 1:50.000 Vik Municipality
Hiking Map 1:100.000 Stølsheimen
Topographic map 1:50.000 1316 IV Myrkdalen
Topographic map 1:50.000 1216 I Eksingadalen

Closest Tourist Offices:
Vik Tourist Information, Tel. +47 57 69 56 86, vik@sognefjord.no
Voss Tourist Information, Tel.: +47 56 52 08 00, info@visitvoss.no , www.visitvoss.no

Please follow these safety tips when you go hiking and walking in Norway.

1. Be prepared
Be sufficiently experienced, fit and equipped for your intended trip.

2. Leave word of your route
Many cabins, hotels and other lodgings have tour notification boxes in which you may put a written notice of your planned route

3. Be weather-wise
You should always be alert to forecasts of bad weather, yet not rely completely on forecasts of good weather.

4. Be equipped for bad weather and frost
Always take a rucksack and proper mountain gear.

5. Learn from the locals
Local people can often tell you about avalanche trails, wind and snow conditions, and the safest routes.

6. Use a map and compass
Always have and know how to use a map and compass.

7. Do not go solo
If you venture out alone, there is nobody to give you first aid or notify a rescue service in an emergency.

8. Turn back in time - sensible retreat is no disgrace
If conditions deteriorate so much that you doubt you can attain your goal, turn around and return.

9. Conserve energy and build a snow shelter if necessary
The stronger the wind, the tougher the walking/skiing. Suit your speed to the weakest member of the party.

Find more detailed safety tips in the Norwegian Mountain Code.