How to relax / 26.06.2024

Norwegian fjords. Fjords of Norway Most visited bay

When you come to the fjords, you can combine active recreation with quiet pleasures.

Start with hiking and leisurely strolls through towns and villages, or go on a guided tour of viewpoints and landmarks near the fjords, mountains and waterfalls.

More challenging hiking routes include climbing to peaks that offer stunning views of the surrounding area. You can also go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), rafting, glacier climbing, rock climbing or via ferrata. In addition, there are guided sea, river and lake fishing tours.

In some places, such as the Sunnmør Alps, you have the opportunity to ski at any time of the year while enjoying the fjords. Summer skiing is a popular activity that can be combined with swimming in the fjords. Moreover, in one day you will have time to ski and plunge into the water of the fjord.

On the banks of the fjord historical places await you, ruins of ancient buildings, ethnographic museums, art museums, as well as the heritage of the Viking Age. UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Hanseatic waterfront Bryggen in Bergen, Urnes Stave Church, Nærøyfjord and Geirangerfjord and their surroundings.

In this region there are several national parks with marked trails, self-catering overnight houses, cottages. There is rich flora and fauna, lakes, rivers, glaciers. You can also use the tourist assistance service.

World Heritage Sites

In 2005, the fjords of Western Norway, namely Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, received UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

“They owe their beauty to their steep slopes composed of crystalline rocks. The shores of the fjords rise above the waters of the Norwegian Sea to a height of 1,400 meters, and go to a depth of 500 meters. Numerous waterfalls fall from the steep banks of the fjords, and in their surroundings, covered with deciduous and coniferous forests, you can see glaciers, as well as glacial lakes, rivers and mountains,” is how UNESCO describes the Norwegian fjords.

In 2006, the National Geographic Council of Experts compiled a ranking of the most popular World Cultural Heritage sites. Norwegian fjords took first place, ahead of the Galapagos Islands, Egyptian pyramids, Grand Canyon, Angkor Wat and Machu Picchu.

“This confirms that, compared to other countries, Norwegians are excellent at protecting their property. Leaders in other areas would do well to learn from them and adapt the Norwegian experience to their own situation,” says Jonathan B. Tourtellot, director of the National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Communities.

How to get there and what to use to get around the fjords and surrounding areas

Don't know which fjord to choose?

There are more than a thousand fjords in Norway, so it is not at all surprising that many travelers find it difficult to choose. Find out which fjords are the most popular and use our tips when choosing where to go.

Five facts about the fjords

1. The Norwegian fjords, namely Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

2. Fjords are often spoken of as Mother Nature’s masterpiece. The fjords were formed when glaciers began to retreat and seawater filled the oddly shaped valleys.

3. The villages of Gudvangen and Geiranger are among the most visited cruise ports in Scandinavia. They are located in the farthest corners of Nærøyfjord and accordingly.

4. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream and warm air currents moving under the influence of the Coriolis force, the climate in the Fjord Region is quite mild. The ice-free waters of the fjords are home to seals, porpoises (an order of cetaceans that were previously classified as dolphins) and numerous fish. Eagles and other birds soar over the mountains and water surface.

5. The depth of most fjords is very impressive. Thanks to this, large ships can pass here, from which you can fully enjoy the beauty of the fjords. . Its depth reaches 1,308 meters below sea level.

How to get there and what to use to get around the fjords and surrounding areas

Traveling to the Fjord Region by train will provide you with an incredibly scenic journey. This is often the fastest way to get to the fjords (with the exception of Northern Norway).

The traditional liner calls at many port towns and villages in the Fjord Region.

Most localities offer short and longer excursions to help you get to know the area better.

Electric ferries and conventional ferries ply the fjords all year round.

Tunnels and bridges stitch the Fjord Region together, making it much easier to get around the region by bus, caravan or car.

Larger cities have airports that can be reached by domestic flights.

With rocky shores. The length of the fjord is several (most often tens) times greater than its width. The shores of the fjord are in most cases formed by cliffs up to 1000 meters high.

