Vaksdal is Vestland’s textile-threaded valley basin — a municipality where wool sweaters warm Olympic athletes, waterfalls tumble past salmon huts, and three silver weaving shuttles glide across the coat of arms. With around 3,900 residents and a landscape shaped by the Veafjorden, Bergsdalen and Eksingedalen valleys, and the villages of Dale, Stanghelle, Vaksdal, and Stamnes, Vaksdal is the kind of place where you can hike past fjord farms, explore knitting history, and still sip juniper broth beside a salmon lookout perched 20 meters above the water. It’s got looms, ledges, and a name that may stem from *vágr* — “bay.”
Top Attractions
- Dale of Norway – iconic wool sweater factory with museum & outlet store
- Hesjedalsfossen – twin-drop waterfall with roadside viewpoint
- Vaksdal Church – 1933 stone church with fjord views & rose-painted altar
- Eksingedalen – remote valley with hiking, fishing & historic farms
- Stamnes Laksegilje – restored salmon lookout hut with guided tours
Unique Experiences
- Bergsdalstunet – fjord-to-forest guesthouse with local food & mountain access
- Bergo Fjellflyt – canoe, kayak & boat rentals in Eksingedalen
- Ekso Villfisk – guided fishing trips in rivers & lakes
- Hananipa – 707-meter summit with panoramic views over Veafjorden
- Dalegarden Outlet & Café – knitwear, yarn, and waffles under one roof
Places to Stay
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Where to Eat
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Getting There
Vaksdal lies northeast of Bergen along the E16 and Bergensbanen railway, with Dale as its administrative center. The area is best explored by boots, boat, or bold curiosity — especially if you’re chasing loom echoes, salmon lore, or the hush of mossy trails beside a fjord-threaded valley.
