Geirangerfjord: A Gentle Guide to Norway's Fjord of Waterfalls

Few places in Norway reward you as quickly as Geirangerfjord. The water is calm and dark, the mountainsides rise steeply on both sides, and thin white waterfalls fall from the cliffs. You can see most of it from a seat.

The fjord is a branch of the larger Storfjord in Møre og Romsdal, about 20 km long between Hellesylt and the small village of Geiranger at its head. It belongs to the West Norwegian Fjord Landscape, which UNESCO listed as a World Heritage Site in 2005.

This guide is written for travelers who want the views without a hard hike. Boats, ferries, short walks to viewpoints and a few scenic drives do most of the work.

A little history

For centuries people here lived on what the sea and mountains gave them. Small farms were built on ledges high above the water, some of them reachable only by steep paths. Several have names you will hear on any boat tour: Skageflå, Knivsflå, Blomberg, Matvik and Syltevik.

Skageflå, perched around 270 m above the fjord, is the best known. Knivsflå sits beside the Seven Sisters waterfall. One guide says its timber buildings were abandoned in 1898 because of the growing risk of avalanches and rockfall. Treat that date as indicative, since it comes from a single source.

Today these farms are among the main reasons the fjord is protected. From the water you can see how little flat land there was.

Panorama of Geirangerfjord from above Skageflå, with the north side of the fjord and the Seven Sisters waterfalls visible.

What to see

The fjord from the water

The gentlest way to see Geirangerfjord is from a boat. Sightseeing cruises leave from Geiranger. Operators offer trips of about 75 minutes and about two hours, and one of them is a quiet hybrid-electric vessel. Dates change by season, so check the operator's schedule.

The Seven Sisters and the Suitor

The Seven Sisters is a row of waterfalls on the north side of the fjord. One source gives a total height of around 410 m. Their flow is strongest in late spring and early summer. Legend says the Suitor, a waterfall opposite, tried to win the sisters but never succeeded.

Flydalsjuvet

This viewpoint on Road 63 looks down over a deep canyon to the village and the fjord. It is free to visit and sits beside the road, so it needs very little walking. It is also an easy stop on the drive between Geiranger and the Eagle Road.

Ørnesvingen and the Eagle Road

The Eagle Road is the name for the eleven hairpin bends on Route 63 between Geiranger and Eidsdal. Ørnesvingen is the top bend, around 620 m above sea level. It is a good place to stop and look back at the fjord, and the light is lovely in the evening.

Dalsnibba and the Skywalk

A private toll road climbs to Dalsnibba at about 1,500 m. There is a glass-floored viewing platform with a drop of roughly 500 m to the fjord below. The road is generally open from late May or early June to October, depending on the weather. It can be cold and windy at the top, even when the village is warm.

Geirangerfjord seen from the Flydalsjuvet viewpoint.

Honest advice for comfortable travel

• Stay in Geiranger village. Most of the village is close to the waterfront, so you can walk to the quay, shops and restaurants without a car.
• Choose boats over hikes. The best views are from the water. Seats are easy to reach, and most cruises have indoor seating if it is wet or cold.
• Expect hills and bends. Geiranger sits at sea level and everything else is uphill. The Eagle Road is steep, with hairpin bends. If you dislike mountain driving, book a coach tour or a taxi instead.
• Wrap up for the heights. Dalsnibba is far colder and windier than the village. Bring a jacket, a hat and sturdy shoes, even in summer.
• Avoid the cruise-ship crowds. One guide suggests visiting the main viewpoints before about 9 am or after about 5 pm, especially on cruise-ship days.
• Plan for the weather. Rain is common in western Norway. Allow a spare day if you can, so you can wait for clear skies.
• Check the roads. Mountain road opening dates and ferry times change from year to year. Check with the local tourist office or the road authority before you go.
• Take care at viewpoints. Some platforms have a sheer drop. Use the railings and keep to the paths.

The village of Geiranger at the head of Geirangerfjord, in Stranda Municipality.

What to eat

Geiranger is small, but you can eat well. Brasserie Posten, beside the fjord, serves dishes made with Norwegian and local ingredients and, according to its listing, is open all year. In summer a small stall in the centre sells traditional Sunnmøre fish cakes made from wolffish, either on their own or in focaccia.

For a sweet souvenir, the Geiranger chocolate shop makes chocolate with local flavours. Its brunost (brown cheese) chocolate is one of its best sellers. Brunost is a sweet, caramel-tasting Norwegian cheese that is worth trying at breakfast on a slice of bread.

Getting there

Geiranger is remote, and the journey is part of the experience. The classic approach is the ferry between Hellesylt and Geiranger, which takes about an hour and passes the waterfalls. You can also drive in over the mountains via the Eagle Road from Eidsdal.

From Ålesund, a bus-and-ferry journey takes around 4 to 5 hours, according to one planner. Guided day tours from the city last about 8 hours.

The cruise ship MSC Virtuosa in Geirangerfjord.

Our verdict

Geirangerfjord is a place for slowing down. A boat trip, a few viewpoints and an evening by the water are enough to see why it is so loved. It suits travelers who like scenery more than strenuous activity, as long as they plan around the hills, the weather and the summer crowds.

Go in late spring or early summer if you can, stay in the village, and let the fjord come to you.

Mountains surrounding Geiranger, photographed from onboard a Hurtigruten ship.

“Where the mountains lean in to listen, the water is still and every waterfall has something to say.”

Photo credits

• Fiordo de Geiranger, Noruega, 2019-09-07, DD 45-48 PAN: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
• Panorama of Geirangerfjord from Skagefla: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
• Fiordo de Geiranger desde Flydalsjuvet, Noruega, 2019-09-07, DD 59: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
• Stranda Geirangerfjord lub 2025-07-29 img01: Lukas Beck, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
• 0617 MSC Virtuosa in Geirangerfjord V-P: Virtual-Pano, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
• Geiranger Mountains: Jonas Tisell, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons