Explore the area
The mountains really are on the doorstep, but this is a sparsely populated part of western Norway and getting around is rarely as direct as the map might suggest. Roads follow the fjords and journeys often involve ferries, tunnels or mountain passes.
Balestrand is nearby, but travelling further around the area often means crossing the fjord. There is plenty to explore, and part of the attraction is the journey itself.
Balestrand
Balestrand is the nearest village, a few kilometres from the house. It takes around 15–20 minutes by bicycle, or you can reach it by boat across the fjord.
It has shops, cafés and restaurants, a small harbour and several places of interest. There are walks from the village and boat trips on the fjord, and it is a useful base for travelling further around the Sognefjord.
Walking in the mountains
There are a number of well-documented walking routes to choose from, with marked trails of varying degrees of difficulty, from relatively easy walks to steep and physically demanding hikes.
Conditions can vary considerably with altitude and time of year. Snow often remains on the higher ground well into summer, with some patches surviving throughout the year, so conditions in the mountains can be very different from those down by the fjord.
Exploring further afield
Fjærland makes an interesting day trip, with its glaciers, Norwegian Glacier Museum and dramatic setting at the head of the Fjærlandsfjord.
There are plenty of other possibilities around the Sognefjord, from small villages and historic sites to mountain viewpoints and glacier country. Longer day trips can take you towards places such as Loen and Olden, while Sogndal is useful for a wider range of shops and other amenities.
You don't need to try to see everything. There is more than enough within reach for several very different days out.
On the water
The fjord is another way to explore the area. Balestrand can be reached directly by boat, and being on the water gives a very different view of the landscape and the small communities scattered along the shoreline.
Small motor boats can be hired locally, and guided kayak trips are also available. There are passenger boats and ferries linking places around the Sognefjord, as well as sightseeing trips and other opportunities to get out on the water.
Even a short trip around the local fjord gives a very different perspective on the surrounding mountains and shoreline.
