Discovering Gudvangen: The Hamlet of Gods

I must admit that my Italian, French, and Finnish adventures may have been great, but there was something about Gudvangen that truly won my heart! This quaint little hamlet in Norway has a name that literally translates to “Where the Gods Live” – how cool is that!? Famed for being the departure point for world-famous Norway on a Nutshell cruise, Gudvangen is the gateway to the world’s longest, narrowest, and most scenic fjords – perfect for an adventure that’s truly out of this world!

On an invigorating August morning, I boarded the 8.20 a.m. bus from Bergen to explore the storied land of the Norse Gods. With a EUR 32 ticket in my pocket, I eagerly took my seat by the window and spent the next three hours wide-eyed with wonder at the majestic landscape that unfolded before me. The 100-kilometre journey started with the bus gallivanting along the North Sea’s swaying shores, passing through Arna, Trengereid, Vaksdal, and Stanghelle.

Nature’s tranquillity had me completely enraptured the entire time, with an incredible sun on the Linden and pine trees and the bubbly streams in the backdrop. Our tour continued to Vossevngen, Oppheim, and Stalheim, traversing through remote locales and the true Norwegian countryside, sprinkled with quaint little dwellings, piles of haystacks, and scarce livestock or people. Even though it is surrounded by lush forests, Vest land’s Aurland Municipality can proudly claim to be Norway’s 60th most populous jurisdiction! At 11:15 a.m., my thrilling bus excursion came to a stunning conclusion as we drove through the Viking Valley on the E16 Gudvangatunnelen highway route. 

As I made my way off Fv241, I was filled with double the excitement! And just a stone’s throw away lies the Fergereise på Nærøyfjorden – my anticipation for what’s in store is through the roof! The Flam ticket counter is a sight to behold! When you’re ready to set sail, make sure to grab your physical tickets from the desk first – it’s worth it, trust us! What with the unparalleled views and all, it may be hard to tear yourself away, as the scenery is so beautiful and unique that you could lose hours just staring at it.

The Norwegian flags fluttered in the breeze at the ticket and info booth, as if beckoning me over. As I walked closer, I noticed an ancient Tiki figure standing guard behind the bar, like a Viking warrior frozen in time. With just a few steps, I found myself standing at the confluence of Nærøydalselvi and the majestic Nærøyfjord. It would be an understatement to call this place “little”; it was grand in its own way. I was abuzz with excitement as I boarded the cruise at 1 p.m., bound for the picturesque village of Gudvangen.

With its rainbow of colourful residences, informative visitor centre, bustling shipping port, cosy restaurant/motel, and souvenir store, I knew I’d find plenty to explore. But my real anticipation was for Njardarheimr – a recreation of a historic Viking settlement with a stunning fjord view. After all, it was a place where I could feel like I was ‘Where Gods Live’! So, with a jubilant spirit, I stepped into the settlement and began to soak up its extraordinary charm.

As I strolled through the village, I was awestruck to see the people adorned in their traditional, iconic attire. My trusty old Viking guide, with his long, flowing beard, showed me the fascinating vessels and weapons that all men of the Viking era had to carry into battle. According to him, the poorer warriors would arm themselves with bows, arrows, poleaxes, spears, and a shield, while the more affluent ones would be able to afford a sword.

The noncombatants, those who were unwillingly drawn into the conflict, were simple, unsuspecting farmers and fishers going about their daily routines. After being inspired by the reproduction of the Chief’s grass-roofed abode, his regal-looking chair, and tales of Norse Gods, I decided to take up some old-school handicrafts with unique knotting techniques. The display I put together includes a female blacksmith wielding her hammer and an antique woodturning machine with a striking rope gear setup, powered by a wooden foot lever.

I had the pleasure of travelling to an ancient sacrificial site, where our forefathers once summoned the gods to provide them with a bountiful yield, protection and influence. The site is adorned with carvings of the Norse gods Odin, Njord, Freya, Thor, and Frey, the God of Fertility, who is known for his… well-endowed figure. Gudvangen has a lot to offer, from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nærøyfjord to a remarkably accurate replica of a Viking settlement. Who said history was dull?

I took a leisurely stroll around the hamlet, eventually arriving at Gudvangen Fjordtell for lunch. The menu was limited, but the incredible valley and fjord views more than made up for it. The restaurant was mostly glass, so patrons could observe the changing seasons as they dined. On this particular day, I sat like a native on a goat-hide-topped seat, eagerly devouring my Viking reindeer burger and long, crispy fries. All that was missing were a few bearded guys, home-brewed mead, and an epic battle tale to blow a gut over.

The greatest time to visit this 120-person community is during July when the annual Viking Fest takes place! You’ll be able to embark on an epic journey to the past by browsing original Viking crafts and witnessing the sword battles, theatricals, archery confrontations, and wrestling matches. But don’t forget to tantalise your taste buds with the mouthwatering Viking feast before you leave! I even managed to pick up an amulet of protection from the fabled trolls of the woodlands in the gift store as a souvenir. As I was preparing to depart, I was already looking forward to my next fjord cruise to Flåm!

Sailing through Bakka town, Kjelfossen waterfall, and other majestic ancient vistas, I was entranced for the entire three-hour voyage. As the colossal ice-age mountains loomed above me, I was awestruck by the grandeur that I felt was humbling me, calling to my lonesome soul. Gudvangen, the Gods Field, was a magical sight that I could no longer see. From marvelling at the glaciated mountains’ splendour to wandering through fragrant orchards or exploring the intricately carved wooden buildings, this Viking town of Norway never fails to astonish.

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