The Western Norwegian Fjords consists of three counties. Until January 1st 2020 it were four counties, but Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane has now merged into the county of Vestland. The Fjord Counties, from north to south: Møre og Romsdal, Vestland and Rogaland.
The Norwegian fjords are rated as the worlds best travel destination by the magazine National Geographic Traveler. Below you can read about and see pictures from the four fjord counties.
The fjords
The most popular Fjords to visit are the Geirangerfjord, Hjørundfjord and Romsdalsfjord in Møre & Romsdal, the Nærøyfjord, Sognefjord and Nordfjord in Sogn & Fjordane, the Hardangerfjord in Hordaland and the Lysefjord in Rogaland.
See the Fjord Guide for more information about the main fjords.
The fjords in Norway are known for the wild, beautiful and untouched nature. Fjords, mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and rivers, lakes and mountain lakes, fresh air and clean flowing water calls for people searching for adventure, silence, activity, hiking, skiing, surfing, speed and excitement.
Møre og Romsdal County
Møre og Romsdal is the northernmost county in Western Norway. The county is devided into three parts; Nordmøre, Romsdal and Sunnmøre.
The most famous fjord is the UNESCO World Heritage protected Geirangerfjord. The Geiranger – Trollstigen National Tourist Route and The Atlantic Road are two famous road streches in the county.
Kristiansund, Molde, Åndalsnes and Ålesund are the four cities in the county.
In the western part, the coast and the many isles are dominating the landscape. Long fjords and steep mountains dominates the inner part of the county.
Well-known tourist attractions are: Trollstigen, The Troll Wall (Trollveggen), Romsdalshorn, Romsdal Gondola, the Rauma River, the Atlantic Road, the Geirangerfjord, the Hjørundfjord and the Romsdalsfjord.
Vestland, Northern Part (previously Sogn og Fjordane County)
Sogn og Fjordane is the northern part of Vestland County and has the longest fjord and the largest icecap. It is devided into three parts; Nordfjord, Sunnfjord and Sogn.
Here we have the westernmost point in Norway, Steinsøy. The Sognefjord is more than 200 kilometers long. The Nærøyfjord is protected as UNESCO World Heritage.
Florø, Måløy and Førde are the three cities in Sogn og Fjordane. Other well-known places are Sogndal, Stryn, Sandane, Nordfjordeid, Loen, Olden, Vik, Lærdal, Aurland, Flåm, Balestrand and Fjærland.
The outer part is dominated by coast and isles. In the inner part, the fjord is surrounded by steep and high mountains. Well-known tourist attractions are: The Nærøyfjord, the Sognefjord, the Flåm Railway, the Nigardsbreen Glacier, Veitastrond and the Austerdalsbreen Glacier, the Briksdal Glacier , Loen Skylift and Via Ferrata Loen, Jølster and the Stave Churches in Sogn.
Vestland, Southern Part (previously Hordaland County)
Hordaland is the southern part of Vestland County and is located in the centre of Western Norway. It is devided into five parts; Nordhordland, Midthordland, Voss, Hardanger and Sunnhordland.
The Hardangerfjord in Hardanger, also known for its apple tree blossoming in the spring, is Norway´s second longest fjord. Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is known as “The Gateway to the Fjords”.
Bergen, Voss, Stord and Odda are the four cities in Hordaland. From Bergen, you can join Fjord Cruises to both the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord.
Isles, fjords, mountains, glaciers and waterfalls are keywords for this county. Well-known tourist attractions are: Trolltunga, HM Queen Sonja`s Panoramic Hiking Trail in Hardanger, Mt Fløien and Fløibanen Funicular and the UNESCO World Heritage protected Bryggen in Bergen, The composer Edvard Grieg’s home Troldhaugen, the Hardangerfjord, the Folgefonna Glacier, the Vøringsfossen Waterfall and the apple tree blossoming in Hardanger.
Rogaland County
Rogaland is the southernmost of the four fjord counties in Norway. The county is devided into four parts; Haugalandet, Ryfylke, Jæren and Dalane. Norway’s history begins in Rogaland. It was here the first humans settled in Norway.
Boknafjorden is the longest and deepest fjord in the county. The most famous fjord is the Lysefjord which is surrounded by well known mountains like Kjerag and Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). The hike to Preikestolen is one of Norway´s hiking icons.
Stavanger, Sandnes, Egersund, Haugesund, Jørpeland, Sauda, Bryne, Åkra, Kopervik and Skudesneshavn are the ten cities in Rogaland.
The nature varies from flat agriculture landscape to deep fjords and high mountains. Well-known tourist attractions are: Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock), Kjerag, The Lysefjord, Trollpikken, the Sola Beach and Flor & Fjære.
Explore the fjords of Western Norway with the Fjord Guide
The fjords in Western Norway have been voted the world’s best travel destination by National Geographic Traveler – and it’s easy to see why. Here you will encounter dramatic nature, vibrant culture and a tranquility that few other places can offer.
In the fjord guide you will find information about the ten most beautiful and well-known fjords in Western Norway – what you can see, do and experience in each of them. Experience a fjord cruise, go on a road trip, explore charming fjord villages, or hike to viewpoints where time seems to stand still.
Along the fjords you will find everything from historic hotels and cozy guesthouses to selected Michelin Key hotels where quality, comfort and a strong local identity are at the heart of the experience. Everywhere you go, you can enjoy locally sourced food and the warm hospitality of Western Norway. Here you can create your own “fjordcation” – a break from everyday life, where you disconnect from noise and reconnect with nature, culture, and peace.
