Geiranger

Geiranger and Hellesylt are villages in Møre og Romsdal. The Geirangerfjord is one of the most beautiful mainland fjords and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Norway. In a rating of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Geirangerfjord (along with Nærøyfjord in Sogn og Fjordane) obtained top score in a survey conducted by prestigious National Geographic Magazine. A visit to Geiranger can be included in a trip along the Norwegian coast. The villages of Geiranger and Hellesylt sit at either end of the Geirangerfjord and Hellesylt is included in this article.

Geiranger is the tiny village and rural community at the eastern end of Geirangerfjord. Hellesylt village sits at the western end of Geirangerfjord, and from there the fjord does a sharp turn north with the name Sunnylvsfjord. The latter fjord is in turn connected to the main fjord, aptly named Storfjord (Large fjord), at small town Stranda. Strictly speaking Geirangerfjord is merely the last section of the larger Storfjord system. Storfjord is one of main fjord systems in Western Norway. While Geiranger and Hellesylt are small villages, Stranda is the municipal centre.

Several hundred cruise ships with some 300,000 passengers visit Geirangerfjord every summer, as cruise port only surpassed by Bergen. Many tourists arrive by charter bus. In addition there is a large number of independent travellers. Geiranger itself is a small village of 200 people, the influx of 5000 (or more) tourists daily makes Geiranger a relatively crowded place at day time.

The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway's oldest destinations for international tourism. Cruise ship tourism began in the late 19th century. Kaiser Wilhelm visited Geiranger every summer until the first war. Road 63 between Åndalsnes and Geiranger via Valldal is one of Norway's 18 national tourist routes, these routes are the most scenic drives in Norway.

• Dalsnibba. summer only. Dalsnibba is a 1500 m (4920 ft) mountain summit. Faboulus view over the fjord and the mountain behind. Detour from road 63 (Geiranger mountain pass) direction Skjåk and Stryn. Tollroad: kr 80 (cars), kr 50 (motorcykles).
• Geirangerfjord. The steep-sided fjord with its waterfalls, including the Bridal Veil and the Suitor. Geiranger-Hellesylt ferry, Hurtigruten (summer) and cruise ships travel the fjord.
• Norsk Fjordsenter, +47 70263810. May-Sep: daily 10-18; Oct-Aprː daily 10-15. Visitor centre for the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Topside terminus of Waterfall Walk in Geiranger (See Do below) Adults: kr 120, Children: kr 60.
• Ørnesvingen, Road 63 (On route 63 towards Eidsdal. View of the fjord and the village from high point.
• Ljøen panorama point, Road 60 (Hellesylt-Stranda road). Panorama point towards Geirangerfjord and Sunnylvsfjord from high point near Ljøen hamlet, between tunnels.
• Flydalsjuvet. Flydalsjuvet offers an impressive and closer view than Dalsnibba of Geiranger and Geirangerfjord and the cruise ships. The viewpoint is divided into two areas, one upper and one lower plateau, with a gangway running in between, and the view is from the southeast, allowing for fine photography.

Dalsnibba. summer only. Dalsnibba is a 1500 m (4920 ft) mountain summit. Faboulus view over the fjord and the mountain behind. Detour from road 63 (Geiranger mountain pass) direction Skjåk and Stryn. Tollroad: kr 80 (cars), kr 50 (motorcykles).

Geirangerfjord. The steep-sided fjord with its waterfalls, including the Bridal Veil and the Suitor. Geiranger-Hellesylt ferry, Hurtigruten (summer) and cruise ships travel the fjord.

Norsk Fjordsenter, +47 70263810. May-Sep: daily 10-18; Oct-Aprː daily 10-15. Visitor centre for the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Topside terminus of Waterfall Walk in Geiranger (See Do below) Adults: kr 120, Children: kr 60.

Ørnesvingen, Road 63 (On route 63 towards Eidsdal. View of the fjord and the village from high point.

Ljøen panorama point, Road 60 (Hellesylt-Stranda road). Panorama point towards Geirangerfjord and Sunnylvsfjord from high point near Ljøen hamlet, between tunnels.

