Stålheim: Cultural Heritage, Landscape and Nåli

Stålheim combines a historic mountain road with folk culture and a marked hiking trail. For planning your stay, several different experiences are relevant: Stalheimskleiva and its views, the Stalheim Folkemuseum, and the trail to Nåli. Bus connections to the Stalheim junction also provide a practical point of reference for your journey.

Stalheimskleiva and the landscape

Stalheimskleiva is the old road that climbs from inner Nærøydalen to the farms of Brekke and Stalheim. It was built between 1842 and 1846. Its spectacular section is 1.5 kilometres long, offering views of Stalheimsfossen, Sivlefossen and Nærøydalen. If you are interested in historic roads and landscapes, you will find both here in a tangible setting.

On 21 December 2009, Stalheimskleiva was protected as a heritage site as part of Norway’s protection plan for roads, bridges and road-related cultural heritage. It is located in the Nærøyfjord landscape protection area. This is part of the West Norwegian Fjords, which were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005. This designation also gives the road cultural and historical significance beyond its function as a link to the farms.

Folk culture at the Stalheim Folkemuseum

The Stalheim Folkemuseum is located in the Stalheim Hotel and is one of Norway’s largest private folk museums. The site includes 25 buildings, among them a guesthouse from the late 1750s, a villa from 1726, a schoolhouse and an exhibition hall. Stalheim’s first post station, dating from around 1750, is also part of the site. The different types of buildings and their dates provide several specific historical points of reference for your visit.

The exhibition hall spans two floors, each measuring 300 square metres. Its themes cover aspects of rural life, including hunting and fishing, baking and clothing. This provides a distinct focus alongside the architecture of the museum grounds. There is one important practical restriction to bear in mind: the buildings can only be entered as part of a guided tour. The museum usually has the same opening hours as the Stalheim Hotel, generally from early May to late September.

Nåli: a hike with views

Nåli is considered the classic hike from Stalheim. Along the way, you can enjoy views of Stalheimsfossen and Stalheimskleiva. Allow a little over two hours for the round trip; it is considered easy and has an elevation gain of about 250 metres.

The trail is well marked. Information boards about the hike and the surrounding area are available in Stalheim and Nåli. Nåli lies halfway between Stalheim and Jordalen. The former settlement site has been converted into a small rest area with several benches and tables. The guided Stalheim–Nåli hike follows old paths between the two places and shares stories about traditional mountain farming and cultural heritage sites.

Postal history and finding your way around

Stalheim was a post station from the outset on the postal route established in 1647. Travellers could get food and drinks there and rest. Around 1750, a coach station opened after traffic increased on the postal road, also known as the “Bergen Royal Road”. The old post station on the museum grounds and this travel history complement each other, without requiring you to follow a particular hiking route.

Kongeveien is another historic trace of travel: it is the old post road from Stalheim to Haugsvik and crosses Giljarhuselva over a stone arch bridge dating from around 1750. The viewpoint Wilhelmshøi was named in connection with a memorial stone commemorating Kaiser Wilhelm II’s visit in the mid-1890s. If you would like to plan your stay around historical themes, the road, museum and local history offer different points of interest.

Getting there by bus

VY and NOR-WAY Bussekspress stop at the Stalheim junction on the E16. The stop is 800 metres from the Stalheim Hotel. This distance can help you plan your arrival. When deciding between the historic sites, the hike to Nåli and a museum visit, it is also worth considering each option’s themes and time requirements separately.

For the broader travel overview: Aurland.