Norwegian Scenic Route Aurlandsfjellet

Haven't had a view of snow-capped mountains yet?

You may still have a chance…

…after all, we don’t call it the 'Snow Road' for nothing.

Stop by the Économusée to see how the original 'penny loafer' is still handmade by skilled artisans, visit the local glass blower, or learn more about Norwegian traditions and herd sheep on a guided tour with Culture on a plate

In Aurland, you´re also very close to the village of Flåm, where you can cruise the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord and the Aurlandsfjord, and take a trip aboard the world-famous Flåmsbana Railway.

Aurlandsvangen is also the end point for one of Norway's top hikes, through the Aurlandsdalen valley.

At the 8-kilometre mark, roughly 15 minutes from the start, the spectacular Stegastein viewing platform hovers 650 metres above the blue waters of the Aurlandsfjord, offering a dizzying view of the UNESCO-protected landscape.

The platform juts 30 metres out into the air, providing the ultimate 'floating' sensation.

Keep in mind, parking at Stegastein is very limited and traffic can be heavy. To avoid the midday rush, we strongly recommend taking the local shuttle bus from Flåm.

Now that we are getting close to midway in our journey, let’s take a quick dive into the history of the route.

By the time you reach 15 kilometres and 30 minutes of driving, you are navigating through engineering history.

This road was originally built as a rugged access path for massive hydroelectric projects and only opened as a public route in 1967.

As you leave the treeline behind and reach an altitude of 1,300 metres, you’ll understand why this is called the 'Snow Road'. Even in mid-summer, you might navigate a corridor of snowbanks that can tower several metres above your car.

After nearly an hour on the road, Flotane is the perfect spot to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. This award-winning, solar-powered rest area is a sleek architectural gem designed to withstand harsh mountain winters.

34 kilometres from Aurlandsvangen, you’ll find the graceful walkway Vedahaugene.

It curves through the terrain to protect the fragile alpine flora, while offering a sheltered view of the Jotunheimen mountains.

At the end of that same walkway, peer into a dark stone lair to find the DEN art installation.

Inside, a bear sleeps on a pile of human artefacts, a silent and slightly haunting reflection on our impact on the wild.

The descent now begins at Sluppen.

See the landscape transform from barren rock back into a lush, green valley filled with cascading waterfalls over the course of just a few steep turns.

The route ends in the charming village of Lærdalsøyri at 47 kilometres, after roughly 1.5 hours of driving. Wander among the old town's 160 listed wooden houses…

…and soak in the peaceful 18th-century atmosphere, explore galleries and visit cafés and bakeries with local food on the menu.

If you continue east towards Eastern Norway, or take a 30-minute detour inland from Lærdal, you'll reach Borgund Stave Church. Built in 1180, its dragon-headed roof and dark-tarred wood make it the best-preserved medieval church in Norway.