Norway. Utladalen Valley

  This part of the hike offered a perfect contrast to the previous day’s snowy challenge. The descent into Utladalen Valley was both refreshing and visually stunning, with dramatic cliffs, roaring waterfalls, and soft mossy terrain underfoot. The trail was easier to navigate compared to the snow passes, making it a welcome recovery day without losing any sense of adventure...

  Map of the hikes...

  This hiking part took us through one of the most breathtaking parts of our 80 km adventure - Utladalen Valley, Norway’s deepest valley and a true natural wonder. We started the day not far from Skogadalsbøen, descending from the highlands where we had camped the night before. From there, we followed the winding trails that led us into the heart of Utladalen, gradually leaving behind the quiet solitude of the upper snow-covered passes.

  As we made our way down, the scenery changed dramatically. Lush greenery began to replace the stark whites of the snowfields. Towering cliffs rose on either side of us, and we began hearing the distant roar of water - Utladalen is known for its impressive waterfalls, and this day did not disappoint.

  As we approached Vettisfossen, we passed through Vettismorki, a peaceful alpine meadow dotted with traditional wooden houses, many of them topped with charming grass roofs. These turf-covered roofs blended beautifully into the landscape, adding a rustic, almost fairytale feel to the setting—like stepping into a slice of old Norway.

  We first reached Vettisfossen, the crown jewel of the valley. With its 275-meter vertical drop, it's the tallest free-falling waterfall in Northern Europe - and it’s a sight that truly stops you in your tracks...

  View from the another side of the waterfall...

 From there, the trail gently descended further into the valley, winding through dense forests and across wooden bridges over rushing streams...

  Not long after, we passed Høljafossen, a thunderous fall crashing over black rocks just off the trail...

  A bit further down the valley, we reached Avdalsfossen, falling dramatically for about 180 meters from a hanging valley above...

  Finally, near the end of the trail, we encountered Hjellefossen, a powerful and broad waterfall with a drop of around 300 meters in total across multiple tiers. While not as vertical as Vettisfossen, its layered descent was dramatic in its own way - a spectacular finale to this waterfall-filled section of the hike...

  After soaking in the beauty of the valley, we continued our descent and eventually finished this part of the trail near the town of Øvre Årdal by staying at Dagsturhytta Moakamben. The cabin is perched on a stunning rock outcrop known as Moakamben, which rises about 245 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views over the Ytre Moa area. The rock itself is rugged and exposed, shaped by millennia of weather and glacial carving. Seen from the ground, it looks even more stunning...

  Dagsturhytta Moakamben - a small, modern cabin with panoramic windows that make the most of the dramatic setting. Standing there, you feel both grounded by the ancient rock and uplifted by the open skies above. Dagsturhytta Moakamben, one of Norway’s signature "day trip cabins." These beautifully designed, modern huts are placed in scenic locations throughout the country, encouraging people to explore and enjoy nature...

  The panoramic views are truly spectacular - overlooking the town and the surrounding fjord landscape. It’s a cozy shelter, made for hikers to rest, reflect, and soak in the scenery - exactly what we needed after a long and unforgettable day in Utladalen...

  Impressive view to the fjord from the window... 

 The next day, we planned to start another hike - but this time in a completely different fjord region. Our goal was to reach Gudvangen area by bus and begin our ascent to Bakanosi Mountain...