The little-known fjords you mustn’t miss

Have you already checked the most famous attractions off your list and fancy exploring more of the region? There are a number of lesser-known fjords across the region that are definitely worth visiting.

Learn more about the Norwegian fjords:

• The most famous fjords in Norway
• What is a fjord?
• The best fjord cruises in Norway

1. Romsdalsfjord: mountain peaks and active adventures

We start in the north of the region: The Romsdalsfjord is the ninth longest fjord in Norway and is said to be one of the country’s cleanest fjords. There is excellent fishing in the area. Åndalsnes – the mountaineering capital of Norway – is situated along the Romsdalsfjord.

• Take the Romsdalen Gondola to the mountaintops in Åndalsnes and enjoy wonderful views of the fjord and the Romsdal Alps.
• Walk up the Romsdal Steps to Rampestreken Viewpoint – with spectacular views of Åndalsnes.
• Hike the one and only Romsdalseggen ridge, named as one of the world's most beautiful hikes.
• Visit the Norwegian Mountaineering Museum at the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre in Åndalsnes.
• Scale the climbing wall at the Mountaineering Centre, or join one of the outdoor activities on offer.
• Take on the Romsdalsstigen Via Ferrata, which offers amazing views of the mountains and fjord.
• Don't miss the incredible Trollveggen cliff and Trollstigen road.

2. Tingvollfjord: historic hotel and world-class cheese

The Tingvollfjord goes from Bergsøya island south of Kristiansund to Sunndalsøra. The fjord is about 35 km long. Along the fjord you will find a world-class hotel, one of the world's best cheeses and ‘Norway's most beautiful valley'.

• Angvik Gamle Handelssted hotel is situated in Angvik. Angvik was once an important trading post. At the hotel you can visit the Handelshuset Angvik Museum or relax at Badehuset Spa – a restored traditional Norwegian storehouse dating from the 18th century.
• In Tingvoll, you can visit the church that dates from about 1180, taste one of the world's best cheeses – Kraftkar – at Tingvollost dairy, or go on a farm visit with a cider tasting at Tingvoll Sider.
• Take a trip to Sunndal, with its mighty mountains and spectacular waterfalls. It’s home to Innerdalen – ‘Norway's most beautiful valley’ – with many beautiful mountain hikes. There are several Norwegian Trekking Association cabins in the area, or for more comfort, you might want to stay at Phillipshaugen Lodge.

3. Hjørundfjord: in the middle of the Sunnmøre Alps

The Hjørundfjord is near Ålesund in the middle of the Sunnmøre Alps. The fjord is 35 km long, and splits into two fjord arms at the halfway mark: one towards Urke and Øye (the Norangsfjord), where the historic hotel Union Øye is situated, and the other towards Bjørke. The Sagafjord hotel in Sæbø is an excellent starting point for exploring the area.

• There are fantastic hiking routes, including to famous mountain summits such as Slogen and Saksa, which have fantastic views of the fjord and the Sunnmøre Alps.
• Trandal, known for its music festivals and the ‘Instagram swing’, where you can almost dangle your legs over the fjord.
• Take a skiing tour in winter, or why not go on an adventure with Ski & sail?
• In the summer, there’s an express boat service from Ålesund to Øye with stops along the way, or you can drive and experience mini-fjord cruises on the ferry crossings.

4. Tafjord: the little-known world-heritage fjord

Tafjord is part of the Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is situated between Geiranger and Trollstigen road. Just beyond the strawberry village of Valldal, the Tafjord winds its way inland under towering mountains, waterfalls and mountain farms. The Tafjord invites you to experience nature at its best, along with activities such as SUP boarding, hiking and abseiling. It is the gateway to Reinheimen National Park and the famous Tafjordfjella mountains.

• The Tafjord is part of the Norddalsfjord, which is in turn part of the Storfjord.
• Tafjord, a small village that offers active experiences, is at the head of the fjord.
• Have a go at abseiling and Via Ferrata, kayaking or SUP boarding on the fjord, and visit Ville Krefter – Hydropower and Landslide Centre.
• You can also experience the Tafjord from the village of Valldal, where you can join guided kayak tours into the World Heritage area.
• It’s just one hour from Tafjord, innermost in the fjord, via Gudbrandsjuvet gorge to Trollstigen road.

