Skageflå – from the Geirangerfjord to the old mountain farm and Homlongsætra

This special trip does not start with hiking, but on the water. From Geiranger, we take the sightseeing boat across the Geirangerfjord, which we have reserved in advance. From the water, we get a beautiful view of the steep mountain walls and various abandoned fjord farms that are perched high on the slopes. Of course, we also sail past the famous Seven Sisters, a collection of waterfalls that plunge directly into the fjord from the steep cliff. The highest free fall is about 250 meters. On the other side lies the waterfall The Suitor, which, according to local legend, is said to try in vain to woo the seven sisters.

On the return to Geiranger, we are dropped off at Skagehola and the hiking section begins. From the small landing point, the path climbs steeply against the mountain wall almost immediately. In about 45 minutes, we ascend about 250 meters in elevation. On the steepest and most exposed sections, steps are built into the rocks, and fences provide some extra support. As we climb higher, the fjord disappears further below us and stunning views open up of the Seven Sisters and the opposite mountain farm Knivsflå.

After the hefty climb, we reach Skageflå, perhaps the most famous of the old fjord farms around Geiranger. The location is spectacular: the farm is situated on a narrow green ledge high above the fjord. Life as a farmer here must have been anything but simple, but the fertile slopes allowed for habitation in places that are hardly imaginable today. Skageflå is now abandoned, but the buildings are maintained and still remind us of the isolated existence of the families who lived here. Furthermore, the place gained royal fame when King Harald and Queen Sonja celebrated their silver wedding anniversary here in 1993. In 2006, Queen Sonja unveiled a plaque here to commemorate the UNESCO World Heritage status of the fjord landscape.

At Skageflå, we could turn back, descend to Skagehola, and board the boat again, but we choose the much more beautiful longer option and hike further to Geiranger. From the farm, another steep climb begins through steep and sometimes airy terrain. Via the Bjønnastien, we ascend further to Homlongsætra, at about 544 meters above the Geirangerfjord. Along the way, the views only get better: far below lies the blue water of the fjord, and on the opposite side, we see the waterfalls and old farms nestled against the massive mountain walls. From Homlongsætra, the long descent towards Homlong begins, after which we walk the last part back along the fjord to Geiranger. Be careful in wet weather, as you can easily slip in many places.

The combination of the boat trip, the steep climb to Skageflå, and the high route back to Geiranger makes this for us much more than just a walk. You experience the Geirangerfjord from the water, from a historic mountain farm, and from over 500 meters high. With about 7 kilometers, the distance is not huge, but due to the significant elevation changes and steep passages, it is a demanding hike. We took about four hours for the hiking part, including necessary stops to enjoy the views.

Practical information

Start: harbor of Geiranger, first by boat to Skagehola. We park the car at the Joker supermarket. The parking costs were around €35,-

Endpoint: Geiranger

Walking distance: approximately 7 km

Walking time: we took about 4 hours

Altitude: from sea level to Skageflå at about 250 meters and then to Homlongsætra at 544 meters

Difficulty level: challenging; steep and partly airy passages. In wet weather, it is a difficult route, and you have to be very careful,

Highlights: boat trip over the Geirangerfjord, Seven Sisters, Skageflå, and the views from the higher path towards Homlongsætra

Tip: sturdy hiking shoes and enough food and drink are important. Oh yes, we also needed plasters.