The Nærøyfjord Haute Route

In summer many tourist visit the Nærøyfjord to experience its’ dramatic fjord scenery and rich local history.

However, not many people know that these majestic mountains also home some of the most interesting ski terrain in Norway with open flanks, playful forests, and endless ridges.

Historical mountain farm

Our unique journey starts in Bakka by Gudvangen where we take a boat to Dyrdal.

We will be based out of Hjølmo (500 m), a newly restored historic mountain farm. The cabin has four bedrooms, as well as a living room and a kitchen. The cabin does not have running water, a flushing toilet, showers, electricity or wifi. Our water comes from a mountain stream, and there is a dry toilet outside of the main cabin.

A local farm will provide traditional dinners made with lots of love. Imagine enjoying one of their signature dishes after a long day of skiing, with a glass of wine by the fireplace. 

The remoteness of the location makes for a peaceful experience. No sound from civilization, besides perhaps some hunters that have been visiting the valleys around Hjølmo since the Iron Age due to the regions’ abundant wild life.

A part of the experience is also to take a dip in the lake, river or fjord after your ski day. The brave ones may be rewarded with some mindfulness while drying off in the spring sun or by the fireplace.

If you are looking to experience wild nature in the heart of a very special place, this is the trip for you!

Potential Ski Tours

This ski trip contains challenging alpine terrain with steep climbs, and some days we will have to cross long distances. However, there will be opportunities to travel in terrain that is not particularly difficult or exposed. The trip is best suited for those who thrive being active several hours, several days in a row. Some isolated section may require carrying your skis on your backpack in steep terrain, and the use of crampons and an ice axe.

• Breiskrednosi 1189, Skoganosi 1289 and Vassetfjellet 1168 are vigorous trips in beautiful surroundings. These peaks can be climbed through terrain of medium difficulty, and offer great descents.

• Styvisdalseggi 1439, Handadalseggi 1431 and Vassetnipa 1501 are advanced alpine mountains. They often require the use of mountaineering skills, and offer steep freeride terrain.

• The mountains towards Fresvik, Storaleitet 1465 and Nonhaugfjellet 1459, are large mountains with open flanks. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Sognefjord, Fresvikbreen and Hurrungane.

The guide will choose the best strategy and route choice to facilitate a safe trip. Sometimes it will not be possible to cross all the way to Fresvik in safe conditions, and we will have to stick to terrain around Vassete.

Feel safe with Wild Voss

All of our guides are NF certified avalanche instructors (or superior), and have developed their skillsets over many years. Our guides ski tour all winter long, and have vast experience in the mountains of Voss and the fjord region.

We hold updated information regarding the snow conditions, and use our previous experience to make the travel safer and more enjoyable avoiding terrain with dangerous snow conditions.

You will learn about avalanche safety, safe route choices, and what kind of strategies can be implemented in big mountain terrain. Our guides will share their input, and cater for decision making through open group discussions.

Our guides do thorough work planning and preparing our excursions. They carry extra safety equipment and are trained in how to use it.

Typical plan

Day 1:

We will meet at 08:30 a.m. at Bakka in Nærøyfjorden. Short welcome, presentation and orientation.

Organization of luggage and boat trip from Bakka to Dyrdal (1 boat trip for up to 6 participants, 2 boat trips for larger groups).

Approach to Hjølmo by foot. Our luggage will be transported with a quad bike.

10:30 a.am. arrival at the cabin. We will eat a light lunch and get ready for skitouring.

Skit our until 05:30 p.m. The most common ski tours this day are Skogafjellet (1295) or Styvidalseggi (1439).

At 05:30 p.m. we settle into the cabin, light the stove, collect water, and have dinner.

Later in the evening we will evaluate the tour and hold a briefing for the following day.

Dag 2: Longer Ski Tour from Hjølmo

Potential ski tour objectives: Breiskrednosi (1189), Skogafjellet (1295), or Styvidalseggi (1439).

