Start: Gaularfjellet in Balestrand
End: Viksdalen in Gaular
Time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 21 km (13 miles)
When to go: Spring, Summer and Fall
Website: https://www.fossestien.no/
Nearest airport: Bergen
Highlights
Fossestien translates to “waterfall” and true to its name this trail leads you past 14 waterfalls and 7 lakes along the river Gaula. Even the drive to the trailhead from Balestrand is very scenic with hairpin turns at Gaularfjellet viewpoint. Take some time to stop at the viewpoint and take the view in. The viewing platform balances on the edge of the mountain, 700 metres above the ocean. We stopped at couple of places along the river and lakes on the way to Likholefossen.
This hike is off the beaten and path and you will very few people so you will have this beautiful area all to yourself.
The hike takes you through a diverse landscape, from rugged mountains to historic mountain farms, serene mountain lakes, and forested valleys. During the summer, you’ll encounter grazing sheep and cows along the path.
The hike is a good introduction to Norway, fjords and Scandinavian Mountains.
Families
This is an ideal hike for families, it has four different starting points at different points reducing the length to 13, 8 or 5kms. From east to west it is downhill which is great if you are only doing one way but they have to arrange transport to bring you back to the parking lot. We did a out and back with 3 kids as far as their little legs to take them starting at Likholefossen which is right next a big beautiful waterfall with a bridge over it to reach the other side. We went for 30 mins and turned around.
Difficulty
It is an easy hike on a well paved and maintained trail. To make it easy, hike east to west as it’s downhill. The hike has multiple starting and ending points making it suitable for everyone.
Getting there
This is an easy drive from Balestrand (which is 4hrs ferry from Bergen) or places near by. Fossestien hike starts from one of the four starting points: Tornesstølen, Langestølen, Likholefossen, or Eldal. All the points have a parking lot. The trail runs from east to west, with Torsnesstølen the highest point. For a more manageable downhill hike, follow the trail in the east-to-west direction towards Eldal. It’s important to note that in Google Maps, the point labeled “Start Point Of Fossenstien” is located at Eldal, which is the west most point making it a more suitable finish point.
Hov Hyttegrend provides cabins, tent facilities, and shuttle services to Fossestien every morning during the high season. The shuttle departs from Hov Hyttegrend at 10 am in the summer, stopping at various starting points along Fossestien. This allows you to choose between hiking 5, 8, or 13 kilometers back to Hov Hyttegrend via shuttle. The shuttle service is available at a cost of NOK 40 per person.
Nearby Activities
- Cruise to Fjærland and Bokbyen (Norwegian booktown)
- Flam Railway
- Cruise to Nærøyfjord