Klingenberg has been part of the travel history of Årdal since 1861. Located by the Sognefjord and at the gateway to Jotunheimen, the area quickly became a natural stop for travellers, mountaineers and explorers journeying between the fjord and the high mountains.
The first Klingenberg was established as a transport station in 1861 by Jens Prestegard Klingenberg, known as “Big-Jens”. Travellers could arrange boat transport, guiding, accommodation and journeys further into the mountains. The same year, the name “Jotunheimen” was officially used for the first time.
Interest in the region grew rapidly throughout the 19th century. As early as 1818, the priest Ulrik Fredrik Bøyesen visited Vetti and Utladalen and wrote about the dramatic Vettis Gorge. His descriptions became known far beyond Norway and helped introduce travellers to the spectacular nature surrounding Årdal.
When the Norwegian Trekking Association was founded in 1868, tourism increased even further. Klingenberg became a natural meeting place for mountaineers, explorers and travellers from across Europe heading towards the peaks of Jotunheimen.
Guest books and historical records show that several well-known visitors stayed at Klingenberg over the years, including William Cecil Slingsby, Fridtjof Nansen and Edvard Grieg.
In 1900, a new Swiss-style hotel was opened by the fjord. At the time, many guests were hikers, climbers and anglers who travelled to Årdal for the nature, the silence and the adventure. The Hæreidselvi River became famous for trout fishing, and English upper-class travellers returned year after year. Some even arrived by private yacht through the Sognefjord before checking into the hotel.
Throughout the 20th century, the hotel continued to develop alongside the industrial growth of Årdal. After the Second World War, traffic connected to industry increased, and the current hotel building was completed in 1960 on the same site where the hotel stands today.
Since then, the hotel has gradually expanded and modernised. New rooms, restaurants, a pub, lounge areas and the fjordside garden have all been added, while Klingenberg evolved into today’s Klingenberg Resort with several accommodation concepts and experiences across the region.
Although much has changed since the first travellers arrived by boat through the fjord, much of what made the area special remains the same: the contrast between fjord and high mountains, the dramatic scenery and the feeling of being slightly removed from the busiest tourist routes.
Today, Klingenberg Resort aims to be a peaceful and authentic alternative for modern travellers who want to experience Western Norway at their own pace — with fjords, mountains and experiences right outside the door.
For more information, contact us at post@klingenberghotel.no or by phone: +47 576 65 800
Highlights in Vettisriket
To celebrate Norrøna’s 90th anniversary, we welcomed their team and eight (8) loyalty members to Vetti Farm.
A hike in the valley of Utladalen, with Hjelle at a starting point, gives you the best dramatic experiences Norwegian nature offers.
Vettisriket gives you four experiences in Indre Sogn that are well worth a detour. These experiences offer a greater wow factor.
