Sogndal

Sogndal is a small but important town in Sogn og Fjordane. Sogndal is the regional centre of Sognefjord area with a handful of hotels and a couple of restaurants. The town was originally a collection of small wooden houses along the shore, but those are now surrounded by modern buildings. As most towns in Western Norway, Sogndal has a fine location at the shore of a great fjord. Sogndal village is actually called Sogndalsfjøra, but known simply as Sogndal. Sogndal municipality also includes Kaupanger, Balestrand, Fjærland and Leikanger/Hermansverk. Hermansverk is the county capital of Sogn og Fjordane.

By bus
There are express buses three times a day from Oslo, four times a day from Bergen.

By boat
Express boat twice daily from Bergen in the summer, once daily during winter (September–April). This service is operated by Fjord1.

By car
Route 5 from Førde and Skei through Fjærland. Route 5 from Lærdal, which is connected to Oslo and Bergen by route E16.

Route 55 through Sognefjellet mountain pass connects Sogndal to Lom and Otta as well as Stryn and Geiranger via Luster. Route 55 is a national tourist route. The pass is closed in winter and opens early May.

Get around
There are local buses operated by Fjord1.

Do
You can chop wood, admire the scenery, eat oatmeal or appreciate the unadulterated beauty of this grim and frostbitten land while listening to the moving sounds of Sogndals greatest bard Terje "Valfar" Bakken.

Sogndal valley is known for heavy snowfalls and good "powder" skiing.

Buy
Anything but a troll souvenir.

Eat
Local sea food, the mackerel season is in late summer.

Go next

 * Route 5 to Fjærland and Skei in Jølster
 * Route 5 to Lærdal
 * Route 55 to Balestrand is a scenic drive along the fjord.
 * Route 55 to Luster and Lom.