Aurlandsfjellet
Sometimes it’s all about having the opportunity to experience something exactly as it is, neither more nor less. For many the feeling of being in a place where there are few traces of mankind is what makes the greatest impact at Aurlandsfjellet. It’s like being a guest somewhere you are not expected. The real quality lies in the little things, like touching the snow or dipping your toes into an icy mountain tarn. The desolate landscape itself offers something unique, and the road takes you from fjords to mountains, from lush valleys to the stony wasteland of the high mountain region. You will encounter many striking contrasts over a short distance. The road was opened in 1967 and its forerunner was a construction access road. The road runs from Lærdalsøyri to Aurlandsvangen over the mountains and the highest point is 1,306 metres above sea level. The road is closed in the winter and snow lies on the mountain throughout large parts of the summer, so the name “the snow road” is truly befitting. Aurlandsfjellet can be a demanding cycle ride with a long climb up the mountain whether you start from Lærdal or from Aurland. From the Lærdal side there is a steady climb up the steep and lush hills of the Erdalen valley. The highland landscape has scanty vegetation and cycling this route is obviously best when the weather is okay. Stegastein is a natural place to stop on your way down from the mountain before continuing downhill to Aurlandsvangen.
Region: Sogn og Fjordane
City: Lærdal kommune
Distance: 31.26 km
Elevation Gain: 1496 m
Elevation Loss: 262 m
Difficulty: 1286 (Very Hard)
FIETS Index: 5.7 FIETS
Avg Grade: 4.35 %
Max cat climb: HC
Min elevation: 5 m
Max elevation: 1315 m
Ride Category: Epic Climb