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Sognefjord
Vik ©Vegard Aasen, VERI Media
The Sognefjord
- and the beautiful fjord arms
The more than 204 km long Sognefjord lies in the heart of Fjord Norway, and is the longest and deepest fjord in Norway. At its deepest, the fjord plunges to more than 1,300 m and the mountains along the fjord rise to more than 1,700 m.
The Sognefjord has several distinctive fjord arms winding their way between steep mountains to end in small, picturesque villages. One of the most well known branches of the Sognefjord is the narrow Nærøyfjord, which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. You can choose between different boat trips to experience the beauty of the fjords all year round. Other tempting fjord activities are kayaking, fjord rafting, angling, rowing, swimming and much more.
The Sogn Fjord Museum at Kaupanger tells the story of life beside the fjord, and the Sognefjord Aquarium gives you a picture of life in the fjord itself.
Highlights
The West Norwegian Fjords
Since 2005, the area defined as the West Norwegian Fjords, comprising the Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord, has been included on UNESCO's World Heritage List of the world's cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value. The world heritage value of the Nærøyfjord area can be summed up as follows: a fjord landscape with active geological processes, a rich flora and fauna, and a beautiful natural landscape from fjord to mountains, with glaciers, forests, waterfalls and free-flowing rivers, and a cultural landscape that adds perspective to the natural landscape.
Nærøyfjord - narrow and dramatic
The Nærøyfjord is the narrowest, wildest and most famous of the fjord arms, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding mountains rise steeply to reach towering heights and create a unique magical atmosphere. A ferry trip on the Nærøyfjord, from Kaupanger to Gudvangen, and a passangerboat from Flåm/Aurland, will take you through some of the most spectacular scenery in Norway.
Lusterfjord - inland towards the Jotunheimen, Breheimen and Jostedalsbreen
The landscape around the Lusterfjord is very picturesque, and many great artists have been inspired by the unique beauty of its scenery. The Lusterfjord extends all the way to the foot of the Jotunheimen and Breheimen mountains and the Jostedalsbreen glacier, and from Skjolden in the East to Solund in the West the Sognefjord measures an impressive 204 kilometres.
UNESCO Nærøyfjorden ©Gudvangen Fjordtell
This beautiful fjord arm extends almost all the way up to the glacier tongues that reach down to the village of Fjærland, and most of the year the fjord has a beautiful bright green colour because of the meltwater from the glaciers that flows into the fjord.
Finnafjord - roadless and exotic
At the head of the distinctive Finnafjord, the mountains are steep and the scenery is spectacular. The famous cheese-maker Synnøve Finden was born and brought up beside this lovely fjord.
