When does Aurlandsfjellet open?

Opening pattern year by year

Aurlandsfjellet is a National Tourist Route and a seasonal road — not a winter-maintained one. The pass across the plateau (roughly the middle 25 km) is closed every winter once the first serious snowfall lands, and reopened the following spring when conditions allow. The Aurland side up to Stegastein stays open all year, which is why the viewpoint itself is a year-round attraction even when the pass is snowed in.

Sources: Nasjonale Turistveger, Statens Vegvesen. Year-by-year data is verified where an official announcement exists; earlier years are typical-range estimates and will be replaced with sourced figures as they become available.

Why does the opening date vary?

The plateau section sits at 1,306 metres and catches hard winters head-on. Clearing starts in May from both sides — Aurland and Lærdal — but fresh snow and wind can close work down for days. The road itself is narrow, with long single-lane stretches, and until the plateau is safe for regular traffic the gates stay shut. In warm springs the road has opened in late May; in heavy-snow years it has slipped into mid-June.

Even after the pass opens, snow walls linger along the road well into June and July. That's where the name comes from — Snøvegen, the Snow Road. If you want to ride it with the snow banks still visible from your saddle, aim for the first two weeks of the open season.

From our ride over Aurlandsfjellet

I rode Aurlandsfjellet in August 2020 in almost perfect weather. I started in Aurland, climbed the full 17 km to the plateau, and rode down to Lærdal — then turned around and climbed back over the top before descending to Aurland again. Two passes in one day, from both sides.

The lower part of the Aurland climb is the memorable stretch. Tight serpentines, the fjord dropping away below you, and Stegastein anchored in the landscape long before you reach it. You do see it on the climb, but you can't really stop — there's a climbing rhythm to hold and the parking area is busy with cars. The real Stegastein moment is the descent. Stopping there on the way down is worth the whole day out: the platform cantilevered 650 metres above Aurlandsfjord, and a view that is genuinely unlike anywhere else in Norway.

One thing worth knowing: by August there was no snow left on the road. None. If the "Snow Road" imagery is what drew you in, go earlier — late May or June — when the snow banks are still 2–4 metres high along the plateau. August gives you a cleaner, drier climb but without the visual drama of the name.

Planning your ride

Which side is better to start from?

Aurland. The 17 km climb from sea level averages 7.5% with the Stegastein hairpins in the lower half — by far the more dramatic side. The Lærdal climb is longer and gentler, and the scenery is more subdued. If you're doing it one-way, start in Aurland for the spectacle and descend to Lærdal.

When to go for the Snow Road experience

Early June to mid-July is when the snow banks along the plateau are still high and the name earns itself. From late July onwards the banks melt back and the landscape becomes rocky alpine tundra — still stunning, but different.

Pack for the summit

It can be 20°C in Aurland and 5°C on the plateau. A windproof jacket is essential for the descent; leg warmers and gloves are sensible even in July. The descent into Aurland is long, fast, and cold if you climbed up sweating.

Stegastein on the way down

Don't try to stop at Stegastein on the climb — the parking is busy with tourist buses and you'll be in climbing focus. Stop on the descent instead. The platform is free to walk out on, and it's the defining moment of the whole ride.

Food and water

There is no service on the pass itself. Aurland and Lærdal have cafés and shops; between them, you are alone for 40-plus kilometres. Two full bottles and something to eat in the back pocket is the minimum.

Traffic

The lower Aurland section up to Stegastein sees steady tourist-car traffic in July and August — they're all heading for the viewpoint, not the plateau. Above Stegastein the road empties out dramatically. Early mornings (before 9:00) are the quiet window on the lower climb if that matters to you.

Can I ride the Aurland side before the pass opens?

Yes. The 8 km climb from Aurland to Stegastein is open year-round and is a legitimate ride in its own right — 650 metres of climbing, the full hairpin sequence, and the viewpoint at the top. On a clear April or May day, with snow still visible above Stegastein and the fjord below, it is one of the finest short climbs in Norway.

The road above Stegastein, towards the plateau and Lærdal, is physically closed with gates and is not rideable before the official opening. Do not try to push past the barriers — the plateau is exposed, and weather can turn in an hour.

Frequently asked questions