Most often, fjords are of tectonic origin and arose when there was a sharp and sudden change in the direction of movement of tectonic plates from counter to opposite. As a result of this, at the edges of the plates, already compressed by the preliminary oncoming movement, numerous cracks and faults are formed, which are filled with sea water. In this case, the fjord can have significant depth, up to 800 meters. In a number of cases, the emergence of fjords is the result of the processing by glaciers (during the Quaternary glaciation) of river valleys and tectonic depressions, followed by their flooding with water.

The world's most famous fjord regions are located on the western coasts of Norway, Chile, the South Island of New Zealand and North America from Puget Sound (Washington) to Alaska. Fjords are also found on the shores of Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Labrador Peninsula, Maine (USA) and on some Arctic islands.

Thanks to their beauty and picturesqueness - cliffs rising straight out of the water, mountains covered with dense vegetation, snowy peaks - the fjords enjoy deserved interest among tourists all over the world.

Hardangerfjord, Norway

Some fjords

Name	Location	Length (km)	Width (km)	Depth (m)
Sognefjord	Norway	219	6	1308
Hardangerfjord	Norway	183	10	750
Trondheimsfjord	Norway	137	24	600
Nordfjord	Norway	113	5	565
Kola Bay	Russia	57	7	300
Milford	New Zealand	19	3	390
Portland Channel	Alaska (USA)	145	3	385
Loch Morar	Scotland (UK)	19	3	310
Saguenay	Quebec (Canada)	120	5	30

Sognefjord

This region is home to the Rallarvegen (Digger's Road), the most popular cycling route in Norway.

Geirangerfjord

The small fjord (only 20 km long) has a delightful landscape. Geirangerfjord is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the most visited fjords in Norway. The Bridal Veil and Seven Sisters waterfalls are the most famous waterfalls in Geirangerfjord. Local activities include fishing, kayaking, rafting, horse riding and summer skiing in Stryn.

Norwegian fjords

Næreyfjord

Næreyfjord is a branch of the Sognefjord, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The length of the fjord is 17 km, and at its narrowest point its width is only 300 m. This narrow fjord is surrounded by mountains 1700 m high. You can get to Næreyfjord by the same routes as to Sognefjord.

Lysefjord

Lysefjord is located in the Ryfylke region, near the cities of Haugesend and Stavanger. It is primarily famous for its Preikestolen rock. Popular activities in this region include hiking, horse riding, rock climbing and base jumping.

Getting to Lysefjord from the north or east is a pleasure. After all, this is where the scenic Ryfylkevegen road is located, which runs between highways rv13 and rv520, stretching from the ferry pier in Oanes in the south to Røldal in the north.

Hardangerfjord

Hardangerfjord is famous for its orchards and the Folgefonna glacier, where you can ski even in summer. The length of the fjord is 179 km, it is considered the third longest in the world. Maximum depth - 800 m.

Road from Oslo

By bus: daily departures to Odda (approx. 7 hours). By plane: daily direct flights from Oslo to Bergen. Travel time is approximately 50 minutes. There is an express bus from the airport to the city center, where you can change to a bus to Nordheimsund (approximately 2 hours). An alternative is to take an express boat from Bergen to Roosendaal. By train: There are no trains all the way to Hardangerfjord, but from Oslo you can take the Bergen Railway to Geilo, Voss and Bergen, from where there are cars or buses to Hardangerfjord.

From Bergen

By bus: daily departures to Herheimsend (approx. 1.5 hours). By express boat: daily departures from Bergen to Roosendaal.

From Stavanger

By bus: daily departures to Odda (approx. 9 hours). By plane: daily flights from Stavanger to Bergen. Travel time is approximately 40 minutes.

From Trondheim

By plane: daily flights from Trondheim to Bergen (travel time about an hour).

Nordfjord

The Nordfjord stretches from the Jostedalsbreen glacier to the ocean, its length is 110 kilometers. Local activities: summer skiing in Stryn, visiting the West Cape and the historic Selje Monastery, hiking, glacier climbing, fishing, biking, canoeing, rafting, horse riding and much more.

