Six trips you can take straight from Filefjellstuene – without a car

The King's Road over Filefjell is one of only five true kings' roads in Norway – built in the 1790s as the first road between Eastern and Western Norway, and today an award-winning hiking destination of European stature. You can walk straight out the door at Filefjellstuene and set off, but with the Fjord and Mountain Route you also have easy access to some of the finest stretches along the road: Take the bus to Seltun and walk the dramatic Galdane stretch, hop off at Borgund Stave Church and walk Vindhella, or explore the mountain pass between Kyrkjestølen and Maristuen. The road runs through a landscape that has barely changed since workers built it by hand – without dynamite – over 200 years ago.

The Thousand Meter Road, or Tunnel Road as it is also called, is a fantastic combination of cultural history and nature experiences on two wheels. With the Fjord and Mountain Route you take the bus to Sletterust, and from there you set off on the gravel road along the mountainside with panoramic views of Tyinvannet and the peaks of Jotunheimen. The route takes you to the viewpoint at 1000 m. above sea level, and from there 26 hairpin bends await you down towards Øvre Årdal – a descent you will not soon forget. From Øvre Årdal the bus takes you back to Filefjellstuene from Øvre Årdal ski station.

Remember to book a space for your bike when you buy your ticket – the number of bike spaces is limited. If you don't have your own bike, you can rent an electric bike or touring bike at Filefjellstuene.

With the Fjord and Mountain Route it is easy to take the trip down to Aurland and Flåm by the Sognefjord. Here you can walk down the legendary Aurlandsstien with views of the fjord, take the Flåmsbana up through the mountains, or simply sit by the fjord and enjoy the view. A day here gives you everything from dramatic nature to fjord culture and good food.

Hop on the bus down to Lærdal and start the day with a visit to the bakery Fredag ​​og Fretland in Lærdalsøyri. Here you will get lunch and good coffee – served in one of Norway's most beautiful wooden houses.

Take your time to walk through the charming streets afterwards, and feel free to stop by the Norwegian Wild Animal Center before taking the bus back.

Borgund Stave Church was built around 1180 and is the most distinctive of the Norwegian stave churches. With the Fjord and Mountain Route it is easy to get there – hop off the bus at Borgund and spend plenty of time exploring this unique medieval monument. By the church there is a visitor center with an exhibition about the impact of stave churches on medieval religious life, as well as the exhibition "Unique Viking Age Finds" with finds from the early Viking Age. Here you will also find a café and souvenir shop.

If you fancy a slightly longer day trip with a fjord and mountain feel, Utladalen could be a great alternative.

With the Fjord and Mountain Route you can travel from Filefjellstuene to Øvre Årdal, and from there continue towards Hjelle and the start of the hike into Utladalen. Here you will find one of the most spectacular valleys in the area – with steep mountain sides, lush nature, the Utla River and several beautiful waterfalls along the way.

Many people walk to Vetti Gard (approx. 5 km one way), while those who want a longer hike can continue on towards Vettisfossen.