Årdal is a good starting point to explore the wild nature of Jotunheimen National Park, and with summer and winter activities within its boundaries.

The official blazon is "Gules, three barrulets dancetty Or" (Norwegian: På raud botn ein gull trillingstreng med ormeband-skurd).

This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is three zig-zag lines running horizontally across the escutcheon.

The local economy at the time of the creation of the arms was mainly based on heavy industry, which needed a lot of electricity.

The original municipality was identical to the Lærdal parish (prestegjeld) including the sub-parish (sokn) of Aardal.

On 1 January 1964, the Muggeteigen, Luggenes, and Bergmål farms (population: 11) were transferred from Årdal to Lærdal.

The incident is known as the Triple murder on the Valdres Express,[17] and only one male[18]—the asylum seeker—is a police suspect.

Earlier on the same day, for the first time one of the center's asylum seekers was removed (by police) in order to be deported from Norway.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Årdal is made up of 21 representatives that are elected to four year terms.

The mayors (Nynorsk: ordførar) of Årdal:[40] The municipality is situated at the inner part of the Årdalsfjorden, one of the beginning branches of the Sognefjorden and is a gateway to the mountain areas called Jotunheimen and Hurrungane, including the mountains Falketind, Store Austanbotntind, and Store Skagastølstind.

[4] Årdal is bordered to the north and west by the municipality of Luster, to the east by Vang (in Oppland county), and to the south by Lærdal.

Some finished products were made in Norway, such as Høyang kitchen equipment, kettles, and pans.

The Vetti Gard og Turiststasjon, a farm rich in tradition dating from around 1120, is set in dramatic natural surroundings.

The farm has been involved in tourism ever since the early 19th century and now serves as a café and tourist information office in the summer.

Abandoned in more recent times, the farm has now been restored to provide restaurant, accommodation and meeting facilities.

[4] The Jotunheimen National Park, established in 1980, covers an area of approximately 1,145 square kilometres (442 sq mi) and comprises the Hurrungane, Fannaråki, and the Rauddalstind og Mjølkedalstind peaks.

[4] This old fjord-side settlement of Indre Offerdal "right down by the shore" is packed with interesting history about Årdal.