7 Most Beautiful Fjords In Norway
March 14, 2022
Norway
By guy yefet
Discover the most beautiful fjords in Norway! There are quite a few reasons to visit Norway, but there is no doubt that its fjords are one of the main reasons.
As part of my two weeks in Norway, I saw this natural phenomenon fjord and immediately fell in love.
A trip to Norway would not be complete without visiting one or two fjords.
A fjord is a valley of sea between mountains. The fjord looks like a lake and has steep edges, and they continue well below sea level.
In fact, the fjords are actually long, narrow lakes that are connected to the sea.
The fjords were formed as an encounter between glaciers and seawater that caused the glacier to thaw and form the fjord.
There are fjords formed as a result of an earthquake, which led to a geological change and the creation of a narrow valley into which seawater entered.
The heavyweight of the glacier eroded the bottom of the valley below sea level. The seawater could not penetrate the valley because the glacier blocked its way.
After the glaciers melted, seawater penetrated a valley whose level was lower than that of the sea.
The fjords are protected from winds and storms, allowing ships to dock and sail along the bay.
The favorable conditions created a tourism-based economy in these areas.
In addition, the fjords are rich in fish and can be fished without having to go out to sea.
As a result, the locals developed fishing towns and port cities around the fjords and near the fjords and were able to rely on them economically.
On the other hand, it is difficult to cross from one side to the other side of the fjord, because many bridges need to be paved, which costs a lot of money, and the traffic is mostly done by ferries.
The fjords vary in length, depth, and in the landscape that surrounds them.
If you are planning a cruise or trip on the banks of the fjords, do not miss Norway, it has the most impressive fjords in Europe.
Norway has a large number of fjords.
Most of the fjords with the most impressive views are located in the southwest of Norway around the picturesque city of Bergen.
There are fjords in more northern areas, but they are less impressive, as the fjords in the west of the country are known for their powerful indices, depth, length, and the spectacular landscapes around them.
Around the fjords, in southern Norway, there are roads and routes like the Atlantic Road and Geiranger, which is a well-known tourist route following the trolls.
In the area, you will also find a variety of natural attractions such as huge glaciers or high cliffs.
Sognefjord is known as the "King of the Fjords" because it is impressive in size and scope.
It is the longest fjord in Norway and the second-longest in the world (to visit the longest fjord in the world you will have to travel as far as Greenland).
Sognefjord is over 200 km long, over 1,300 meters deep, and you will also find a huge glacier.
This fjord is so huge that two of its arms form additional fjords, which are also beautiful and worth a visit like the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord.
The surroundings of Sognefjord are dramatic and rich in natural phenomena.
This can be seen in the picturesque towns around the fjord, In the waterfalls along the way, and especially by train from Flam to Myrdal.
It's a steep train passing through the mountains, the height difference between Flam and Myrdal is close to 900 meters, and the journey takes about an hour.
Another option is a guided tour that combines the beautiful train ride and a cruise to Sognefjord, Gudvangen, and Flåm from Bergen.
This tour is a great way to see the stunning landscape of Norway.
Along the cruise, you will stop at some viewpoints, and maybe you will see seals, dolphins, and wild birds.
Another way to experience the area is in the Laerdal Tunnel, the longest tunnel in the world, which passes near the King of the Fjords and is 24 kilometers long.
Nærøyfjord is one of the arms of Sugenfjord and is also called the "Narrow Fjord" because it is particularly narrow.
Its width ranges from 250 meters at the narrowest point to more than a kilometer at the widest point.
Its depth ranges from 10 to 250 meters. On both sides of the fjord are high and steep cliffs, which rise to heights of about 1,200 meters above the ground.
Around the fjord are touristy port towns, such as Gudvangen and Bakka.
The fjord is named after Njord, a god from Norse mythology.
Njord, according to Norse mythology, is the god who was approached for rain in times of drought and was revered.
Lord Njord was responsible for the water in the earthly world, and if there was a fear of drought or crop damage they would blame him.
The location of Njord was not known to humans at the beginning of their belief in mythology then, so if they wanted to pray to it for rains, they would go to the nearest water source and after it, the narrow fjord is called Nærøyfjord.
