Geiranger

- The Fjord of the fjords

Take a look at this amazing scene when the Norwegian Hurtigruten is visiting Geiranger, Norway. Here is the ship on it's way to Ålesund on a beautiful day in May 2012. (Photo: Ernst Inge Rogne)

This is a branch of the Storfjorden, and along the fjord you can see the scenic, abandoned farms high up in the mountains, and together with the waterfalls it's just breathtaking.

This year will be one of the best seasons ever, with cruiseships visiting Geiranger almost every day from May to September.

On the best days it will be up to 4 ships at the same time, and more than 325.000 passengers on 214 cruiseships will be visiting this small community during summer 2013.

Around 60% of all passengers are leaving the ships for some hours to get a closer look at the place. It's possible to have guided tours on foot, or guided tours by buses.

Imagine yourself arrive here on the Hurtigruten Classic Norwegian Cruise, or on one of these hundreds of cruiseships that are visiting this fjord every summer. (Photo: Tor Arne Grande / Fossen Camping)

In 2012 there was 315.000 cruiseship passengers visiting Geiranger. In addition to the daily calls from the Hurtigruten, all the "Queens" of cruiseships: Queen Elisabeth, Queen Mary and Queen Victoria were visiting this "Fjord of the Fjords".

The Coat of Arms

This is the Coat of Arms for Stranda Municipality.

It was approved in May 1986, and was designed by Jarle Skuset.

It symbolizes the many fjords and mountains in this region, and which has an important role to attract tourists to Stranda and the surrounding communities.

The Fjord and the Waterfalls

On a sunny summer day it is easy to convince people that this is the most beautiful fjord in the world.

The breathtaking scenery is unique, with it’s wild waterfalls and steep mountains into the calm fjord. Close to the centre of the village you can see the "Seven Sisters" waterfall, and you will be passing close to it both if you arrive on a cruiseship, the Hurtigruten or on the local ferrys from Hellesylt or Valldal.

Geiranger today is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway, and since 2005 the Geirangerfjord has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Several kings, queens and emperors has visited, and in our modern time impressing 600 000 people are visiting this tiny little community every year.

Attractions

Another spectacular attraction is a bus-tour to the Nibbevegen (opened in 1939) and Dalsnibba.

On your way to and from Dalsnibba you will pass the Flydalsjuvet viwepoint, which gives you an amazing overview. When you think you are at the top, the cars and buses takes an even more narrow and steep road up in the mountain to the viewpoint Dalsnibba, 1500 meters above the sealevel.

A breathtaking view is expecting you: A view over the Geirangerfjord and the many mountains surrounding it.

On a sunny afternoon when the, fjord is laying calm, maybe a cruiseship or two has anchored, you see the amazing Seven Sisters waterfalls, the old abandoned farms high up in the mountain......

It is a magic moment, and you should all experience it.

One of the most spectacular attractions is the Eagle's Road, Ørnevegen. In the wintertime the village is only accessed from west, by this steep road which was opened in 1954.

In the summer there are two roads leading you here. From east you arrive on the Geirangervegen and from west you arrive on the amazing Ørnevegen. From the highest point of the road and down to the fjord you are passing 11 hairpin curves that can be quite scary for many visitors.

During the short summer months about 600 000 tourists are visiting. Would you believe it when we tell you that Geiranger has 240 inhabitants?  It is true!

You might also want to take a walk in the village, as it is close to the harbour. The  village has art galleries, small cafeterias and souvenir shops, and a small church.

A walk up the narrow street to the Union Hotel gives you a panorama view over the fjord, while having a cup of coffe, a beer or a drink in the restaurant.

Close to the Union Hotel you will find interest in exploring the Norwegian Fjord Centre which is an information centre providing information about the Geirangerfjorden World Heritage Site.

Take a look at this Map over Geirangerfjorden

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By car there is a short distance to Eidsdal, where you cross the fjord on a small ferry to Linge.

From here you can reach the breathtaking Trollstigen within an hour. There will also be ferries connecting Geiranger to Hellesylt and Valldal.

From Trollstigen you can go to Åndalsnes (the nearest trainstation), Molde or Ålesund. There is daily several buses scheduled for the route Åndalsnes to Geiranger.

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And then of course: The Hurtigruten

From May to September the Hurtigruten is visiting every day, and the tourists really love it.

The first month or so after starting it's the fjord cruise season the passengers can leave the ship and go on seightseeing buses back to Ålesund.  When the Trollstigen opens in June, the sightseeing tours are going via Valldal over Trollstigen, to Åndalsnes and the to Molde, where the passengers again are entering their ship.

The photo is taken by Andreas Mihatsek/HRG archive, and you can see the Hurtigruten on it's way just passing the waterfalls The Seven Sisters.

We strongly recommend a visit, and if possible you should experience the amazing bus tour over Trollstigen to Molde.