Aurland (Aurlandsfjord)
Aurlandsfjord · Aurland village anchorage · Undredal approaches
60°54.0'N 007°11.1'E
Depth
5–20m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m in 5–18m on excellent mud and silt. The Aurlandselva silt fan creates outstanding holding in the inner bay. Shore line to the village quay or rock face strongly recommended for overnight. S exposure along the fjord axis but inner fjord location means minimal swell even in S wind.
About This Anchorage
Aurland village, 5nm north of Flåm on the Aurlandsfjord, offers everything Flåm does in terms of scenery but with a fraction of the tourist traffic. The old village has a remarkable 12th-century stone church, traditional wooden houses, the Aurland shoe factory (renowned for moccasins made here for over 100 years), and a genuine small-town Norwegian atmosphere. The Aurland Snowroad (Aurlandsvegen) viewpoint is one of Norway's most photographed — a viewpoint 1,300m above the fjord looking down the full length of Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. The cycling path from Flåm to Aurland (5km, flat) connects the two villages easily.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · W
Exposed To
S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchoring); Small fee for guest quay
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. Keep clear of the Aurland quay approach for the local express boat service. UNESCO World Heritage Site area — no discharge. Maintain 150m from inhabited dwellings.
Hazards
- !Express boat wash: the Sognefjord express boat (hurtigbåt) stops at Aurland — its wake is moderate but the timing (several times daily) should be noted
- !Katabatic night winds from Aurlandsfjellet plateau above — 10–20 knots overnight is typical; shore line essential
- !Undredal (6nm NW) goat cheese: the world's smallest stave church and Norway's finest goat cheese are at Undredal — worth the dinghy or boat detour
- !Fishing lines cast from the village quay during morning and evening hours — keep a watch when manoeuvring close to the quay
Skipper's Tips
- →Aurland is the perfect alternative base to Flåm — 5nm apart but completely different atmosphere; use Aurland for overnight and Flåm for the railway and provisioning
- →Visit the Aurlandsvegen Snow Road viewpoint by taxi or bus — the platform 1,300m above the fjord gives the most famous view in Sognefjord
- →Undredal village (6nm NW by boat): Norway's smallest stave church (12th century, seats 40) and the world-famous Undredal Brunost (goat cheese) — essential visit
- →Cycling path: the 5km flat riverside cycle from Aurland to Flåm runs through apple orchards — rent bikes in the village
Facilities
Aurland village has a café, small shop and a good restaurant at Vangen & Opdøl hotel. Water at the guest quay. Fuel by jerrycan from petrol station. Better provisioning at Flåm (5nm S).
Nearest provisions: Aurland village shop (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. Aurland is noticeably less busy than Flåm and often has space when Flåm is full. The express boat service to Bergen makes Aurland an accessible base for crew changes.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
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