The length of the fjord is 18 km, and its beauty gave it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
The snowy mountains around the fjord and the waterfalls that flow in summer and freeze in late autumn make sailing a special experience.
Geiranger is one of the most popular tourist places in Norway.
Geiranger is known for its many waterfalls along the fjord, including the Seven Sisters Waterfall and the famous Bridal Veil that covers the cliffs in small waterfalls with an impressive display of changing arches.
You can enjoy the views of the fjord and the waterfalls in a variety of tours in the area surrounding Geiranger or view the fjord from a kayak and see it through a new vantage point.
Other popular activities in the area include fishing, cycling, and rafting. The mountain trail following the trolls is a must-see experience, and climbing the trail that winds up the sides of the mountains along waterfalls and narrow abysses is spectacular.
The road was opened in 1936 and serves as a historical testament to the engineering and construction skills and abilities made using simple tools that were common in the early 20th century.
The unique natural phenomena of the area were created in a series of ice ages when glaciers sculpted deep fjords and shaped the high mountains.
Geirangerfjord still appears frequently on various lists that rank the most spectacular sites in the world.
Valldal Adventure Park is located north of the fjord and is a climbing park that includes over 1,150 meters of mountaineering facilities.
The climbing park offers various climbing courses as well as fun activities for children and the whole family.
Trollfjord, the troll fjord, is a narrow fjord surrounded by steep mountains. As I already mentioned, most of the most beautiful and famous fjords in Norway are located in the southwest and are relatively close to Bergen.
But, if you are coming to the beautiful Lofoten Islands on their own, then why not go sailing in the fjord? Trollfjord, is relatively short, only 2 km long.
The fact that it is an almost canal hidden among the snowy mountains in one of the most beautiful areas in Norway (and the competition is tough) makes the cruise particularly experiential.
The shoreline is also called the "Lofoten Wall", a rocky wall that rises to a vertical height of 1,000 meters above the water.
The wall is considered a geological phenomenon - the glaciers slid over the cliffs and gave them a smooth appearance over the centuries.
In the nearby village of Kabelvag is the Lofoten Museum, which documents the past life of the islands and fishing villages.
Trollfjord is evidence that the legends of the trolls are linked in the history of Norway, and the trolls, Scandinavian mythical creatures, are used as tourist gimmicks like water attractions and sightings.
According to legend, trolls are small and hairy creatures with long noses and big ears. According to Norse myth, the trolls live in underground caves in the mountains beneath the rocks and hide from human noise.
Hardangerfjord is the fourth largest fjord in the world.
It's located in western Norway, and it flows between the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Dangervida.
The place has become a favorite with many tourists since 1875 when the first modern travel company operating in the area began sailing its customers to this impressive fjord.
The best way to get an impression of the place is by climbing the nearby mountains, which reach a height of 610 meters above sea level.
The geological natural phenomenon of the Trolltunga cliff invites hikers and tourists from around the world to the fjord area.
Trolltunga is one of the most beautiful cliffs in Norway.
Trolltunga is located a little more than a kilometer above sea level and above Lake Ringedalsvatnet.
The hike to Trolltunga begins in Skjeggedal to the high mountains.
The length of the trip is 23 kilometers.
It is recommended to hike from mid-June to mid-September and go out with suitable equipment.
The stories of legends and folklore about the Hardangerfjord are rich and fascinating.
Norwegian symbols such as Hardanger fiddle (violin unique to the fjord area), Hardanger embroidery (unique embroidery), and Hardangerbunad (traditional costume) are common here and you will probably encounter them when you visit the fjord.
During the 13th century monks from England began to grow apples in the Hardanger area and today 40 percent of all fruits in Norway are grown in the area around the fjord.
Today, if you are in the area, you can drink apple cider directly from nature.
Read More: The ultimate guide for hiking trolltunga
In western Norway is Lysefjord, the southernmost fjord on the list, which is about a six-and-a-half-hour drive south of the port city of Bergen.
