Fjords
Western Norway is famous for easily accessible fjords and mountains. The area offers activities such as hiking, glacier walking, fishing and cycling.
Norway has the highest concentration of fjords in the world, and nowhere on earth are there more fjords than in Fjord Norway. The fjords are nature’s own work of art, formed when the glaciers retreated, and sea water flooded the U-shaped valleys, according to visitnorway.com.
The fjords, which consist of saltwater, are often very deep in their upper and middle reaches. Take the Sognefjord as an example – it drops 1,308 metres below sea level, making it Norway’s deepest fjord. Because fjords are so deep, they permit navigation by large ships, allowing you to experience their beauty at close range.
Along most fjord shores there is lush flora and fertile soil. In many places the land has been farmed for thousands of years. Blossoming fruit trees along the Hardangerfjord in May make for an impressive sight.
UNESCO has included the fjords of Norway, exemplified by the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord, on its prestigious World Heritage List.
The Nærøyfjord is at one point 250 metres across, while mountains tower up to 1,800 metres above its tranquil waters. The Geirangerfjord is known for its beauty and magnificent waterfalls, the best known being the Seven Sisters.
Gudvangen and Geiranger, the two innermost villages of these two fjords, are among the most popular cruise ship ports in Scandinavia.
It is not only UNESCO that views the Norwegian fjords as exceptional. National Geographic Magazine has named the fjords “the best unspoiled travel destinations in the world”. And the respected American newspaper Chicago Tribune has included Norway’s fjords on its list Seven Wonders of Nature.
Northern lights
Each appearance of the northern lights is unique. Often you see three green bands across the night sky. Or the lights come as flickering curtains or rolling smoke. The colour is a luminous green, often with a hint of pink along the edge, and occasionally with a deep violet centre. The colour palette seems to come from the 1980s.
If there is a lot of activity up there, the northern lights explode for a minute or two in a corona. The next minute it is all over, and you ask yourself whether this was real or just an Arctic fata morgana.
Perhaps not so surprisingly, the northern lights’ spectacle has given rise to as many legends as there have been people watching. Symbols linked to the northern lights are found on the Sami shamanistic drum. The phenomenon has several different names in Sami. It is, for instance, known as Guovssahas, which means “the light which can be heard”. The northern lights were traditionally associated with sound by the Sami, the indigenous people of Norway. And during the Viking Age, the northern lights were said to be the armour of the Valkyrie warrior virgins, shedding a strange flickering light.
To make the most of the northern lights, you can book a dog sledding or snow mobile tour, a photography course or a cruise.
Whale safari
Whales are visiting the Norwegian coast every year, showing off for tourists and locals alike – an unforgettable experience. However, chances seeing at least two other whales are pretty good, as the safaris are arranged in an areas known as the whales’ lavish food chambers. Here thousands of whales come to feed on squid and fish.
The most common whale to spot during the summer season is the sperm whale, but if you are lucky you may also see pilot whales, minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins and killer whales. You will also enjoy the magnificent scenery, lots of fresh sea air, and natural surroundings guaranteed to make a lasting impression.
The sperm whales hold the world record among the earth’s mammals in diving. They can dive down as deep as 3,000 metres, so it is unlikely you will be seeing the same whale twice on the same trip. In Norway, they are most commonly found along the Vesterålen coast, during the summer.
Cycling
Rallarvegen lets you set your own pace through 82 kilometres of mountainous scenery. No wonder it’s Norway’s most popular cycle route.
Rallarvegen is located between Oslo and Bergen in Fjord Norway. It is possible to cycle the whole distance in one day, but if you want to take your time and stop a few times it is best to allow two to three days.
The most common starting points are Haugastøl, Finse and Myrdal, and the most popular part of the route is from Finse to Myrdal.
The best time to cycle along Rallarvegen is from mid-July to the end of September. In July and August, there is usually snow left on parts of the road. Rallarvegen is closed in the winter.
Cycling along Rallarvegen varies from easy to difficult, and you need to be in average shape. Remember that some parts of Rallarvegen go through challenging terrain.
Fishing
Outstanding freshwater and deep sea fishing make Norway a special destination for anglers. Coast and deep-sea fishing, freshwater fishing, salmon fishing, you have every chance to get the catch of your life.
The Lofoten Islands for instance are well known for their fishing industry. All around the Lofoten small fishing villages are evident, many with original fishermen houses, known as Rorbu’s, still standing the test of time.
Rorbu’s come in all shapes and sizes, old and authentic to new and modern, and one of the most famous of them are found in Nusfjord, located approximately 28km from Leknes Airport. Nusfjord, one of Norway’s oldest and best preserved fishing villages, offers comfortable lodgings with 50 Rorbu’s, 4 of which are protected, scattered around the village. This living museum, popular with visitors during the summer months, also features many historical buildings such as the bakery built in 1877, the cod liver refinery and protected power station, both dating from the early 1900’s, a sawmill, and the Oriana Kro inn which was constructed in 1887.