The Geirangerfjord is a fjord in the Sunnmøre region in Norway. It is a 15km long branch of Storfjord. Innermost in the fjord lies the small village Geiranger. It is under constant threat from the mountain Åkerneset which is about to erode into the fjord. This will cause a tsunami hitting several nearby towns including Geiranger and Hellesylt in about ten minutes. The Geiranger fjord (Geirangerfjorden) is a fjord in the Sunnmøre region, located in the southernmost part of the county Møre og Romsdal in Norway. It is a 15 km long branch of the Storfjord (Great Fjord). At the head in the fjord lies the small village of Geiranger. The fjord is one of Norway's most visited tourist sites and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, jointly with Nærøyfjord, since 2005, although this status is now threatened by the disputed plans to build power lines across the fjord. The Geirangerfjord is under constant threat from the mountain Åkerneset which is about to erode into the fjord. A collapse would produce a tsunami, hitting several nearby towns including Geiranger and Hellesylt in about ten minutes. Along the fjord's sides there lie a number of now abandoned farms. Some restoration has been made by the 'Storfjordens venner' association (see external link below). The most commonly visited among these are Skageflå, Knivsflå, and Blomberg. Skageflå may also be reached on foot from Geiranger, while the others require a boat excursion. The fjord is also host to several impressive waterfalls. A car ferry, which doubles as a sightseeing trip, is operated by Fjord1. It runs lengthwise along the fjord between the small towns of Geiranger and Hellesylt. This is probably the most beautiful and deep of all the fjords in in the world. Popular among cruise ships, Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with majestic views, deep blue seas and plenty of waterfalls and rivers to witness along the way. Travelers must go by boat, but once off, a hike to the top to overlook it all is necessary.
Situated in south-western Norway, north-east of Bergen, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, set 120 km from one another, are part of the west Norwegian fjord landscape, which stretches from Stavanger in the south to Andalsnes, 500 km to the north-east. The two fjords, among the world’s longest and deepest, are considered as archetypical fjord landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere. Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 m from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 m below sea level. The sheer walls of the fjords have numerous waterfalls while free-flowing rivers cross their deciduous and coniferous forests to glacial lakes, glaciers and rugged mountains. The landscape features a range of supporting natural phenomena, both terrestrial and marine, such as submarine moraines and marine mammals. Criterion (viii): The West Norwegian Fjords are classic, superbly developed fjords, considered as the type locality for fjord landscapes in the world. They are comparable in scale and quality to other existing fjords on the World Heritage List and are distinguished by the climate and geological setting. The property displays a full range of the inner segments of two of the world’s longest and deepest fjords. Criterion (vii): The Nærøyfjord and Geirangerfjord areas are considered to be among the most scenically outstanding fjord areas on the planet. Their outstanding natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1400 m direct from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 m below sea level. Along the sheer walls of the fjords are numerous waterfalls while free-flowing rivers rise up through deciduous and coniferous forest to glacial lakes, glaciers and rugged mountains. There is a great range of supporting natural phenomena, both terrestrial and marine such as submarine moraines and marine mammals. Remnants of old and now mostly abandoned transhumant farms add a cultural aspect to the dramatic natural landscape that complements and adds human interest to the area.
You can start the trip by taking a train from Oslo to Andalsnes, a journey which includes one of Norway's most beautiful and wild stretches of railway, the Raumabanen Railway. En route, you will pass the very steep Trollveggen cliff and the Kyllingbru bridge, which is the most photographed bridge in Norway. The trip continues by bus from Andalsnes to the Art Nouveau city of Alesund, where you are given an opportunity to admire the city's characteristic Art Nouveau architecture. The Hurtigruten coastal express takes you into the magic of the Geirangerfjord. On the way, you can enjoy the view of the famous waterfalls "De Syv Søstre" (the seven sisters), "Friaren" (the suitor) and "Brudesløret" (the bridal veil). Back in Alesund, the trip continues south on the Hurtigruten coastal express along the coast of Western Norway to Bergen. In Bergen, you can experience the World Heritage Site Bryggen. At Bryggen, you can wander through history all the way back to the Middle Ages and up to the present. The trip continues with the popular Norway in a nutshell ® trip from Bergen to Oslo. The very steep hair-pin bends at Stalheimskleiva, a pleasant cruise of the Nærøyfjord, a spectacular trip with the Flam Railway and the beautiful Bergensbanen Railway are among the attractions you experience on the trip from Bergen to Oslo. The Geiranger & Norway in a nutshell® trip will be available from mid-April to mid-September, and round trips can be made from Oslo, Bergen or Ålesund. This slender tongue of green sea winds its way far inland between sheer, snow-capped mountains. Long, silvery waterfalls cascade hundreds of feet down into the deep waters of the fjord. Even if cruise ships aren't your thing, you can't help but enjoy seeing them dwarfed by Geirangerfjord as they thread their way though its narrow walls to anchor at its head. Driving up from Oslo, you'll catch your first glimpse of Geirangerfjord from far above. Look for a sign that says"Dalsnibba" as you hurtle across highlands where roadside snow and frozen lakes are common in July. Take the switchback to the top of this scenic overlook and enjoy the mile-high panorama of the distant fjord and encircling mountains. The village of Geiranger sits at the very head of the fjord, and the road down delivers postcard-perfect views at every hairpin turn. From Geiranger, you can take off for day trips to hike, climb, fish, or explore. But make time to just sit back and space out in this special place. The overlook on Xrnevegen (Eagle's Road), the only other road out of Geiranger, provides you with a photographic perch directly above the fjord. Following it to the top takes you through a mountain pass before winding down into . . . yet another fjord. Get the picture?
