NORWAY’S MOST FAMOUS FJORDS
With more than 1,000 fjords around the country, 10 of which are frequented regularly by cruise ships, it's not surprising that tourists have trouble telling them apart. Learn all about them with the help of fjord expert Øyvind Heen.
Get to know the fjords
Fjord expert Øyvind Heen grew up next to a fjord and has been exploring these majestic landscapes most of his life – documenting them while hiking, climbing, kayaking, and more. Now he’s here to help you get to know them better.
“I understand why visitors to Fjord Norway are confused. Not only are there many fjords, but they are long, deep, and have numerous side arms. To add to the confusion, some of the branches are far more famous than the main fjords,” says Heen.
According to Heen, the most dramatic fjords are in fact such side arms: the Geirangerfjord, the Aurlandsfjord, the Nærøyfjord, and the Lysefjord. His list of the best fjords to visit also includes the Romsdalsfjord, the Nordfjord, the Sognefjord, the Hardangerfjord, and the narrow Trollfjord in the north.
“‘Fjord’ is a Norwegian word that has become international. It’s an ancient Viking term related to the phrase for ‘crossing point’ (der man ferder over) and the word ‘ferry’ (ferje),” says Heen.
Carved by massive glaciers
“The fjords were created by massive glaciation that extended below sea level,” explains Heen. “Over a period of 2.5 million years, the U-shaped valleys were carved out of the ground during a succession of glacial cycles. In other words, the fjords were shaped by the glaciers.”
Think of Norway’s fjords as main roads with side streets and narrow back alleys – like the canals of Venice on a much larger scale. Many visitors are fascinated by the changing weather conditions that are caused by the unique fjord landscape. “For those who come from warm and sunny places, the weather is an attraction in itself,” says Heen.
He plans to continue exploring the intriguing fjord universe. Below is his summary of Norway’s major fjords, from south to north.
The Lysefjord: a gem in Southern Norway
The Lysefjord in Ryfylke is the southernmost of the best-known fjords in Western Norway. You’ll find many popular destinations and activities in this area, including hikes to the spectacular viewing points of Kjerag and Preikestolen. Both can be reached on a day trip from the nearby city of Stavanger.
Fjord cruises are popular. There are no roads along this fjord, but a car ferry (with limited capacity during the summer) can take you to Lysebotn in the inner part. The ferry stops in the small community of Flørli, where you can sleep, eat, and hike more than 4,000 steps up the world's longest wooden staircase.
Find accommodation and activities in the Lysefjord area.
The Hardangerfjord: fruit heaven
The second-longest fjord in Norway stretches 179 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean, just south of Bergen, all the way to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau in the middle of the country. The Hardangerfjord is a national icon, partly due to the incredible springtime apple tree blossoms on its steep hillsides. It is also the epicentre of Norwegian cider and fruit juice production.
Its longest side arms are the Sørfjord, where you’ll find the popular Trolltunga hike, and the Eidfjord, close to the famous Vøringsfossen waterfall. Explore the natural beauty by driving along the Hardanger Scenic Route.
Find activities and places to stay in the Hardangerfjord region.
The Sognefjord: the king of the fjords
The Sognefjord is called “the king of the fjords” for many reasons. Located right in the middle of Fjord Norway, it is the longest of the Norwegian fjords. This iconic fjord stretches more than 200 kilometres into the country, just north of Bergen, and measures 1,308 metres at its deepest point. The Sognefjord is among the widest fjords, but has many narrower side arms.
You will find small, cosy villages along the fjord and its side branches, including Balestrand, Lærdal, Flåm, Solvorn, Sogndalsfjøra, and the ‘book town’ of Fjærland. You can visit glaciers, Viking villages, and farms, or go hiking, kayaking, or biking. Day cruises are also available.
Find activities and places to stay in the Sognefjord area.
The Aurlandsfjord: a famous train ride and fjord sightseeing
The 29-kilometre-long Aurlandsfjord is a narrow branch of Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord. Many tourists arrive here on the iconic Bergen and Flåm railways, which are frequently listed among the most beautiful train journeys on the planet.
