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A spring day at the Geirangerfjord, with snow on the mountains and a large waterfall
The Flåm Railway travels past a green valley next to the river
A boat sailing into the Nærøyfjord past a small farm
Three children jumping on a rock at the mountain in Myrkdalen
A couple holding hands while walking on a quay by the Hardangerfjord. Birch leaves above, boats in front of them and mountains with snowy peaks in the background.

13 photos to inspire your visit to Western Norway

Western Norway is famous for spectacular nature, with fjords and steep mountains. Be inspired to book your holiday to Norway with these 13 fantastic photos from the western region.

Maybe the Geirangerfjord and the Sognefjord are the most famous, but lots of renowned and less famous places are well worth a visit here. Here are 13 photos showing the best of what a holiday in Western Norway has to offer, from Møre og Romsdal in the north to Rogaland in the south.

An early summer day at the Geirangerfjord, with a large waterfall and snow on tall mountain peaks

1. The Geirangerfjord

The first is one of the Norway’s most famous attractions and on lots of people’s bucket list. The Geirangerfjord is a 15-kilometre-long arm of the Storfjord, and one of the two fjords that makes up the West Norwegian Fjords on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. A boat trip through the fjord from Hellesylt to Geiranger, or opposite, will allow you to see some of the most widely photographed waterfalls in the country – The Bridal Veil; The Seven Sisters; and The Suitor.

2. Geiranger village

There are more things to do in Geiranger than just the fjord cruise. Book a night at Hotel Utsikten and explore the charming village, go hiking, and check out all of the spectacular view points! 

The train on the Flåm Railway, heading down the valley next to the turquoise river

3. The Flåm Railway

Listed as one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys, people come from all over the world to experience it. The Flåm Railway runs from sea level by the Aurlandsfjord in Flåm up to Myrdal at 867 metres above sea level. The journey through the steep, fertile Flåmsdalen Valley takes about 50 minutes, including a stop for photos at Kjosfossen waterfall. For a more adventurous touch, combine the railway with Flåm Zipline – Scandinavia’s longest zipline.

Two cyclists by a river on Rallarvegen in Flåmsdalen

4. Rallarvegen - The Navvie's Road

This is one of Norway’s most popular cycling routes. From Haugastøl or Finse to Flåm, Rallarvegen takes you from the high mountain plateau down to the fjord. It is a bucket list experience for many Norwegians, and if you’re into bicycling you should consider it too! It’s a relatively gentle tour that anyone with some cycling experience can do. Take the morning train to Finse, and you’ll be in Flåm in the afternoon with lots of new experiences under your belt.

5. Flåm Zipline

Did you know you can combine a ride with The Flåm Railway with Scandinavia’s longest zipline AND cycling on the last part of the Rallarvegen? Yes, it’s true. Take the train from Flåm to Vatnahalsen station,  walk over to the 1.381 metres-long zipline that will take you down to Kårdal. Here, you pick up the waiting bicycle and ride the approx. 16 kilometres back to Flåm.

An electric passenger boat sails past a green plain between steep, green mountains in the Nærøyfjord

6. The Nærøyfjord

This is World Heritage at its finest. This arm of the Aurlandsfjord and the Sognefjord is Norway's narrowest fjord, surrounded by mountains that extend over 1000 metres directly up from the fjord. Along the Nærøyfjord, you’ll find idyllic fjord villages; tiny and almost untouched in modern times without road connections. Together with the Geirangerfjord, the Nærøyfjord makes up the West Norwegian Fjords on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

A woman on the Stegastein viewing platform over the Aurlandsfjord at sunset

7. Stegastein

Get an eagle’s eye fjord view! The Stegastein viewing platform projects 30 metres out into the air, 650 metres directly over the Aurlandsfjord. This viewing platform, which is made of steel and clad in pine, has attracted a lot of attention for its design and is located on the National Tourist Route between Aurland and Lærdal – the section known as “Snøvegen”, the Snow Road. Driving the National Tourist Routes in general are a hot tip for your holiday in Norway.

8. Viking Valley

Visit the Vikings of Gudvangen! At the end of the Nærøyfjord, there is a village out of the ordinary. In Viking Valley people live as Vikings year-round, and you are welcome to visit and learn about life in Norway 1000 years ago. A guided tour of the village is included in the entrance fee and the Vikings willingly let you ask all the questions you may have. Make sure to test your skills in ask throwing or archery before you leave!

Three children holding hands on a mountain trip in Myrkdalen

9. Myrkdalen Mountain Resort

The valley of Myrkdalen is mostly famous for its amounts of snow in winter, but it got loads to offer the rest of the year too. Green meadows and small farms can be seen when the snows of winter melt. Here, you can take the chair lift into the mountain in summer to go hiking or simply enjoy the views, go bicycling off or on road, join in on a guided fly-fishing trip, and much more. Myrkdalen Mountain Resort is a great base for active families.

View from the cairn at Mt. Breiskrednosi towards the Nærøyfjord

10. Hiking with fjord views

When the view makes you forget the effort it took to get there! Western Norway has lots of wonderful hikes, and many offers magnificent views towards the fjords. If you want to go hiking with views over the fjords, Mt. Prest is one of the highlights of Western Norway. Here, you have panoramic views of the Aurlandsfjord and the surrounding, UNESCO-listed landscape. It doesn’t get much more spectacular than this.

Three tourists standing in a massive pothole in the Aurlandsdalen Valley

11. Aurlandsdalen Valley

This is Norway’s answer to the Grand Canyon. The Aurlandsdalen Valley is one of the best-known day-hikes in the region, and there’s every reason for that. You can walk all the way from Finse to Vassbygdi in Aurland in three stages, spending the nights in various locations on the way, or you can take do it in a day from Østerbø. Whatever you choose, it will be an experience to remember.

12. Rafting in Voss

Get close to the elements in Europe’s extreme sports capital! White water rafting is just as thrilling as you may expect, but also a lot of fun. The experienced crew will take care of you and guide you safely down the river – but be ready to get wet. If this sounds too ambitious for you, book Family rafting instead, or stay dry in Voss High-Rope & Zipline Park.

13. Hardanger

Is Hardanger Norway's most romantic region? It is without doubt beautiful. In May / June there are flowering fruit trees as far as the eye can see, and later in summer you can taste the result from small fruit stalls along the road. Combine a relaxing fjord cruise on the fjord arm, Sørfjorden, with cider tasting at local producers or exploring picturesque fjord villages.