Discover Vågå: Nature, Hiking and Culture

South of Vågå lies Jotunheimen National Park. Historic farmsteads, hiking destinations and alpine landscapes give the municipality a variety of facets to discover as you plan your trip. The named places and road connections also help you find your way on the excursions you want to focus on during your stay.

Mountain Landscape and Road Route

Sjodalen lies in Vågå municipality and stretches from Randsverk in the east to Maurvangen and Valdresflye in the west. The Valdresflye National Tourist Route runs between Hindsæter and Garli; a turnoff leads to Gjende. As roads may be closed seasonally, check the route before setting out. This will help you factor the landscape and planned stops into your route planning.

Valdresflye is also a starting point for mountain activities: it is a base for ski touring in the eastern Gjendealpane. Several peaks over 2,000 metres can be reached from Leirungsdalen. In winter, cross-country ski trails in Sjodalen extend from Lemonsjøen to Valdresflye. Lemonsjøen Alpine Centre has a mountain station at an altitude of 1,200 metres. These activities offer different focuses, from cross-country skiing and ski touring to an alpine ski area.

Wooden Buildings, Vicarage and Church

Jutulheimen comprises nine historic wooden buildings arranged as the farmstead of a large old farm. The buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and were brought together from various farms in Vågå. The buildings and exhibitions are open by appointment. Arrange your visit in advance if you would like to include Jutulheimen in your plans.

Ullinsvin also tells the story of the municipality: it served as a vicarage for several centuries, until 1981. The complex consists of 13 buildings, most of which are protected. Galleri Ullinsvin, which opened in 2019, hosts annual exhibitions featuring some of the country’s most prominent artists. Vågå Church in Vågåmo was built by Werner Olsen between 1625 and 1630.

Hiking and Outdoor Activities

The Munch Hike in Vågå is 1.32 kilometres long, with an elevation gain of 97 metres. At three stops, you can listen to an episode of the audio drama “Oldemors portrett” at each one. The route therefore combines a specific hike with an audio experience, with the episodes distributed across the three stops.

The day-trip cabin on Kvarbergåsen is an accessible hiking destination for the whole family. The route starts at Ullinsvin and goes via Hølvegen and Likvegen. Besseggen, meanwhile, is a hike with views of emerald-green Gjende and dark-blue Bessvatnet. Gjende is the starting point for the classic hikes Besseggen and Bukkelægret.

If you would like to explore Vågå by bicycle, Valdresflye offers another perspective: a cycling route there runs along the eastern side of Jotunheimen. Road conditions and traffic may vary. The hikes, cycling routes and winter activities described here differ not only by season, but also in the landscapes they offer.

Plan Your Journey

Vågå is served by express bus routes to Western Norway and central parts of Eastern Norway. Otta railway station is 25 minutes from Vågå; from there, you can continue by bus to Vågå. Check the latest connections and timetables before departure. When choosing your destinations, you can also consider whether cultural history, hiking, cycling or winter activities should be the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Vågå, Lalm, Vågåmo, Tessanden, Østre Toten, Vang, Nord-Fron, Lesja.

See the overview of the wider region: Oppland.