From the small fjord-side village of Flåm, you can take a cruise, hike, bike, paddle, or try one of the longest ziplines in Europe!
Or leave the crowds behind and go on a winter journey from Bergen to Flåm to enjoy some of the most tranquil fjordscapes in the world.
Book Norway´s most popular round trip Norway in a nutshell, from Voss, Bergen, or Oslo, and get inspired by an autumn escape to the fjords.
Discover the Norwegian fjords by bus, train, or express boat
Experience the fjords in other seasons
Nærøyfjord: the UNESCO branch
Next to the Aurlandsfjord lies the 18-kilometre-long Nærøyfjord, listed as a world heritage area by UNESCO. It is considered the most beautiful and pristine arm of the Sognefjord, and has a passage that is much narrower (only about 250 metres in some places) than the other fjords in the area. The landscape is breathtaking, with steep mountainsides up to 1,800 metres high and cascading waterfalls. In the midst of this dramatic scenery you’ll see small, traditional farms and other dwellings dotting the hillsides.
The fjord is best experienced on a day cruise, RIB boat or by kayak.
Explore things to do in the Nærøyfjord area. Sightseeing on this fjord is included in Norway´s most popular round trip Norway in a nutshell.
Geirangerfjord: World Heritage waterfalls
The 15-kilometre-long Geirangerfjord, also on the UNESCO World Heritage list, is often said to be the most dazzling of the fjords. Visitors experience jaw-dropping, almost vertical mountainsides with numerous waterfalls, topped by snow-capped mountain peaks that look like gigantic ice cream cones all year round. Three waterfalls are particularly well known: De syv søstrene (The Seven Sisters), Friaren (The Suitor) and Brudesløret (The Bridal Veil).
The Geirangerfjord is the innermost branch of the Storfjord, easily reached from the art nouveau city of Ålesund in the northern part of Fjord Norway. Stay for a few days to really take in the beauty of it all. The area is also a hiking paradise with unique hotels, spas, and a lot of exciting activities.
Explore activities and places to stay in the Geirangerfjord, or check out how beautiful the Geirangerfjord is in winter, without the crowds!
The Hjørundfjord: quiet tranquillity
The Hjørundfjord has much of the same dramatic scenery as the Geirangerfjord, but with far fewer tourists and more pristine nature. Quaint and charming villages line the fjord, including Sæbø, Urke, and Øye.
You'll find some of the best hiking terrain in the country here, with tough hikes like Urkegga, Skåla, and Saksa. Relax in a sauna afterwards, or enjoy an extraordinary stay at Hotel Union Øye, a historical hotel that is one of the most exclusive in the country.
The fjord is also easily reached by car from the city of Ålesund. In the summer, you can visit the fjord on a day cruise from the city.
Explore activities in the Hjørundfjord.
The Romsdalsfjord: rock and roam
The Romsdal area is known for its diverse and stunning nature. While the western part of the 88-kilometre-long Romsdalsfjord is mainly a coastal landscape dotted with skerries, the inner section consists of a long fjord and steep mountains.
The best known tourist attractions in the area are the winding mountain road Trollstigen and Trollveggen, the highest vertical mountain wall in Europe. The Romsdalen Gondola takes you to up to The Nesaksla mountain above the mountaineering city of Åndalsnes, which is also part of the popular hiking route across Romsdalseggen ridge.
Another popular attraction is Kirketaket, which has been voted one of Norway’s top mountains for skiing. The expression “fjord view” most definitely applies here.
Explore things to do and places to stay in Åndalsnes.
The Trollfjord: the film location
Although the steep, 3-kilometre-long Trollfjord between Lofoten and Vesterålen only measures about 100 metres at its narrowest point, in the summer it is still frequented daily by cruise ships like Hurtigruten. The Trollfjord got a lot of international attention when the movie Downsizing, starring Matt Damon, was filmed here.
You can also visit the fjord on a day cruise from the small town of Svolvær in Lofoten. It's common to spot eagles on the journey!
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