Road from Oslo

By bus: daily departures to Nordfjordeid (approx. 9 hours). By plane: daily flights from Oslo to Sanadan Airport. Travel time is approximately 1 hour.

From Bergen

By bus: daily departures to Ålesund (approx. 9 hours). In Ålesund, change to a bus to Geiranger (approximately 11 km). By plane: daily flights from Bergen to Sandane Airport. Travel time is approximately one and a half hours.

From Trondheim

By bus: daily departures to Nordfjordeid (approx. 10 hours).

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Mile after mile of serpentine bays stretch between the rocky slopes. They are called fjords, and it is them that will be discussed in this article.

In addition, you will learn a lot of interesting things about the five most beautiful fjords of Norway - a country of ancient legends and incredible landscapes.

Cheap flights to Norway

What are fjords?

Fjords are narrow sea bays lying between steep mountains, having a winding shape and often intersecting with each other.

They cut deeply into the land, and the banks that frame them are steep and often dotted with waterfalls and are of glacial origin.

Where can you see the fjord?

Most often, we associate fjords with Norway, and for good reason! The most picturesque of them are located in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The bays located there are even included in the UNESCO list.

Other fjord locations include:

Iceland;
Greenland;
Russia;
Chile;
New Zealand.

Origin of natural rocky cliffs

The secret to creating these enchanting landscapes is simple!

In ancient times, the active displacement of tectonic plates, namely their sharp change in the course of movement, as a result of collisions and pressure, their edges cracked, and the resulting voids were filled by the sea.

The most famous rocky cliffs in the world

Among all the rocky bays, the most popular to visit are Norwegian fjords(Nordfjord, Hardangerfjord, Lysefjord, Sognfjord, Geirangerfjord).

Of course, they won the hearts of millions of people for a reason, and why exactly, you will find out below.

The longest rocky bay in the world

The longest in the world is Scoresby fjord. He located in Greenland and named after the fishermen who discovered it.

The length of this bay is 350 km! This giant fjord is also distinguished by the fact that more than half of the year is covered with ice.

Amazing fjords of Norway

This country is famous for its cold, harsh climate and equally harsh history.

It is not at all surprising that the Scandinavian culture was formed this way, because from childhood Scandinavians grew up on the shores of chilling fjords!

People still live on the shores of the bays. But, of course, there are not as many of them as those who come from all over the world to admire the cold beauties of Norway.

Now let's talk in detail about the five most famous and beautiful fjords.

Nordfjord

This bay stretches for 110 km and is a popular holiday destination due to the large number of attractions in its immediate vicinity.

Also on the coast of Njorfjord there is a well-developed entertainment infrastructure, so there are no tourists there all year round.

Among all the advantages of this impressive corner of nature, the most interesting are:

Briksdal Glacier- the tongue of one of the largest glaciers in Europe - Yustedal. You can get to it either by ship along the fjord or by special mining vehicles. The glacier itself is open for ice climbing. There is also a rapid waterfall nearby, which captivates with its roar and splashes of icy water crashing on the rocks.

Not far from Briksdal there are hotels and cafes with a small zoo.

On the Jostedal glacier itself is Jostedalsbern Park, where you can visit a botanical garden, a cinema, and a museum dedicated to the history of the glacier.

