Recognized worldwide for his or her unimaginable pure magnificence, Norway’s majestic fjords have impressed generations of artists. They’re doubtless a must-see sight in Norway, but the fjords are excess of only a vacationer attraction. Additionally they maintain necessary cultural heritage as key components within the development of early Scandinavian society, offering a meals supply and a significant transport hyperlink for buying and selling.
There are fjords throughout Norway from the sunny southern coast to the Arctic north, however a handful stand out above the gang. Listed here are seven of probably the most well-known fjords in Norway.
Geirangerfjord
The calm waters, historic mountain farms and slender waterfalls are simply among the the reason why the Geirangerfjord tops the record of Norway’s must-see fjords.
There are a lot of viewpoints of the spectacular Geirangerfjord in western Norway.
A part of the ‘West Norwegian Fjords’ space acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage website, the 9.3-mile arm of the Storfjord carves by means of the mountains with extraordinarily steep drops on either side.
At its widest level the fjord continues to be lower than one mile throughout, so any boat journey alongside arguably the nation’s most well-known waterway will present excellent views in all instructions.
Aurlandsfjord
Throughout the first summer season of the pandemic, Norway’s Aurlandfjord attracted Norwegians in nice numbers. It’s not arduous to see why. Lodging with fjord views and loads of mountaineering trails attraction to the Norwegian love of the outside.
What units the Aurlandsfjord other than different fjords with related attraction is its ease of entry. It’s one of many few main fjords accessible on the nationwide rail community because of the Flåm railway that hyperlinks the fjord with Myrdal on the Oslo to Bergen railway.
The view of the Aurlandsfjord from the Stegastein viewpoint.
Aurland can also be simple to succeed in by automobile. It’s on the E16 freeway that connects Norway’s two largest cities, Oslo and Bergen. These on a highway journey also can benefit from the spectacular Aurlandsfjellet mountain highway and Lærdal tunnel, amongst different close by sights.
For one of the best view of the fjord, head to the award-winning Stegastein viewpoint. The hanging structure overhangs the fjord offering an uninterrupted view from greater than 2,000 toes above seat stage.
In fact, one of the simplest ways to stand up shut and private with the fjords is to get out on the water. The 2-hour passenger ferry journey from Flåm takes within the Aurlandsfjord and in addition its close to neighbor, the Nærøyfjord.
Nærøyfjord
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage record along with the Geirangerfjord, the Nærøyfjord supplies a extra intimate expertise. Simply 820 toes large at its narrowest level, the Nærøyfjord is spectacular but imposing unexpectedly.
Kayaking is a well-liked exercise within the calm waters of the Nærøyfjord and among the different west … [+]
The ferry journey talked about above is hands-down one of the simplest ways to expertise the fjord. Be careful for the historic farmstead Stigen, perched precariously on the mountainside near the doorway to the fjord.
The ultimate cease Gudvangen isn’t a vigorous place (Viking Valley apart) so most passengers reboard the ferry for the return journey or take the shuttle bus again to Flåm. However the space does supply some spectacular viewpoints for the keen hiker keen to stay round.
Sognefjord
There’s a lot to see among the many picturesque villages, idyllic farmsteads, fruit orchards and mountaineering trails that almost all Norwegians haven’t even scratched the floor of the Sognefjord area.
Kaupanger stave church within the Sognefjord area of Norway.
Simple to search out on a map, Norway’s longest, deepest fjord splits the fjord area in two.
The northern shore of the inside stretch are your best option for worldwide guests brief on time. The charming villages of Balestrand and Fjærland are value a cease, the latter situated on the foot of the large Jostedal glacier.
Farther inland, the stave church buildings Kaupanger and Urnes are among the many many cultural highlights of the Sognefjord area.
Hardangerfjord
Whereas not fairly as epic because the mighty Sognefjord, the Hardangerfjord continues to be a beast of a fjord. It carves its means by means of greater than 100 miles of rock to the southeast of Bergen.
The Hardangerfjord is a well-liked possibility for road-trippers touring between Oslo and Bergen, Norway’s two largest cities.
The Folgefonna glacier is close by of the Hardangerfjord in western Norway.
Sights embody Folgefonna, the southernmost glacier in Norway, and a number of other spectacular waterfalls. Maybe probably the most well-known of those, Vøringsfossen, has one of the best infrastructure for visiting vacationers.
Lysefjord
A preferred facet journey from Stavanger, the Lysefjord is well-known because the setting for 2 of the nation’s most intriguing hikes.
Recognized in English because the Pulpit Rock, the flat clifftop of Preikestolen is one among Norway’s most well-known sights. However some vacationers usually get caught out, not realizing it takes 4 hours to hike there and again.
Norway’s Preikestolen overlooks the Lysefjord in southwest Norway.
It takes even longer to succeed in Kjeragbolten, the well-known boulder wedged greater than 3,500 toes above the fjord. Nonetheless, roughly 80,000 individuals make the bodily demanding hike annually.
Not interested by mountaineering? Common boat journeys from Stavanger are a a lot much less strenuous choice to see the highlights of the fjord from sea stage, together with the Vagabonds’ cove, Hengjane waterfall and a household of mountain goats.
Nordfjord
Lesser-known till current a long time, the event of its villages as cruise locations and the opening of the Loen Skylift has put the Nordfjord firmly on the worldwide vacationer map. The cable automobile takes guests to the highest of Mount Hoven—3,317 toes above sea stage—in only a few minutes.
Whereas vacationers head up and down for the views, locals use the cable automobile to succeed in the beginning of many difficult mountaineering routes across the surrounding mountains.
The village of Olden on the sting of the Nordfjord.
Again down at fjord stage, the small village Olden is nestled between the fjord and a lake, all within the shadow of the Jostedalsbreen Nationwide Park, residence to the most important glacier in mainland Europe.
The close by lake Lovatnet is likely one of the hottest spots in Norway amongst social media influencers however its magnificence hides a tragic previous.