Hardangerfjord Day Trip

The Hardangerfjord is the third-longest fjord in the world and the second-longest in Norway after the Sognefjord, running about 178 kilometres from the coast deep into the mountains. It is nicknamed the Queen of the Fjords, partly because it is softer and greener than its rivals. Fruit farms and small villages line the shore, with apple orchards that produce cider and juice, and behind them rise high mountains, waterfalls and the ice cap of the Folgefonna glacier within its national park. Its character is different from the narrow, dramatic Nærøyfjord and from the open water of the Mostraumen cruise. This is a landscape of farms and orchards at the foot of the cliffs, and it is at its most famous in spring when the fruit trees are in blossom. From Bergen the drive to the fjord takes a little over an hour, which makes it very practical as a day trip. The tour linked here covers the scenic Hardangerfjord with waterfalls and a lunch at a garden, which is a gentle, unhurried alternative to the longer Flåm days.

What you actually see depends on the version of the day and the season, so read the tour page carefully. Typical stops on Hardanger days include the town of Norheimsund, viewpoints over the fjord, one or more waterfalls such as Steinsdalsfossen, where a path leads behind the falling water, and sometimes a farm, orchard or cider tasting.

Hardanger is the heart of Norwegian fruit growing, and many farms sell fresh fruit, juice and cider in season. In the tour linked here the lunch is at a garden, so expect a relaxed meal rather than a quick stop, and tell the operator in advance about dietary needs.

Seasons shape the trip more than on most Bergen outings. Spring brings the blossom, and the best weeks are usually in May, when white and pink blossom frames the fjord against the snow on the mountains. Summer is green and lively, with the greatest choice of tours, and autumn brings colour and the harvest. Most guided Hardanger tours are summer products, and in the cold months fewer run, so the tour linked here is best treated as a spring-to-autumn plan.

If you travel in winter, the Hardangerfjord Express boat to Rosendal runs year-round and is a good way to see the fjord, and some winter activities such as fjord floating and snowshoeing run in the region.

Compare it with the other fjord trips before you decide. The Nærøyfjord and Flåm days give the most dramatic scenery but are longer, the Mostraumen cruise is the quickest and most convenient, and Hardanger sits between them with a gentler day and more variety on land. It also combines naturally with Vøringsfossen and the Folgefonna glacier on other days if you have time to explore more of the region. Wear layers and waterproofs, bring a camera, and allow a full day, since the stops are what make the day.

Pack a picnic-friendly appetite as well, because the fruit stalls and farm shops along the fjord road sell apples, berries and juice in season, and the cider farms are one of the pleasures of the region for adults who are not driving. A day in Hardanger is as much about slowing down as it is about sightseeing.