For extreme sports enthusiasts, a ski resort operates on the glacier all year round. While you're skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling, you can see Nordfjord from the most amazing angles.
Tragically famous valley Lodal – is also located within easy reach if you are sailing along the Nordfjord. This place once again proves how deceptive the quiet beauty of the North can be. Even in the last century, real disasters occurred here due to the fact that huge stones broke off from the rocks and fell into the waters, creating waves. They were so large that they simply washed away 2 towns on the coast. The last time such a tragedy occurred was in 1936.
In addition, there is an exclusive offer for climbers! Skela is a mountain 1848 meters high. It is the highest of all the peaks in Northern Europe. For those brave souls who make it to the top, there is one more surprise! At the top of the mountain there is a tower where you can spend the night if you wish.
As you sail towards the ocean along Nordfjord, you are sailing past a series of lakes. Among them is a green lake Lovetnet(there are many legends regarding its color, but it has been scientifically proven that the springs bring particles of green clay hidden in the bowels of the earth into the lake), Lake Hornindalsvatnet (the deepest lake in Europe, at its deepest point it reaches 514 meters; swimming is offered for the most daring and seasoned in the lake and fishing), Breisvatnet (one of the most popular piers is located there).
On your way to the ocean you will also be able to see six waterfalls: Kleyvafos, Twinnefos (under this waterfall you have the opportunity to walk and even touch its foaming waters), Glomnesfos, Bulderfos, Sandalsfos (one of the highest waterfalls starting at 1827 meters above sea level) and Eidsfos.
Among other entertainments fishing, relaxing on the picturesque beaches of both the fjord and the ocean. You can visit 2 islands that are incredibly rich in history. On one of them (Barmen Island) there is Rune Stone, which testifies to the use of this island in Neolithic times and later by the Vikings.
If you wish, you can visit the lighthouses, of which there are 3 on the coast.
We also strongly recommend visiting Kanensteinen- a stone that looks like a mushroom or a jug (by the way, this is how its name is translated). It was carved out by the patient waters of the fjord and is still washed by them. You can look at it in close proximity thanks to the wooden decking that goes right to the water.

The easiest way to get to Njordfjord is by bus from Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim.

The bay is located in southwest Norway and is the second longest in the country. 891 meters is the maximum depth of this fjord.

Flowing between the mountains, it is divided into many small branches. But this is not the only thing that attracts tourists to Hardangerfjord.

Let's start with the most significant attractions:

Blooming shores! If you came in the spring, then you did everything right! Picturesque gardens bloom with riotous colors and turn from snow-covered rocks into white with blooming, noisy streams of petals and leaves.
It’s also good to get there during harvest time., because then a festival takes place here, during which everyone is treated to the best varieties of cider.
Visit several museums. The best of them are the interactive nature center Eidfjord (panoramic exhibitions and 3D cinema) and the Maritime Museum, where you will learn everything about ancient and modern conquest of the sea: from the structure of longships to the management of modern ships.
Veringfossen- a waterfall whose waters fall from a mind-boggling height of 182 meters. On sunny days, a rainbow appears above the waterfall, so in ancient times the waterfall was considered a sacred path to the gods.
Several ski resorts will provide you with extreme sports, such as Folgefonn(there is also the possibility of easy access to the plateau Hardangerwid, home to one of the largest populations of deer) and Finse(the most extreme of all Norwegian ski and mountaineering resorts).
For believers, the church will certainly be an interesting place to visit, where the miraculous crucifix is located. Once a year it releases a healing liquid for which it is revered by pilgrims from all over the world. The church was built in the 13th century on the site of an ancient Scandinavian temple.
And, of course, you simply must take a ride on the Troll Train. 25 minutes of unforgettable landscapes will not leave you indifferent and you will certainly immerse yourself in the world of ancient legends about petrified trolls.

You can get to this fabulous place in 4 hours from Bergen or by ferries that sail along the fjords. The infrastructure of Hardangerfjord will pleasantly impress the most demanding travelers: there are villas, hotels, ancient houses, and, of course, places for tents.

The local cuisine will satisfy even a gourmet, and shopping here will be exquisite and gastronomic!

Lyse Fjord is located near Stavanger and is only 42 km long, which does not prevent it from being the most visited among the Norwegian bays. And for good reason!

You will never regret if you choose a trip to Lysefjord as your vacation. You won’t find so many natural wonders concentrated around one bay anywhere else.

Breathtaking landscapes and energy that will take you back to the times of the brave Vikings will make even experienced tourists cry.

What will you see if you choose this route?

