Beautiful surroundings
Situated on the western coast of Norway, the town of Volda is surrounded by mountains, forests and fjords. It is a great starting point to discover some of the most popular natural attractions of Norway such as the bird island of Runde, the Geiranger fjord and the city of Ålesund. But you do not have to travel far to see breathtaking nature.
Volda is located in the heart of Fjord Norway and in the middle of some of the most known tourist destinations in Norway. The bird island of Runde, the city of Alesund and the Geiranger fjord are all located 1 hours drive away. Volda itself is not a major tourist destination, something many international students question after spending time here.
The iconic Rotsethornet mountain (640 meters) towers over the town and is its most famous landmark. Some of the most popular hikes in Volda is along the fjord next to this mountain or hiking to the summit.
Experience the seasons
In Volda you can experience all seasons. In the winter months, you are likely to experience snow and frost but the climate here is not as cold as you may think, due to the proximity to the sea.
Winter lasts from November to March and you can expect longer periods of snow and frost. On a clear night, the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) can be visible from October to April, particularly on dark nights with strong solar activity.
In spring time, during April and May, the fields and forests become lush green again and usually by the time of the Norwegian national day (May 17th) the birch trees have sprung and the first summer flowers bloom.
Summer is short but beautiful, lasting from late May to early September. During these months it doesn't really get dark at night. This is the perfect time of year to go the Rotevatn lake for a barbeque, to play beach volleyball or to rent a stand-up paddle board from the SiVolda boathouse.
Autumn in September and October is often rainy, but on a sunny day, the most beautiful colours emerge as the leaves turn yellow and red.
Nature at your doorstep
The best thing about studying in Volda is that the beutiful nature is so close by. Your hike literally starts from your doorstep. The nature surrounding us is also used as an extension of our campus.
The Rotevatn lake is the most popular outdoor recreation area in Volda. Within a few minutes walk, you are walking in the forest, accompanied by gracing sheep and looking out over a beautiful water. On a hot summer day, the two beaches at each end of the lake are the favoruite spots for swimming. The bathing spot "Munken" by the Volda fjord is another idyllic spot, if you can manage the slightly colder water of the fjord.
Recently, the Sunday Swim has become a popular feature in the student community. Every Sunday, students meet at the harbour in Volda to plunge into the fjord. During the winter months, students may heat up in the floating sauna at the harbour.
The Sunnmøre Alps
The beautiful alpine mountain areas around Volda are called the Sunnmøre Alps, and stun nature lovers. Some of the peaks reach as high as 1700 meters straight up from the fjord, of which the best known are Slogen, Kolåstinden, Hornindalsrokken, Skårasalen and Råna.
The Sunnmøre Alps offer unique terrain for hiking, and are visited by large numbers of tourists in both summer and winter. The spectacular nature in this region has also been frequently used as a backdrop for block-buster movies such as Mission Impossible 7, James Bond - No time to die and Marvel's Black Widow.
However, you do not have to be an expert climber to hike some of the most beautiful mountains in Volda. The mountains Melshornet and Helgehornet offer hikes that can be made without a lot of prior experience. The lookout Galten across the fjord from Volda, is also very popular, and is not a very strenous hike.
