EL-TOUR NORANGSDALEN

Welcome! Fasten your seat belts and get ready for an experience you'll never forget. This tour takes you to Norangsdalen, through a spectacular World Heritage site that will dazzle you with wild, untouched, and beautiful nature. I will guide you along the way, sharing some great stories about what you see and what you don't see. Just pull the cord, and we'll be in touch shortly.

We are now driving through Hellesylt center on County Road 60, which we will follow all the way to Norangsdalen. Continue straight ahead and turn right at the first intersection.

We now drive into the 377-meter-long tunnel, Hellesyltporten, as serves as a gateway to breathtaking fjords and natural wonders. Hellesylt itself is known for its picturesque scenery, with quaint houses and lush landscapes. One of the main attractions we will pass on the other side of the tunell, is Hellesyltfossen, a powerful waterfall that cascades through the village, creating a stunning and dramatic view.

We are now approaching the next exit. You can turn on the left indicator and follow County Road 60 towards Stryn.

Have you ever wondered about the forests in Norway? Norway is home to approximately 11 billion trees. The most common tree species include Norway spruce, Scots pine, and birch. These trees dominate the vast Norwegian landscapes, contributing significantly to the country's biodiversity. Additionally, Norway is renowned for its Christmas tree tradition, with the Norway spruce being the most popular choice for decorating homes during the festive season.

Now we are approaching the next exit to Ørsta and Øye, where you should turn right onto County Road 655, which will take you through Norangsdalen.

Norangsdalen is a stunning valley renowned for its dramatic landscapes, featuring towering mountains, lush greenery, and crystal-clear waters. It's a paradise for nature enthusiasts and hikers, offering numerous trails with breathtaking views. The valley is also rich in history, with ancient farms and charming old houses, making it a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Now you can turn the electric car around at the first parking lot and return to Hellesylt. Follow the same route back.

We are now passing Villa Norangdal, an elegant wooden villa that blends history, art and luxury amidst the wild nature of western Norway. Built in 1885 as a guesthouse, it accommodated mountain hikers and tourists seeking adventure in the Sunnmøre Alps. Among its guests were British mountaineering pioneer William Cecil Slingsby and even Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. During tourism's golden age in the 1920s-30s, thousands of cruise passengers stopped here for refreshments. The hotel closed in 1965 due to new fire safety and bathroom regulations, but was completely renovated and reopened as a boutique hotel between 2003-2007, with a focus on design history. Each room is unique, inspired by eras like Art Nouveau and Functionalism, and filled with original furniture and artwork. Today, Villa Norangdal holds the "Olavsrosa" quality certification and is environmentally certified as a "Miljøfyrtårn" (Eco-Lighthouse). Staying here is like traveling through time – without sacrificing modern comfort.

The English upper class fell in love with the area from the mid-1800s onwards. Large yachts and luxury ships brought tourists to Øye, where they traveled by horse and carriage through Norangsdalen to Hellesylt, where the boats awaited them. Amid this influx of Europe's elite, dairymaids worked. They went up to the mountain dairy farms in the evening to milk and stayed overnight for morning chores. The next morning, they tended the animals, took the milk down to Øye, and worked on the farms during the day before returning to the mountain dairy farms in the evening.

You're not the only one captivated by these beautiful surroundings. Our own royal family, led by Queen Sonja, has a special connection to Norangsdalen. She has visited the valley multiple times and refers to Mount Slogen as a personal favorite. The Queen is known for her passion for mountains and outdoor life, and has often acted as the family's guide during hikes in the area. Both in 2024 and 2025, private visits were reported, with the royal family enjoying the tranquility and grandeur of the spectacular landscape.

Lyngstølvannet, located here in Norangsdalen, is a captivating lake formed by a rockslide in 1908. The submerged remains of a farm can still be seen underwater, creating an eerie yet beautiful sight. This unique underwater forest, along with the stunning surrounding scenery, makes Lyngstølvannet a popular destination for visitors and photographers.

Norangsdalen has long been used for summer pasturing and mountain dairy farming. We will soon pass Stavbergsetra, where the houses, or "sela" as they are called here in Norway, are placed against large rocks in a scree, to shelter them as much as possible from avalanches and wind. The mountain dairies were built in the mid-1800s when dairy farming was at its most intensive in the country. From the 1920s, dairy farming in Norangsdalen declined, and by the 1950s, it had almost completely ceased. Today, cattle and sheep graze in the valley.