13 Best Sights in The Western Fjords, Norway

Although this trip covers only 20 km (12 miles), the one-way journey takes nearly an hour to travel through 20 tunnels and 2,850 feet up the steep mountain gorge. The masterpiece of Norwegian engineering took 20 years to complete, and today it's one of Norway's prime tourist attractions, drawing more than 1 million travelers each year. The train runs year-round, with 8- to 10 round-trips from mid-April through mid-October and four round-trips the rest of the year. Most tourists take the train round-trip, returning on the same train a few minutes after arriving in Myrdal.

Home to Norway's third-largest glacier, Folgefonna National Park is popular for its kayaking and, of course, hiking on the glacier. From the top of the glacier there are beautiful valleys stretching all the way down to the fjord, and visiting Folgefonna is something you will remember. The National Park has several places of entry, with Odda and Rosendal (with the visitor center) being two popular ones, and several hikes and glacier arms you can explore, in addition to beautiful valleys with waterfalls of melting water from the glacier.

The island of Grip is a delight, especially the little red stave church that stands at the island's highest point and dates to 1470. The fishing community itself was mostly abandoned after World War II, but locals return in summer, along with many tourists. Ferries run from Kristiansund at least once a day between June and August. If the church is closed, locals can get the key.

One of the most beautiful hikes in the area and in Norway, Husedalen takes you past four spectacular waterfalls: Tveitafossen, Nykkjesøyfossen, Nyastølsfossen, and Søtefossen. The hike takes about five or six hours if you aim to see all of the waterfalls, but you can also opt to visit just the first one and be finished in 90 minutes. From Kinsarvik, follow the river up the valley and then follow signs marking the hike, or drive to the power station to park there. The full hike is best for those who consider themselves to be of a moderate hiking level, but the first waterfall is hikeable for most people.

For a splendid view of the city, one that absolutely glitters at night, take this scenic drive up the city's mountain. Most photos you've seen of Ålesund have been taken from this vantage point.

This cable car whisks you to the top of Hoven Mountain, offering spectacular views of the fjord. Some people prefer to take the cable car up and walk back down the mountain. At the top there is a viewpoint and a restaurant.

You can completely immerse yourself in Viking culture at this village named for the northern god, Njord. You won't be speaking with costumed performers here---the international community here is living as the Vikings did 1,000 years ago. Try your hand at axe throwing or archery, then chow down on authentic Viking grub.

An invaluable introduction to the Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage Site, this excellent contemporary museum and visitor center expounds on the area's natural and cultural history, its flora and fauna, and latest technologies affecting the environment, from hydroelectric power to landslide control. Walk through the old farm buildings and learn about the old villages of the Geiranger region. Multimedia exhibits, a café, and bookshop make this a fun and interesting hour for the whole family.  

Perhaps Norway's most famous "bird rock"—it also happens to be one of the largest in Europe—Runde is the breeding ground for some 200 species, including puffins, gannets, and cormorants. The region's wildlife managers maintain many observation posts here. It can get quite windy during a hike, so dress accordingly.

The ferry service to connect Kristiansund's four main islands was established in 1876 and has not stopped since, making it the world's oldest public transportation in continuous use. Ferries depart two or three times per hour and provide visitors with a nice overview of the city's layout as well as views of the region's distinctive architecture, whose bright colors reflect charmingly in the water. A round-trip takes 17 minutes.

For thousands of years, this 600-foot waterfall has cut like a knife through the Hardangervidda Plateau, every year adding another fraction of an inch to the Måbødalen Valley. There are a number of ways to take in the waterfall and the valley beneath it, the most accessible being the cliff-top lookout points along Route 7 between Eidfjord and Fossli. For a dazzling and damp view from beneath the waterfall, take a half-hour hike from the road to the bottom of the waterfall. The trail is slippery, even in dry weather, but is well worth it. Visit Eidfjord can help plan your trip.