Very close to Lysefjord there is the rock “Preikestolen” - the pulpit of the preacher. It has earned the love of tourists because the sharp cliff cliff makes it not just sheer, but, as it were, makes the upper plateau hang directly over the fjord. You can dangle your feet off a cliff and feel completely free, floating above the cold hills of the North.
No less popular attraction created by nature - Kjeragbolten on Mount Kjerag. This is a place where hundreds of years ago, a fallen stone got stuck between two neighboring rocks. Yes, it stayed there! Dared souls can stand on the rock and take a scary photo.
For especially risky people BASE jumping is organized from the steepest side of Kjerg. But be careful! To make the jump, you need to register in advance on the BASE jumping association website.
The center of tourism on the fjord is the town of Oanes, where you can have a nice meal, take a tour and visit museums.
In another city - Fleurley - There is a hydroelectric power station, which is famous for the longest wooden staircase in the world. It has 4444 steps and is open to tourists.

Of course, the old wooden staircase has not been used for its intended purpose for a long time, because the modern station is equipped with the latest technology and... carved out of the rock!

Another village worth visiting- Landa. There is an open-air museum here, where 6 absolutely authentic Viking houses, preserved from ancient times, are presented. Even dishes and some furniture were preserved inside.
Sailing on a ship, you will be able to see several waterfalls, as, indeed, when traveling along other fjords. But only here they will be so steep, because the northern coast is considered the most inaccessible in all of Northern Europe.
Worth a visit and the road, which has 27 turns, each of which opens a new picture. It passes through a pedestrian tunnel and is the only route that connects the city of Lysebotn with the world, apart from the ferry.

You can get to Lysefjord by boat from Stavanger, as well as by train from Oslo and Bergen. In addition to all of the above, in all cities adjacent to the bay you will be offered to try your hand at horse riding and rock climbing.

King among the fjords of Norway! The longest and deepest among all bays. Its length inland is 204 meters and its maximum depth is 1308 meters. It is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The most popular excursions, not counting water routes, are train rides, because the main asset of Sognefjord is the breathtaking views into a fairy-tale world that open from the window of an arrow hurrying along the rails.

The first of the train routes– Flåm Railway. It runs along the very edge of the cliff and passes hundreds of picturesque places.
Second way- This is the Bergen Railway. It passes through the largest Norwegian plateau and past the most powerful blue glaciers, called Hardangerjokulen.
For those who like to tickle the nerves The town of Voss, which is considered the main center of all extreme sports, will be interesting. Here the traveler will be offered almost all types of skiing, air and even water sports.
Walking ecotours are also popular along the shore of the fjord, which are designed for both trained and beginner climbers.

The most convenient way to get to Sognefjord is by rail, combining pleasant things with even more pleasant ones. And since the bay has many branches, you can get to it by boat, which you can board in any town located on the shore of the bay.

Gerangerfjord, an offshoot of the Storfjord, is only 15 kilometers long, but thanks to the large number of waterfalls and nearby attractions, just like the previous bay, it was included in the UNESCO heritage list.

This fjord is worth viewing from a ship. without fail! Otherwise, you simply won’t be able to see all three magnificent waterfalls.
Seven sisters, Groom and Bridal Veil - 3 of the most beautiful and almost mythical waterfalls. There are several legends about how they appeared and why they are called that. One of them tells that the strongest and most noble of the Vikings decided to woo one of the seven sisters. He even brought a veil with him, but when he saw the beauties, he froze in amazement, not knowing which one to choose, and turned into a waterfall, and the veil remained hanging on a nearby rock. And the sisters, as a sign of grief over the most beautiful groom, did not marry and became streams to flow into the same fjord as the groom.
Admiring the waterfalls, the traveler should visit the town of Geranger, where the museum of the history of the fjords is located.
See the fjord from a bird's eye view You can climb the Fludalsjuvet rock.

There are many ways to get to Gerangerfjord, as it is the most popular route among tourists. But the best way, of course, is to fly from Oslo, Bergen or Trondheim (the fastest way) or by ship from the last two cities (a more romantic way).

Geranger has a huge number of hotels, including the favorite of royalty. The rooms here have a relatively low price, given the level of service. The huge number of cafes and restaurants is no coincidence.

The city lives off its tourism business, so travelers are welcomed with open arms.

