Norway is synonymous with scenic fjords, simply as Venice is for its stunning canals. The Scandinavian nation has over 1100 fjords, of which about 10 are accessible through cruise ships too.
The Norwegian phrase fjord comes from an historic Viking time period that pertains to a phrase for a ‘crossing point; (der man ferder over) and also the word ‘ferry’ (ferje).
Fjords are masterpieces shaped over thousands and thousands of years by the interaction of pure forces. The U-shaped valleys crafted throughout a number of glacial cycles are the epitome of spellbinding magnificence. Many folks flock to the land of fjords to witness their grandeur with their very own eyes and chill out their hearts and minds amidst the lap of pristine nature.
Right from the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord to the contemporary and calm waters of the Nærøyfjord, each fjord is exclusive and affords a unique expertise to the guests.
Apart from the breathtaking aesthetic sceneries, the fjords have harboured fascinating Viking tales, traditions and lifetime of the native fishing communities. Know extra in regards to the high 10 Fjords in Norway on this article.
1. The Geirangerfjord
It wouldn’t be unsuitable to say that Geirangerfjord is the king of all fjords, given it’s the preferred and most visited fjord in Norway. It garnered consideration when it was proven within the film ‘Frozen’.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is near Alesund, mendacity in More og Romsdal county. The fjord stretches for 15 km and culminates on the Geiranger village, which could quickly stop to exist. It is predicted that part of mountain Åknesfjället may fall into the fjord, and large waves from the influence may wash away the village.
There are talks of placing energy strains alongside the fjord as nicely. Hence, one ought to see its magnificence whereas one can.
Near the fjord are many deserted farms and delightful waterfalls that may be explored. The Seven Sisters Falls and the Suitor Waterfall are near the fjord and are a must-visit.
According to a Norwegian legend, 7 sisters run and dance within the mountains whereas a suitor flirts with them throughout the waters. There are literally 7 distinct streams with the best falls from roughly 250 m.
2. Lysefjord
Situated in Ryfylke district in Rogaland County, Lysefjord is among the most well-known fjords in Western Norway. Its title means mild fjord, as it’s surrounded by light-coloured granite rocks.
The fjord can be visited by many, because of the pulpit rock or Preikestolen, which overlooks the fjord and is a dream come true for climbing fanatics.
It is a excessive cliff that offers a surprising view of the fjord under, so ensure to hold a sturdy pair of footwear and binoculars when you are there. Apart from Preikestolen, a climbing journey to Kjerag can be fairly rewarding. Both locations may be reached in a day from the closest metropolis of Stavanger.
Since there are not any roads alongside the fjord as a result of rocky and steep terrain, the inhabitants alongside the fjord is sparse, with solely two tiny villages of Forsand and Lysebotn dotting the panorama.
Lysebotn is a wonderful and quiet village with a number of accommodations for vacationers. Most folks of the village work in close by hydroelectric vegetation that generate electrical energy for 100,000 folks.
One can even take a cruise on this fjord and likewise a automobile ferry in summer season, which takes you to Lysebotn. The ferry halts in Florli, a small settlement the place one can relaxation and rejuvenate. If you may have the power, you’ll be able to hike over 4000 steps up the longest wood staircase on the planet referred to as Florli 4444.
3. Sognefjord
This fjord nicknamed ‘The King of Fjords’ is true to its title since it’s the largest Norweigna fjord, additionally the longest and the deepest amongst all on the market. It may be discovered proper in between Fjord Norway, and is dotted with a number of small villages like Laerdal, Solvorn, Balestrand, and so on.
Sognefjord is 205 km lengthy, 6 km broad and has a 1308 m depth. It has many branches or smaller fjords like Arnafjord, Naeroyfjord, Sognesjoen, and so on.
One of the smaller fjords, referred to as Lustrafjord, stretches to the Skjolden, a tiny rural settlement that serves as an entry level to the Jotunheimen National Park.
Apart from the magnificent fjord, folks can even go to the three stave church buildings made completely of wooden within the medieval interval. The church buildings of Kaupanger, Urnes and Borgundthe are essentially the most well-known and are among the many 32 such church buildings within the nation.
Sognefjord additionally has the world’s second longest energy strains, referred to as Sognefjord Span.
