A Closer Look at Fjærland

A local’s guide of things to do and see in and around this area

Around 3km into the fjord, you will find the quaint little book town Mundal. Old cow sheds and pigpens are now home to charming little book shops with more on ferry quay and in the Mundal Hotel. After being officially recognized as a book town in 1996, Mundal became the eighth book town in the world and the first in Scandinavia.

Fjærland is the perfect destination for hiking, fishing, and kayaking in the summer. They have a beautiful small hotel there also, called Fjærland Fjordstove. In the winter, backcountry skiing offers intrepid explorers the chance to skin up majestic peaks with unforgettable fjord views and virgin powder snow. One of Sogndals’ most famous pillow lines can be found just around the corner. Even though the place is small, there are plenty of things to do in Fjærland

You can take a fjord cruise on the Fjærlandsfjord from Balestrand to Fjærland to visit the glacier museum and see the Bøyabreen glacier, read more about this great tour here.

See the glaciers

Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier on the European mainland and has several glacier arms that flow out in different directions. In Fjærland you can get very close to two of these glaciers, namely Bøyabreen and Supphellebreen.

Glacier hike

On several of the glacier arms to the Jostedalsbreen glacier, hikes can be arranged with experienced glacier guides daily during the summer. You can walk on the Flatbreen; a demanding, but great trip where the ascent to Flatbrehytta is at almost a thousand meters. Kinder glacier hikes can be found, for example, on Haugabreen in Jølster or Nigardsbreen in Jostedalen.

Hiking

Hiking in the Fjærlandsfjella or in the lush valleys in the lowlands gives you a wide range of options. Local guides offer the extra ingredients you are looking for to have a very special experience. Fjærland is one of the few places on the planet where you can see glaciers, fjords, and mountains at the same time.

Kayak and boat

Kayaking on the calm Fjærlandsfjorden is an activity that should be experienced in the summer, preferably together with Fjærland Guiding! Other boating activities on the fjord are possible at Fjærland Fjordstove Hotel. This can be a rowing boat for rent, a personal fishing guide, or a guided boat trip to isolated and historic fjord settlements in the Fjærlandsfjord. If you want a course, Sogndal Lodge & Guiding can help you learn to travel safely on the fjord in a kayak.

Skiing

Winter is full of joys in the white element. Here you can go cross-country skiing, mountaineering, or have fun in a local ski resort. In and around Fjærland, there are exciting opportunities and degrees of difficulty that suit everyone.

Norwegian Bremuseum

The Norwegian Glacier Museum & Ulltveit-Moe Center for Climate Knowledge is an interactive museum for the whole family that gives you knowledge about glaciers and climate in a new and exciting way. The panoramic film, climate exhibition, outdoor playground for children, café, free parking, national park center for Jostedalsbreen.

The Norwegian book city

In Mundal you will find “Den norske bokbyen” (the Norwegian book town) with several kilometers of shelves filled with used books in distinctive and exciting bookstores. The book town opened in 1996 as the eighth international book city in the world and the first in Scandinavia.

Cycling

There are good opportunities for cycling in Fjærland. It is also good for health and good for the environment. Bicycles for rent can be found at Bøyum Camping, close to the Norwegian Bremuseum.

River Fishing

Fishing in the rivers is possible between 1 July and 31 August. Fishing licenses can be purchased at Bøyum Camping.

Flatbrehytta

Flatbrehytta is located 1000 meters above the fjord and right next to the mighty Flatbreen. The view of both the fjord and the glacier at the same time is truly impressive! The trip up to the cabin is spectacular, partly steep, and physically demanding. We advise all hikers to consider their own physique or to hire a guide.
Time use: 2-4 hours up and 2-3 hours down (total 4-7 hours).