The fjords

Fjord landscape seen from the sky UNESCO decided to include two Norwegian fjords on its famous World Heritage list. Martin Siepmann/ age fotostock

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It is impossible to mention Norwegian landscapes without talking about the fjords. They are indeed one of the major attractions of the country. The result of a long and patient glacial erosion spanning tens of millions of years, those deep furrows which sometimes go hundreds of miles inland offer visitors breathtaking scenery. It is in mid-season, when spring comes and nature awakens, or when they take on the shades of red in autumn, that the fjords reveal themselves in all their majesty. Contrary to common belief, fjords offer a great variety of landscape. They can be explored by hiking, cycling or skiing. However, the most spectacular way remains a cruise. Particularly on the Hardanger, which boasts one of Norway's most beautiful panoramas, over a distance of 110 miles. Just as famous, Sognefjord also offers almost 125 miles of crystal clear blue water, surrounded by the green of the orchards, pastures and forests. Split into two arms, Nordfjord hosts numerous little islands of unspoilt vegetation, inhabited by sea birds and tormented by the wind. One of the narrowest fjords, Geirangerfjord is overlooked by mountains towering at an altitude of 6,561 feet. Sumptuous waterfalls run out of the rocky walls, providing highly impressive scenery. Off Bodo, Narvik and Tromso stand the astounding Lofoten and Vesteralen islands. These islands are walls of peaks, not quite a hundred miles long and shoot up abruptly from the sea. At the foot of some of these walls, some picturesque fishermen's hamlets appear. Located in the Lofoten Islands, Nusfjord is one of the best preserved fjords. It deserves to be on the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites with its 19th century rorbuers (small houses painted red or ochre and built on piles or on wooden decking).