Vøringsfossen in Hardanger
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Photo:
Statens Vegvesen / Nasjonaleturistveger.no
Architect: Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk AS arkitektkontor
Vøringsfossen in Hardanger
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Photo:
Statens Vegvesen / Nasjonaleturistveger.no
Architect: Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk AS arkitektkontor
The region is full of wild glaciers you can explore on a guided trip …
Nigardsbreen glacier in Fjord Norway
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Photo:
Fjord Norway
Nigardsbreen glacier in Fjord Norway
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Photo:
Fjord Norway
… and roads that seem impossible until you drive them – like The Atlantic Road in the Northwest, named “the world's best road trip” by The Guardian.
The Atlantic Road in Northwest
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Photo:
Jacek Rózycki
The Atlantic Road in Northwest
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Photo:
Jacek Rózycki
The western part of Norway is also home to the iconic fjords. See the mountains and waterfalls cascade down to the green-blue water.
The most famous ones are the world heritage listed Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, the Hardangerfjord and Nordfjord, and the 205 kilometres long Sognefjord. But you will also love the less-visited fjords. The region has hundreds of them!
They are beautiful in summer …
Fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord
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Photo:
Fjord Tours AS
Fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord
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Photo:
Fjord Tours AS
… but even more stunning in spring, when the hills are filled with colourful flowers in the orchards.
Or in autumn, when the trees are covered in red, orange, and yellow leaves.
Agatunet in Hardanger
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Photo:
Robin Strand / Fjord Norge
Fruit blooming in the Hardangerfjord region
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Photo:
Øystein Haara
Explore the fjords in all their serenity from water level in a kayak or on a boat trip …
Kayaking in Tafjord
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Photo:
Fjord Norway / Magnus Roaldset
Kayaking in Tafjord
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Photo:
Fjord Norway / Magnus Roaldset
… or put on your hiking boots for an active day full of sweeping views. You can find great hikes almost everywhere in Fjord Norway.
Some of them are tough, even for experienced hikers. Other treks are both short and easy – and equally stunning.
Hiking Dronningstien in the Hardangerfjord region, Fjord Norway
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Photo:
Visit Hardangerfjord
Hiking Dronningstien in Hardangerfjord, Fjord Norway
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Photo:
Visit Hardangerfjord
In winter, you can ski down the mountainsides – all the way to the fjords. Yiiihaaa!
Fjord Norway has excellent ski resorts where you find everything from challenging off-piste skiing to family-friendly slopes, like Stranda, Sogndal, Myrkdalen, and Voss. On some glaciers, you can even go summer skiing.
Skiing in Sogndal
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Photo:
Sverre Hjørnevik / www.fjordnorway.com
Skiing in Sogndal
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Photo:
Sverre Hjørnevik / www.fjordnorway.com
But relax.
Great views don’t need to involve adrenaline or muddy boots at all.
Let the gondola take you to the top in Loen (pictured), Voss or Bergen …
Loen skylift in Fjord Norway
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Photo:
Falkeblikk, Lars Korvald, Eirik S Bruvoll, Fotofalken, Bård Basberg, Loen Skylift
Loen skylift in Fjord Norway
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Photo:
Falkeblikk, Lars Korvald, Eirik S Bruvoll, Fotofalken, Bård Basberg, Loen Skylift
… or see the majestic mountains rise towards the sky on a fjord cruise.
Another highlight is to enjoy the views along one of the Norwegian Scenic Routes that zigzag their way through the rugged landscape of mountains and fjords.
Of course, driving roads like these takes time. Fjord Norway is much larger than it looks on the map, so stay for a few weeks – or concentrate on one part of the region.
Trollstigen in Fjord Norway
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Photo:
Natural Light Earth
Trollstigen in Fjord Norway
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Photo:
Natural Light Earth
Syse gard in Hardanger
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Photo:
Toke Mathias Riskjær
Syse gard in Hardanger
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Photo:
Toke Mathias Riskjær
The outer coastline is an adventure in itself, full of fascinating islands, like Grip. Here, many houses were washed out to sea in 1804, but they were rebuilt since the island is an important fishing community.
Grip Island in Northwest
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Photo:
Johan Wildhagen
Grip Island in Northwest
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Photo:
Johan Wildhagen
Fjord Norway is also a region of beautiful towns.
For many tourists, Bergen is the natural starting point. As a former Norwegian capital and Hanseatic city, it’s full of historical treasures like Bryggen – and a vibrating cultural scene with theatres, concerts and festival year-round.
Bryggen in Bergen
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Photo:
Visit Bergen / Endre Knudsen
Bryggen in Bergen
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Photo:
Visit Bergen / Endre Knudsen
But Bergen is not the only urban marvel in this part of Norway.
Fascinating towns are scattered all along the coast, like the art nouveau beauty Ålesund (pictured), the foodie city Stavanger, and Haugesund with its rich Viking history.