Sør-Aurdal: Hiking, Culture and Winter Sports

Ørneflag is the highest peak in the municipality of Sør-Aurdal and the southernmost peak in Valdres. This makes the mountain a clear point of reference if you want to get to know the municipality on a hike.

Mountain Hiking and Scenery

The hike to Ørneflag follows the DNT route from Storekrak. It is about eight kilometres each way; the ascent is listed as taking two to three hours and climbing 350 metres. The distance is given for one direction, while the time refers to the ascent. This lets you take the distance and elevation profile into account separately when planning your hike.

Another hike, with a different focus, follows the Fønhusstigen trail at Kverrvilljuvet, also known as Hølerajuvet. The trail passes through the forest alongside the Hølera River to a viewpoint at the gorge. Information boards cover history and nature, alongside quotations from Mikkjel Fønhus’s books. Here, the route through the landscape and its literary connections go hand in hand.

Culture and History in Bagn

Bagn Bygdesamling is an open-air museum on the E16, five kilometres south of Bagn in the municipality of Sør-Aurdal. The museum has 19 buildings. Several permanent exhibitions, films shown on site and an audio station complement the historic buildings. The collection thus brings together outdoor buildings, permanent exhibitions, film and audio formats.

Bagnsbergatn is the Bergatn farm, a national war memorial and part of Bagn Bygdesamling. Bagnsbergatn is accessible to hikers all year round. The farm adds a specific place of remembrance to a museum visit; the year-round access applies to hikers.

Cross-Country Skiing and Winter Sports

Hedalen has more than 120 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails. They pass through high-mountain terrain with far-reaching views, as well as extensive marshlands and protected forest landscapes. The trails offer a distinct winter focus: what stands out here is the length of the cross-country network and the variety of landscapes along the routes.

In Reinli, Stavadalen Skisenter has nine downhill runs, three ski lifts and a dedicated area for tubing and sledging. Stavedalen Park in Reinli is a family park open all year round. Its facilities include Valdres’ first indoor play park, a simulator room, an electronic dartboard, air hockey and a café. The park also has a Supertube track and ski slopes with runs for beginners and advanced skiers. When choosing between them, the offerings differ as follows: Stavedalen Park has slopes for beginners and advanced skiers, while Stavadalen Skisenter has nine downhill runs, three lifts and a dedicated area for tubing and sledging.

Fishing on the Begna

The Begna offers opportunities to fish for trout, perch, pike and vendace from Bagn in Valdres south to Nes in Ådal. The river is easily accessible from both banks via the E16 and Austsidevegen. Many fishing spots are signposted, and fishing paths run along the riverbank. The river section, fish species and riverside access provide practical points of reference when including fishing opportunities in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Hedalen, Bagn, Reinli, Sør-Fron, Lillehammer, Sel, Vestre Slidre, Øystre Slidr

For the broader travel overview: Oppland.