Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business The Geirangerfjord is a narrow, fifteen-kilometre arm of water in the Sunnmøre region of western Norway, the inner end of the long Storfjorden system. Its walls rise almost straight from the water, and waterfalls pour down them, including the famous Seven Sisters.
Seven Sisters and the Suitor
Skageflå farm
Ørnesvingen on the Eagle Road
Flydalsjuvet
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At the head of the fjord is Geiranger, a village of only a few hundred residents that becomes very busy in summer as cruise ships, ferries and coaches arrive. At the other end lies Hellesylt, linked by a scenic car ferry.
Many Norwegian fjords are beautiful, but few are so compact and dramatic. Within a few hours you can sail beneath roaring waterfalls, drive up to a viewpoint over the whole fjord, and stand on a mountaintop where snow often lingers into summer.
The fjord also carries a human story. The farms perched on its cliffs were worked for centuries by families who carried everything up steep paths, some secured to the rock with iron bolts and rings.
The best way to grasp the scale of the fjord is from the water itself, by ferry, sightseeing boat or kayak.
The car ferry between Geiranger and Hellesylt runs the full length of the fjord in roughly an hour and doubles as a sightseeing cruise, with commentary in several languages.
About halfway along the fjord, the Seven Sisters waterfall falls down the cliff in several separate streams; how many you count depends on recent rain and snowmelt, and they are fullest in early summer. Directly across the water, the Suitor waterfall is said to be trying to woo the sisters.
The Seven Sisters waterfall drops down the cliffs directly into the Geirangerfjord. Photo: Sergey Ashmarin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
High on a ledge above the fjord, Skageflå was farmed until the early twentieth century and its small buildings have been restored by volunteers. You can reach it by taking a boat to the landing below and climbing a steep path, or by hiking from Geiranger over the mountain.
Skageflå is an abandoned mountain farm on a ledge high above the fjord. Photo: Carsten Steger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kayak rentals and guided paddles start from Geiranger village in summer. A short paddle along the shore gives quiet views of the cliffs; longer guided trips go toward the waterfalls.
Geiranger sits at the meeting point of two famous roads: the Eagle Road climbing north toward Eidsdal, and the Geiranger road climbing south toward Dalsnibba and Grotli. Both are part of a national scenic route.
A few kilometres up Route 63 from the village toward Grotli, Flydalsjuvet has two viewing areas on a rocky ledge with a fine angle back down the valley to Geiranger and the fjord, often with a cruise ship anchored below.
Flydalsjuvet is a viewpoint on Route 63 a few kilometres above Geiranger village. Photo: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Further up Route 63, a private toll road called Nibbevegen climbs to the summit of Dalsnibba, about fifteen hundred metres above the fjord.
Dalsnibba is a mountain of about fifteen hundred metres reached by a toll road from Route 63. Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
On Route 60 between Hellesylt and Stranda, a viewpoint near the hamlet of Ljøen looks out over the meeting of the Sunnylvsfjord and the mouth of the Geirangerfjord. It is a good stop if you arrive or leave via Hellesylt.
Built in 1842, the white octagonal wooden church stands on a hillside above the village with views over the fjord. It remains the parish church, so be respectful if a service is underway.
Geiranger Church is an octagonal wooden church built in 1842. Photo: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A path with hundreds of metal steps and railings follows the Geirangelva river as it tumbles through the village, from near the waterfront up to the Norwegian Fjord Centre. Expect spray and noise.
A path of steps follows the Geirangelva river and its waterfalls up through the village. Photo: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Above the village, the old farm of Westerås is the starting point for a popular hike to Storseterfossen, a waterfall you can walk behind on a rocky path.
At the western end of the ferry route, Hellesylt is a quieter village where a waterfall rushes right through the centre beside the road bridge.
A waterfall runs through the centre of Hellesylt, at the western end of the Geirangerfjord route. Photo: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
North of Geiranger, Route 63 continues over the mountains and down to Eidsdal, where a short ferry crosses to Linge. Beyond lies Valldal, known for its strawberry farms, and then Trollstigen, a road of steep hairpins dropping down a valley wall toward Åndalsnes, with a viewing platform at the top.
Trollstigen is a mountain road with steep hairpin bends on the route between Valldal and Åndalsnes. Photo: W. Bulach, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Food in the fjord country is simple and hearty.
In summer, berries are a highlight, particularly the strawberries from Valldal, which ripen late in the cool northern summer and are sold at roadside stands.
Popular dishes to try in Geirangerfjord
Geiranger village is the obvious base, and staying overnight is the best way to enjoy the fjord once cruise passengers and day buses leave in the late afternoon. Places along the waterfront suit those who want to walk to the ferry, boats and restaurants, while lodgings higher on the hillside have wide views and are good for couples.
Hellesylt is quieter and often easier to book, suiting travellers who want calm evenings and plan to take the ferry. Valldal and the Norddal area to the north suit those combining the fjord with Trollstigen and outdoor activities.
Where to stay in Geirangerfjord
The main season runs from late May to mid-September. In late May and June, snowmelt makes the waterfalls powerful and the slopes vivid green, and the long northern days give you light late into the evening.
September is quieter, with autumn colour and settled days mixed with rain.
The nearest major airport is Ålesund, roughly a three-hour drive away, including a short ferry crossing. Ørsta-Volda and Molde airports are other regional options, and Oslo is a full day's drive.
By road, Route 63 reaches Geiranger from the north over the Eagle Road and from the south via the Geiranger road from Grotli. Route 60 leads to Hellesylt, from where the car ferry crosses to Geiranger.
Arrive via the Hellesylt ferry to see the Seven Sisters, the Suitor and the cliff farms from the water.
Drive up Route 63 in the morning to Flydalsjuvet and on to the summit of Dalsnibba if the sky is clear.
Hike to Skageflå for the view across to the Seven Sisters, or drive north over the Eagle Road, cross from Eidsdal to Linge, pick up strawberries in Valldal and descend Trollstigen toward Åndalsnes.
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