Drive it Yourself: Oslo to Bergen on the E16
View our guide to the scenic drive between Bergen and Oslo.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 1,636 / 61.2 degrees north
Vang i Valdres, Norway
Vang i Valdres is where eastern Norway and western Norway meet. At Vang the scenery changes dramatically from rolling hills to steep mountain peaks and fjords. For thousands of years Vang has been an important stop on the journey between east and west.
Fun Facts About Vang i Valdres
Latitude: 61.2 degrees north
Population: 1,636
Vang Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Vang i Valdres.
Vang Stone
The Vang stone is a runestone from the early 11th century. It was erected around 1000, during the transitional period from paganism to Christianity in Norway. It was situated outside a stave church at Vang.
Øye Stave Church
Located just out of Vang is Øye Stave Church, one of Norway’s 28 remaining stave churches.
Vang Guides
Find guides to Vang on our online store.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Please note – the links provided are affiliate links. We only recommend experiences that we have researched and/or tested and focus on providing unique, local things to do!
Go hiking!
Vang is surrounded by mountains. The mountain area Filefjell lies in the west and the mountain are Jotunheimen is in the north.
HØre Forest
In the Høre Forest are the remains of a rural fortress. Today this has been turned into a cultural walk. You can read more about it on the VisitNorway website.
Road-Trips
Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Vang i Valdres.
Self-Guided Walks
Follow one of our self-guided walks around Vang i Valdres.
Vang i Valdres on YouTube
Watch our YouTube videos featuring Vang i Valdres.
Uniquely Vang i Valdres
Here are some things that you must try in Vang i Valdres!
The Saga of Vang Stave Church
Vang used to have a stave church, but in the mid-19th century it was bought by King Frederick William IV of Prussia and transferred to Silesia, now Karpacz in the Karkonosze mountains of Poland. It was originally used by a congregation belonging to the Church of Norway, then the Evangelical Church of Prussia, and now serves the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland.
The local church decided to tear down the stave church in 1832 because it was too small and had become structurally unsafe. It was the painter Johan Christian Dahl who managed to save it. Originally he tried to get it preserved as a cultural monument in Christiania or Bergen, but no one wanted it. Dahl knew Frederick William IV of Prussia personally, and after the exchange of several letters he had persuaded the priest to take over responsibility.
The church is common to the other stave churches in Valdres. However, the Høre and Lomen stave churches had a raised roof above the central part of the nave, while the churches of Vang and Øye have ordinary saddle roofs.
Skakadalskurv
Øygarden is an old family farm with origins back to the 17th century. Skakadalskurv is produced from the meat of the sheep kept here. Kurv is a cured sausage and is used in Norwegian lunches. It is very local to Vang and worth trying!
History of Vang i Valdres
Remains of settlements from thousands of years ago have been found in Vang. The farmers mostly relied on nature throughout the years, and farming is still important today. The land was divided up so every farm had access to the different resources found in the nature.
In Snorre’s sagas, the Christianisation of Valdres is described as dramatic and violent, but there are no named local chiefs or places. Perhaps the Vangsteinen is the only object that tells us something about the Christianisation of Valdres. The stone is seen as the only authentic object that tells us something about the transition from paganism to Christianity well before stave churches were built.
The ancient church of Vang was the site of a legal court (thing) held by King Haakon VI in 1368. Here, he settled a boundary dispute. The boundary stone which resulted still stands today.
Vang, like the rest of the valley, was originally populated by migrants from Western Norway. In 1553, recognising this, Cardinal Breakspear included the valley in the diocese of Stavanger.
Vang i Valdres Today
Today Vang is an agricultural community and also an important stop on the drive between east and west Norway.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: No airport access
Drive: Vang i Valdres is located on the E16 highway, which is the main highway between Oslo and Bergen.
Train: No train access.
Ferry: No ferry access.
Getting Around
A car is needed to get around Vang.
Shops
Places to Eat
As Ålesund is a fishing town, you should definitely try seafood when in Ålesund. Many of the main restaurants are located on or around Kongens Gate, which also has some of the best art nouveau architecture.
Cafes & Bakeries
Quick Bites
Mjøsvang Café is a nice café located in Vang.
Reasonable Restaurants
High End & Unique Eats
Places to Stay
All our hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. We don’t recommend somewhere unless we think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences.
Camping & Hostels
Chains & Mid-Range
High End & Unique Properties
Ellingbø Gard is a historic farm that offers accommodation.
All Posts About Vang i Valdres
Recreating the Past at Øye Stave Church
Øye Stave Church is located by the main highway between Bergen and Oslo, and it’s a fascinating little church. Here’s what you need to know.
The Fascinating History of Vang & the Vang Stone
When driving between Bergen and Oslo, be sure to stop in Vang to explore the fascinating history in this small town!
Vang Photo Diary
Here are photos from my various trips to Vang.