Breiskrednosi and Skogafjellet are trips of moderate difficulty with dramatic views over the Nærøyfjord. To reach the mountains we traverse across the forested snow ramps of Vassetfjellene which makes for some exciting skiing. 

Styvidalseggi (1439): Contains the perfect terrain for freeriding with long and consistent snow ramps of 25 to 35 degrees, spines and couloirs. Stivydalseggi has a fairly alpine summit ridge that may require mountaineering skills to navigate. We can only ski in this terrain with stable avalanche conditions.  

Day 3: Nærøyfjord traverse

12 hour long ski tour through challenging terrain from Hjølmo to Skard (Fresvik).

Ski tour itinerary: Hjølmo – Handadalen – Storaleitet 1465 – Nonhaugfjellet 1459 – Skard.

The ski tour starts following a steep, old farming trail which requires bootpacking for 300 vertical meters. 

Shortly after (at 800m), we will find the major obstacle of the day: accessing the Handadalen valley. We have to cross a snow ramp over a steep ravine for around 200m before the terrain softens up. The traverse is exposed with steep overhanging terrain, and often requires hard work bootpacking with crampons on soft snow. In some conditions this route may not be possible to execute. 

Then we will cross Langafjellet 1456 and Nonhaugfjellet before skiing down to Skard. On this part of the tour we will have good views (on clear days) of the Sognefjord, Fresvikbreen glacier, and the Hurrungane mountain range. 

We will organize transport from Skard to the Fresvik dock, and take a boat back to Dyrdal where we will use a quad bike back to the cabin.

Day 4: Pack up + Short ski tour/ or relax day by the fjord

Shorter ski tour. Pack our belongings. 

Public boat tip back from Dyrdal to Gudvangen at 04.15 p.m. Arrival in Gudvangen 04.50 p.m. 

OR private boat trip back to Bakka. 

Alternatively we can have a slower breakfast, pack our belongings, and head down to the fjord in Dyrdal, a charming village only reachable by boat. This is a perfect alternative for groups that feel exhausted after three days of ski touring, who would rather have an easier day by the fjord swimming or perhaps kayaking. In this case, it is possible to schedule an earlier boat departure.

Possible variations:

We adapt the ski tours to the group, the conditions and amount of days booked.

After several completed trips with different variations, we recommend a four-day package. However, we also arrange day tours, while other prefer five days to really have time to enjoy the magical terrain around Hjølmo and Vassete.

It is possible to spend the last night in Dyrdal, in a historic house by the fjord with electricity, internet, flushing toilets and showers. 

We can organize a transfer back and forth to Voss or Bergen airport upon request.

Season:

13th of March to the 30th of May. This tour is only possible in spring because of the ice covering the fjord during the winter.

Prices and Terms: 

​This tour costs kr. 16,950 per person and requires a minimum of three participants to run (minimum price kr. 50,850).

Minimum age to participate is 16 years old. To ensure a pleasurable trip and in consideration of the guests’ safety, we have a maximum of 5 participants per guide, and up to 8 participants with 2 guides.

The price includes:

• 4 days with qualified guiding. 
• 12 hours of work prior and after the trip (research of conditions, transportation of food and gear, cabin cleaning)
• 3 days of lodging.
• Food and drinks. Including breakfast, lunch, dinner and wine/ beer for dinner.
• 2 x Boat transportation back and forth to Bakka/Gudvangen. 
• One long boat trip from Fresvik to Dyrdal.
• All necessary safety equipment.
• Rental of avalanche gear (avalanche beacon, shovel, probe).
• Admin fees
• Guides’ preparations and travel cost.

The price does not include:

• Transportation to Bakka.
• Personal accident or travel insurance 

The booking will be confirmed by sending an invoice with the deposit (50% of the value of the agreed upon price). The remaining 50% will be paid after the trip.

Reservations and inquiries

This is inquiry based, private trip.

Contact Øystein on +47 93484041 or send an email to post@wildvoss.no  for an offer.

If you have questions regarding our guided tours, current snow conditions or route suggestions feel free to reach out. Remember: advice is always free of charge with us!