Winter: Borgund Stave Church & Stegastein Viewpoint - three villages along the fjord

If you choose to join this tour, you will normally be part of a smaller group (usually 4–9 guests). We believe the experience is better in smaller groups, where you can avoid large crowds and enjoy a more relaxed journey. The tour starts near the railway station in Flåm and continues along the beautiful bay toward the municipality centre of Aurland.

As the mountain road across Aurlandsfjellet is closed during winter, the tour travels through the 24.5 km long Lærdal Tunnel in both directions. The tunnel is 24.5 km long, and is the world’s longest road tunnel. Work on the tunnel started on 15 March 1995 and was completed on 27 November 2000. The disposal of 2.5 million cubic metres of excavated rock was one of the greatest challenges during construction. While the main tunnel is lit with white lights, three mountain halls feature blue lighting with yellow side lights designed to create the impression of sunrise. These halls help drivers stay alert and maintain concentration during transit.

Borgund Stave Church was built around 1180 and is dedicated to the Apostle Andrew. As early as the 18th century, when stave churches were still common in Norwegian villages, Borgund was already recognised as an extraordinary example of this building tradition. More precise dating has later been determined through dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) and by studying runic inscriptions.

The church is exceptionally well preserved and is considered one of the most distinctive stave churches in Norway. It is decorated with dragon-head carvings on the roof, richly carved portals, and traditional crosses.

In winter, the church and visitor centre are both closed. The stop is therefore a short photo stop only, allowing you to view and photograph the exterior of the church.

After the visit, the tour continues to Lærdal, where we make a short stop in the village before returning through the tunnel. In winter, Lærdal has a calm and quiet atmosphere, with snow-dusted mountains, frozen fields, and traditional wooden houses resting in the valley. The fjord landscape feels still and peaceful, offering a glimpse of everyday life in the off-season along the Sognefjord.

From Lærdal, the journey continues back through the Lærdal Tunnel to Aurland, as the mountain road Aurlandsfjellet Scenic Route is closed during winter.

The Stegastein viewpoint is a 30-metre long and 4-metre wide structure of steel and laminated pine. It was designed by Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen and completed in 2006. From the platform, 650 metres above sea level, you will have panoramic views of the fjord, Aurland village, and the mountains.

Since we only have a short photo stop at Borgund Stave Church, this winter tour offers the possibility of additional stops in Aurland, a visit to Otternes if road conditions allow, or a sightseeing drive up Flåmsdalen. These options will be decided in consultation with the driver/guide during the tour.

In Aurland, you can enjoy views of the fjord and the surrounding winter landscape, with the small village nestled between steep mountains and the water. It is a peaceful place where traditional life meets dramatic scenery, especially beautiful in the softer light of winter.

At Otternes Farmyard, if accessible, you step back in time among a cluster of historic farm buildings overlooking the fjord. The site offers insight into traditional rural life in the region, with old wooden houses set in a striking cultural landscape above the water.

In Flåmsdalen, the valley offers a different kind of winter scenery. Steep mountains rise on both sides, with the river winding through the valley floor. Depending on conditions, you may experience dramatic views, frozen waterfalls, and quiet stretches of untouched nature as you travel deeper into one of Norway’s most iconic valleys.

Beware

During winter, the mountain road across Aurlandsfjellet is closed, so the tour drives through the Lærdal Tunnel in both directions.

The organiser (El-tour) may cancel the tour if the number of places sold is less than 4 guests.