Boat trips and fjord cruises

If you want to experience the beauty of the actual fjords, a good way of doing so is to take one of the boats or ferries that sail on the narrowest and most picturesque fjord arms.

One of the most spectacular boat trips is to sail with the car ferry from Gudvangen to Kaupanger or Lærdal on the Nærøyfjord.

Other beautiful fjord trips are available at the most picturesque fjords, such as the Fjærlandsfjord, the Lusterfjord and the Finnafjord.

Most boat services run from 1 May until 30 September, and some services run throughout the year. There are boats for hire many places, and several charter boat services are available. Fjord safaris with rib boats are also a great way to experience the fjords.

Hiking

The mountain areas surrounding the innermost part of the Sognefjord are among Norway's most popular hiking areas. The most famous mountain areas are Jotunheimen National Park, Jostedalsbreen National Park, Breheimen, the Aurlandsdalen Valley and the Utladalen Valley. There are many beautiful walks to choose from everywhere along the fjord.

Walkers can make use of the extensive network of well-marked trails and mountain cabins run by the Norwegian Mountain Trekking Association (DNT), and there are many guided walks to choose from if you want to get to the most remote and amazing places. Hiking maps and descriptions are available at the local tourist offices.

Glacier walks

To participate in a glacier walk on the Jostedalsbreen Glacier or in the Jotunheimen National Park is fantastic, both for experienced mountaineers and newcomers.

At Nigardsbreen Glacier there are guided walks with different levels of difficulty every day throughout the summer, even for children as young as six years old. Glacier walks are also offered on several other glacier arms by the Sognefjord.

If you travel without your own car, the Jostedal Glacier Bus takes you on day excursions from anywhere in the Sognefjord region to the exciting adventures of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier National Park in Jostedal.

Kayaking on the fjords and glacier lakes

To paddle along steep mountain sides and waterfalls, or between icebergs on emerald green glacier lakes is a unique experience. There are several companies that offer kayaking tours in the Sognefjord Area.

Kayaking has been offered from places like Solvorn, Balestrand, Jostedal, Leirdalen, Flåm, Aurland, Gudvangen, Kroken, Marifjøra, Vik and other places on request. To get updated information please see sognefjord.no or contact the local tourist information office. The unique glacier lake kayaking is offered only by the company IceTroll in Jostedalen. You can also rent kayaks and canoes several places.  

Fishing

There are hundreds of good fishing lakes in the Sognefjord area, and the mountain trout you might catch, taste delicious. Rivers open for salmon and/or sea trout fishing are at the moment Flåmselva, Nærøydalselva, Vetlefjordelva, Mørkridselva, Fortunselva, Jostedøla, Årøyelva, Sogndalselva, Storelva, Vikja and Årdalselva. Be aware that the fishing regulations can change, so it is wise to contact a local tourist information office to get updated information. Guided fishing trips are also offered some places, such as in Leirdalen. For more information about fishing, please visit sognefjord.no.

Biking

Even though there are steep mountains and narrow roads along the Sognefjord, there are many great possibilities for cycling tours.

The most famous bicycle path is Rallarvegen (the Navvies' Road) – an 80-kilometre long stretch from mountain to fjord where you bike along the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway down to the beautiful Sognefjord.  

Another amazing mountain to fjord route is from Nørdstedalseter in Breheimen to Skjolden at the head of the Sognefjord.

There are also marked bicycle paths in Lærdal and Luster, such as the Sognefjord Route and the Glacier Route.

You can hire bikes several places in the region. Please contact the local tourist information offices for more information.

Tour de Jotunheimen (Jotunheimen Rundt) is one of the most demanding and exciting bike races in Europe. Try the mini version from Lom through Jotunheimen to Skjolden and along the fjord to Sogndal.

Other outdoor activities

Rafting, mountaineering, rock climbing, cliff climbing, horseback riding, summer skiing, canyoning, cave trips, mountain biking, historic village walks, golf, tennis, put ball, paint ball, beach volleyball and much more. Many companies offer some of these activities in combination with breathtaking hiking trips too. In winter you can enjoy alpine skiing, back country skiing, amazing glacier cave trips, snowshoeing trips, summit trips, avalanche courses and a lot of other fun in the snow.

Great outdoor events

Do not miss out on the region's great outdoor events, such as High Camp - Turtagrø, Tour de Jotunheimen (Jotunheimen Rundt), Tinderittet (mountain skiing competition), the Norwegian Mountain Film Festival, Heirsnosi Opp, Fanaråken Duathlon, the Norwegian Glacier Festival, Kjeringi Open and Fjellsportfestivalen (Mountain Sport Festival), National Park Festival and many, many more. We even have outdoor church services at different mountain locations. See also other events, festivals, concerts etc at sognefjord.no.

Other activities

Helicopter sightseeing, coach trips, farm visits, spa-treatments, beer tasting, shopping, indoor playground for children, bowling, swimming, indoor climbing and more. To find out what attractions to visit in the area see sognefjord.no.

"Our best experience in the Sognefjord area was to walk to the top of the Molden Mountain, because of the midsummer light, the birch trees and the great view of Jotunheimen, glaciers and fjords" 

Janis Barber (61), from Britain