Sylte: Nørdsjø Trail and mountain pasture history

The Nørdsjø Trail via Kilebrekka runs through Sylte and offers views of two fjords, two valleys and two lakes. Another facet of the area's history is revealed by the old mountain route Syltedalen–Syltehornet–Ekremsdalen between Åheim and Sylte. In Sylte, landscapes and outdoor pursuits sit alongside traces of historic mountain farming.

Plan the Nørdsjø Trail

The Nørdsjø Trail is a loop, and you can choose your own starting and finishing points. There are several car parks and numerous picnic spots along the route for breaks. This gives you flexibility when navigating the loop, without requiring you to start at a particular point.

When choosing which direction to walk, it helps to compare the climbs: the section from Syltedalen to Kilebrekka is steeper than the one from Sørdalen to Øverberg. Many therefore prefer to climb from Syltedalen on foot or by bicycle, then descend towards Sørdalen. This describes different sections of the route, not a uniform gradient for the entire trail.

The surface also varies. Most of the trail follows quiet asphalt roads; some sections run along busier asphalt roads and gravel tracks. When planning your trip, you can take these details into account along with your preferred starting point and the climbs.

An old mountain route and its traces

The Syltedalen–Syltehornet–Ekremsdalen route follows an old mountain connection between Åheim and Sylte. Preserved mountain pasture huts in the area bear witness to historic mountain farming. The huts give the route a historical connection to how the landscape was used: the path passes not only through an area with views of fjords, valleys and lakes, but also through a cultural landscape with visible traces of the mountain farming era.

Vanylven as a wider travel destination

Beyond Sylte, the wider destination of Vanylven offers a range of themes to explore when planning your trip. Tusshornet is a viewpoint overlooking the entire Vanylvsfjord. From Hakalletrappa, the view stretches across the open sea and the Stad peninsula, including Vestkapp. These viewpoints complement the scenery revealed by the Nørdsjø Trail in Sylte.

Vanylven's cultural history includes St. Jetmund's Church in Åheim. It is one of Norway's oldest stone churches and was built around 1150. St. Jetmund is also a living cultural heritage site: the local community uses the church for services and events. You can also explore the old olivine quarries in Vanylven along the Åheimselva.

For a longer trip, Vanylven lies between Stad and Ålesund and can be included in a tour of northwestern Norway. The drive from Ålesund to Hakallestranda involves two ferry crossings; the route via Stryn does not require any ferries. If you choose the ferry route, check the ferry timetables before setting off.

Getting to the area around Syltedalen

Syltedalen is not accessible by bus. Alternatives include travelling by car or going on foot or by bicycle from the main road. There is a bus stop on the main road near the exit from Ekremsdalen. This information relates to Syltedalen and the exit from Ekremsdalen.

When looking for a hotel in Sylte, you can distinguish the local highlights from destinations across the wider Vanylven area: the Nørdsjø Trail and historic mountain route give you a sense of Sylte, while the viewpoints, church and olivine quarries broaden your perspective on Vanylven.

Discover more destinations: Åram, Fiskå, Rovde, Eide, Åheim, Myklebost.

Back to the main travel overview: Vanylven.