Autumn is both loved and hated, but we can all agree that nature shows itself from its most striking side this time of year? Visit Flåm in autumn to experience the fantastic colours in the mountains and enjoy the taste of autumn for dinner.
Autumn in Flåm is hiking and bicycling in the mountains, indoor cosiness, tasty food, and a fantastic show of colours in the mountainsides surrounding the fjord.
There are activities and experiences for everyone available in Flåm year-round. Autumn is no exception. Sleep and eat well at Fretheim Hotel and spend the days being active by the fjord and in the mountains. Continue reading for inspiration for your next autumn holiday!
Lower your shoulders at historical Fretheim Hotel after adventurous days outside. Relax by the fireplace in Lobby bar with something warming to drink or sit down with a good book and views of Flåm in one of the 3rd or 4th floor lounges. The hotel got rooms suitable for all tastes and occasions, whether you are travelling with family or on a romantic getaway.
As with hiking, late summer and autumn are the best times to cycle the old Navvies Road “Rallarvegen” from Finse to Flåm. Earlier in the summer there is still lots of snow that you have to carry your bike across. What can possibly be better than a daytrip on wheels from Finse to Flåm, where you will be met with an after-bike of local beer followed by a nice dinner at Fretheim Hotel? Remember to bring layers of clothes, as the weather can shift quickly in the mountains.
By Norwegians, autumn is known as the hiking season. Unlike in the summer, there is no need to worry about the snow that fell last winter and the temperatures are perfect for activity. Start early, pack clothes that can be used as layers, and enjoy the beautiful colours that pop up everywhere.
Around Flåm, we can recommend the hike to Mt. Prest which offers fantastic views of the Aurlandsfjord, or to Breiskrednosi from Bakka or Dyrdal where you look straight down into the Nærøyfjord almost 1200 metres below. The Aurlandsdalen hike from Østerbø to Vassbygdi is a classic that everyone interested in hiking and nature should do at least once i.
On crisp autumn days you often see morning fog above the fjord. While it may look a bit grey in Flåm, but join a tour to Stegastein viewpoint and you suddenly find yourself above the “clouds”! It is a special feeling to stand on the viewpoint jutting 30 metres from the mountainside looking down on a fjord of fog. Above the fog you will see the surrounding mountains draped in autumn colours.
The athmosphere on the UNESCO World Heritage listed Nærøyfjord is almost magical in autumn. When the morning fog clears up it gathers in vertical lines down the mountainsides. The fully electrical vessel is the perfect backdrop to a cruise on the fjord. No engine noise takes focus away from panorama of the bright colours, roaring waterfalls, and charming hamlets. Join a fjord cruise between Flåm and Gudvangen to see for yourself.
A fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord is also a great choice in grey weather. Sit inside one of the spacious lounges with a hot drink and watch the clouds shift while rain hammers onto the large windows. We think the landscape looks even rougher when the sun does not shine.
Flåm Zipline is the summer’s big hit, but do not worry if you have not tried it yet. It stays open until mid-October. Put on some windproof clothes and take in the views while you fly 1381 metres down to Kårdal from Vatnahalsen in up to 100 km/h. This is the longest zipline in Scandinavia - far up the Flåm Valley only accessable by train.
To complete the experience, you should hire bicycles from Kårdal and cycle back down to Flåm. Take your time to stop and admire the autumn draped landscape and idyllic small farms along the way. The road is a mix of gravel and asphalt, and the only disturbance may be a tribe of goats. What can possibly be more authentic than a roadblock of goats?
Said to be one of the most beautiful train journeys in the worlds, a journey with the Flåm Railway is a must when in Flåm. During the 50 minutes from Flåm by the fjord to Myrdal 687masl, the train takes you through the dramatic Flåm Valley. A train journey people come from all over the world to experience. We could have said “lean back and enjoy the view”, but that would be nonsense. You will most likely move from side to side to get the best view!
In the evening, Fretheim Hotel’s restaurant Arven is the place to be. Here you will get autumn served on a plate. Treat yourself with a 3-course dinner of seasonal vegetables, local game or lamb, and a dessert of fresh fruit and berries from the region. Restaurant Arven specialises in local and as far as possible organic produce. You will also notice that goat is well represented on the menu. If you see goat cheese caramel or similar on the dessert menu, go for it! Stormy weather makes the restaurant almost cosier. While you sit warm and nice inside, you can hear and see the rain drum on the glass ceiling and walls.
What is the optimal way to start your day or to recover after fun activities in the mountains? A visit to Fjord Sauna! The combination of a steaming hot sauna and invigorating cold dips in the fjord is guaranteed to have an impact on both body and mind.
