If you are looking for the perfect sunrise spot or an off-the-beaten-path hike in Norway with amazing Fjord views, consider summiting Bakkanosi. See the most beautiful view of UNESCO’s Nærøyfjord along the Bakkanosi hike.
Ten things to know about the hike to Bakkanosi
This was my first solo overnight adventure in Norway, accompanied by my dog, Jasper. After my friend’s recommendation, who spent a few months living and working in the nearby Flåm village, I put the hike to Bakkanosi at the top of my list of to-do hikes in the Norwegian Fjords. In this post, I share my tips about the trail to the summit of Bakkanosi based on my own experience.
TIP: If you would like to hike this trail, follow my Stavanger to Bergen road trip plan or the 10-day Bergen to Bergen itinerary developed for hiking enthusiasts.
Bakkanosi day hike: the stats
- Distance roundtrip: 17.5 km / 10.87 mi
- Time required: 6-8 hours
- Total Ascent: 940 m / 3084 ft
- Type of hike: out and back
- When to go: end of June – September
- Parking: 60.884169, 6.722160
- Parking fee: 100 NOK
1. Where is the Bakkanosi hike?
Nærøyfjord translates to Narrow Fjord. When it comes to naming places, Norwegians tend to call them simply by their names.
Extrapolating Nærøyfjord takes its name from its narrowness: It is 18 kilometres long and sometimes only 250 meters wide. In 2005, Næroyfjord and Geirangerfjord were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The nearest settlements are the tiny village of Gudvangen, located on the southern tip of the Fjord, and Bakka, situated on its western shore. A popular tourist destination, Flåm, is also only 30 minutes from the trailhead.
2. The map of the Bakkanosi hike
Above, you can see the path I followed from the car park to the summit of Bakkanosi. I measured the distance, elevation gain, and route with my Garmin Fenix watch.
The Garmin Fenix series is designed specifically for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and some of its versions have built-in maps. This feature was particularly convenient when I struggled to stay on track while hiking to Bakkanosi, as the snow still covered some parts of the trail.
3. How challenging is the hike to Bakkanosi?
For every kilometre of the trail, you gain approximately 100 meters of elevation, making the hike quite gentle and enjoyable.
The elevation gain isn’t steady, though. Some parts are steeper than others. The middle part of the trail leads through a valley, where the incline is minimal (pictured below), whereas other parts of the trail climb steeply along rocky slopes.
Although I carried camping equipment, including my tent and sleeping bag, the hike was reasonable and not too strenuous.
4. The best time of year to hike Bakkanosi
Bakkanosi is a popular ski touring trail even in the winter, but if you are coming in the summer, the hiking window for this trail is between the end of June and mid-October.
As mentioned, when I hiked it on the last day of June, there was still a significant amount of snow in some parts of the trail.
I was thankful I had a map on my watch. On the way to the summit, I followed footprints on the snow left by previous hikers, which turned out to be slightly off the path. On the way back, I followed the exact trail on my GPS map.
5. How to get to the Bakkanosi trailhead
The trailhead is located near the school/community centre in the tiny settlement of Jordalen along the Jordalsvegen road, which branches off the E16 – one of Norway’s main national roads.
The road’s turnoff is right near the VANG campsite. You will also have to drive through a long and dark tunnel.
A parking area is off the side of the road, right opposite the school. The parking fee is 100 NOK/day. You can pay with VIPPS (for Norwegian residents only), the equivalent of American Venmo, or deposit cash into a provided box.
Like many other places in Norway, parking operates on an honesty scheme. Don’t try to cheat the system. 100 NOK isn’t much for the epic trail you will venture on.
TIP: Bring cash to pay for the parking.
6. The highlights of the Bakkanosi hike
Thanks to the fact that I camped near the summit and woke up at 4 AM to photograph the sunrise, I had the summit all to myself.
I couldn’t have asked for better lighting conditions. It was one of the very few bluebird days I experienced in Norway. Around 1 hour into the day, the sun aligned perfectly with the Fjord.
The views from the actual summit aren’t the best. You have to hike around 100 meters further, slightly downhill, to get the perfect view of Næroyfjord.
Take really good care! The other side of the mountain is almost vertical. I have also seen plenty of dangerous cornices at the summit. Do not try to walk on those!
TIP: If you want to see the sun rise directly above the Fjord, try to schedule this hike for the end of July
7. Facilities along the Bakkanosi trail
There are no toilets directly at the trailhead or anywhere along the trail. Remember always to take what you bring with you.
The nearest public toilets are near the gas station in Gudvangen, where you can also find shower facilities.
There are plenty of opportunities to fill up the water as you hike along the stream. Just be aware of grazing animals. I drank water directly from the stream and never got sick, but I have built up quite a tolerance over the last few years.
8. Bakkanosi trail description
The trail divides nicely into three even sections. The first one takes you on a gravel road to a high alpine pasture with some old farmers’ huts. Sheep often graze this area, so if you hike with a dog like me, keep it leashed.
You then enter a wild valley, where the road disappears, and you are left to navigate a narrow path. The trail is quite muddy, especially early in the season, but stick to the path to minimise erosion. This is the easiest part of the trail.
Keep an eye out for the wild reindeer population roaming in this area.
The third and last part climbs steadily to the summit. At times, the trail is rocky and shaky underfoot, so make sure to come well-equipped. You don’t get any views of the Fjord until you get to the summit, but the anticipation will be worth it.
9. What to bring and wear on the Bakkanosi hike
Black Diamond Trekking Poles
I never leave on a trail without a pair of my trusted Black Diamond Carbon Z Poles. At 300 grams a pair, they are hard to compete with.
