Geirangerfjord – dramatic views from Geiranger to Hellesylt

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

The Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known as one of the world's most spectacular fjords. The mountains are high, the water is deep blue and the views are breathtaking. Our motorhome trip around the fjord offered several pleasant stops.

Geirangerfjord in Norway

We had seen the Geirangerfjord in countless photos, but it was only when we stood there ourselves that we understood how breathtakingly beautiful the views actually are. The steep mountain sides plunge down to the water and around every bend a new breathtaking view awaits.

The fjord, which is 15 kilometers long, is a branch of the Storfjorden and stretches between the towns of Geiranger and Hellesylt, in Stranda municipality.

Our visit to the Geirangerfjord

We visited the Geirangerfjord by motorhome, but since we were driving back and forth a bit, we ended up in Geiranger and Hellesylt on different occasions. In hindsight, we realized that we should have studied the map even more carefully to be able to choose the most convenient route and the most suitable ferries. At the same time, the slightly winding route meant that we got to experience the fjord from several different angles.

And what an experience it was. It is breathtakingly beautiful to travel through the landscape around the Geirangerfjord. The mountain sides are almost vertical in places, the water sparkles far below and the mountains in the distance constantly change color and contour depending on the weather and time of day. Sometimes you are met with lush green slopes and snow-capped peaks, while at other times the mountains appear like a bluish watercolor painting.

Geiranger – popular tourist resort by the fjord

The town of Geiranger may be small – there are only around 250 people living here – but if you come during the high season, it is an extremely busy tourist destination. From the harbour, you can see the steep mountain sides rising almost vertically from the fjord, and it is easy to see why the place has become one of Norway’s most photographed destinations.

Large cruise ships, with thousands of passengers, dock at the port, and also cars, campers and boats arrive.

There are lots of small restaurants, ice cream kiosks and shops by the harbor, and tourists crowd the few streets.

Since a large part of the tourists come on the large cruise ships, the feel is quite international, and most signs are in English.

Viewpoint: Flydalsjuvet

Perhaps the most classic view of the Geirangerfjord is Flydalsjuvet. This is a stop, with several parking spaces, where you have a fantastic view down over the town of Geiranger and the fjord. It is well worth stopping here, if you can only manage to snag a parking space.

Viewpoint: Ørnesvingen

On the ”other” side of Geiranger there is another famous viewpoint, in the form of ”Ørnesvingen”. To get here you have to pass a number of steep hairpin bends and you have to drive a little slowly, but the road works for both campers and tour buses.

The first time we passed the viewpoint we couldn’t find a parking space. The second time we managed to park – but the valley was covered in fog instead. Although we didn’t get the postcard view we had hoped for, the fog almost made it even more dramatic.

Overnight stay at Geiranger

The few campsites in Geiranger had posted signs saying "Full" so it was not even possible to consider camping. For our part, we ended up at a free camping site a good distance after Geiranger (above Ørnesvingen) where we were together with several other campers, with a magical view.

Hellesylt – at the other end of the fjord

For many, Hellesylt, located at the other end of the Geirangerfjord, is mostly a starting point for the ferry to Geiranger, but the town is well worth a stop in its own right. Hellesylt is a bit quieter and more peaceful than Geiranger, although quite a few tourists and cruise ships find their way here too.

Right through the city flows Hellesyltfossen, which is a powerful and very scenic waterfall. In Hellesylt you will also find some shops and restaurants, and you can go on various excursions such as fjord safaris or rib boat trips.

Hellesylt Camping

We checked into Hellesylt Camping, which has a central and good location, while also offering views of the fjord and the opportunity to fish.

When we went to bed that night, we had a clear view of the fjord. When we woke up the next morning, we first thought someone had parked a white building outside the camper. The entire view was gone. Instead, there was a huge cruise ship right outside the campsite.

During the summer, several large international cruise ships call at the Geirangerfjord, and this morning one of them had docked right outside the campsite.

How to get around the Geirangerfjord by car, camper, motorcycle or cruise ship

The Geirangerfjord can be experienced by motor vehicle (car, camper or motorbike) or by cruise ship, for example. If you are coming here by motor vehicle, it is smart to check the roads and ferries first, so that you have an idea of the routes and prices.

More to see in this part of Norway

There is of course more to see and experience in Norway, near the Geirangerfjord. Here you will find more tips and reports:

• Atlantic Road
• Trollstigen in Norway
• Sognefjord
• Vinnufossen – Europe's highest waterfall