Geirangerfjord
Ideal: Ideal for nature, fjord views, photography, and Norwegian road trips.
Fifteen kilometres long, up to 260 metres deep, with walls rising to 1,400 metres on either side; it joined the UNESCO list in 2005. Two facing waterfalls are named the Seven Sisters and the Suitor. Abandoned mountain farms on terraces on the steep slopes could only be reached by rope, and according to stories children were tied at the waist so they would not fall off the cliff. The crack on the Åkerneset slope overlooking the fjord is monitored constantly: if a mass breaks away, a giant wave in the fjord is calculated.
Did you know?
What are the abandoned farms on the fjord walls?
These farms clung to near-vertical slopes and could only be reached by boat and ladder. Children are said to have been tethered with rope so they would not fall; all were abandoned in the early 20th century.
Why is the waterfall called the Seven Sisters?
The name comes from its seven separate streams falling side by side. The single fall opposite is called the Suitor, said to have courted them and been refused — which is why it flows in the shape of a bottle.
Is there any risk hanging over the fjord?
A large fissure in the nearby Åkerneset mountain is monitored continuously. If the mass fell into the fjord it would create a huge wave, so an early-warning system and evacuation plan are in place.
Why go?
- To see one of the most iconic UNESCO-listed Norwegian fjords
- To experience waterfalls, mountains, and fjord scenery at once
- To build a strong nature route by boat tour or viewpoints
Travel tip
Always check the weather — views can close in mist, but in clear weather the experience is far more impressive.
