Aurland

Aurland is a municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Sogn, and its administrative centre is the village of Aurlandsvangen. The municipality encompasses the inner region of the Sognefjord, including the fjord arms Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.

The landscape is dominated by steep mountains, deep fjords, and fertile valleys. The municipality includes several villages, notably Flåm on the inner Aurlandsfjord and Undredal at the end of the fjord.

Tourism is a central part of the economy, driven by fjord scenery, the Flåm Railway from Myrdal to Flåm, and scenic routes such as the Aurlandsvegen with the Stegastein viewing platform over the fjord. The area attracts visitors with dramatic viewpoints, boat tours, and access to the surrounding natural attractions.

Aurland has its origins in the 1838 formannskapsdistrikt law, and local government is provided by a municipal council. The municipality also features historical farms and small-scale agricultural activity in its valleys.

The region is part of the West Norwegian Fjords UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the Nærøyfjord and the surrounding fjord landscape. This designation highlights the area’s globally notable fjord scenery and its importance as a natural and cultural landscape.