Stålheim – Historic Streets, Museum and Nåli

Stålheim combines a rich history of roads and the local area with a folk museum and the hike to Nåli. Topics range from historic routes and viewpoints to everyday farming history and a marked hiking trail. This allows you to plan your stay around a range of interests.

Old Roads and Historic Places

Stalheimskleiva is the old road that climbs from the inner Nærøydalen to the farms of Brekke and Stalheim. It was built between 1842 and 1846. Its spectacular section is 1.5 kilometres long and offers views of Stalheimsfossen, Sivlefossen and Nærøydalen. On 21 December 2009, Stalheimskleiva was protected as a monument as part of Norway’s protection plan for roads, bridges and road-related cultural heritage.

Another historic road connection is Kongeveien, the old postal road from Stalheim to Haugsvik. It crosses the Giljarhuselva on a stone arch bridge dating from around 1750. Stalheimskleiva is in the Nærøyfjorden Landscape Protection Area. This is part of the West Norwegian Fjords, which were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005.

The Wilhelmshøi viewpoint also reflects the area’s history: it was named in connection with a memorial stone commemorating Kaiser Wilhelm II’s visit in the mid-1890s. From the outset, Stalheim was also a postal station on the postal route established in 1647. A coach station opened there around 1750, after traffic increased on the postal road, also known as the “Bergen Royal Road”.

Stalheim Folkemuseum

Stalheim Folkemuseum is located in the Stalheim Hotel and is one of Norway’s largest private folk museums. The museum comprises 25 buildings, including a guesthouse from the late 1750s, a villa from 1726, a schoolhouse and an exhibition hall. The buildings offer a variety of points of interest for visitors interested in historic architecture and everyday life.

The exhibition hall covers two floors, each measuring 300 square metres. Its themes include aspects of farming life, such as hunting and fishing, baking and clothing. The exhibition thus complements the historic buildings with insights into different aspects of rural life.

The museum usually has the same opening hours as the Stalheim Hotel, generally from early May to the end of September. The houses can only be entered as part of a guided tour. Check the current opening hours and tour arrangements before your visit.

Hike to Nåli

Nåli is considered the classic hike from Stalheim. The round trip takes a little over two hours; the hike is considered easy and involves an elevation gain of around 250 metres. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of Stalheimsfossen and Stalheimskleiva. The difficulty and trail conditions can change with the weather.

The trail is well marked. Information boards about the hike and surrounding area are located in Stalheim and Nåli. Nåli lies halfway between Stalheim and Jordalen. The former settlement has been converted into a small rest area with several benches and tables.

A guided hike from Stalheim to Nåli follows old paths and shares stories about traditional mountain farming and cultural heritage sites. The main difference between the two options is how information is conveyed: on the hike, trail markers and information boards help you find your way, while the guided tour focuses on local history. Check the availability and current details of the guided tour before travelling.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

The Stalheim Hotel is located at the upper end of Stalheimskleiva. VY and NOR-WAY Bussekspress stop at the Stalheim junction on the E16; the hotel is 800 metres from the stop. Before travelling, check the bus operators, stop and timetables to make sure your journey matches the current services.

The different visiting conditions are important to consider when planning: the museum has seasonal opening hours, and the houses can only be accessed as part of a guided tour; weather and trail conditions affect the hike to Nåli. This makes it easier to plan the museum visit, hiking time and journey as separate parts of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Flåm, Finse, Undredal, Gudvangen, Aurlandsvangen, Aurland

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