Geirangerfjord

A fjord you arrive at from above

Geirangerfjord is a branch of Storfjorden, reached by three dramatic approaches. From the north, Trollstigen climbs eleven hairpins from Åndalsnes and then drops over the Ørnevegen ("Eagle Road") with its eleven more bends into Geiranger village. From the south, Route 63 climbs to Dalsnibba at 1,476 metres, where the whole fjord appears below you in a single frame. From the west, the Hellesylt–Geiranger car ferry sails the full length of the fjord in about an hour.

The village itself is small and, in July, overloaded — up to five cruise ships a day. The fjord is not. Move ten minutes out in any direction and you have it to yourself.

The essential viewpoints

• Dalsnibba Skywalk (1,476 m). Toll road from Djupvasshytta, open roughly late May to October. The highest fjord view accessible by car in Europe.
• Ørnesvingen / Eagle Bend. The purpose-built platform on Ørnevegen looking straight down at the Seven Sisters. Free, and best in morning light.
• Flydalsjuvet. The classic postcard angle, 5 minutes by car from the village. Park in the upper lot and walk down for the uncluttered version.
• Geiranger Skywalk at Djupvasshytta. Glass-floored platform, worth the toll if the sky is clear.

Waterfalls and cliff farms

The Seven Sisters (De Syv Søstrene) is a 250 m multi-stranded fall on the north wall; directly opposite, The Suitor (Friaren) is said to be courting them without success. Between them sits Bridal Veil (Brudesløret). Above the water are the abandoned farms — Skageflå, Knivsflå and Blomberg — perched on ledges 250 metres up, farmed until the early 20th century with children reportedly roped to boulders to stop them falling.

Skageflå is the one you can reach: a steep 90-minute climb from Homlong, or a boat drop-off from Geiranger followed by a 5 km walk back along the fjord ledge. It is one of the finest short hikes in Norway and detailed in our hiking guide.

Getting on the water

Timing

Trollstigen and the Dalsnibba road are usually closed by snow until mid-to-late May and can shut again from mid-October. Waterfall volume peaks in June. Cruise traffic peaks in July and early August. The best compromise is the first two weeks of June or the second half of September, when the roads are open, the light is long and the village is calm. Avoid arriving in Geiranger between 10:00 and 15:00 in high summer if you can.

Questions we get asked