Discover Gudvangen: Fjord and waterfall

Gudvangen lies where the Nærøyfjord meets the land and joins the Nærøydalen valley. The fjord and valley are the two geographical reference points for the village. Kjelfoss Waterfall, activities on the water, and the options of arriving by boat, bus, or car give your trip different starting points. If you’re looking for a hotel in Gudvangen, you can first consider whether the landscape, a fjord cruise, or setting off in your own kayak is most important to you.

Fjord landscape and Kjelfoss Waterfall

Kjelfoss Waterfall is in Gudvangen and is 755 metres high in total; its highest single drop measures 149 metres. These figures refer to different measurements: 755 metres describes the total height, while 149 metres is the height of the highest single drop. The waterfall is visible from the quay in the centre of Gudvangen and from the E16.

Gudvangen is also a gateway to the Nærøyfjorden Landscape Protected Area, a protected natural and cultural landscape. It stretches from the fjord to the high mountains and encompasses diverse flora and fauna in a landscape shaped on a large scale by the Ice Age. The protected area adds a broader landscape perspective, extending from the fjord to the high mountains, to the specific view of the waterfall.

By kayak or on a fjord cruise

If you bring your own kayak, you can set off from Gudvangen; parking and an easily accessible launch site are available. Quiet electric fjord cruises operate between Gudvangen and Flåm. To set off by kayak, you need your own boat; the cruises connect Gudvangen and Flåm. This lets you compare the two water activities in terms of their different requirements and the route mentioned.

History and getting there

Gudvangen is easily reached by boat, bus, or car. The village was a trading post long before the Viking Age. Gudvangen’s history therefore stretches far back, while boat, bus, and car are the stated ways to reach the village.

Regional perspectives in the wider destination of Aurland

In the wider destination of Aurland, the Nærøyfjord is characterised by narrow, steep-sided rock walls, numerous waterfalls, and free-flowing rivers. The rivers run through deciduous and coniferous forests to glacial lakes and rugged mountains. The Aurlandsfjord is part of the Sognefjord, which is designated a National Salmon Fjord. These regional landscape features broaden the view of Gudvangen to include other fjord and mountain areas in Aurland.

The wider destination of Aurland also includes Kjosfossen at the Flåm Railway. The waterfall is 225 metres high; passengers can get off at a specially built stop. What happens during the stop may vary. In Undredal, traditional goat’s cheese is made at the village’s Stølsysteriet using traditional methods. If you’re planning a visit, check visitor availability in advance.

Fishing in the fjord in Aurland is free all year round. Possible catches include sea trout, cod, haddock, and whiting. Before your trip, check the applicable fishing rules and which species are available.

Discover more destinations: Undredal, Aurlandsvangen, Finse, Flåm, Aurland, Stålheim.

Go to the main travel overview: Aurland.