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Two people are hiking the mountains of Hjørundfjorden in Fjord Norway

Norway's hidden
fjord gems

Why go where everyone else goes, when you can have some of the most magnificent fjord scenery almost to yourself? Here are seven unique fjord regions in Western Norway to put on your list!

Why only follow the tourist trails? Norway has more than 1,700 named fjords. Many are just as beautiful as the most famous fjords, such as the Geirangerfjord, the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord – and they attract fewer visitors.

Check out these seven wonderful fjord regions, full of character, delightful surprises and magnificent landscapes!

And remember, spring and autumn are great seasons to visit for a quieter experience.

1. The Åkrafjord

Just over an hour’s drive east of Haugesund (and southwest of Odda and Trolltunga in Hardanger), you’ll find one of Norway’s hidden fjord gems, the Åkrafjord, called Åkrafjorden in Norwegian.

The new European E134 motorway runs alongside Åkrafjorden through tunnels for much of the way, so it’s surprisingly easy to miss the extraordinary scenery outside. If you can, take the old road instead. It winds close to the water, with plenty of places to stop and soak it all in.

Just over a hundred people live around here, yet the fjord has a wonderfully distinctive character – creative, welcoming, and full of small-scale entrepreneurial energy that shows up in everything from food to accommodation and activities.

Things to do in Åkrafjorden

Visit Langfoss, one of Norway’s highest and most dramatic waterfalls. From here you can also climb the sherpa steps up along the waterfall, to get a spectacular view of both the fjord and the waterfall (a one-hour walk up). Note that parking options are limited, as parking along the main road is strictly prohibited.

Pop into the local shop at Åkrafjordtunet, just beside the road. It's famous for having one of the best selections of local food you’ll find anywhere in Norway! Don’t leave without trying the Åkrafjord sausage!

In the inner part of Åkrafjorden, Fjæra, you’ll find the quirky Åkrafjorden Nature B&B. Retired sea captain Robert Stråbø Melkeraaen bought the former primary school he once attended as a child and transformed it into a unique place to stay, packed with vintage furniture, a tiny vintage shop, and even a climbing wall in the old gym. It’s ideal for active families, couples, and groups of friends.

Fjæra is also a hub for outdoor adventures: fjord cruises, SUP, kayaking, horse riding, and more. There are even three via ferratas in the area. Kyrkjeveggen is among Norway’s toughest, while the family route in Ingadalen is a gentler option.

For accommodation, you can choose everything from cool glamping tents where you can enjoy a sauna with fjord views to stylish design cabins at Fivelandsneset and Mikrohyttene, micro-cabins right by the water.

Camp Åkrafjorden, the campsite at the far end near Rullestadvatnet, is perfect for swimming and paddling, and makes a great base for hikes to the area's mysterious jettegryter, glacial potholes in enchanting scenery. There is also wonderfully twisty cycling along the old main road.

Explore Åkrafjorden

Things to do and unique places to stay.

2. The Nordfjord

Situated about halfway between Bergen and Ålesund, the Nordfjord is a 106-kilometre ribbon of water cutting through dramatic mountains and storybook valleys. Follow the fjord all the way out to the open sea.

Situated about two hours north of the Sognefjord, Nordfjord is the sixth longest fjord in Norway.

In the innermost part of the fjord, you’ll find the popular destination Stryn, where you can take the Loen Skylift gondola up Hoven mountain, try one of Norway's toughest via ferratas, paddle on the glacier-blue Lovatnet lake, experience the Briksdalsbreen glacier in Olden, and swim in the outdoor pool at the family-friendly Hotel Alexandra.

But far fewer visitors head further out along the fjord, meaning you will often have the area almost to yourself!

Top things to do in outer Nordfjord

Follow the fjord west along the side arm Gloppefjord to the village of Gloppen. Stay at the lovely, historic Gloppen Hotel, where the salmon history is literally built into the walls. Try a fjord sauna, hike up to the Fosseteateret waterfall viewing platform in Trivselsskogen, and see the famous Holvikejekta ship, known as the “stave church of the sea”.

