Join the daily sightseeing cruise on the Hardangerfjord — at 179 kilometres, Norway's second-longest fjord and one of the country's most-visited. The boat leaves Norheimsund harbour in the morning and takes around three hours to reach Eidfjord at the head of the fjord, calling at Herand, Utne, Lofthus, Kinsarvik and Ulvik along the way.
On the cruise you glide past steep mountainsides on either side and orchards holding hundreds of thousands of fruit trees stretching down to the water. Travel in spring and you'll also catch the famous Hardanger blossom — reason enough on its own to make the journey.
On board, you can choose between the heated lounge with panoramic windows or the open deck — where the wind picks up and you can take in the landscape that has inspired artists for generations.
You can step off along the way to spend more time in any of the villages. In Utne, Hardanger Folkemuseum holds collections of folk costume, traditional fiddle music and historic farm architecture. Further in lies Ulvik, where the Fruit and Cider Route — the only one of its kind in Norway — connects orchards and cider producers across the village. Kinsarvik is the starting point for the hike up to Husedalen and its four waterfalls, a day hike for travellers who want to swap the boat for boots. At the head of the fjord, Eidfjord brings Vøringsfossen and the Norwegian Nature Centre Hardanger — two of the most visited destinations in the region.
On the return from Eidfjord, the route runs close to shore, past waterfalls plunging into the fjord and occasional sightings of sea eagles and seals along the cliffsides.
Practical information
The cruise runs daily from May to September and connects with a scheduled bus service from central Bergen — bus 925 from Bergen Bus Station at 07:25, returning on bus 930 from Norheimsund at 19:00. The combination makes it straightforward to experience the Hardangerfjord on a day trip without a car. You can do the route as a return journey on the same day, step off in one of the villages and catch the boat back later, or continue further inland by car or bus from Eidfjord. Tickets are available at Norled.no, on board or from Bergen Tourist Information.
Welcome aboard the Hardangerfjord Sightseeing Cruise.
