Herdalssetra

Herdalssetra lies in the heart of the World Heritage Area – West Norwegian Fjord Landscape, where the northern part is virtually identical to the Geiranger-Herdalen Landscape Conservation Area. Permanent protection of waterways and landscape forms the basis for the place on the World Heritage List, which encompasses the world's most important natural and cultural heritage.

The idyllic Herdalssetra in Norddal has 300 years of unbroken farm tradition, and is – with its 400 dairy goats – one of the largest communal goat farms in the country. The farm also has goats, sheep, cows and fjord horses. At Herdalssetra, children will find a real playground with natural farm activities. The farm hamlet has a unique building environment with over 30 old farm houses located in a cluster. In addition, there are many house ruins from previous farming and ranching operations. Until the beginning of the 1700th century, it was a permanent settlement, and the farm's history dates back to the Viking Age.

Old traditions are kept alive with the making of brown and white goat cheese and the production of real goat milk caramels. Here, as a guest, you can take part in a journey through time, smell and taste, where you visit "the old farm" - the history of the many old house ruins, old seals and barns, cheese making and tasting, and get information about the "modern" communal farm from 1960.

Herdalen's many rivers and lakes are permanently protected from hydropower development, and offer great fishing. You can rent a boat and try your luck fishing. Herdalen has traces of settlement from early hunting culture, including large reindeer hunting facilities. Kallskaret nature reserve – known for its exciting geology – is about a 2-hour hike from Herdalssetra, and is also well worth a visit.

Åshild Dale and Jostein Sande have run a farm in Dale – farm no. 49/farm no. 11 – with a dairy farm on Herdalssetra since 1983, and 1/6 of the large mountain farm Herdalen – farm no. 50 – has been in the family’s ownership since the 1700th century. The farm and dairy farm are still a whole today – both in terms of food production and the range of experiences and activities, agro-/geotourism – ecotourism. The animals are on the dairy farm from mid-June to mid-September, but it is also possible to visit the dairy farm outside of this time.