5. Innvikfjord: glaciers, waterfalls, steep mountains and a gondola

There’s a lot to see in the Innvikfjord, the innermost part of the Nordfjord. Along the fjord, you will find Stryn, Loen and Olden, at the head of the fjord. Glaciers, steep waterfalls, well-marked and beautiful mountain walks, a 5-minute gondola into the mountains, breath-taking nature, and shopping in Stryn, are just some of the highlights.

• Drive west on the ‘Panoramic Road’ from Stryn and stop on the way to walk under Tvinnefossen waterfall!
• Take Loen Skylift to the top of Mount Hoven or try Via Ferrata Loen. There are many marked hiking trails from the top of Hoven and, in winter, there are many places to go skiing – or you can try what is perhaps Norway's longest sledging run!
• Walk up Skåla – the highest mountain in Norway that rises from a fjord, at 1,848 metres above sea level.
• Briksdalsbreen glacier, an arm of Jostedalsbreen glacier, is not far from Olden, innermost in the fjord.
• Go RIB rafting from Olden and experience the fjord, waterfalls and steep mountains by boat.
• Join Olden Active for a guided kayaking trip on the fjord and explore the Oldedalen valley.
• Check in at Hotel Alexandra in Loen where you can relax in their spa.

6. Dalsfjord: waterfalls, poetry and island hopping

The Dalsfjord is situated in Sunnfjord and is an extension of the Vilnesfjord. Together, these two fjords are 43 km long and the innermost part is very narrow – less than 1 km wide. The fjord is popular for kayaking, fishing and RIB-boat trips, and is also close to exciting coastal destinations. Combine beautiful fjord scenery with island hopping in Askvoll!

• Visit Laukelandsfossen waterfall, which has a drop of 135 metres and is up to 100 metres wide.
• Go walking in Fossedalen valley, a scenic gem on the north side of the fjord. A hike to Heileberget mountain is also wonderful. with great views of the Dalsfjord.
• Visit the village of Dale, halfway along the fjord, where you can visit Jakob Sande-tunet and discover more about this beloved poet. There is also a café and hotel where you can stay overnight.
• Hire a kayak or canoe and explore the Dalsfjord up close, or join an exhilarating RIB-boat tour!
• Take a twilight trip with Bakkejekta, a replica of Norway's oldest preserved wooden boat, which dates from about 1750.

7. Finnafjord: take a break from the hustle and bustle

The Finnafjord is the smallest fjord arm of its big brother Sognefjord, but is perhaps the most special. The fjord is wild and beautiful, with towering mountains and waterfalls that plunge into the fjord, and peace and tranquillity you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. It’s home to the roadless farms Finden and Finnabotnen (where the famous cheese maker Synnøve Finden was born and raised). The farm Finden was featured on the TV programme ‘Norwegians in the middle of nowhere’ in the early 2000s.

• In the heart of Finnabotnen you will find Finnabotnen Fjord Lodge, which offers accommodation with excellent food and beautiful views. The lodge is built on the foundations of the old barn.
• Vik Adventure and Balestrand Adventure have daily RIB-boat trips into Finnabotnen.
• Take a walk in the spectacular landscapes, relax and read that book you never get round to reading – there’s no mobile reception or Wi-fi here!

8. Fyksesund: untouched nature, waterfalls and abandoned farms

Fyksesund is the narrowest fjord arm of the Hardangerfjord. The fjord is about 10 km long, just 400-800 metres wide and is 300 metres deep at its deepest point. The mountains on both sides of the fjord are about 1,000 metres high, and there are countless waterfalls plunging down the mountainsides. Fyksesund is the only fjord arm in the Hardangerfjord that does not have a road all the way to the end. Innermost in the fjord is Botnen, a roadless community with a long and fascinating history. People have lived here since 1606, and it is known as ‘the cradle of the Hardanger fiddle’. There were up to fifteen farms here at one time, and even though they were geographically isolated, the people were open to the world. Many made their way to America, two brothers became mayors and parliamentarians, and a third brother became bishop of Nidaros in 1892.

