The fjords: Local culture in dramatic scenery

This trip starts in Bergen, the epicentre of cultural history, art, music and literature in Fjord Norway. Soak up the atmosphere as you stroll across Torgallmenningen square, the Fish Market and along the old wharf Bryggen and on to the medieval landmarks: Rosenkrantz Tower and Håkon’s Hall.

Before leaving the capital of Fjord Norway, you should visit a restaurant to try Bergen’s take on fish soup or other local fish and seafood dishes, which make up a big part of the cuisine in Bergen.

The magnificent landscape of Fjord Norway shows its true colours on the way from Bergen to Voss. Stop at the majestic Tvindefossen waterfall, a 109-metre giant along the main road a 15-minute drive from the centre of Voss, Vossevangen. A steep drive then awaits up to Vikafjellet. When you spot the snow-clad peaks on the northern side of the Sognefjord sparkling above the autumnal colours of the mountainsides, you know your adventure has started. The first fantastic cultural gems emerge after a steep descent. The 13th-century Hopperstad Stave Church and the beautiful Hove Steinkyrkje church are both located in the village of Vik, which is steeped in cultural history. Take the time to swing past Blix Hotell, where you can try the legendary gamalost cheese with a glass of local raspberry juice.

From Vik, it’s not far along the fjord to the ferry quay in Vangsnes. The calm waters of the Sognefjord have enchanted many travellers. If you and your travel companions get a kick out of the sea, you can take a RIB boat trip to Finnabotn to see the famous Kvinnafossen waterfall. The name comes from the saga of the female figure (kvinna means woman in Norwegian) in the waterfall.

When you have completed the day’s extensive programme between Bergen and the Sognefjord, you can check in at the historic Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand. This hotel has been welcoming guests in the dramatic fjord landscape in Sogn all the way back to 1877.

If you have time left, you can stroll around Balestrand, known as the artists’ village in Sogn, and see its galleries, architectural gems and, not least, Ciderhuset, where they make great cider from the sweet apples harvested along the Sognefjord.

Day two of this cultural history round trip in Fjord Norway starts with the ascent up the Norwegian Scenic Route Gaularfjellet. This ancient thoroughfare across to Sunnfjord became a tunnel-free road in 1938. Since then, the road has provided travellers from far and wide with spectacular views of glaciers and towering peaks. Stop at the signposted viewpoints to enjoy views worthy of the gods, and make sure to stop at Likholefossen, where you can walk above the waterfall on a metal bridge.

The road then continues for a couple of hours through a magical landscape of glaciers, mountains and deep valleys. If the weather is fine, you can soak up the beautiful autumn colours before rolling up in Fjærland, one of the biggest tourist destinations in Fjord Norway.

After enjoying a lunch of your choosing, it’s time to experience the famous book town. With some 150,000 books on sale, book lovers will struggle to tear themselves away from Fjærland. The Norwegian Glacier Museum, which features Europe’s biggest seamless screen showing scenes from the Jostedalsbreen glacier among other things, is also well worth a visit.

After a day full of impressions, you can get ready to spend the evening and night at Fjærland Fjordstove Hotel. This beautiful white wooden building is situated right beside the fjord and offers delicious local food and legendary service.

A magnificent colour palette, open skies and views of mountains and fjords are the keywords on day three of the round trip. The inner reaches of the Sognefjord are marked by great contrasts, literally, between peaks towering to heights of 2,000 metres and narrow fjord arms cutting their way into the mountains.

The road across to Sogndal takes no time, and then on to Kaupanger before you take a ferry to the southern side of the fjord and on to Lærdalsøyri, a cultural history and architectural gem in Fjord Norway. If you’re interested in the Middle Ages, you should take a detour up to Borgund Stave Church dating from 1180, unique even by stave church standards.

The road continues through the Lærdal tunnel to beautiful Aurland and through the village Flåmsbygda. However, your day’s destination is the village of Undredal and its unique cultural history. The little stave church built in 1147 by an unknown architect, commands admiration and respect. How has this wooden building survived in the centre of the local community for almost 900 years?

