Hardangerfjord is rightfully considered to be the blooming garden of Norway: in spring this part of the country is drowned in fragrant flowers, and in summer it turns into a huge orchard. Locals say that here you can try the most delicious cherries in Norway. The other side of Hardangerfjord is picturesque glaciers, a mesmerizing mountain landscape and a mild climate. It is not surprising that it is this fjord that offers the best recreation in the country.
General information
The fjord is on the list of the best and must-visit Norwegian attractions. It is located at a distance of 330 km from the capital of Norway and only 40 km from Bergen (south-east direction). The fjord is surrounded by mountains up to 1.5 km high, there are many beautiful waterfalls that impress with their power.
The Hardangerfjord is the third longest fjord in the world and the second longest in the country. It is almost 180 km long and stretches from the island of Bemlo to Odda. The central part of the fjord is located on the Folgefonna Peninsula (the village of Utne), and then it splits into several branches. There are 13 municipalities on the shores of the Hardangerfjord, and the fjord itself consists of several smaller fjords. The most famous ones include:
- Granvin;
- Ade;
- Quinnherads;
- Wasp.
What to see
If you prefer outdoor activities and hiking, the fjord is sure to captivate you.
- Vøringfossen Waterfall. One of the most beautiful sights in Norway, the waterfall is over 180 meters high and consists of several streams of water. There is an observation deck for travelers. Rainbows are a frequent occurrence here, so be sure to bring a camera when visiting the waterfall. By the way, Vøringfossen is one of the top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the country according to travelers.
- Steindalsfossen Waterfall. The water falls from a height of only 50 meters, but tourists are attracted by the opportunity to walk between the waterfall and the rocky wall.
- The Folgefonna Glacier. It covers an area of over 200 square kilometers. Travelers come here to the famous ski center and go with a guide to the realm of eternal ice.
- The Troll’s Tongue Rock. The journey is not only exciting, but also somewhat dangerous, as the rock fragment that everyone wants to reach is suspended at a height of 700 meters, with a width of only a few centimeters at the edge. The climb takes between 6 and 11 hours. For more information about the rock, please refer to this article.
Hardangerfjord welcomes guests from Norway who come here with their families. There are also many interesting places for children to explore.
- Mikkelparken Park. This is a whole realm of entertainment and attractions – slides, mini-golf, cars, and castles.
- Hardanger Aquacenter. This is not just an aquacenter, here they tell how the fish farming is organized, guests can see the process firsthand through a special camera installed in the water, the guides tell about the features of life of different species of fish.
- Eidfjord is a nature center. The vast territory contains exhibits that demonstrate the nature, landscapes, and wildlife of Norway. The Center’s exhibits are unique.
- The Maritime Museum. The exhibition demonstrates how local residents designed and built ships in different historical periods. There are craftsmen who show the main stages of shipbuilding. You can also learn about behavior at sea and in the ocean, and how to properly behave in extreme situations, such as when encountering a whale.
- The Rosendal estate is the smallest palace in Scandinavia, built in the Renaissance. There is an extensive entertainment program for tourists. You can also take a walk to the Hatteburg Waterfall. There is a tourist center in the village where visitors can learn about the area and its attractions. The Treo Farm, part of the estate, welcomes guests and shows them how cute Norwegian sheep live and how sheep wool is spun.
For true travelers who don’t like to stay in one place for too long, there are plenty of hiking and cycling trails in the Hardangerfjord region of Norway.
Ser Fjord
One of the most striking and memorable routes is the journey to the Sør Fjord (R 551 highway in the northern direction through Sondal and the tunnel). In the western part of the fjord, there is the Folgefonna Glacier, and in the eastern part, there is the Hardangerfjord National Park. Another attraction is the Hydroelectric Power Plant Museum and the unique Tyssedal Power Station. Following the R 550 highway, you will reach the village of Agatunet, an ancient settlement that is protected by the government.
Fjord villages
There are 40 medieval buildings on the site. Moving further north, 17 km away, is one of the most romantic places in the country, the village of Utne. You can also get here by ferry from Kvandal or Kinsarvik. There is a Hardanger Museum near the ferry terminal. The exhibition features household items and handicrafts. Utne has a charming inn built in the style of a medieval English castle. Here, you can stroll through a cozy garden where ancient varieties of fruit trees are grown.
Where do sweet cherries grow in Norway?
The eastern shore of the Sørfjorden is no less picturesque, drive along the R 13 highway, approximately 30 km you will find yourself in an amazing beautiful recreation area – Lofthus. If you want to try the famous Norwegian cherry, go south of Lofthus to the settlement of Ullenevang, where you will visit the old stone church. If you move further past Kinsarvik, after 40 km you will find yourself in a small settlement of Eidfjord.
