Fagernes

Fagernes can be explored through its routes, culture and Norwegian food traditions. For planning your trip, Valdresekspressen, the Valdresbanevegen walking and cycling path, and the offerings at Valdres Folkemuseum provide different points of reference. There is also the Norsk Rakfiskfestival and events at Fagernes kulturhus. Which of these matters to you depends on whether you would rather combine your stay with a bike ride, a museum visit or a cultural event.

Getting here and planning your route

Valdresekspressen connects Oslo Airport with Fagernes and runs up to eight times a day. Connections are available to Beitostølen, to Gjendesheim in summer, and via Tyinkrysset to Årdal. This connection may be useful when planning your journey; the destinations listed are relevant for onward travel.

Valdresbanevegen follows a former railway line as a combined walking and cycling path between Fagernes and Bjørgo. The round trip is about 34 kilometres and is easy to moderately difficult; it is considered suitable for children. Factor in the total distance when planning, especially if you are travelling with children.

A specific starting point is the Shell petrol station in Fagernes. From there, the walking and cycling path follows Strandefjorden to Leira. There is free parking at the Shell petrol station. This lets you decide in advance whether to set off on foot or by bike, and whether you want to drive to the starting point mentioned. The path to the Kviteberg viewpoint is well signposted from the town centre.

Walking routes and outdoor activities

Fagernesparken has a walking and hiking trail, as well as climbing and play equipment and a skate park. This offers various ways to spend time outdoors: you can use the path for a walk or include the facilities in your plans for exercise and play. During the Norsk Rakfiskfestival, concerts are also held in a large tent in Fagernesparken in the evenings.

Valdres Folkemuseum on Storøya near Fagernes includes more than 100 historic buildings and other structures. A 1.7-kilometre nature trail runs along the shore and provides information about wildlife, plants, history and traditions. Its length gives you a specific point of reference for planning your day; nature and cultural themes go hand in hand along the way. If you are interested in regional history, you can make the trail a focus of your museum visit.

Valdres Folkemuseum, food and culture

The other offerings at Valdres Folkemuseum also give your visit different points of interest. Fjordkafeen serves homemade dishes made with regional ingredients. At the museum shop, you will find products related to Norwegian cultural history and Valdres, including knitwear, recipe booklets, and silver and wooden products. You can complement a museum visit with regional food or a look at handicrafts and products related to cultural history.

The Norsk Rakfiskfestival takes place every year on the first weekend of November in Fagernes. It promotes Norwegian food culture, especially rakfisk from Valdres. At the festival, you can sample and buy rakfisk from participating producers. If you are interested in regional cuisine, this annual event is a specific reason to plan your trip for that weekend.

For other cultural events, Fagernes kulturhus offers film, theatre, concerts and other cultural experiences. It is a regular venue for Riksteatret and Teater Innlandet and hosts around eight theatre performances a year. This is an approximate annual total, not a specific event calendar; for planning purposes, it is mainly an indication of the theatre offering in town.

If you would like to compare other places, you can also view the pages about Ulnes and Aurdal.

For the broader travel overview: Nord-Aurdal.