• Join a RIB-boat trip to Fyksesund and Botnen with Hardangerfjord Adventure or Norheimsund RIB Seafari. Both companies offer guided tours with daily departures during the high season.
• It’s possible to camp if you come by kayak.
• From the DNT cabin Kiellandbu, there’s an amazing view down towards Botnen and the fjord, and you can also continue down from Kiellandbu to Botnen. Wild Voss offers a guided tour to Kiellandbu from Voss.

9. Åkrafjord: one of Norway's most beautiful waterfalls, glamping, active experiences and farm visits

The Åkrafjord is situated in Etne, about an hour from Haugesund. The fjord is 32 km long, narrow and deep (630 metres). It is home to Langfoss – the fifth highest and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Norway. There is lots to do in the area, such as Via Ferrata, fjord cruises, canyoning and hiking.

• Walk up to Langfoss waterfall, for great views of the fjord and the waterfall. There are also many other places to walk and hike in the area.
• Check out what may be Norway’s toughest Via Ferrata route – Kyrkjeveggen – or the more family-friendly route Ingadalen.
• Try canyoning with Åkrafjorden Nature, a combination of climbing, abseiling and wading.
• Go on a tractor safari (!) to Eikemostølen mountain pasture farm, known from the TV series ‘Norwegians in the middle of nowhere’.
• Join us on a fjord cruise with incredible views of Langfoss waterfall.
• Stay in one of Viking Adventure’s micro cabins, with majestic views of the Åkrafjord, camp in style at Åkrafjorden Glamping, or stay at Åkrafjorden Nature B&B.
• Be sure to sample the delicious food at Åkrafjordtunet, that sells everything from duck breasts to homemade meat patties, lefser (soft Norwegian flatbreads) and goat steaks.
• Visit Eljarvik Farm (remember to book) to discover more about the farm and cultural landscape, and to enjoy a good meal.

10. Hylsfjord: Ryfylke at its most spectacular!

The Hylsfjord, which is about 20 km long and an arm of the Sandsfjord, is one of the most spectacular fjords in Ryfylke, cutting through high mountains, magnificent landscapes, lush hillsides and idyllic villages. The fjord ends in Hylen, which is home to Hylen power station. The power station is listed and is part of Northern Europe's largest hydropower development – Ulla Førre. If you’re interested in the history of power production in the region, you can read more about this tour suggestion along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke.

In the 19th century, the Hylsfjord was one of the most important trade routes between the east and west. The route was so popular that it was included in the travel agent Thomas Cook’s first package tour to Norway, and also featured in the book ‘The Best Tour in Norway’ by E.J. Goodman, from 1896.

• Visit Litunet in Suldal, part of Ryfylke Museum, which is a cluster of 13 buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Hike to the top of Hellandsnuten, which has incredible views of five fjords, including the Hylsfjord.
• Stay overnight at Ryfylke fjord hotel at Sand, which sits right on the waterfront at the start of the fjord, or at Mo laksegard salmon farm, which offers a salmon safari and fishing, a river expedition and more.

11. Jøssingfjord: war memorials and lunar landscapes

The Jøssingfjord, situated furthest south in Sokndal, is about 3 km long and is in the very heart of the Magma UNESCO Global Geopark. You will find geological phenomena, old and new industrial history of national significance, fishing and fish farming, a brand-new science museum and war memorials. The Jøssingfjord is best known for the two small 19th-century houses that stand under the overhanging Helleren rock, and for the Altmark incident in 1940, the first act of war by the Germans in Norway, when British soldiers boarded the German ship ‘Altmark’ and freed prisoners of war.

• Visit the brand-new Jøssingfjord Science Museum, where you can learn more about geology, natural science, technology and cultural history.
• Just outside the museum you can visit the two small houses under the overhanging rock Helleren.
• You can also hike to the Hellersheia anorthosite landscape on the other side of the Jøssingfjord and see visible traces of the Ice Age.
• Try Via Ferrata Migaren, which winds its way along the mountainside and over a waterfall
• Stay overnight in a hammock inside a disused tunnel from 1921.