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Travel to Norway - Fjords

 
 
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Norway - Fjords, Norway

A fjord is a deep U-shaped glacial valley that often goes below sea level, for example, Sognefjord in Norway reaches as much as 1300m below the adjacent sea. Norway is often named "the land of the Fjords", and Western Norway comprises 4 fjord regions: Møre and Romsdal, Sogn and Fjordane, Hordaland and Rogaland. Many are UNESCO-protected and coral reefs have even been discovered along the bottom of the Norwegian Fjords. This explains why the coastline is so rich for fishing. The Nordfjord has two main glaciers, Jorstedalsbreen and Briksdalsbreen, while Sognefjord boasts the Flåm railway and Urnes Stave Church. The Hardangerfjord is known for its fruit trees blossoming in spring, Folgefonna glacier and Vøringsfossen waterfall. At Lysefjord, you can hike to the top of the Pulpit Rock and drive the Lysevegen road.

pros

  •  Some spectacular landscapes to see
  •  Safe holiday destination
  •  Seldom crowded
  •  Lots of history

cons

  •  Some dangers involved in various outdoor activities
  •  Relatively expensive compared to other European countries
  •  Variable weather

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Visit Norway - Fjords

  • To see

    The Atlantic Sea Park is an aquarium that has been built into the coastal landscape of Tueneset. Every day at 1pm (during the summer months and throughout the year at weekends) a diver enters the largest tank and hand-feeds the fish. Dollsteinhola cave in the municipality of Sande has many myths and legends attached to it. Some say that the Holy Grail was buried there by King Arthur in the 6th century, but no treasure has yet been discovered in the cave. Runde bird island in Herøy attracts 500 000 birds to come for nesting season and therefore a trip there is great for ornithological enthusiasts. Trollstigen, or the Troll's Road, is an impressive stretch of road that climbs the mountains and not for the faint-hearted, or those afraid of heights. Flydalsjuvet is a viewpoint which offers vistas over Geirangerfjorden and is a good spot for keen photographers. The churches of Borgund, St Jetmunds, Volsdalen and Norddal are worth a look, as well as the many waterfalls that overflow in the region.

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    To do

    The Norwegian Fjords are ideal for kayaking, hiking, cycling, skiing, summer skiing and glacier walks. Aside from these activities, one can also go on fishing trips and even embark on an excursion on a Viking ship! Ice climbing is a popular venture, although you must be physically fit and over 12 years old to undertake the ascent. Prices start at around £65, including boots and all necessary climbing equipment. On the other hand, if you're not an adventurer, there are plenty of museums to visit. Sunnmøre is an open-air museum with activity days for children that include archery, handicrafts and guided tours. The Art Nouveau Centre in Ålesund documents the architectural history of the town since the Town Fire of 1904. Kube is an art museum dedicated to art, architecture and design, placed in a former Norwegian bank building.

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    To think about

    If you attempt to tackle the Norwegian Fjords by car, there are certain points to keep in mind. Firstly, moose or elk can often run out into the road, so be sure to take care, particularly at dusk and dawn. Norwegian roads are of varying quality, and remember that even though a route may be marked a main road (with an E before the number, e.g. E39) it still may contain narrow sections. Driving in winter is indeed a challenge and the most important piece of advice to consider is to go slowly.

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  • To avoid

    If you want to walk on the glaciers, avoid doing so without an experienced guide who has knowledge of the local area. There can be sharp ice towers or deep crevasses in the ice.

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    To try

    Going to the cinema is surprising reasonable in Norway (around £7 per ticket) and most American or English films are shown in their original language with subtitles.

    Try out local cheeses made from cow and goat milk, as well as juices, squash and jams. Go to the market at Gamle Lærdalsøyr during the summer and select from the local produce, including cured meats, veal and mutton, salmon and trout and fresh vegetables.

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    To bring back

    Come back with some traditional Norwegian goods - handicrafts made with wool, leather, glass, wood and steel.

    Aurland has a long history of shoe production, going back as far as the 1800s. While in the past the shoes were hand stitched, nowadays the work is partially done by machine. Or, if you're eager to go shopping on a larger scale, there is the shopping centre at Sundre in the centre of Ål. There are 50 or so businesses, arranged in a fairly small area and there is also an Ål-day on the last Saturday of July, with a variety of activities on offer for all ages.

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