THE SOGNEFJORD AREA

Norway’s longest fjord

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The fjord village Solvorn .
Photo: Walaker Hotell

Travel slowly. Take your time.

The time to cycle along the fjord, hike through wild valleys, and explore the local culture.

Stop often. Enjoy the view.

Biking in Sogndal .
Photo: VERI Media / Lokel

Here in Fjord Norway, the nature looks just like a painting.

The Sognefjord – Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, which stretches 204 kilometres inland from the coast north of Bergen – is no exception.

The Aurlandsfjord in autumn colours .
Photo: M. Dickson / Foap / Visitnorway.com

According to UNESCO, the landscape around the fjord arm Nærøyfjorden is “among the most scenically outstanding anywhere”. Which is why it has a place on the World Heritage List.

But don’t take our word for it. Go on a fjord safari in a RIB or with a silent electric boat.

Unless you want to rent a kayak and explore on your own?

Fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord .
Photo: Fjord Tours AS

Another UNESCO site is the Urnes stave church, while the Borgund stave church near Lærdal is the best preserved church of its kind in Norway.

Borgund stave church in Lærdal, Fjord Norway .
Photo: Anders og Magga AS /Trigger Oslo / Visit Norway

Borgund stave church in Lærdal, Fjord Norway .
Photo: Anders og Magga AS / Trigger Oslo / Visit Norway

Travel around and visit idyllic fjord villages like Vikøyri, Solvorn, Sogndal, Høyanger, Balestrand, Lærdalsøyri, and Årdal.

The fjord village Vikøyri in the Sognefjord area .
Photo: Andre Aasen

If you need something to read, the book town Fjærland has you covered.

The book town Fjærland .
Photo: Marianne Supphellen

When the day is over, you can rest your head in one of the country’s most exclusive hotels. The wooden Walaker Hotel is the oldest family-run hotel in Norway.

Walaker Hotell .
Photo: Walaker Hotell

Or do you prefer a more modern alternative, like the boutique hotel 29/2 Aurland?

Practice “slow living” in the fjord village Aurland, which is also known for both organic veggies – and a very special shoe …

The boutique hotel 29/2 Aurland .
Photo: Montag

Wherever you end up staying, just make sure you get a good night’s sleep – you need your strength to get that bird’s-eye perspective of the landscape.

Maybe from the top of the stairs in Høyanger?

Hiking in Høyanger in the Sognefjord area .
Photo: VERI Media

Go for a hike in the Utladalen valley, where you can see Europe’s tallest free-falling waterfall. Vettisfossen has a single drop of 275 metres!

Hiking in the Utladalen valley .
Photo: Falkeblikk

Hikers should also check out other famous Sognefjord hikes, like Molden (pictured), Keipen, the Aurlandsdalen valley, and The King’s Road across the Filefjell mountain.

Have you noticed that the water in the innermost part of the fjords often look emerald green?

The view from Molden in the Sognefjord area .
Photo: VERI Media

The alluring colour comes from the melting water from glaciers and snow.

And yes, you can walk on the ice. Join a guided hike on Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on the European continent, or on one of the glacier arms Nigardsbreen and Flatbreen.

It’s a good idea to start with a tour of the Breheimsenteret glacier centre in Jostedalen or The Norwegian glacier museum in Fjærland.

The Nigardsbreen glacier .
Photo: Vegard Aasen

After all this exercise, the treasures of the sea will taste gooood!

Seafood at Kviknes Hotel .
Photo: VERI Media

Order something special to accompany it – like a local craft beer or cider.

The climate around the fjords gives the local food an extra edge: Apples, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and juices tastes excellent here. So does the goat cheeses and cured meats.

Tasting apples by the Sognefjord .
Photo: VERI Media

You can get memorable experiences through the train window, too.

Jump on the Flåm Railway in the village Flåm and enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys through a lush and mountainous Norwegian landscape.