70 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 six to eight round-trips from May through 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; round-trip tickets are available 120 days prior to departure dates. 

Trolltunga, which literally means “Troll’s Tongue,” juts out from a mountain hundreds of feet above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. About 3,600 feet above sea level, the rock formation is one of Norway's most breathtaking sights. From the tip of a huge sliver of stone jutting out from the mountain, you can gaze down at the valley and fjord below. The hike itself takes around 10 to 12 hours, and many people find that they underestimated the level of fitness and endurance needed to make the trip. Always check weather conditions a few days ahead of time, then again the morning of the hike. Make sure you have enough water and food, and wear wind- and waterproof clothes. The main starting point is at P2 in Skjeggedal, but it is also possible to start from P3 Mågelitopp (saving two or three hours). From Odda, there are shuttle buses to P2, and between P2 and P3; a smaller shuttle operates during the summer season. There is parking at both P2 and P3, the latter with more limited spaces that should be booked in advance.

Built in 1180, Borgund is one of only 28 stave churches left in Norway. It's one of the country's most visited and best preserved churches. 

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. Boat service runs from Kristiansund twice a day from May to September. If the church is closed, locals can provide 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 sparkles at night, take the scenic drive up the city's mountain, or walk the 418 steps. Most photos you've seen of Ålesund have been taken from this vantage point. This viewpoint is also known as Mount Aksla.

Norway’s steepest cable car line has an average ascent of 45 degrees, which offers spectacular views of the fjord. It’s also relatively speedy, traveling from the lower station in Loen up 1,097 meters (3,600 feet) to Mt. Hoven in just five minutes; some people prefer to take the cable car up and walk back down the mountain. Despite pricey tickets, the cable car is a major draw. The skylift dangles you almost 171 meters (560 feet) above the ground, and the journey is well worth conquering any fear of heights you may have. At the top of Mt. Hoven, there's a viewpoint and a restaurant. 

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 the 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 a bookshop make this a fun and interesting hour for the whole family—and there's a charger for electric cars.

One of Norway’s most famous mountaineers, Arne Randers Heen (1905–91), and his wife, Bodil Roland, founded this fascinating museum dedicated to mountain climbing. Displays of Heen’s equipment and descriptions of his many triumphs are among the highlights here. The mountain nearest to his heart was Romsdalshorn, rising 5,101 feet into the air. He climbed that mountain 233 times, the last time when he was 85. He was the first to reach the top of several other mountains in northern Norway. The museum is now in a new building, with Norsk Tindesenter, where you can test your climbing skills, and much more. 

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 island is connected to the mainland by a bridge. You can reach Runde year-round by public transportation, car, or boat.

The boat 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. Boats 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 from 12 to 30 minutes.

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.

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.

This gem of a museum highlights the city's past, including the great fire of 1904 and the dangerous escape route that the Norwegian Resistance established in World War II. Handicrafts on display are done in the folk-art style of the area. You can also visit the art nouveau room and learn more about the town's unique architecture.

This red-and-white lighthouse has a beautiful location on the Norwegian coastline, and from this vantage point you can see miles and miles of ocean. Alnes Fyr also has a gallery, a café, and an exhibition about the lighthouse and its history.

Teeming with aquatic life, this is one of Scandinavia's largest aquariums. Right on the ocean, 3 km (2 miles) west of town, the park emphasizes aquatic animals of the North Atlantic, including anglers, octopus, and lobster. The Humboldt penguins are popular with children. After your visit, have a picnic, hike, or take a refreshing swim at the adjoining Tueneset Park. 

Covering about 48 km (about 28 miles), Route 243 from Aurland to Lærdal is one of Norway's most scenic drives in the summer. The mountain pass is closed for much of the year due to massive amounts of snow, garnering it the nickname Snow Road.  The road is open all year from Aurland to the Stegastein viewpoint (about 7½ km [5 miles]). 

Many of the Jostedal Glacier’s smaller arms are tourist attractions in their own right. The best known of them, Briksdal Glacier, lies at the end of Oldedalen Valley, about 20 km (12 miles) south of Olden. It can usually be visited by bicycle or car or on foot from April to October.

This hike leads you to a peak nearly 3,000 feet above sea level. The hike itself is clearly marked with red T's along the trail, and you can enjoy some spectacular views over Sandvinsvatnet and the Sørfjord. There are some steep parts, so for this hike you should be in relatively good shape. The hike takes around three to four hours round-trip. The address takes you to a small parking lot (near a playground), close to the start of the trail.  There's no parking during the hours of kindergarten (Monday through Friday, 6:45 am--3:45 pm).

Learn about the people who've always been the backbone of Ålesund's fishing industry, including those who remained on shore to process the daily catch. The Fisheries Museum has several interesting exhibits, including one tracing the history of tran (cod liver oil), one of the many products that came from these parts.

If you have a little extra time in Flåm, make sure you visit the Flåm Railway Museum. Building the railway was a remarkable feat of engineering, and this museum details the challenges the builders faced. You'll find it in the old station building, 300 feet from the one now in use.

One of the best-known photo ops in Norway, this dramatic mountain plateau has two viewing platforms that put you high above Geiranger. The breathtaking views from Flydalsjuvet are well worth the trip.

This church is interesting (and quite peculiar) because of its octagonal shape. Designed by architect Hans Klipe, the wooden church dating from 1842 is the third to have stood on this spot. It's especially beautiful because of the backdrop of the fjords. Open only during the summer.

Europe's highest roadside viewpoint, the Geiranger Skywalk is located on the Dalsnibba mountain. At an elevation of 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), visitors can look straight down at the village of Geiranger, as well as the famous Geirangerfjord.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005, the Geiranger Fjord is one of the world’s longest and deepest fjords. At a length of 15 km (9 miles), the fjord is surrounded by waterfalls like the 410-meter (1,350-foot) tall Seven Sisters Waterfall and the dramatic peaks of the Dalsnibba mountain. If possible, take a fjord cruise or rent a kayak to see the fjord from the water, and then take a drive to one of the viewpoints to see the fjord from above.