Flydalsjuvet. Flydalsjuvet offers an impressive and closer view than Dalsnibba of Geiranger and Geirangerfjord and the cruise ships. The viewpoint is divided into two areas, one upper and one lower plateau, with a gangway running in between, and the view is from the southeast, allowing for fine photography.

Walk around the lovely, hillside town. Main road wraps the coastline. Townsfolk are very friendly and engaging. Many different tour buses available in the summer, June-late August. Weather changes many times during the day: warm, windy, cool, freezing, and do not forget the sunscreen, especially when leaving Geiranger and visiting the Geiranger Valley and glaciers. You might need some bug spray for the mosquitoes and sunscreen is a must!

Sadly many Geiranger citizens talk about the glaciers retreating more and more each year.

• Waterfall Walk in Geiranger. The well-maintained pathway includes metal stairs (327 non-slippery steps with railings) going up one side of the waterfall all the way up to the Norwegian Fjord Centre and Hotel Union, with viewpoints along the way. Powerful sounds and stunning viewsǃ Prepare to get wetǃ Free.
• The "Sky-to-Fjord" trip, run out of one of the small gift shops by the ferry dock (easily identifiable by its green roof), is a spectacular 17 km bike trip from the top of the mountain (high enough to still have snow in August!) back down to the gift shop. The trip includes van transportation to the top of the mountain and bike rental. You can go at your own pace as long as you return your bike to the gift shop by the end of the day. Take your time, as the spectacular views can make for worthy detours!
• Coastal Odyssey, +47 95118062. Guded tour start: 11AM. Kayaks for rent either by the hour or for a whole day. You can also take part in a guided tour. Kayaking down the fjord is a very enjoyable experience; it offers spectacular views of waterfalls, mountains, and even, occasionally, dolphins. Rent: 1 hour: kr 150 (price drops for longer rent); guded tour: adults: kr 700, children: kr 550.

Waterfall Walk in Geiranger. The well-maintained pathway includes metal stairs (327 non-slippery steps with railings) going up one side of the waterfall all the way up to the Norwegian Fjord Centre and Hotel Union, with viewpoints along the way. Powerful sounds and stunning viewsǃ Prepare to get wetǃ Free.

Coastal Odyssey, +47 95118062. Guded tour start: 11AM. Kayaks for rent either by the hour or for a whole day. You can also take part in a guided tour. Kayaking down the fjord is a very enjoyable experience; it offers spectacular views of waterfalls, mountains, and even, occasionally, dolphins. Rent: 1 hour: kr 150 (price drops for longer rent); guded tour: adults: kr 700, children: kr 550.

• Naustkroa, +47 70263230. Pizza.
• Olebuda Restaurant, Geiranger Sentrum, +47 70263230.
• Weserås Restaurant, +47 92899187. Traditional Norwegian food.

Naustkroa, +47 70263230. Pizza.

Olebuda Restaurant, Geiranger Sentrum, +47 70263230.

Weserås Restaurant, +47 92899187. Traditional Norwegian food.

• Cafè Olè, Geiranger Sentrum, +47 95246488.

• Grand, local favourite beer, delicious, light beer, enjoy it with a sandwich or fresh salmon. Available at most pubs and restaurants.
• The Grans Brewery (Grans Bryggeri AS) is a brewery founded in 1899 in Sandefjord, Norway.

Cafè Olè, Geiranger Sentrum, +47 95246488.

• Geiranger Turistinformasjon, +47 70263099. Internet.

Geiranger Turistinformasjon, +47 70263099. Internet.

• Return to Ålesund: Visitors arriving by cruise ship usually return the same way along the fjord towards Ålesund.
• By car or bus there are two directions along route 63:
  • North along towards Valldal and Åndalsnes (bus to Åndalsnes only in summer), or
  • South towards the junction with route 15 with connections to Stryn and Otta, bus to route 15 only in summer.
• The Geiranger-Hellesylt ferry allows travellers to bring cars to Hellesylt with connections by route 60 north to Ålesund or south to Stryn or Nordfjordeid. Bus connections at Hellesylt and Stryn towards Bergen.
• Hjørundfjord - nearby and less crowded lovely fjord surrounded by sharp alpine summits

[[Hjørundfjord]] - nearby and less crowded lovely fjord surrounded by sharp alpine summits