Take a detour to the wild Kandal valley by the fjord-like lake Breimsvatnet. Pick up Norway’s best brown cheese at picturesque Kandal Ysteri (self-service shop/summer café), and take a dip in the emerald green pool with a waterfall just behind it. Treat yourself to a night on the mountain pasture, in historic houses, or in the stunning designer glass cabins at Sølvane Gard, where opera and theatre meet goat farming traditions and a zen-like calm.

Stop at Sagastad in Nordfjordeid to experience the impressive replica of the Myklebust Viking ship, before you follow the road along the fjord all the way out to Måløy, or Bremanger.

In Bremanger, hike Hornelen (on foot or via ferrata), the highest sea cliff in Europe, stroll along the white beaches at Grotlesanden or Vetvika, and spend the night in historic Knutholmen Hotel in the idyllic fishing village of Kalvåg.

In Måløy, enjoy the 1.5 km-long Refviksanden beach and see the unique rock formation Kannesteinen, before driving all the way out to the beautiful, windswept Kråkenes Lighthouse, where you can spend the night.

Explore Nordfjord

Here are some of the top things to do in the western part of Nordfjord.

3. The Lustrafjord

Deep in the innermost part of Sognefjorden lies the beautiful, turquoise Lustrafjord, surrounded by high mountains and some truly magical side valleys.

Things to do in the area

Visit Solvorn, a fjord gem of traditional white wooden houses and red boathouses, with a beach and a small ferry across to Ornes on the other side, where you can take a short, but steep walk up to Urnes Stave Church. Treat yourself to a night at stately Walaker Hotel, Norway’s oldest family-run hotel, or the cosy B&Bs Villa Solvorn, or Eplet, where you can also buy fresh juices from the garden.

The Norwegian Scenic Route Sognefjellet winds along the Lustrafjord in narrow, idyllic bends. Stop at the bakery Lustrabakeriet in Luster for delicious baked goods, before reaching Skjolden at the far end of the fjord, with accommodation, llama walks, SUP, RIB tours and other activities.

Hiking options include Molden, Bergsetbreen, or Møkridsdalen.

Rainy day? Visit the lovely, spa-like Lustrabadet in Gaupne.

Head into the remote, wild side valley of Jostedalen and visit Breheimsenteret glacier centre and join glacier hikes on Nigardsbreen, paddle on glacier lakes, or try ziplines and rafting at various levels. You can even combine both: get ready for zipline-rafting with Icetroll!

The area has several amazing places to stay: luxurious glass cabins with llamas peering in at BesteBakken, which also serves wonderful food and has a farm shop and classy farm accommodation in Hafslo. Or stay in the Fjordspeilet glass cabin at Nes Gard, sleek designer cabins "on the edge" at Raaum Gard, the spectacular Luster Fjordhytter, or try fjordside glamping at Døsen gård.

Explore the Lustrafjord area

Things to do and unique places to stay.

4. The Fjærlandsfjord

It’s easy to drive straight past this small, emerald-green fjord gem, a side arm of Sognefjorden, on the way between Sogndal and Jølster. Don't make that mistake. Do stop and visit the "book town" of Fjærland!

The roughly 400 residents of the book town Fjærland are far more interested in literature than average! A dozen old boathouses, school buildings, the post office, bus stops – even the sauna changing room – are packed with more than 150,000 books for sale, many in English, and some in other languages.

Things to do here

Browse the many book stalls – where you’ll also find vintage items, local crafts and handmade products.

Grab coffee and lunch at local café Inkåleisn (a local expression from Sogn meaning something like “a bit odd/quirky, or not quite as perfect as it should be”).

Admire the mighty Bøyabreen glacier and explore the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Adventurous hikers can head up to Flatbrehytta and Flatbreen, and they can join a guided glacier hike.

Sleep extra well at beautiful Fjærland Fjordstove, known for its sustainability philosophy and culinary delights based on local ingredients.

Walk or bike along the road and past roaring waterfalls further south along the fjord, finishing with a fjord sauna at Dampen. Kayaking, guided tours and fishing trips are also available.

Explore the Fjærlandsfjord

Things to do and places to stay.

5. The Hjørundfjord

The nearest fjord to Ålesund is the Hjørundfjord. It's lesser known than the famous Geirangerfjord – but just as breathtaking.

