About

Hiking on old trails shaped by shepherds through idyllic mountain farming landscapes and over open mountain areas along the Historical Hiking Route Stølsruta. Stay overnight in cosy cabins and mountain lodges and enjoy the traditional farm produce. The historical hiking route Stølsruta, leads from Nord-Aurdal via Vestre Slidre to Vang at an altitude of 800-1000 m.a.s.l. 

It is a route for the independent hiker with simple and limited accommodation. You should bring a mattress and sleeping bag, as in one case you only have an open rest shelter to sleep in. Also, more or less all supplies must be brought, as you do not pass by any food stores on the entire route. Nøsen Yoga Retreat is the only place with served meals along the route. You can stock up at Joker Fjellbu in Tisleidalen at the start of the hike.

Tour description:

Total length: 67.1 km
Duration: Approx. 5 days
Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Day 1
The hike starts in Tisleidalen along road 51. If you arrive the evening before, you can stay at Merket or Bjørkestølen Helårscamping. From Tisleidalen the route leads along the gravel road to Hermannstølen and continues on a marked path to Tyrishølt. At Tyrishølt you can stay in a small, simple farm house with 8 beds. Remember to bring the DNT cabin key.  

(For information on the Norwegian Trekking Association DNT and the key system, please visit https://www.dnt.no/om-dnt/english/)

Day 2 
From Tyrishølt the hike continues via Revulen to Flyin and further to Nøsen Yoga og Fjellhotell. Here you can catch a bite and spend the night. Perhaps trying some yoga? 

Day 3
Today you hike from Nøsen north-west towards Jaslangen. This section has the greatest elevation gain. Start by following the trail towards Noseknippa and Svenskeknippa. Before you reach the summit, turn onto the path towards Jaslangen and continue through Flikja. Here you find a simple cabin (Mjølke-Lars bua) to stay overnight. Accommodation at Flikja has to be prebooked here. If you are in the area during the Hilme Festival, you should make time to enjoy the traditional Norwegian folk music in these beautiful surroundings.

Day 4
This leg takes you from Flikja past Kvithaugen. Now you are at the small but very beautiful summer farm area called Strø, with a stunning view over Lake Helin.  Follow the trail and later gravel road along Midtre Syndin. Accommodation is at Syndinstøga.

Day 5
On the last leg you start along the lakeshore of Nordre Syndin towards Hugastølen in Vang. From there, in clear weather a side trip to the summit of Hugakollen is highly recommended. Back down at Hugastølen, you follow the cattle driving trail down into the valley to the farm Gamle Kvam and continue on the King's Road through Kvamskleiva to the E16. 

On Stølsruta, free grazing livestock can be encountered almost anywhere along the route from late June to mid August; sheep, goats and cattle. If you encounter a free grazing herd of cattle we recommend following the “cattle code”, given by the organizations Norsk Friluftsliv, Norges Bondelag and Tine, a.o. We sum it up here:
•    Keep a distance to the animals and go around the herd. 
•    Don't go inbetween the animals. Cattle are inquisitive and can be obtrusive. They can create unwanted situations. 
•    Don't approach calves. Mother cows are very protective and can charge. 
•    Dogs should not be taken near cattle. If you hike with a dog, keep it on a leash at all times until 20. August (general period when dogs must be leashed). Please note that some municipalities can have a prolonged leash period until October. Keep yourself informed.
•    Cattle are inquisitive. If they become obtrusive, retreat calmly. Wait until the herd has moved on before you return to your bike and continue your cycling tour. 
•    If you pass through gates, remember to close them behind you in order to avoid giving the animals access to areas where they are not supposed to be.
 

Enjoy your hike!

Watch a video from Stølsruta here.
Click here to view a map of Stølsruta.
Read more about the historical hiking routes in Norway here.