Shop on Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Hanwag Hiking Boots
My longest-lasting pair of hiking boots (and I went through quite a few) is the Hanwag Alverstone. They were perfect for muddy Norwegian trails.
Shop on Amazon (Worldwide)
HydraPak Hydration Bladder
There is no better way to stay hydrated on the trails than to have constant and direct access to your water without taking your backpack off. Thanks to its slim design, the hose coming out of the side of the bladder, and a magnet clip that makes the hose attachment easy, I find the HydraPak the best water bladder on the market.
Shop on Amazon (Worldwide)
Merino Wool Socks
I always carry two pairs of socks in my day pack and always have them on me during multiday backpacking trails. Merino wool fibres and their unique properties are resistant to odours.
Shop on Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Hardshell Rain Jacket
You would be mad not to bring a rain jacket on a hiking holiday trip to Norway. Patagonia’s sustainability efforts make it my go-to outdoor clothing brand.
Shop on Backcountry (US)
Osprey Hikelite 18 Liter Backpack
Osprey backpacks have accompanied me since the humble beginnings of this website. I think they offer the perfect fit without sacrificing their usability.
Shop on Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
10. Where to stay nearby
If you are road-tripping in Norway in a campervan, I wholeheartedly recommend the Nærøyfjorden Camping site in Bakka. It is located right at the foot of Bakkanosi, and you can even see it from the summit.
It is run by a very friendly local. The facilities have been recently renovated, and the campsite has some parking spots directly on the shore of the Næroyfjord.
For hotel stays, I recommend checking out Flåm or Aurland. Both are great places to stay and explore the nearby attractions. I discuss them at the end of the post.
Best Value
Great for single travellers and budget-conscious groups. The location is central, close to the train station and ferry terminal.
Top Rated
Very cozy atmosphere with wood-paneled rooms. Reserve a room with a balcony overlooking the Fjord and watch the cruise ships and trains come and go from the terminal.
For Luxury Fans
Wangen Apartments (Aurland)
Beautiful, modern apartments with a Scandinavian feel. Looking through the windows, you will feel like you are floating on the fjord.
11. Other hikes and activities to experience nearby
The area around Næroyfjord and the nearby Aurlandfjord are popular Norwegian outdoor destinations. Below, I recommend a few more top activities in the area.
Hike to Prest
Prest is the perfect answer if you are not a morning person looking for a great sunset spot. The Røyrgrind viewpoint on Mount Prest gives impressive views of the Aurlandfjord.
Hike through Aurlandsdalen
The hike through Aurlansdalen will take you back at least a century. In the Aurland Valley, discover Norway’s pristine natural beauty, featuring lakes, waterfalls, and gorges.
Stegastein Viewpoint
The famous Stegastein viewpoint platform was built 650 vertical meters above the Aurlandfjord. You can take a bus from Flåm, Aurland, or drive up there. It’s on the way to the previously mentioned Prest.
Flåmsbana – Flåm’s scenic train
The Flåm Railway is considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in the World. This leading Norwegian tourist attraction features the finest aspects of Norway’s stunning scenery. The train runs from Flåm station, built at the end of Aurlandsfjord, up to the high mountains at Myrdal station.
Flåm Fjord cruise
Travel from Flåm to Gudvangen on the emission-free cruise ship. The Future of the Fjords ship is fully electric and battery-powered, which means it is very quiet, so you can enjoy the sounds of nature on the cruise.
Kayaking on the Fjord
Flåm is one of the best places in Norway to join a paddling trip. The 3-hour kayaking trip will let you enjoy the Aurlandfjord from the water. This one should be on your bucket list if you love water activities.
Support my website!
Hi Reader! If you found any of my articles about Norway useful, please consider using the affiliate links in the article or below (at no extra cost) when booking your holiday. Thank you.
- Reserve your hotel with Booking.com
- Book your rental car with Discover Cars
- Find your perfect campervan with Motorhome Republic
- Book your tours with Get Your Guide
- Buy your outdoor gear with Backcountry.com (US readers)
Hi Marta. I am planning to try the Bakkanosi trail in two weeks. I am just afraid of navigation. On some websites, I have found that the route is not marked. And you should use a map and a compass. Is it true??? Or is it enough to stick to the beaten path? Thank you
Hi Katerina. I found the trail very easy to navigate and it was marked. I was entirely on my own. I do have good orientations skills in terrain and when I hike with some friends I am always stunned how quickly some of them walk of the trail because they don’t pay attention to the marks. You can donwload GPX data for it online to make you feel more comfortable. I had a GPS watch with me and it helped me to stick to the route, when there were big patches of snow covering the marks (I was there in July and there was still lots of snow). Study the terrain map I have in this post and you will see that you will be following the valley for a long time. Always better to have back ups. I hope that helps!
https://snl.no/Njord
Also visit in the Viking Village in Gudvangen – guides there mention that the name of the fjord derives from the god Njord (Njörðr).
That 500m might be average width but any measurements on any map of the area will show around 250m in the most narrow part of the fjord
Thanks Bart. I will make sure to include this info.
Hi. I saw an incorrect information in the article. Nærøyfjord doesn’t mean Narrow Fjord. Nærøy was a Norse mythology god, also known as Njord. The fjord narrows down to as little as 250m, just between Bakka and Bleiklindi.
Hi Bart. Thanks for the info. Could you let me know your source? I used Wikipedia (which references to Norwegian lexicon) and the official tourism website for Norway and both say 500 meters for the width of the Fjord.