Drive it Yourself: Lærdal to Lom via Tindeveien & Sognefjellet
Read our road-trip guide for the drive from Lærdal to Lom via Tindeveien and Sognefjellet.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 2,100 / 61 degrees north
Lærdal, Norway
Located on the border between east and west Norway, Lærdal is a historic trading place.
Fun Facts About Lærdal
Latitude: 61 degrees north
Population: 2,100
Lærdal Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Lærdal
Borgund Stave Church
Borgund Stave Church is considered to be the best preserved of Norway’s 28 stave churches.
Norwegian Wild Salmon Centre
Salmon fishing has been part of the culture here for thousands of years, but it was popularised in the 19th century by English tourists. The museum explores the salmon fishing history of the area.
Tingvoll Church
Located just outside of Kristiansund, Tingvoll Church is a historic stone church.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are my recommendations!
Lærdal's Old Town
Gamle Lærdalsoyri is the old town of Lærdal. The wooden buildings represent one of the most valuable building environments in Norway. Most of the houses are from the 18th century.
Road-Trips
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Lærdal
The E16 from Oslo to Bergen
Follow this self-guided trip between Oslo and Bergen on the E16, one of the major highways in the country. The road is built close to where the historic postal road from the 17th century went, and parts of the old road are still visible and today a hiking trail. That’s why along the way you’ll see stave churches and runestones. There’s also some charming towns and local markets to stop at, turning a long drive into an exciting one!
Aurlandsfjellet Tourist Road
The Aurlandsfjellet Tourist Road is a short but incredibly diverse mountain road between the villages of Lærdal and Aurland near Flåm in Western Norway. The road is 45km in total length, and it has earned the nickname ‘Snow Road’ because snow typically remains on the mountains all year round. With most of the tourist roads in Norway, you really can do them in either direction. For Aurlandsfjellet, however, I strongly recommend you start at Lærdal and head to Aurland. The reveal of the mountains and fjords is much more dramatic. Aurlandsfjellet was completed in 1967, and it used to be the main road between the two towns. Since 2000, however, the main highway E16 has gone through the new Lærdal Tunnel instead. The Lærdal Tunnel is 24.5km long, making it one of the longest tunnels in the world. You can take the tunnel, I mean it is quicker, but the Aurlandsfjellet Tourist Road is much more fun!
Lærdal to Florø on the Rv5
The scenic highway from Lærdal to Florø weaves its way around the mountains between the Sognefjord and the Nordfjord, passing some of Norway’s most spectacular glaciers including the famous Jostedalsbreen glacier. The road was built in stages throughout the 20th century and is now one of the major highways for Western Norway. This fjord-to-coast highway takes you from the innermost part of the Sognefjord to the coastal village of Florø, on the westernmost part in Norway.
Self-Guided Walks
No self-guided walks are currently available for Lærdal
Lærdal on YouTube
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Lærdal
Laerdal to Lom
This drive includes Tindeveien and Sognefejllet. I did this drive in June 2023 on a beautiful summer day.
Uniquely Lærdal
Here are some things that you must do and try in Lærdal
Laerdal Tunnel
I don’t know how exciting you’d consider this experience, but just out of Aurland is the world’s longest road tunnel, the Laerdal Tunnel.
History of Lærdal
Lærdal has been inhabited for at least 6,000 years and in some places the valley has been used since the Early Stone Age. Lærdal has always been on the main road between east and west Norway. the first public postal route was established through Lærdal in 1647 and today it is a hiking path.
The area at the end of the town by the fjord was a market place from as far back as the Middle Ages. The market is first mentioned in 1596, but it was not new then.
Lærdal Today
Lærdal’s river is traditionally one of Norway’s most exclusive salmon rivers.
Lærdal has a long tradition with farming and the lower part of the valley is great for vegetable crops.
The biggest employer is the Lærdal Hospital with 150 employees.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: No airport
Drive: The E16 highway between Bergen and Oslo runs through Lærdal.
Train: No train access
Ferry: No ferry access
Getting Around
Lærdal town centre is walkable, but to get to any of the hikes and activities you’ll need a car.
Shops
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
Laksen Pub and Restaurant is located at the Wild Salmon Centre.
High End & Unique Eats
Places to Stay
All my hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. I don’t recommend somewhere unless I think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences.
Camping
Cabins & B&Bs
Sanden Pensjonat is a guesthouse and has been one for over 100 years.
Chains & Mid-Range
Lærdal is the main hotel in town and offers rooms at a decent rate.
High End & Unique Properties
All Posts About Lærdal
Drive it Yourself: Oslo to Bergen on the E16
View our guide to the scenic drive between Bergen and Oslo.
Drive it Yourself: Oslo to Aurland via Hemsedal & Borgund Stave Church
The road from Oslo to Aurland follows the old postal road called Kongevegen.
Why You Should Visit Borgund Stave Church
Read my guide to the history, construction and symbolism of Norway’s best-preserved stave church: Borgund!
Drive it Yourself: Aurlandsfjellet Tourist Road
The Aurlandsfjellet tourist road is a short but scenic drive over the mountains dividing Laerdal and Aurland.