The magical fjords of Norway
Your breath will leap right off the edge of those steep, steep cliffs


The fjords of Norway — all 1,000 of them — are majestic. That is the simplest, most straightforward way to put it. The long, narrow sea inlets are surrounded by dramatically steep cliffs, often best viewed from the water while gliding by on a ferry or kayak. Fjords can be found in all corners of the country, but to see some of the most stunning examples, visit the western part of the nation, known as Fjord Norway.
Geirangerfjord
Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Naeroyfjord
All you have to do is see a photo of Geirangerfjord to understand why this is among the most visited spots in Norway. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the natural wonder "inspires with its deep, blue water ringed by sky-grazing snow-capped peaks, gushing waterfalls and green vegetation," Travel + Leisure said. For spectacular views, take a ferry ride past the Seven Sisters and Suitor waterfalls and drive up the windy road to Mt. Dalsnibba. There, you will find the Geiranger Skywalk, where visitors can take in unobstructed views of the fjord.
Hardangerfjord
Norway's most visited waterfall is the Voringfossen
Often referred to as the Kingdom of Waterfalls, Hardangerfjord is home to Norway's crown jewel, the mighty Voringsfossen. This is the country's most famous waterfall, and after witnessing its power, be sure to also visit Steinsdalsfossen, where you can walk on a pathway behind the water, and Latefossen, a twin waterfall that plunges toward an old stone bridge. Hardangerfjord has another claim to fame: apples. Orchards thrive here because of the region's comparatively mild winters, and visitors can stop by farms on the Fruit and Cider Route in Ulvik to pick up produce, juice and ciders.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Lysefjord
Hundreds of thousands of people visit Preikestolen every year
Lysefjord is a playground for mountain hikers. Opportunities abound, from the strenuous climb up to Kjerag, the highest peak in Lysefjord, to the popular trek to Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock). From here, you can gaze down at the Lysefjord below, a view made even more special when hiking in for sunrise. If that is not enough to get your heart pumping, take a ferry to the village of Florli and ascend the world's longest wooden stairway — a 4,444 step journey up a mountain. There is also a wood-fired hot tub, filled with fresh fjord water, in Florli that visitors can rent.
Naeroyfjord
Ferries have to carefully maneuver through the narrow Naeroyfjord
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Naeroyfjord is often included in the "Norway in a Nutshell" itinerary for travelers on a time crunch who want to see as many fjords as possible. This narrow fjord — at some points, it is only about 820 feet wide — can be traversed on electric boats, which stop at some of the tiny villages that dot the landscape. Bakka is one of those remote communities, where visitors often become enchanted by the serene views and historic wooden buildings. The centerpiece is the Bakka Church, built in 1859 and still hosting services during the summer.
Sognefjord
Sognefjord is 120 miles long and about one mile deep
As the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, Sognefjord reigns supreme. Known as The King of the Fjords, it has several side branches (like Naeroyfjord) and is home to more than 19 tiny, charming villages. Sognefjord "offers Norway's best combination of scenic wonder and accessibility," legendary travel writer Rick Steves said, and is in a "relative sun belt, with only two feet of rain a year." Hikers should plan to spend a day or two in the Aurlandsdalen Valley, a scenic region often described as Norway's answer to the Grand Canyon. For a quick side trip, visit Fjaerland on Fjaerlandsfjord. This is a book town, where tomes can be encountered or purchased everywhere from banks to bus stops.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
July 5 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include an extrajudicial detainment camp, 'alligator Alcatraz', and tax cuts for billionaires.
-
5 explosively funny cartoons about the 4th of July
Cartoons Artists take on liberty and justice for all, a terrifying firework, and more
-
Jeff in Venice: a "triumph of tackiness"?
In the Spotlight Locals protest as Bezos uses the city as a 'private amusement park' for his wedding celebrations
-
5 dreamy books to dive into this July
The Week Recommends A 'politically charged' collection of essays, historical fiction goes sci-fi and more
-
Rustle up some fun at these Western hotels and dude ranches
The Week Recommends Six properties that are ready to rope you in
-
The best film reboots of all time
The Week Recommends Creativity and imagination are often required to breathe fresh life into old material
-
Feel the groove with these music-centric getaways across the globe
Let the rhythm move you
-
5 high-concept animated science fiction shows for grown-ups
The Week Recommends How filmmakers are using a different medium to bring visionary science fiction to life
-
See the bright lights from these 7 big-city hotels
The Week Recommends Immerse yourself in culture, history and nightlife
-
8 recipes that require minimal effort for the best kind of summer eating
The Week Recommends It's the season of grilling and smart desserts
-
7 places across the country to experience the best of summer drinking
The Week Recommends Stops include a Basque-inspired spot and a bar where the menu overhauls twice a year