Vikafjellet Mountain Road – From Fjord to Mountain to Valley
A journey through three worlds – from the beautiful green Sognefjord to the snow-covered high mountain plateau and further down into deep valleys.
The Vikafjellet Mountain Road is one of the most varied scenic drives you can experience in Norway. In just a couple of hours you pass fjords, mountains, waterfalls, and deep valleys.
This mountain pass takes you from sea level to around 1,000 meters above sea level in less than an hour, through landscapes so diverse it almost feels like traveling through different countries.
Despite its beauty, Vikafjellet Mountain Road is still one of the lesser-known scenic routes in the country. That’s exactly why many travelers consider it one of the most authentic mountain roads in Norway.
The journey runs from Vik by the Sognefjord to Voss, an important hub in Western Norway road trips.
If you are planning a road trip through Western Norway, this drive offers an unforgettable combination of fjord landscapes, high mountains, and dramatic valleys.
Vik by the Sognefjord – Where the Vikafjellet Road Trip Begins
Vik lies along the Sognefjord like a small gem surrounded by water, mountains, and lush green landscapes. The old stave church from the 1100s towers above the village, and fruit trees blossom along the fjord in spring. This is Western Norway at its most idyllic.
From here, ferries cross the fjord to Balestrand and Leikanger, and it’s easy to linger a little longer.
Behind the village the mountains rise steeply. This is where the Vikafjellet Mountain Road begins.
National Road 13 winds its way upward from Vik toward Vinje, and within a short distance you go from fjord level to high mountain terrain. Along the way you pass viewpoints overlooking the fjord, open mountain plateaus, dramatic hairpin turns, and waterfalls cascading down the mountainsides.
For many travelers exploring scenic drives in Norway, this stretch is one of the hidden highlights of a road trip through Western Norway.
Best Stops Along Vikafjellet Mountain Road
When driving the Vikafjellet Mountain Road, there are several beautiful places worth stopping along the way.
Vik in Sogn: Take a break by the fjord before starting your drive over the mountains. Visit the famous Hopperstad Stave Church.
Storesvingen Viewpoint: One of the best viewpoints along the Vikafjellet scenic drive. Views over Vik and the Sognefjord. Good parking and facilities. Allow 10–20 minutes.
The Mountain Plateau: Several small parking areas along the high mountain plateau. Great opportunities for photos and experiencing the raw mountain landscape. Allow 5–20 minutes per stop.
Myrkdalen Viewpoint: A spectacular view down into Myrkdalen Valley. Good parking. Allow about 15 minutes.
Holesvingane and the Waterfall: Beautiful waterfall and dramatic hairpin bends along the road. Drive carefully. Limited parking. Allow 5–15 minutes.
Holedalen/Kvassdalen: A deep valley with old mountain farms and steep mountainsides. Allow 5–15 minutes.
Myrkdalen Mountain Village: Café, restrooms, and a mountain shop. A good place for a longer stop during your Vikafjellet road trip.
Tvindefossen: One of the most famous waterfalls in Western Norway. Located right by the road before Voss.
Vik’s Rich History and the Hopperstad Stave Church
Take a moment by the fjord and enjoy the view of the Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway. The peaceful surroundings make it easy to slow down before continuing your road trip over Vikafjellet Mountain Road.
People have lived in Vik for thousands of years. It is said that during the Viking Age there were three times as many people living in Vik as there are today. Hopperstad Stave Church stands as a proud cultural monument from the 12th century and is one of the most impressive stave churches in Norway.
Vik is also known throughout Norway for its traditional gamalost cheese and berry farming, traditions that date back to the Viking Age.
The village produces apples, cherries, peaches, apricots, and raspberries. In fact, Vik has the largest raspberry production in Norway and some of the oldest apple orchards in the country.
Storesvingen Viewpoint – One of the Best Scenic Stops in Norway
After the first kilometers climbing up from Vik, the landscape opens up at Storesvingen Viewpoint.
This is a stop you really should not miss when driving the Vikafjellet Mountain Road.