The most visited bay in Norway

Gerangefjord - the most visited of all Norwegian bays.

Thousands of people visit it every year. The largest number of tourists arrive in late spring, when the waterfalls are most filled with water.

To summarize, it should be said that there is no friend according to taste and color, and everyone chooses their own most beautiful fjord.

WITH a list of world-famous bays where a true traveler must visit:

Scoresby (Greenland);
Sognefjord (Norway);
Nordfjord (Norway);
Hardangerfjord (Norway);
Gerangerfjord (Norway);
Kola Bay (Russia);
Seguenay (Canada);
Loch Fyn (UK);
Milford Sound (New Zealand);
Portland Canal (USA).

Whichever fjord you choose for your trip, you can’t go wrong! If you plan to visit several bays at once, then, of course, it is better to go to Norway, where the number of fjords is the highest.

In any case, you won’t have to regret your chosen route, because the cold beauties of the North do not leave you indifferent.

It is worth deciding in advance which type of vacation suits you best - active, passive or extreme, and then choose a hotel or base according to your preferences. But no matter what you choose, traveling through the fjords will provide you with plenty of opportunities to realize your idea!

You can see the Norwegian fjords by taking a cruise from St. Petersburg; a similar tour can also be purchased in the capital Moscow.

FJORD, or fiord, a long, very narrow and deep sea bay with steep banks. Fjords are found only in high latitudes of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and are usually confined to dissected elevated regions. They are especially well developed on the mountainous western coasts, where glaciers were or are fed by heavy snowfall. It is believed that the fjords were formed as a result of exaration by glaciers that descended to the sea along ancient river valleys or along faults. The exaration period was followed by land subsidence and sea level rise, which led to the flooding of valleys. In some cases, the deepening of valleys by glaciers continued below sea level. Many fjords have the greatest depths in their inner parts, and sometimes have a clearly defined shallow threshold at the entrance. There are very deep fjords. For example, in Norway and Chile, some fjords reach depths of 1200 m, but there are probably even deeper fjords in the Baffin Sea, where the fjord coast has depths of approx. 2000 m (although this area has not yet been mapped). In addition, some fjord coasts are densely dissected by equally narrow and deep transverse straits. The latter serve as very convenient inland waterways of communication, for example, in southeastern Alaska and the extreme south of Chile. The deepest fjords in the world include the Sognefjord (depth 1308 m) in Norway and the Messier (1287 m) and Baker (1244 m) straits in southern Chile.

Thanks to the steepness of the banks and other structural features, fjords and fjord coasts are very interesting and beautiful. The rivers there cascade into picturesque cascades of waterfalls. Such, for example, is the 580 m high Sutherland Falls in Milford Bay (New Zealand).

The economy of the fjord areas is mainly related to fishing, as agricultural development is limited by the scarcity of flat land. Land communication between individual fjords is usually difficult: there are no conditions for population concentration and the growth of large cities. However, some fjords are of great strategic importance. During World War II, Germany used the Norwegian fjords to shelter its battleships, and the United States built the Blue West 8 air force base at Søndre Strømfjord in Greenland.

The four most famous fjord regions in the world are located on the western coasts of Norway, Chile, the South Island of New Zealand and North America from Puget Sound (Washington) to Alaska. Fjords are also found on the shores of Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, the Labrador Peninsula, Maine (USA) and on some Arctic islands.

Some of the longest and deepest fjords

SOME OF THE LONGEST AND DEEPEST FJORDS
Name	Location	Length (km)	Width (km)	Depth (m)
Sognefjord	Norway	219	6	1308
Hardangerfjord	Norway	183	10	750
Trondheimsfjord	Norway	137	24	600
Nordfjord	Norway	113	5	565
Milford	New Zealand	19	3	390
Portland Channel	Alaska (USA) – British Columbia (Canada)	145	3	385
Loch Morar	Scotland (UK)	19	3	310
R. Saguenay (below Chicoutimi)	Quebec (Canada)	120	5	30

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Fjords of Norway Most visited bay

Norwegian fjords. Fjords of Norway Most visited bay