Østerbø Mountain Cabin – Aurlandsdalen Valley
Østerbø Mountain Cabin, or Østerbø Fjellstove as it is known as in Norwegian, is an excellent starting point for your hiking holiday in Norway.
It is the perfect base for magnificent day trips and shorter hikes in the Aurlandsdalen Valley or in the high mountains.
- Accomodation: Hotel standard rooms, mountain lodge rooms, cabins and camping
- Location: Østerbø Fjellstove is situated in the Aurlandsdalen Valley along Main Road 50 (Hol-Aurland). From Oslo approximately 300 kilometres and from Bergen approximately 200 kilometres.
- Transportation: Easily accessible with private car from Oslo and Bergen. Train from Oslo or Bergen to Ål/Flåm or bus from Oslo/Bergen to Aurland.
Local bus to Østerbø (June to October)
- Season : May - October
The Aurlandsdalen Valley
Østerbø (820 meters above sea level) – Vassbygdi (50 meters above sea level)
Medium challenging mountain and forest terrain. Some steep parts. T-marked route.
- Distance: 18 kilometres
- Time: Six to seven hours
- Season: End of May to October
The hike from Østerbø to Vassbygdi is the most famous part of the Aurlandsdalen Valley. You will find great views, waterfalls, abandoned farms, cultural treasures and history. The valley has been a thoroughfare from ancient times, and people were living permanently on their small farms in this valley until the 1920s.
From Østerbø Fjellstove you follow the path over the Langedøla bridge; continue past Viki to Nesbøgalden where there is a steep descent to the lake below. In earlier times people had to climb ladders up and down this steep wall of rock. Now a wide pathway has been blasted into the cliff face along the Nesbø Lake.
The T-marked route continues past the picturesque old farm Nesbø to Tirtesva where the path divides into two directions. One can choose the steep path named Bjørnestigen. Here you will get a great view of the valley, and catch a glimpse of the river below The steep descent from Bjønnstigvarden is assisted by handrails and steps. The other route is easier and goes along the river. The two routes take approximately the same time, and they meet again at Bjønnstigsletti. The walk continues past Svartatjødn.
We recommend a short detour to the Vetlahelvete Cave, situated west of the path. It can best be described as a huge pothole filled with water. Descend once again to the river, and walk to the bridge over the Veiverdalselvi River. Ascend to Sinjarheim Farm. The hike passes the tiny Almen Farm situated beneath a towering rock overhang, and continues along the river to Vassbygdi.
Bus-connection back to Østerbø several times a day.
- Distance: 18 kilometres
- Time: Six to seven hours
- Season: End of May to October
Østerbø (820 meters above sea level) – Langedalen Waterfall (1250 meters above sea level)
Medium challenging mountain terrain. The path is not marked
Follow the road behind Østerbø Fjellstove Mountain Cabin for about 300 meters until you come to the sign Langedalen.
The trail goes to the right into the forest and continues up the steep Svartagjelet .
Follow the path on the right hand side of the river towards Langedalssetra. Cross over the river (there is a bridge) and hike along the river for about 20 minutes until you reach the waterfalls.
Take the same path back until you come to Herdølestølen. Here is a dam and you can cross over to the opposite side. Follow the path (the river on your left hand side) back to Østerbø Fjellstove Mountain Cabin.
- Time: Four hours
- Distance: 11 kilometres
- Season: Medio June to October
- Recommended stops: Good fishing in the Langedøla River (Remember fishing licence)
Østerbø (820 meters above sea level) – Joanosi (1180 meters above sea level)
Steep path to the peak Joanosi. Mountain terrain.
From Østerbø Fjellstove follow the path over the Langedøla bridge; Take to the left for about 100 meters and then follow the sign for Joanosi . You can find some blue marks at the slight incline. Take to the right where the path divides and continue towards the peak Joanosi. Again the path will divide and here you follow the steep trail to the left towards the peak. Take the same path for the return.
- Time: Two hours
- Distance: Three kilometres
- Season: June to October