From the viewing platform you can look back at Vik by the fjord while the Sognefjord stretches between the mountains. What really stands out here is the intense green landscape – fields, forests, and farmland that almost glow in the summer sun. On clear days you can see all the way to Balestrand on the opposite side of the fjord.
The viewpoint is beautifully designed with stone walls and benches, making it one of the most pleasant stops along this scenic drive in Norway.
Driving Up to the High Mountain Plateau
After Storesvingen the road continues climbing higher. The landscape gradually changes from lush green hillsides to open mountain terrain where the trees disappear and the high mountains dominate.
At around 1,000 meters above sea level the landscape opens wide. Mountain lakes lie like mirrors between rocks and lichen, while the mountains stretch endlessly across the horizon. Even in late spring the lakes can remain frozen. Sheep and reindeer graze here in summer.
When we drove across Vikafjellet Mountain Road in May, snow still covered the mountainsides and ice remained on many of the mountain lakes.
Several small parking areas allow you to stop and enjoy the view across one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in Western Norway.
Myrkdalen Viewpoint – A Spectacular Valley View
As you begin the descent from the mountain plateau, the road follows the Sendeelvi River, which rushes down the mountainside toward Myrkdalen. While the waterfall takes the steepest route down the mountain, the road winds down through a series of dramatic hairpin bends.
Before starting the descent, make sure to stop at Myrkdalen Viewpoint.
From here you get a stunning view down into the valley, with the river winding through green fields between steep mountainsides. Scattered mountain farms and cabins give the valley a peaceful and timeless atmosphere.
Holesvingane – One of the Most Dramatic Sections of the Road
After the Myrkdalen Viewpoint you reach Holesvingane, a series of sharp hairpin bends that twist their way down the mountainside.
In the middle of this dramatic landscape, Sendefossen waterfall crashes down the steep valley wall.Depending on the season it can appear as a small ribbon of water or a powerful curtain of rushing water. In spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, it is especially impressive.
Driving through the bends you catch repeated glimpses of the waterfall. Parking is limited here, so only stop if you find a safe spot.
Holedalen – A Quiet Valley in Western Norway
At the bottom of the valley you reach Holedalen, a peaceful and beautiful part of the Vikafjellet scenic route. Stop for a moment and look back at the waterfall and the hairpin bends you just drove down.
Take a short walk down to the river and enjoy the quiet mountain landscape before continuing your road trip through Western Norway.
Kvassdalen and Myrkdalen
After Holesvingane the terrain becomes flatter as you enter Kvassdalen, a side valley of Myrkdalen. Old mountain farms and cabins are scattered along the valley slopes, reminding visitors that these valleys have been used for centuries.
The landscape becomes softer here, with mountain birch forests, heather-covered hills, and stone piles from old mountain farm paths.
This land has been used for hundreds of years. Sheep graze here every summer, just as they have for generations. The landscape tell the story of long traditions of farming in the mountains of Western Norway.
Myrkdalen Mountain Village
When you reach the valley floor, Myrkdalen Mountain Village lies ahead. This modern mountain resort has cabins and apartments built in traditional Norwegian style. Here you’ll find cafés, restrooms, and a mountain shop.
In winter Myrkdalen is one of the most popular ski destinations in Western Norway. In summer it becomes a base for hiking and mountain adventures. It is worth stopping here not only for the facilities but also for the atmosphere.
This is an active mountain community, not just a tourist destination. People live here, work here, and build their lives here.
Junction at Vinje – Where the Road Splits
From Myrkdalen the road continues down toward Vinje. The landscape gradually becomes greener, farms appear more frequently, and the valley opens up. National Road 13 ends at the junction in Vinje.
From here you can drive east toward Gudvangen and the famous Nærøyfjord, one of Norway’s most spectacular fjords. Continue to Flåm to ride the famous Flåm Railway.
Or head south toward Voss, one of the adventure capitals of Western Norway and a key stop on many Western Norway road trips. When joining the E16 highway, you enter one of the main routes between Eastern and Western Norway.