Birds, fish and deer
Another interesting place that is a must-visit is the Hardangerfjella plateau. It is home to a large population of deer, and it is also a popular destination for tourists who enjoy cycling or skiing. There are also many fishing spots in the mountain lake. The plateau is home to over 100 species of birds and animals, and the flora includes over 500 species.
All conditions for active recreation
The town of Voss attracts travelers who come to Norway to ski. It is home to the best ski center in the country. It offers excellent conditions for biathlon, freestyle skiing, and cross-country skiing.
Other outdoor activities include rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing and hunting, and skydiving.
The easiest way to see the entire Hardanger Fjord is by taking a boat trip from Nørmheimssund. During the cruise, the boat stops at all the villages.
Cuisine and restaurants
Gardening is the main activity of the local residents, and the first gardens appeared in the 13th century. Based on German gardening traditions, new varieties of apples, cherries, and plums were developed in the Hardangerfjord. There are many farms in the vicinity of the fjord, which produce between 50 and 70 tons of fruit and berries every year. Additionally, there are many farms that raise various types of fish.
It is not surprising that the two main culinary attractions in the Hardangerfjord in Norway are fruits, berries, and fish. In a cafe or restaurant, be sure to order a fruit dessert, such as a fruit-filled pie. Open-air establishments are also popular, where you can eat and admire the surrounding landscapes. Please note that many cafe and restaurant owners offer their own exclusive dishes.
Where to stay
The starting point is the settlement of Voss, where all excursion tours begin and end. The town is located north of the coast, at the intersection of two highways, E 16 and R 13. The geographical location of Voss is unique, as it is situated on the shore of Lake Vangsvatn. The 13th-century Gothic-style church and the ethnographic museum are of great interest. The R 13 highway passes through a picturesque area, including the Shervefoss Waterfall.
Odda is a small town where people come to plan their ascent of the Troll’s Tongue. The town is not particularly notable for its attractions, but it serves as a gathering point for those who wish to climb the cliff and as a place to rest after their ascent.
Ulvik is a small industrial town. It is home to a smelting plant and is actively developing a new industry: aquaculture, the farming of fish. In the village, you can take a seaplane ride and visit a small wooden church. You can reach it via the R 7 highway from Granvin.
Moving further in the same direction, you can get to the village of Outesse, which is located in the bay of the same name. In the settlement there is an old church and a museum with an exhibition of sculptures by Ingeborg Vika.
Nørhamnsund is an ideal place for a short vacation. The small port is a highlight of this cozy resort town. There is an excellent hotel here. In good weather, you can cross the fjord and travel to the Folgefonna Glacier.
How to get there
From Oslo
- By public transport. Buses depart daily and go to Odda. The journey time is approximately 7 hours.
- By air. There are direct flights to Bergen, and the journey takes a little less than one hour. There is a bus service from the airport to Nørheimsund. The journey takes several hours. Another option is to take a boat to Rusendal.
- By car. The journey takes about 6 hours. Take the E 18 highway, then the E 134 and R 13. The final destination is Odda.
- By train. There is no direct train service to the fjord, but you can take a train from Oslo to Geilo, Bergen, or Voss. From these cities, you can take a bus to Hardangerfjord.
From Bergen
- By car. It takes only 1 hour to get there, following the E 16 and then the R 7. The final destination is Nørhamnsund.
- By bus. There are daily bus services to Herheimsend. The journey takes 1.5 hours.
- By boat. Daily flights to Rusendal.
From Stavanger
- By car. It takes 3.5 hours to drive along the E 39 highway, followed by a ferry to Mortavika. Then, back on the E 39, then on the E 134, and finally on the R 13 highway. The final destination is Odda.
- By public transport. There are daily bus services to Odda. The journey takes approximately 9 hours
- By air. There are direct flights to Bergen, which take 40-45 minutes. There are buses to Nørhamnsund, and you can take a boat to Rusendal.
From Trondheim
- By car. Take the E6 to Dombås, then the R15 and R51 to Skammeistein. Turn left and take the E16 to Vossa, then the R7 to Granvin and Nordheimssund.
- By plane. There are daily flights to Bergen, which takes approximately 1 hour. Then, you can take a bus to the center of Northeimssund. There are also boat trips from Bergen to Rusendal.
This is important! The best way to get around the fjord is by public transportation and a rented or personal car. The best excursions are by boat, and you can rent a boat to do them. If you want to travel to another fjord, you can use a ferry.
Eyewitnesses say that it is impossible to describe Hardangerfjord in words. You should definitely come here and enjoy the grandeur of the wilderness.