Top things to see and do

The Hjørundfjord stretches south and is flanked by Sunnmørsalpane, a range of alpine mountain peaks over 1,000 metres – irresistible for anyone with serious hiking legs.

You can take a fjord cruise from Ålesund to Øye, by the end of the fjord.

Or drive here by yourself and explore the charming fjord villages. Try the famous swing in the road-free village Trandal, accessible by car ferry or taxi boat. Christian Gaard Bygdetun offers a summer restaurant and accommodation, as well as several music festivals!

Spend time in lovely Sæbø, a fjord hub with charming Sagafjord Hotel, cafés, saunas and great hikes, and spring ski touring.

Take the ferry across the fjord to Leknes and Urke, starting point for the tough hikes to the mountain tops of Saksa and Urkeegga (guiding available), and kayaking.

Treat yourself to a night at one of Norway’s most stately, historic and exclusive hotels, dating from 1891: Hotel Union Øye. Enjoy an unforgettable meal made from the finest ingredients in its elegant conservatory or in its historic dining room.

Continue south through the incredibly narrow Norangsdalen, and stop to see the mysterious ruins beneath the green waters of Lyngstøylsvatnet lake.

Explore the Hjørundfjord

Things to do and unique places to stay.

6. The Norddalsfjord and Tafjord

Most people just rush straight past these fjord gems in order to reach the more famous scenery along the Norwegian Scenic Route Geiranger–Trollstigen. Don't be like most people!

The scenic route runs between the popular tourist spots Åndalsnes and the famous Geirangerfjord. In the middle, the Norddalsfjord unfolds.

Things to see and do

Explore the Valldal fjord village and valley, also known as the Adventure valley”. Stop for a taste of fruit, juices and ciders at Lingebakken fruit and cider farm, and pick up some delicious strawberries along the way in summer.

Spend an active day at Valldal Activity Park, with a climbing park and ziplines. You can also kayak and raft in the Valldøla river (various levels), or go biking and hiking. Enjoy the impressive viewing platform at Gudbrandsjuvet canyon, or go canyoning there.

Spend a night at one of the charming hotels in Valldal, or spoil yourself by checking in to the sleek Juvet Landscape Hotel.

Paddle or take a detour into the innermost part of the fjord, the UNESCO-listed Tafjord, where you can soak in heated outdoor pools at Friluftsbadet. Visit the family-friendly Power and Avalanche Centre.

Book abseiling at the Zakarias dam and ego hiking in the Tafjord mountains. Ræin Adventures offer guided hiking and kayaking tours in the Reinheimen National Park and Tafjord.

At the southern shores of the Norddalsfjord, take a detour to the cosy, creative village of Norddal – “The Happy End”, as it's called locally. Stay at charming Petrines Gjestgiveri, and shop for delicious farm products, soap and local crafts at one of the farm shops, including the goat farm Melchiorgården.

Continue on a narrow road to Herdalssetra, one of Norway’s most photogenic and largest mountain pasture communities, listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

If you are looking for unique accommodation, Kilsti compact lodge near Eidsdal offers stunning views and modern design with glass ceiling above your bed for stargazing.

Norddalsfjorden and Tafjord

Things to do and unique places to stay.

7. The Jøssingfjord

The Jøssingfjord, Jøssingfjorden, lies in the southern end of Fjord Norway, by the Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren, between Flekkefjord and Egersund. This is a unique fjord in the heart of the moonlike landscape of the Magma UNESCO Global Geopark. Don't miss it.

Things to do in the area

Visit the modern Jøssingfjord Science Museum to learn more about geology, technology and World War II history, with a focus on the Altmark Affair (1940) and the story behind the famous 19th century houses beneath the rocky overhang at Helleren.

You can even spend the night in a hammock in the old tunnel carved into the mountainside! This route is also popular with hardcore cyclists. Rock climbing and hiking are popular in the fjord area, too – including the 434 steps up the old cable track to Fladen.

Just north of the Jøssingfjord, you should also take a detour to picturesque Sogndalstrand, a unique and well preserved little fishing village and cultural hotel.

Explore small shops, galleries and eateries in the cosy wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the surrounding cultural landscape, protected by the National Heritage Board.

Explore the Jøssingfjord

More fjords to visit

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