Apart from admiring the fjord’s magnificence, one can even discover glaciers and Viking settlements, go climbing, biking, kayaking and even go to farms. Many day cruises are additionally obtainable.
4. Oslofjord
An inlet within the southeast of Norway, Oslofjord stretches from Torbjornskjaer and Faerder lighthouses to Langesund and Oslo. It is part of Skagerrak Strait, which hyperlinks the North Sea and Kattegat Sea area and at last goes to the Baltic Sea.
If one goes to Oslo on a brief journey, then one can nonetheless go to a Norwegian fjord other than all the opposite nice sights that the town has to supply.
The fundamental points of interest close to Oslofjord are islands and seashores. The island of Hovedoya is known for the ruins of monasteries, whereas others like Lindoya, Nakholmen and Bleikoya are recognized for his or her vistas and cosy cabins manufactured from wooden.
Langoyene is a good climbing place, whereas Gressholmen was as soon as a dwelling place of rabbits, however it’s nonetheless visited by many for swimming, climbing, kayaking and enjoyable.
One can attain these locations by a ferry that runs between Oslo and Copenhagen. Regular boats additionally ply from Aker Brygge, Oslo.
The cause why Oslofjord is common amongst vacationers is that it has the best all-year temperature in Norway, which is round 7.5 levels Celsius.
It is kind of heat in July, about 17 levels Celsius. Islands amidst the fjord are warmest, with heat and nice summers and average winters. The comparatively excessive temperatures right here permit completely different wildlife to flourish close to this fjord.
Oslofjord was the positioning of Stone Age and Bronze Age settlements, and close to it, 3 greatest preserved Viking ships had been discovered by archaeologists.
5. The Hjørundfjord
This 35 km lengthy fjord is an arm or department of the a lot larger Storfjord, mendacity near Alesund. The fjord is deep and broad however will get slender as one goes into the inside.
Hjorundfjord, recognized for its beautiful excessive peaks, affords the perfect climbing terrain in Norway. The fjord can problem the mighty Geirangerfjord concerning the gorgeous panorama round it. However, it’s not crammed with vacationers.
This fjord is nestled amongst quaint and charming village settlements like Saebo, Oye and Urke. Some of the hardest climbing trails, like Urkegga and Saksa, are positioned right here. After a tiring hike, one can chill out in a sauna and keep at a historic lodge referred to as Hotel Union Oye, which is an unique institution in Norway.
While on this fjord, get a superb have a look at the breathtaking Sunmore Alps, one of the vital well-known mountains of Norway. Slogan, the preferred mountain peak with a triangular or pyramid-like summit, rises 1564 m from Hjorundfjord.
Many members of European aristocratic households like Emperor Wilhelm 11 of Germany, King Oscar II, Queen Willemina, and so on., visited this fjord. A well-known climber who traversed 15 routes across the fjord was Charles W. Patchell, a visitor on the Union Oye from 1923-39 and a talented British mountaineer.
6. The Trollfjord
A sidearm of the Raftsundet Strait, Trollfjord is a 3 km lengthy fjord mendacity between the Lofoten islands and the Vesteralen archipelago that experiences gentle summers and moist winters.
Although it measures solely 100 m at its narrowest level, it’s visited by cruise ships resembling Hurtigruten in summer season. The fjord is surrounded by steep mountains, so there are not any roads alongside its coasts. One can discover Trollfjord on a ship or on a cruise ship solely.
Although most fjords in Norway are positioned alongside its western coast, Trllfjord is located within the northern a part of the nation, north of the Arctic Circle.
It is small in comparison with different fjords. However, it has a lot to supply, resembling birdwatching journeys, cruising, kayaking and even swimming in its crystal clear waters. It is actually an unspoilt surprise with no settlements alongside its shores.
It garnered a lot consideration internationally after a film referred to as Downsizing, starring Matt Damon, was filmed at this spectacular location.
Trollfjord was additionally the positioning of the historic Battle of Trollfjord, fought on sixth March 1890 between the primary rising steamboats and native fishermen. The scene is depicted in a portray by painter Gunnar Berg and is among the most appreciated works in Norway.
