What is "avdalen"

Avdalen is a small side valley of the main Utladalen valley in the municipality of Årdal in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway. It is located within the Utladalen Landscape Protection Area, which was established along with the adjacent Jotunheim National Park in 1980 and covers about . A blues concert is held at Avdalen each year in June—it has become increasingly popular.

The Årdal mountain touring club maintains a staffed lodge at the former Avdal farm (Avdalen gård). The Avdal farm was first occupied in 16th century and was vacated in 1962. The farm is located above the magnificent Avdalsfossen waterfall, about south of Vetti. The farm has undergone a restoration, and currently provides meals as well as accommodation for tourists. It can be reached by a car ride from Øvre Årdal to Hjelle, followed by a 45-minute hike. The last part of the hike is very steep and illustrates the challenge of daily life for the former residents.