Mountain hike in Stølsheimen – 3 days from Stordalen to Ortnevik
This is a challenging three-day mountain hike in Stølsheimen, from Stordalen to Ortnevik by the Sognefjord.
You traverse from the winter mountains in the west to the fjord landscape at the innermost part of Sogn, with DNT cabins as natural stops along the way.
The trip is suitable for experienced skiers with solid experience from multi-day ski tours in rugged high mountain terrain with a backpack. You must master both ascents, descents, and changing conditions, and have good mountain skis with steel edges.
The route is not marked and partly goes through terrain that may be avalanche-prone, while crossing several frozen lakes. Therefore, this is a trip that requires good judgment, winter mountain competence, and that you carry a map and GPS.
Day 1: From Stordalen to Vardadalsbu
Photo: On tour Norway
A long and content-rich first day over frozen lakes and rugged mountain terrain towards Vardadalsbu.
The first leg starts at the turnaround just before Stordalen Fjellstove, by Stordalsvatnet. Here you put on your skis and follow the access road up towards Bukkedalsvatnet before the terrain opens up more.
The journey continues over several lakes and through varying high mountain terrain. You cross, among others, Bukkedalsvatnet and go further past Svafjellvatna and Store Fjellvatnet, before the leg offers more rugged terrain with both short ascents and small descents.
The final part goes along Langavatnet and further east towards Vardadalstjørnane. When you spot Vardadalsbu, there is a final descent before you arrive at the cabin. This is a long first day that sets the standard for the rest of the trip.
Distance : approx. 15 km, time: approx. 8 hours, Grade: Demanding
Day 2: From Vardadalsbu to Norddalshytten
Photo: On tour Norway
A beautiful mountain stage through valleys and depressions, with dramatic landscapes and a nice finish up towards Norddalshytten.
From Vardadalsbu, you first follow the same route as the summer trail north through Vardadalen. The terrain rises steadily at the start, and you quickly get the feeling of being deep in the winter mountains.
The stage continues through a magnificent and open valley before you drive down towards Vestrebotn and Trongedalen. Here you get sections with hilly terrain and several natural lines to choose from down the slopes.
From Trongedalen, the trip continues up the valley towards Norddalshytten at 1004 meters above sea level. Day two is a bit shorter than the first stage, but still challenging and with many terrain changes along the way.
Distance : approx. 13 km, time: approx. 6 hours, Grade: Challenging
Day 3: From Norddalshytten to Ortnevik
Photo: On tour Norway
The last day offers both high mountains, fjord views, and a long transition from snow to forest road all the way down to Ortnevik.
From Norddalshytten, the day starts with a steep ascent past Norddalsvatnet. Then the route goes north through valley sinks and over several smaller lakes before you take the last ascent up towards the pass east of Brydalsfjellet.
When you come over the pass, the view opens down towards the Sognefjord. From here, a long and beautiful descent to Brydalseter awaits, and this is a conclusion that gives the trip a clear shift from winter mountains to fjord landscape.
With a lot of snow, you can ski all the way down to the cabin, but further on, the skis must be carried. The last part goes through birch forest, on forest road, and then road down to Ortnevik. This makes the ending different from the first two days and gives a nice finish to the traverse.
Distance : approx. 17 km, time: approx. 7–8 hours, Grade: Challenging
Tips before you go
- Use mountain skis with steel edges
- Bring map, GPS, and compass
- Check avalanche danger and ice conditions
- Pack for three days with a backpack
- Requires experience from winter mountains
- Season: Jan - March; when lakes are frozen and safe
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