Hike description

The hike into Sunndalen starts with a steep climb until you reach Kleiva. In the middle of this first climb, you will see a memorial stone to the two largest landslides that occurred in 1718 and 1868. Many people were lost in these two events.

As you continue uphill, you will come to the first nature and cultural trail post – Kleiva when you pass a bend in the road with a high rock cliff on one side and large seating stones on the side of the road. Here you have a good view both down and up Hjelledalen. These nature/cultural trail posts are marked with wooden signs along the road and are set up at well-known places along the road, often linked to natural conditions and history. When you get a little further uphill, you will come to Hogane, or Furuhogane – the name probably comes from the fact that this is where you see the first pine forest in the valley. The road now goes through slightly hilly terrain, and you pass name signs such as - Heimste Hogane - Kolura - Fremste Hogane - Folvagotene - Kagehølen - Gutalsgotene - Knut-Erike-kvilet - Trongurledet

Then you come to Alfloten, a place that was cleared and houses were built on by the users of Sundal farm. And was used as an overnight place for their families when there was a danger of avalanches in Sundal.

Further inland you come to Haraldsfallet, first to a steep hill where the road has found its footing between the river and a high rock cliff. In early spring there can be a risk of landslides here, if there is still some snow in the high mountains. When you reach the last bend here, you will find a large gravel/sand layer that has been taken out of the river. This is used as aggregate to repair the road after flooding situations – which have happened many times throughout history. A little further into the valley you come to the parking lot with information signs about Jostedalsbreen National Park. More information about the nature and culture trail posts can be found in separate articles.

Responsible for text and images
Tor Guddal