The Navvy Road Hallingskeid—Myrdal
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 km | 4 hours | Gravel road | Medium | Hikes |
The Navvy Road was built in the end of the 1800s for transporting equipment during the construction of the Bergen Line. Today you can cycle this road from Haugastøl to Flåm, and the part between Hallingskeid and Myrdal through the narrow valley Klevagjelet is stunning.
Klevagjelet. Photo: Alexander Vestrum
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Many tunnels
Follow the signpost to Myrdal. On your way along the Navvy Road, you will pass several tunnels and snow sheds to the right. This section on the Bergen Line can be challenging in the winter time when there is a lot of snow. There are as many as 26 tunnels between the 13-kilometre long distance between Hallingskeid and Myrdal.
Klevagjelet
When you reach the northern end of the Grøndalsvatnet lake, you will find a signpost to Myrdal and Upsete. This is an alternative route, so don't turn left. Keep forward along the Navvy Road and the river. When you have passed the next lake, you must enter a short tunnel which passes under the Bergen Line. You have now reached the spectacular Klevagjelet and Klevabrua, a 35-metre stone bridge known from Jan Guillou's novel The Bridge Builders. This was one of the most challenging constructions on the Bergen Line.
Seltuft
Be careful when you continue down the steep road. This is a breathtaking part with a waterfall coming out of a hole in the mountain. After a kilometre you cross the green river Moldåna over a wooden bridge and continue along a tiny and steep part of the Navvy Road. After 500 metres you will get a spectacular view of Lake Seltuft. You will soon reach a crossroads. The path to the right will take you down the Aurlandsdalen Valley. This is a stunning hike, but it's 18 kilometres long.
Vatnahalsen Hotel
After you have passed several mountain cabins along Seltuft, the Navvy Road continues downhill through deep rock cuts until it reaches the Reinungavatnet lake. Follow the road along the water and you will cross the railway track after a couple of kilometres. The road continues along the Flåm Railway and passes Vatnahalsen Hotel. Here you can take a break before you continue on the steep part up to Myrdal Station.
Flåm Valley
The last kilometres to Myrdal are specially stunning. Here you will have a spectacular view of the waterfalls Kjosfossen and Kårdalsfossen. On the right side of the road you will see the steep Flåm Railway running down the Flåm Valley. This is the steepest railway line in Norway with passenger traffic. You will reach a crossroads after a kilometre. Keep right if you want to extend the trip to Flåm down the steep hairpin turns. This trip is 20 kilometres long and another route of the Navvy Road.
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How do I get there?
The Bergen Line from Oslo Central Station or Bergen.