A holiday in Valldal brings you close to two key tourist destinations in Norway: Geiranger Fjord and Trollstigen mountain road. It provides a great base for experiencing some of the Norway’s most beautiful in the country and there are plenty of activities to enjoy, such as rafting, canoeing, climbing and paddling. Valldal also forms the north-western boundary of the Reinheimen National Park.
Valldal is a valley in Sunnmøre, stretching from Storfjorden all the way to the top of Trollstigen. The place is mentioned in the ancient royal sagas of St Olav, who defeated the serpent in Storfjorden. Several areas have been named after the former king, and the Olavsstøtta monument can be found just outside the town centre.
You can look forward to an active holiday in Valldal. Visit Valldal Aktivitetspark for more than 1,000 metres of climbing tracks or go rafting in the seven-mile long River Valldøla. Pop by Valldal safteri to buy jam or juice made from natural ingredients from the valley. You should also stop at Gudbrandsjuvet ravine, which has a visitor centre and a viewing platform.
The national tourist route, along Norwegian Road 63 from Geiranger to Trollstigen, runs through Valldal and there are several sights along the way. It is useful to have access to a car when visiting Vallda, if you want to explore the local area. If you don’t have a car, there are plenty of local buses.
The closest airport is in Ålesund, and the journey to Valldal takes about an hour and a half by car. It is also possible to take the ferry between Geiranger and Valldal. The Trollstigen pass is closed during the winter but usually opens in May every year. Did you know that large parts of the British film Ex Machina were filmed in Valldal?
There are plenty of different activities to enjoy in Valldal. Nature shows its very best side in this unique valley. If you visit during the strawberry season, you can also taste freshly picked berries, straight from the field.