Nærøyfjord Boat Tour Guide: Viewpoints, Hikes & the Fjord Villages Undredal, Gudvangen Viking Valley

Fjord boat route: what you’ll see and where you can hop off

• Aurlandsfjord → Nærøyfjord (Flåm ↔ Gudvangen, ~2 hours one way). Modern, low-noise ferries glide past tiny hamlets, farms, and waterfalls. Some departures also serve Aurland and Undredal, and selected sailings make request stops at Styvi and Dyrdal (book in advance).

• Kjelfossen waterfall (by Gudvangen). Among Norway’s tallest; total drop commonly listed ~755 m. You can see it right from Gudvangen quay or the E16.

• Beitelen headland. The rocky “gate” where Aurlandsfjord splits: left to Aurlandsvangen/Flåm, right into the narrow Nærøyfjord.

• Bakka & Bakka Church (1859). A white wooden church on the fjord’s edge; photogenic from the boat and from shore.

• Styvi & Bleiklindi. Styvi is a roadless farm hamlet with Norway’s tiniest historic post office and a lovely café/museum in summer; Bleiklindi is the famed pale linden tree, protected since 1934.

UNESCO note: Nærøyfjord is one of the West Norwegian Fjords (with Geirangerfjord), a World Heritage site since 2005 — recognized for pristine nature and classic fjord geology.

Villages not to miss

Gudvangen & the Viking Village (Njardarheimr)

Step off the boat into Viking Valley: reconstructed longhouses, crafts, guided stories, and seasonal shows — open year-round with extended summer hours. It’s a fun cultural counterpoint to the fjord cruise.

Undredal — goats, cheese, and a tiny stave church

A pocket-sized village (≈100 residents, hundreds of goats), famed for brown and white goat cheese and Norway’s smallest stave church (≈40 seats, dated 1147). Day trips with cheese tasting run from Flåm.

Aurlandsvangen

Quieter than Flåm and a great base for hikes, Stegastein viewpoint, and the Prest trail. The National Tourist Route Aurlandsfjellet starts here.

Viewpoints you can pair with the boat trip

• Stegastein (650 m). That famous timber-and-glass platform jutting out over Aurlandsfjord.

• Otternes Farmyard. A historic cluster farm (27 buildings) perched between Aurland and Flåm with killer fjord views and heritage vibes.

• Prest / Røyrgrind view. Short but steep family-friendly hike to one of the best panoramas over Aurlandsfjord; allow ~2–3 hours round trip (summer season best).

Fjord hikes

Always check conditions locally and on ut.no; paths here can be steep, exposed, or affected by rockfall.

• Rimstigen (from Bakka/Tufto). Ultra-steep old path to a balcony 700+ m above Nærøyfjord; sherpa stonework in places. Expect a workout and stunning views. Note: sections can be slippery; occasional landslides are reported — confirm status before you go.

• Breiskrednosi via Rimstigen. A serious long day for experienced hikers only; huge elevation and epic views into the UNESCO fjord.

• Royal Postal Road, Bleiklindi ↔ Styvi (≈5.5 km). Flat(ish), family-friendly shoreline trail along stone walls and wooden bridges — a cultural-history gem. Arrive/leave by boat.

• Stigen Farm & Beitelen ridge. Boat access only to the trailhead; short, steep, airy path to a farm ledge ~360 m above Aurlandsfjord and onward to Beitelen (675 m). For sure-footed hikers.

• Hovdungo (Undredal). Demanding climb to the old summer farm, with an optional overnight at Ørnereiret (Eagle’s Nest) if pre-booked. Views over the fjord and village are superb.

• Skjerdal → Leim mountain farm (summer café). Gentle farm road (≈30–60 min up) to goat-cheese tastings and classic Aurland views — perfect after a morning fjord cruise.

Sources

Fjord Cruise route & stops; UNESCO area context; request stops:
Kjelfossen heights & viewing: Visit Norway; Wikipedia overview.
Beitelen description and fjord split: Kringom; Fjords Norway.
Bakka Church details: Kringom (official regional info).
Styvi/Bleiklindi & Royal Postal Road: Kringom + Visit Norway.
Stegastein height/platform: Norway’s Best.
Prest hike basics: Visit Norway.
Rimstigen metrics & trail status snapshots: Fjords Norway; Visit Norway; AllTrails.
Undredal stave church & cheese: Fjords Norway; Norway’s Best Undredal Experience.
Skjerdal/Leim farm café & hike: Visit Norway listing.