Even though the road is good, the journey continues through beautiful valleys surrounded by mountains.
Tvindefossen – One of Norway’s Most Famous Waterfalls
Just before Voss you reach Tvindefossen, one of the most photographed waterfalls in Norway. You can see it from the road, but it is worth stopping to walk closer.
The waterfall falls like a wide veil over a moss-covered cliff, 152 meters high, right beside the road.
For travelers exploring scenic drives in Norway, this waterfall has become one of the most iconic stops. On warm summer days you can feel the cool spray from the water. In spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, the waterfall becomes even more powerful.
There is also a small campsite here for travelers who want to fall asleep to the sound of rushing water.
Voss – At the End of the Vikafjellet Mountain Road
After Tvindefossen, Voss opens up before you. Lake Vangsvatnet sparkles in the sunlight, while the town spreads out around the lake. Vossevangen Church, built in 1270, stands as a historic landmark in the center.
Voss is larger and more modern than Vik, but it shares the same close connection to the surrounding landscape. Mountains rise on all sides, the lake reflects the sky, and it is easy to understand why people have lived here for more than a thousand years.
This is where your Vikafjellet Mountain Road journey ends. From sea level at the Sognefjord to 1,000 meters in the high mountains and back down again to Voss.
Three landscapes. One road. Countless experiences.
Vikafjellet Mountain Road – Quick Facts
• Road: National Road 13 to Vinje, then E16 to Voss or Gudvangen
• Distance: approx. 50 km from Vik to Voss
• Highest point: approx. 1,000 meters above sea level
• Driving time: 1–1.5 hours without stops, 2.5–3 hours with stops
• Season: Open year-round, but winter conditions can be challenging
• Road standard: Fully paved national road
Driving Vikafjellet with a Motorhome
The Vikafjellet Mountain Road is perfect for motorhome travel.The road is easy to drive, even for larger vehicles, and the scenery changes constantly.
You can stop for lunch on the mountain plateau with views of peaks and open skies, or in the valleys surrounded by green mountainsides.
Take your time crossing the mountains. Not because the road is difficult – but because the views are spectacular the entire way.
Campsites are located in Vik, Myrkdalen, near Tvindefossen, and in Voss. If you find a suitable place along the road on the mountain where parking is allowed, you can even spend the night surrounded by nature.
Read more about road trips in Norway
- Explore more unforgettable experiences in Western Norway
- Explore more scenic roads in Norway
- Learn everything you need to know about free camping in Norway
An Underrated Scenic Drive in Norway
The Vikafjellet Mountain Road is not as famous as Trollstigen or the Geiranger Road. But that is exactly why this route feels so special. Here you experience Norway without crowds, without queues, and without feeling like part of a tourist conveyor belt.
You can stop whenever you want, stay as long as you like, and explore the landscape at your own pace.
From Vik by the fjord to Voss by the lake, this road trip through Western Norway takes you through three landscapes that are each beautiful in their own way.
Sometimes the most memorable places are not the most famous ones. They are the roads in between.
Happy road tripping in Norway
– Anne Bente
FAQ – Vikafjellet Mountain Road
When is the best time to drive Vikafjellet Mountain Road?
May–October. The road is open year-round, but winter driving requires proper winter tires and experience.
Which routes combine well with Vikafjellet?
You can easily combine the drive with visits to Sogndal, Gudvangen, Flåm, Aurland, and Aurlandsfjellet. The route can also easily be extended toward Hardanger or Bergen. Many travelers include theese routes in a longer Western Norway road trip.
Are there motorhome spots and campsites along Vikafjellet?
Free camping is possible on the mountain as long as you follow Norwegian outdoor rules. There are campsites in Vik, Myrkdalen, near Tvindefossen, and in Voss.
Are there hotels along the Vikafjellet route?
There are no hotels directly on the mountain pass, but several accommodation options in Vik, Myrkdalen Mountain Village, and Voss. It is recommended to book in advance during high season
