Difficult
Skageflå is one of the most famous abandoned mountain farms in Norway. It sits on a narrow ledge about 250 metres above the Geirangerfjord, directly across from the Seven Sisters waterfall and the neighbouring farm Knivsflå.
People lived here from the Middle Ages until 1916. Despite its impossible location, it was actually one of the wealthiest goat farms in the Geiranger area. At its peak they kept up to 125 goats, 8 to 10 cows and two horses. The lush pastures in the Skagadalen valley above made it all possible.
Life up here required creative solutions. Children playing outside were tied with ropes to stop them going over the edge. The houses were tucked into the mountainside so that avalanches would slide over the roofs instead of destroying them. And according to local legend, when the tax collector came to visit, the farmers simply removed the logs and ladders from the rock face, making it impossible for him to reach the farm. He had no choice but to turn around.
In 1873 a major rockslide destroyed much of the cultivated land. The farm was split in two after that, and the last residents left around 1916. But the land is still privately owned and the buildings are maintained.
The farm got a royal stamp of approval in 1993, when King Harald and Queen Sonja celebrated their silver wedding anniversary here during a cruise through western Norway. Queen Sonja also returned in 2006 to unveil the official UNESCO World Heritage plaque.
There are several ways to visit. The easiest is to take the sightseeing boat from Geiranger to Skagehola at the base of the cliff, and then hike up. The climb takes about 45 minutes. It is steep and exposed in places, but the most dangerous sections are secured with railings. You can also hike from Geiranger via Homlong, which is about 6.5 kilometres and takes 3 to 4 hours as a round trip. Book the boat in advance during high season, as it fills up. Camping overnight at the farm is not allowed.
People lived here from the Middle Ages until 1916. Despite its impossible location, it was actually one of the wealthiest goat farms in the Geiranger area. At its peak they kept up to 125 goats, 8 to 10 cows and two horses. The lush pastures in the Skagadalen valley above made it all possible.
Life up here required creative solutions. Children playing outside were tied with ropes to stop them going over the edge. The houses were tucked into the mountainside so that avalanches would slide over the roofs instead of destroying them. And according to local legend, when the tax collector came to visit, the farmers simply removed the logs and ladders from the rock face, making it impossible for him to reach the farm. He had no choice but to turn around.
In 1873 a major rockslide destroyed much of the cultivated land. The farm was split in two after that, and the last residents left around 1916. But the land is still privately owned and the buildings are maintained.
The farm got a royal stamp of approval in 1993, when King Harald and Queen Sonja celebrated their silver wedding anniversary here during a cruise through western Norway. Queen Sonja also returned in 2006 to unveil the official UNESCO World Heritage plaque.
There are several ways to visit. The easiest is to take the sightseeing boat from Geiranger to Skagehola at the base of the cliff, and then hike up. The climb takes about 45 minutes. It is steep and exposed in places, but the most dangerous sections are secured with railings. You can also hike from Geiranger via Homlong, which is about 6.5 kilometres and takes 3 to 4 hours as a round trip. Book the boat in advance during high season, as it fills up. Camping overnight at the farm is not allowed.
