Råken

The map we picked up from the visitor center at the train station gave the length of the Brekkefossen Hike as 1½ to 2 hours.

Following the directions on the map, we headed out of town about 1 mile to get to the trailhead. This section was flat and followed a road through farmlands.

Then, we walked through a gate and started going up, and up, and up. The trail, which consisted of stone steps in places and a dirt path in other places, was steep. And because there was a light drizzle most of the way up, it was muddy and slippery, too.

Was the hike worth the effort. You betcha. Especially since the rain let up shortly after we arrived at the plateau overlooking The Valley, with Aurlandsfjorden in the distance.Read more