Things To Know
Landscape
Fjordland
The Northern Fjords
Traveling in Norway
The Norwegians
The Viking Settlers
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Fjordland
Norway's famous Fjordland begins at Stavanger. Stretching for more than 375 miles is one of the most spectacular landscapes
and seascapes in the world. In the Ryfylke area, northeast of Stavanger, lies the stunning Lysefjord, with its flat-topped
and sheer-sided Pulpit Rock. Farther north is the mighty Hardangerfjord, with its massive cliffs, and the silver-white waterfalls
of Skykkjedalsfoss and Vøringfoss, set off by snowcapped mountains.
Farther north into Hordaland lies fascinating Bergen, against a setting of islands and mountains. Bergen is the starting point
for boat journeys to the north along the coastal islands and into the 127-mile-long and 4,291-foot-deep Sognefjord, the deepest
and longest fjord in the world. Its side fjords twist between towering cliffs and penetrate as far as Flåm and Gudvangen,
at the head of Nærøyfjord (the narrowest fjord in Europe), and to Fjærland, below the southernmost edge of the great Jostedalsbreen
glacier (the largest glacier on continental Europe).
Along Sognefjord are lovely villages such as Balestrand. Throughout the area, ancient pagoda-like stave churches survive at
settlements such as Vik, Kaupanger and Urnes. Inland to the east lies the mighty mountain range of Jotunheimen, known as the
“Land of the Giants.”
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