7. The Nærøyfjord
Naeroyfjord is a mighty fjord with towering peaks reaching 1660 m surrounding it from all sides. It is among the narrowest branches of the larger Sognefjord.
The fjord affords a panoramic view of the valleys, accompanied by fields, waterfalls and tiny hamlets, making it one of the vital visited fjords in Norway.
It stretches for 20 km and is simply 250 m broad at its narrowest level and over 1 km broad at its widest level. At its shallowest, it is just 12 m deep and goes to 500 m in some locations.
In 2005, it grew to become part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. During a cruise to this fjord, one can see conventional farms and typically goats grazing on the steep mountainsides and seals basking on rocks alongside its shores.
One can even expertise a fjord sauna in Flam, go on a kayak tour from Gudvangen or discover the Viking Village Njardarheim.
8. The Romsdalsfjord
Said to be the ninth longest fjord in Norway, spanning 94 km, Romsdalfjord is thought for its numerous and rugged panorama. It is a perfect place for day excursions, with many vacationer locations to go to.
Famous ones are the winding mountain street Trollstigen and Europe’s highest vertical mountain wall referred to as Trollveggen. The Nesaksla mountain is a part of a famend climbing path throughout the ridge of Romsdalseggen.
The Romsdal space is thought for its numerous and beautiful nature. While the western a part of the 88-kilometre-long Romsdalsfjord is especially a coastal panorama dotted with skerries, the interior part consists of a protracted fjord and steep mountains. If you like snowboarding, then don’t miss going to Kirketaket, voted one among Norway’s high mountains for snowboarding.
Romsdalsfjord can be one of many cleanest and richest fjords in Norway, and about 68 species have been found within the space.
The fjord is 800 m deep at its deepest level and, in contrast to different fjords, has many islands and handing valleys.
9. Aurlandsfjord
Considered to be one of the vital picturesque fjords on the planet, the Aurlandsfjord is a 17 km lengthy arm of Sognefjord, the second longest fjord on earth. Aurlandsfjord is part of the World Heritage Area which surrounds the Naeroyfjord.
It lies in Aurland and begins at Flam and ends at Beitelen mountain. The fjord is surrounded by tall peaks that rise over 1400 m above sea stage. The fjord reaches a 1000 m depth at some locations and is lower than 2 km broad because it narrows.
The greatest strategy to discover it’s to go on a cruise journey or a ferry. Two new ferries function between Flam and Gudvangen. If you aren’t taken with exploring the fjord on water, there may be one other means. You can drive to Stegastein viewpoint, which has a metal platform that juts out from the aspect of the mountains.
It affords a panoramic view from 650 metres above the fjord. This level is open all 12 months spherical and provides guests a possibility to understand the winter view of this fjord that you just not often get to see in footage.
10. Nordfjord
Nordfjord is the sixth longest fjord in Norway, stretching 106 km from the island of Husevagoy to the Loen village. It is thought for its pristine, uncooked terrain alongside the Stadlandet peninsula, which divides the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea.
Nordfjord is heaven for walkers, having a whole bunch of waymarked trails with beautiful views. One can decide obtained a glacier stroll or go snowboarding on the Stryn summer season Ski centre. One can even admire the surroundings from Mount Hoven, which is over 1000 m above sea stage.
One can even go on enjoyable boating journeys, canoes, kayaks or scuba diving and swimming. Mountain biking on Haugsvarden and fishing within the inland lakes is a should.
In the Nordfjord Folk Museum, you’ll be able to see the largest Viking Vessels or go on a visit to Selja island to witness the monastery ruins. Close to Hornelen sea cliff is Vingenfeltet, one of many greatest prehistoric rock carving websites in Northern Europe.
While visiting Nordfjord, you’ll be able to keep at Nesset Fjordcamping, which affords cosy cabins alongside the coast. Another nice possibility is Visnes Hotel Stryn which is a B&B, initially a Nineteenth-century building with an outdated old style inside and an open terrace that will get essentially the most wonderful views.
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Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid author, possessing immaculate analysis and enhancing abilities. Author of a number of educational papers, she has additionally labored as a contract author, producing many technical, inventive and advertising items. A real aesthete at coronary heart, she loves books just a little greater than the rest.