Discover Vaksdal

Vaksdal offers plenty to explore on a trip that combines hiking trails, cultural history and fjord views. When choosing a hotel, it may help to first decide whether you mainly want to explore the village or go hiking in the surrounding area.

Getting here and finding your way around

Vaksdal station is on the Bergen Line. From there, trains run towards Bergen, Voss, Myrdal and Oslo S. Check the latest departures for your travel date. In the village, the “Vaksdalsvegar” cultural trail offers insights into the landscape and vegetation, transport, economy, agriculture, sports and hydropower. An overview sign is located in Senterparken, with seven more signs at various points around the village. You can also explore the trail through its individual themed stops.

The church and local history

Vaksdal Church stands southeast of the village centre, at the edge of the forest. From there, the view stretches across the fjord to the island of Osterøy. The church is a stone long church—a type of building in which the church is laid out lengthwise. Its location, views and architecture offer a different focus from the cultural trail’s information signs.

The station area also tells the story of the village’s transport history. After the Vossebana railway opened in 1883, it quickly became a local transport hub. At the time, it had a restaurant, a hotel and a kiosk.

Houses were built around Vaksdal Mølle for the director, employees and workers. A park was also created for the mill’s workforce. These references to the houses and park add the everyday lives of the people connected with the mill to the story of its industrial history.

Trails and nature experiences

A forest road leads from Vaksdal to Bogevatnet, with views of the fjord and village along the way. Another hiking route goes via Tjødnhaugen and Budalen and climbs into the Vaksdalsfjella mountains. If you’re looking for a quieter hike, a route leads from the centre towards Sædalen and on to Herfindalen. It is considered suitable for most people.

There are bathing spots along the waterfront at Vaksdal. If you’re interested in local traditions, the old Kvernhuset in the park offers another point of interest: by prior arrangement, a visit can include a demonstration of how grain was once milled. Arrange your visit in advance, as the demonstration is available by appointment only.

Vaksdal’s annual Vintertreffet is a festival featuring humour, music and a market day. If you’d like to plan your trip around it, check the date of that year’s event. This helps distinguish the recurring event from a specific date for your stay.

More destinations in the wider Vaksdal area

The wider Vaksdal area also has more hiking and cultural destinations to explore. T-marked trails to Høgabu start from Lid, Vaksdal, Dale, Kvitingen and Gullhorgabu; conditions may vary by season. Near Stamnes, a restored salmon fishing net installation stands 20 metres above the fjord and is open to visitors as part of guided tours. Check tour times locally. In the Stamnes/Straume area, Skipshelleren is part of the Straume Landscape Museum. The Stone Age settlement site has been in use for more than 7,000 years.

Discover more destinations: Kyrkjebø, Stamnes, Eidslandet, Stanghelle.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Vaksdal.