Undredal is also known for its award-winning white and brown goat’s cheese which any traveller with respect for himself should make a point of having for lunch.

We then make haste for Voss, an hour’s drive through fantastic scenery, where unforgettable cultural experiences await. A cable car is ready to transport you from the bus station to Hangurstoppen (820 metres above sea level) in just nine minutes. At the top, you can enjoy the views, or do the 800-km signposted panorama trail. Make sure to stop at the ‘Hangurshusko’ swing for an extra special experience.

Voss Folk Museum and the historic Mølstertunet farm cluster is a must for history and culture buffs. If you’re interested in the culinary arts, Voss Fellesbryggeri has a kveik yeast beer, which has become something of a tourist attraction.

Spend the night at Store Ringheim Hotell og Restaurant, an old farm that has been restored and converted into a unique boutique hotel with a restaurant that bases its dishes on the hotel’s own and local produce.

New adventures await on day four of this fjord odyssey along the E13 road from Voss. After stopping at either the huge Skjervsfossen or Skorofossen waterfalls in Granvin, Hardanger is your nest destination. This sheltered fjord landscape has been a geographically important cultural history hub since way before the Viking Age. Old traditions are being kept alive here, which you can experience on a cider trail and cider tasting in Ulvik.

Norway’s best known waterfall, the magnificent Vøringsfossen with its 182-metre free fall, is also a part of Hardanger included on the day’s leg. On the way up Måbødalen valley to the waterfall, you can stop at the Norwegian Nature Centre Hardanger in Øvre Eidfjord, where you can experience culture and nature that enable you to see Hardanger in an even wider perspective.

Spend the night in Lofthus, where you can enjoy great Hardanger hospitality and a taste of luxury at Ullensvang Hotel. You can recharge your batteries in the hotel’s spa area and tickle your taste buds in its restaurant, which specialises in local drinks and first-class local produce.

Day two in Hardanger is the fifth leg of the round trip. It offers yet another host of fantastic experiences that make Fjord Norway a great destination for everyone who values culture, history and culinary experiences, against a fantastic scenic backdrop.
The Norwegian Museum of Hydropower and Industry in Tyssedal is located on the winding road from Lofthus towards Odda along the Sørfjord. The impressive early 20th-century building symbolises the Norwegian hydropower industry, which has been pivotal to modern-day Norway. Immerse yourself in the production history, machinery and control room of the plant in Tyssedal, whose last generator was turned off in 1989.

After swinging past the industry town of Odda innermost in the fjord, drive on to Jondal and take the ferry to Øystese, for the day’s cider tasting. The impressive Kabuso arts centre is also located here, which exhibits paintings, drawings and sculptures of international stature.

Hardanger Maritime Centre in the neighbouring town Norheimsund is a family-friendly maritime museum with activities and a workshop demonstrating the arts of ropemaking, forging and building wooden boats – an integral part of the culture of Hardanger and the fjords of Fjord Norway. It’s also possible to hire a traditional rowing boat complete with lifejackets and fishing equipment.

If you have time, you can pop up to the Steindalsfossen waterfall just west of the centre of Norheimsund. There is a path behind (!) the 50-metre waterfall, which makes for a very special experience.

Spend the night in Norheimsund at the classic Thon Hotel Sandven, built in the lavish Swiss-style in 1857. Enjoy dinner and a glass of the local cider at the hotel’s excellent restaurant with its classic interior.

Those with a taste for speed and thrills might want to do a RIB boat sea safari from the guest marina in Norheimsund before heading back to the culture capital, Bergen. Propelled by plenty of horsepower, the RIB boat speeds across the fjord and 10 km up the narrow Fyksesundet sound to Botnen, making for an unforgettable trip.

Back behind the steering wheel in Norheimsund, you cross the beautiful mountains of Kvamskogen on your way to Samnanger, Arna and Bergen. You can then enjoy what’s left of the day in the cultural capital of Fjord Norway, nay the whole of Norway.