An active autumn couples holiday in Fjord Norway

1. The beautiful Aurlandsdalen valley and a little luxury at 29|2 Aurland

The beautiful Aurlandsdalen valley is one of the old routes between Eastern and Western Norway. The walk through the Aurlandsdalen valley starts at Finse and takes several days, but you can also just walk the last leg from Østerbø to Vassbygdi (approx. 20 km) if you prefer.

And that’s exactly what we recommend, as this leg is well known for its beautiful landscape and the cultural history en route.

First you check in at the family-run farm hotel 29|2 Aurland. The farm has been popular among anglers from Norway and further afield for generations. Modern design meets old craftsmanship in perfect harmony: five of the rooms are in one of Aurland’s oldest houses dating from the 1700s, which has been lovingly restored. However, we recommend booking a junior suite in the ‘goat barn’. The restaurant serves food from its own kitchen garden and local producers.

The following morning, you take a taxi to Østerbø fjellstove. The walk to Vassbygdi takes approx. 6 hours, so it’s a good idea to get an early start. You will experience magnificent mountains, lush vegetation, wild rivers and interesting history, and you don’t have far to walk between the attractions. There is an old cemetery at Østerbø, where people from the highest situated farms were buried. You will also pass Nesbø, an old mountain farm from the 1600s. You should make sure to take a detour to the rock formation ‘Vetlehelvete’ just a few minutes from the path. The old mountain farm Sinjarheim, approx. two hours from Vassbygdi, is another highlight. The farm is well maintained and is a great place to stop for a snack.

Your hosts at the hotel can pick you up by arrangement in Vassbygdi, or you can take a taxi. Remember to check the weather forecast before you set off. Certain places can be hazardous in poor weather by October. If you don’t get the chance to do the walk, there are plenty of other things to do in the area. The staff at the hotel will help you to organise a perfect romantic stay.

2. Head for the skies in Ryfylke – far above the Lysefjord

The Bolder is a unique accommodation concept, situated high above the Lysefjord. The Bolder offers ‘sky lodges’, small luxurious 22m2 cabins, built on stilts to ensure they have a minimal impact on the spectacular landscape, and with fantastic views. The cabins have comfortable bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and dining room with a view that will almost make you forget to eat. This is the perfect place if you are looking to surprise and impress someone.

The Bolder sky lodges invite guests to relax, enjoy the view and each other, and is almost a meditative experience. However, we still recommend that you explore the region. Bolder is not far from the world-famous Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen). Now you have the chance to do the walk without the crowds. If you want to round off the walk in style, you can hire one of the floating saunas on Refsvatnet lake below Preikestolen mountain lodge.

Stavanger is just a short drive away, and from there, you can go on a fjord cruise on the Lysefjord with Rødne. The MS Rygerelektra is a new electric boat that makes almost no sound as it takes you up the fjord. The autumnal colours will make this a particularly lovely experience. The boat visits Fantahålå rock formation and the Hengjanefossen waterfall, and you get to see Pulpit Rock from the fjord.

In Jørpeland, not far from the Bolder sky lodges, you can see the work of art Solspeilet – Norway’s answer to Stonehenge. The art is situated on Jørpelandsholmen, a lovely outdoor recreation area. You could also go and look at the street art in Jørpeland.

3. Norwegian luxury with your partner at Storfjord hotel

Storfjord hotel is situated not far from Ålesund, on a wooded hillside with views of the Storfjord and Sunnmøre Alps. The hotel has cog-jointed timber walls, a fireplace and large rooms, and is perfect for getting away from it all and relaxing. In other words, a great place for a romantic break. Make sure to book the romantic package to find a surprise in your room and get free access to the wellness section, a three-course dinner and breakfast.

In the hotel’s wellness section, you can relax in the outdoor Jacuzzi, have a massage, and warm up in the sauna while enjoying a view of the forest and fauna. In the restaurant you will be served a gourmet meal made of local ingredients, and remember to taste the cheese: Storfjord has a fantastic selection of cheeses from local producers in Fjord Norway (and some from further afield in Norway).

You can easily spend your whole stay inside the hotel, but there are also great nature experiences on the hotel doorstep. The hikes in the Sunnmøre Alps are legendary, and the hotel can book you a guide. You can walk to the mountain Merafta (576 metres above sea level) straight from the hotel. The hotel can also organise many other activities for you, such as boat trips, kayaking, fishing trips or a spectacular helicopter trip. We also recommend a visit to a farm where you can learn about Western Norwegian food traditions and crafts.

Ålesund is not far away, and Devold factory has lots of shops, cafés, art shops and craft companies and the Devold Textile Museum.

4. Lofty experiences and well-being in Loen

Photos from Lovatnet lake abound on Instagram, and with good reason: the area is unbelievably beautiful. Autumn is perhaps an even lovelier time to visit Loen, when the mountains are painted in such beautiful colours.

Hotel Alexandra has a central location in Loen, and is a perfect destination for a couples getaway. The hotel has a swimming pool and a spa, an exercise room, various restaurants and lovely lounges to relax in with a glass of wine. The hotel is situated beside Loen Skylift, the gondola that takes you 1,000 metres up to Mount Hoven, where many, many kilometres of marked walking trails await you.

Via Ferrata Loen is an experience you simply mustn’t miss. The trip starts down beside the fjord and takes you up to the top of Mount Hoven. The longest Via Ferrata bridge in Europe, Gjølminnebrua, makes up part of this trip and you’ll definitely get butterflies in your stomach when you walk across it.

After such an adrenalin-packed experience, you can relax in the pool and spa area at the hotel. A spa treatment works wonders for tired arms and legs after this walk.

Loen Active has bikes for hire, and we recommend cycling to Lovatnet lake. Loen Active also offers guided mountain hikes, if you have not seen enough magnificent mountains and fantastic views.

5. Active holiday for two in Voss

Are you ready for an active holiday for two? Head for Voss! Lots of experiences and great food await you, and the conditions are perfect for a romantic getaway.

Store Ringheim hotel is situated just outside the centre of Voss. This boutique hotel with only a few rooms, was previously a farm with a long history. The farm is first mentioned in a court case dating back to the 1300s, and the Ringheim family has owned the farm since 1778. The restaurant at the hotel serves food made using ingredients from local producers, and herbs, mushrooms and berries picked in the forest and surrounding mountains. Your hosts will help you to tailor the perfect, romantic stay.

Oksen (1,241 metres above sea level) towers above Hardanger and may literally be the ‘high point’ of the trip. You will experience a 360-degree view of the Samlafjord, Sørfjord, Eidfjord and Granvinsfjorden, and the mountain chains around Voss and Folgefonna glacier. This is a physically demanding trip, which makes the reward you get at the top all the greater.

It’s nice to follow up this arduous trip with some gentle activities over the next few days. You can hire bikes at the Tourist Office in Voss and cycle to Tvindefossen. This waterfall is situated around 12 km from the centre of Voss, and is said to be a source of eternal youth (bring a bottle!). The centre of Voss is situated beside Vangsvatnet lake. It’s the perfect spot for kayaking on a fine autumn day with the colourful mountains reflected in the lake. If it’s panoramic views of Voss you’re after, take the Voss gondol cable car to the top of Hanguren. The cable car leaves from Voss station, and there’s a restaurant at the top.