The Aurlandsfjord (Aurlandsfjorden) is a narrow, dramatic 29 km arm of the Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, reaching depths of around 960 m below sea level. It is best known for the village of Flåm at its head, the world-famous Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana), and the clifftop Stegastein viewpoint, while the Nærøyfjord branching west from it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed West Norwegian Fjords. As of 2026 Flåm is the busy hub of the region, linking electric fjord cruises with the railway, and it fills up in the spring-to-autumn season. It works well as a day trip or overnight from Bergen.
Stegastein viewpoint: a wood-and-glass platform about 650 m above the fjord that juts 30 m out from the mountainside for a commanding view over the Aurlandsfjord
Flåmsbana (Flåm Railway): roughly 1 hour from Flåm (2 m) up to Myrdal (867 m), one of the world's steepest railways, threading past waterfalls and gorges
Nærøyfjord: the UNESCO World Heritage branch off the Aurlandsfjord, one of the world's narrowest fjords at only about 250 m across at its tightest point
Electric fjord cruise: silent, emission-free battery-powered boats sailing between Flåm and Gudvangen for a peaceful passage through the fjords
Undredal: a tiny fjordside village famous for one of Scandinavia's smallest wooden stave churches and its brown goat cheese
Good to know
SeasonMay to September is the prime season. In winter, cruise and shuttle-bus frequency drops and the mountain road over Aurlandsfjellet to Stegastein closes, though the Aurland-Stegastein stretch stays open year-round. At about 61 degrees north this is not a midnight-sun or northern-lights destination; instead expect very long, bright summer evenings in June and July.
SafetyIt is windy and cool out on the fjord and at Stegastein even in summer. Pack a windproof, waterproof outer layer and dress in layers, and take extra care on the narrow mountain roads as the weather can change quickly.
RulesThe Flåm Railway and popular cruises sell out in peak summer, so book ahead. Always confirm current fares and timetables on the official sites (flamsbana.no, norwaysbest.com).
MannersThe Nærøyfjord area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a living community. Take your rubbish with you, check the rules before flying a drone (many areas are restricted), and keep noise down out of respect for residents in small villages like Undredal.
CautionNorway is very expensive and largely cashless, so cards and mobile payment work almost everywhere and tipping is not obligatory. Book combination tours directly from official operators rather than resellers, and use the official park-and-ride shuttle for Stegastein, where parking is very limited.
SafetyFlåm gets crowded with cruise-ship visitors around midday in summer. Aim for early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the views and photos more calmly.
Practical info
There are two main ways in: by train, changing at Myrdal on the Bergen Line onto the Flåm Railway down to Flåm, or by road on the E16 (via the 24.5 km Lærdal Tunnel, the world's longest road tunnel) to Aurland and Flåm. Flåm is both a cruise pier and the railway terminus; fjord cruises and the Flåm Railway run year-round but with reduced winter frequency. Confirm the latest fares, timetables and shuttle details on official channels such as flamsbana.no and norwaysbest.com.
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