Lysefjord is beautiful and well worth a cruise on its own. It's popular due to the attractions on its banks, such as the Pulpit Rock, Mount Kjerag, and the Rock of Kjeragbolten.
The easiest way to visit Lysefjord is through Stavanger, the lovely town.
From Stavanger, you can visit the fjord yourself or take a guided tour to experience the fjord in the best way.
The Preikestolen Cliff is a cliff that rises 604 meters above sea level and overlooks the Lysefjord.
The name of the Preikestolen cliff is given to it because it is a stage of a preacher in a church.
The cliff is made of granite rock.
Its upper part covers an area of 625 square meters and is almost completely flat.
The Pulpit Rock hike is 1.5-2hrs in each direction.
The parking lot is located about an hour from the town of Stavanger, you can reach the parking lot by car or ferry.
Another site not to be missed is Mount Kjerag - a mountain that rises to a height of 1,110 meters and has a view of Lysefjord.
On the Mount Kjerag, there is a huge round rock called Kjeragbolten which is located in a narrow hole in a mountain at an altitude of 1,000 meters, of course with a view over the Lysefjord.
In the Nordfjord, you can enjoy long beaches, towering mountains, and the largest glacier in Europe - Jostedalsbreen.
The mountains dive from a height of thousands of meters directly to the fjord and the ocean and create spectacular waterfalls. The innermost part of the Fjord Nord includes sparkling glaciers, narrow valleys, and the deepest lake in Europe - Hornindalsvatnet.
Nordfjord expands in the center and enjoys a more comfortable climate and high mountains.
Towards the sea, you can feel the ocean air that will fill your lungs, and you can wander on smooth rocky beaches or on soft sandy beaches. Along the ocean, you will see the plateau of the Western Cape towering over the waters of the Stadhavet Sea.
The Nordfjord offers a variety of activities: hiking, cycling, glacier walking, surfing, and fishing. There are more than 230 hiking trails, and one of them is Ferrata Loen - a climbing t
rail over the fjord.
In general, there is sailing in most of the fjords throughout the year (yes, even in winter), so winter does not necessarily limit the hike in the fjords. If you want to do some hiking in Norway, it's recommended to visit Norway in the summer and early fall.
In winter, most of the hiking trails are closed, and in spring, with the snowmelt, they are covered in mud.
Beyond that, although it is possible to sail most days of the year, access to the fjords themselves may be blocked if the roads leading to them are blocked due to heavy snow.
The travel distances in Norway are huge. It involves thousands of miles of car travel. And the number of routes, natural phenomena, landscapes, activities, and attractions is large, so it is necessary to plan an organized trip that includes many hours on the road.
Access to most of the fjords is possible by car, although the route between natural phenomena also requires a boat trip along the fjord itself.
If you are planning to visit the Lofoten Islands, remember that access to them is only possible by ferry or flight.
1. UNESCO: Includes the fjords in western Norway as World Heritage Sites, headed by the famous Geirangerfjord.
2. The fjords are often described as works of art of nature. They created with the retreat of the glaciers, and this is how the valleys were formed in the shape of the letter "U" and they were filled with seawater.
3. Gudvangen and Geiranger are the two villages that are deepest within the fjords, and they are a starting point for cruises in the fjords.
4. Thanks to the hot golf current and other factors, the climate in the fjords is relatively mild and ice-free most of the time. Seals and many species of fish swim in the fjords, while seagulls and other birds fly from above.
5. The fjords are very deep.
Sognefjord is the deepest and reaches a depth of 1308m. Because the fjords are so deep, great artists can get into them, and so you can experience the power and beauty even through boating.
There are quite a few reasons to travel to Norway, but there is no doubt that its fjords are one of the main reasons.
A trip to Norway is not an urban trip with museums and alleys but a deep and exciting connection to the wonders of nature.
Be sure that even if you have seen quite a bit, Norway will surprise you every time.
Read My Other Europe Blogs:
How to plan the ultimate norway road trip
15 most amazing places in Norway
8 most scenic routes in norway
how to spend weekend in Amsterdam
2 weeks in sicily: the perfect sicily road trip
scotland road trip Itinerary for 14 days
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