The Nordfjord region in western Norway deserves to be on the radar of all travelers. To say that it is home to an exceptionally pristine landscape would be to fall short. Nordfjord is a strange combination of Viking legends, incredible glaciers that want to be explored, some of the most productive hikes in the world, some exciting hikes, the friendliest horses and the highest cliff in all of Europe. It’s not a mix you’ll find anywhere else.
Here are some of the remarkable things that delight you in the area.
At 2821 feet above sea level, the Hornelen cliff is the highest of its kind in Europe. Even if you haven’t heard the call before, you’ve probably noticed shots of Hornelen on social media. These clifftop perspectives provide enchanting and captivating images!
If you need to revel up close and get wonderful images, a steep walk of about four hours awaits you, you can between several directions, adding Berleneset (southwest; a longer but less difficult direction) and Hunskar (northwest, with a lake on the way that is a smart prevention point for a picnic). Each direction has its pros and cons, however, it is undeniable that it is not an easy walk physically.
However, some “visitors” have discovered an easier way to reach the most sensitive ones. Witches are rumored to gather in Hornelen, the most sensitive of the cliff as a resting point before flying up, up and back. If you’re sensible on an attractive rock, be sure to look twice. If you have to believe in legends, maybe it’s just a petrified troll you’re checking. It is definitely a position that requires double catches.
If an arduous walk to Hornelen is your cup of tea, there’s a more available way to appreciate some of the Nordfjord’s impressive prospects: the Loen Skylift, which turns out to be the world’s steepest cable car, will take you about 3,300 feet to the most sensitive Mount Hoven in just a few minutes. A round-trip ticket costs around $65.
At the top, visitors are greeted with panoramic views, but there is also plenty to see and explore. A short walk takes you to the beginning of two great zip line over the Tungejolet Gorge. There are also year-round hiking options, cross-check ski and snowshoe itineraries in winter, as well as links to the ascent direction of the Via Ferrata (if you dare!). You’ll even find a gourmet restaurant, Hoven. Make sure you see the local cod, accompanied by sauteed potatoes, spinach and romesco sauce.
Norway is precisely where it should be if glacier exploration is on your wish list, and Jostedalsbreen is at the top. At approximately 188 square miles, it is the largest glacier in continental Europe and covers more than part of Jostedalsbreen National Park.
With more than 50 branches starting on the main glacier and stretching across the Nordfjord, visitors have many options to choose from when it comes to exploring, whether you’re in a position for a serious physical challenge like climbing an ice cliff or being more interested in circled family activities like nature walks or bird watching , there is a glacier-based activity for you.
One branch, the Nigardsbreen Glacier, is incredibly familiar, and young people up to five years old can participate in visiting systems that will bring them closer to the blue ice of the glacier. Briksdalsbreen Glacier is another popular branch to explore, as it includes waterfalls and hikes of a few kilometers (although in fact much more can happen if you wish!) Keep in mind that almost all glacial activities require guidance, either for consumer protection and for the sensitive glacial ecosystem.
Nordfjord is, in fact, a region of superlatives: the highest, highest and largest are suitable descriptors for almost everything in the region. You can also upload the innerest ones to this list. Diving about 450 meters below sea level, Hornindalsvatnet is the innerthest lake in Europe. A mixture of salt water and glacial deposits, it is popular for fishing, kayaking and all kinds of water sports.
Even if you’re just exploring the shore, you may need to be alert. According to local legend, an elusive sea monster lives on the lake!In 2012, 3 local fishermen saw a Loch Ness-type creature on Hornindalsvatnet. Although their reports are officially corroborated, they have Viking folklore on their side. Stories of mysterious aquatic creatures have been around for centuries.
If you’re interested in Vikings, Nordfjord will captivate you. This domain was once the ideal position for everyone who was in the Viking War. While life on the Nordfjord is decidedly peaceful in those days, you can take a look at the combative region beyond by hunting for a reproduction of the Myklebust.
The Myklebust was a Viking warship nearly 100 feet long, the longest of all ships whose wreckage was discovered in Norway. Although the original ship burned on a mound, its length was decided through the number of nails left on it. Carpenters, historians and archaeologists were part of the team that helped rebuild it. You can appreciate the finished product and total story at Sagastad, a learning center with interactive exhibits committed to the Viking era.
Even today, a 12th-century Selja monastery requires a small pilgrimage. Built on the island of Selja by Benedictine monks, the monastery is a 15-minute boat ride from Selje Harbour.
Guides will advise you through the corridors and stairs of the monastery to a sacred cave and, nevertheless, even a well with healing waters, which is much more than a well-preserved ancient site. The Monastery of Selja is one of the oldest devout sites in Norway and honors the life and heritage of Santa Sunniva. Although the Reformation was closed, it was never desecrated and therefore marriages and baptisms still take place here.
No matter how good the locals are, in the Nordfjord, it’s the horses that will captivate your center and make you never have to leave again. The endangered Norwegian fjord horse has been worshipped here for centuries. It is one of the oldest breeds in the world, with a lineage dating back at least 4,000 years, and one of the 3 local races of Norway. The Vikings appreciated them for their strength and loyalty. Farmers appreciated them for their calm and constant character. And now, when it comes to trail walks, you can’t ask for a friendlier companion. The Norwegian horse Fjord is so smart and soft that it is even used in healing programs. Just be careful, they are so beautiful, with their brown furs and black dorsal stripes (and, in some cases, zebra stripes!), they will borrow the screen in all your photos.
If you are a horse enthusiast, you can receive more information about breeding and heritage of Norwegian fjord horses at the Norwegian Fjord Horse Center, which also offers guided hikes.
Vanessa Chiasson is an award-winning publisher that specializes in food and drinks, lifestyle and Array news. His works come with USA Today, Canadian Traveller, Ontario Tourism, The Globe and Mail, and more. His blog, TurnipseedTravel, focuses on comfort and affordable adventures and was named one of the 100 most influenced blogs in the world through the White House in 2014.
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