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Any nature lover wants to make a special trip to the most beautiful forested areas that exist. And one of the best destinations to go to is the fjords of Norway. They are a real jewel of nature, some of them have been officially declared by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Now, what can you see in these places besides forests? Below, we will be detailing some of these features.
What can you visit in the Norwegian fjords?
Norway has positioned itself as the country with the largest number of fjords compared to the rest of the world, as it has more than a thousand of them that are scattered. Taking a trip to the fjords is not only about visiting the wildlife. Beyond all the natural elements such as glaciers, cliffs and waterfalls, there are many fishing villages that remain scattered within this typical landscape.
Different towns can offer different options to tourists. For example, many of them vary in terms of traditions, cuisine or heritage. Just take the time to investigate the surroundings that make up each fjord to discover its essence and make the most unforgettable memories.
Which are the best fjords?
In many cases, choosing which fjords to visit may seem like a very difficult task. However, among some of the most outstanding are the following.
1. Geirangerfjord
Geiranger Fjord is arguably the most famous. In part, this is because it was featured in the Disney movie Frozen. It is a firth whose length is 15 km and the best way to get to know it is through a cruise.
It has many waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and wild nature. It is far from the most important tourist routes in the country and the closest city to the Geiranger Fjord is Ålesund, located about two and a half hours away.
2. Sognefjord
When it comes to depth and length, the Sognefjord tops the list. Its length is about 200 km and depth is 1.3 km, breaking the record as the longest and deepest in Norway.
Its emerald-colored water is one of the highlights of this fjord. It is located very close to Bergen, in a region where you can enjoy the most of nature; for example, we find the Jotunheimen National Park and the largest glacier in Western Europe, called Jostedalsbreen.
3. Lysefjord
It is located about 70 kilometers from Stavanger, and is a 40 km long fjord. It is estimated that it was formed during the ice age, and inside, we find mountains, seal colonies, waterfalls and even the Preikestolen viewpoint, which is called the ‘Pulpit of the Rock’.
Thanks to this exceptional rock, which sits some 600 meters above the Lysefjord, there are a number of views of the site worth seeing. There are also no safety fences, which helps to get the adrenaline pumping even more.
4. Nærøyfjord
Within the tours in Norway in a Nutshell, this fjord is one of the best. It is linked to the Sognefjord, the king of the fjords in the country, it is even one of the branches of this one. Therefore, it is from Nærøyfjord that you can observe the beauty of the place in depth, since it has narrower sections.
It is completely surrounded by mountains, so the landscape is incomparable. In the company of the Geiranger Fjord, it is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You can also take a boat tour or start one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.
5. Hardanger
Standing as the second longest fjord in Norway and the third longest in the world, Hardanger is 179 kilometers long. The landscapes that it has seem taken out of a fairy tale, and these are capable of touching part of the unreal. It is an ideal place to practice free climbing and kayaking.
It is separated from the city of Bergen by only 100 km, so you can visit for a day or walk through Trolltunga. This is one of the most visited and most photographed places in Norway. It manages to join a good part of adrenaline together with the most beautiful landscapes of the place; as, for instance, looking down from its 1,100 meters of height.
What time of the year can I visit the fjords?
Many people choose to visit the fjords during the summer or spring. This way, they can escape the cold winter temperatures. In these periods it is possible to enjoy more hours of sunshine. However, in the case of winter, you can also enjoy its advantages, such as some of the winter scenery or the fact that there are not so many tourists.
Many people travel to Norway in order to see the Northern Lights. For this, the best time is between October and March, which is when the skies are illuminated with these beautiful lights. In any case, you can get in sync with nature in these places regardless of the time of year you visit.
Places to stay
Depending on the fjords you are going to visit, there are different cities in Norway where you can stay. Some of them are Bergen, Tromsø, Stavanger and Geiranger. All of them are comfortable enough and where you can find everything you need. They are also good starting points to head to the nearest fjords.
As we can see, there is a lot to see in the fjords of Norway. You can visit them at any time of the year, as there are different possibilities to enjoy. In addition, there are always options open as to what you can see and do in one of nature’s greatest wonders.
