Norway
Several places are within reach, each with unique appeal. Hellesylt features a waterfall plunging into the fjord. Stranda, an hour away, has a ski resort and hiking trails. Valldal, accessible by ferry, is known for strawberries and white-water rafting. Åndalsnes, a mountain hub, has the Romsdalseggen Ridge hike. Ålesund, an Art Nouveau town, offers architecture, a museum, and views from Mount Aksla.
Most destinations are reachable by rental car. The drives feature scenic routes and often ferry crossings. Seasonal buses link Ålesund to Geiranger in summer. Organized tours from Ålesund or Åndalsnes offer combined bus and ferry options, handling logistics but with less flexibility. Independent travel by car allows exploration at your own pace. A Geiranger-Hellesylt ferry round trip is 3-4 hours. The Golden Route (Geiranger to Åndalsnes via Trollstigen) is a full 8-10 hour journey. A day trip to Ålesund requires 10-12 hours.
The Geirangerfjord region is a natural escape, with specific areas offering unique scenic experiences.
The fjord region is part of the West Norwegian Fjords UNESCO site, which indicates its protected status. The surrounding mountains and valleys are part of a broader protected landscape. There are no formal national parks immediately adjacent to Geiranger.
Seasonal changes bring different natural spectacles to the forefront.
Geirangerfjord serves as a starting or midpoint for longer regional travel, allowing for exploration of Norway's western and central regions.
Combine Geirangerfjord with Nordfjord, including Loen and Olden, for access to glaciers like Briksdal, the Loen Skylift, and Via Ferrata.
Drive north from Ålesund to experience the stunning Atlantic Road, a National Tourist Route with bridges connecting small islands.
Head south to Bergen, Norway's second-largest city and a gateway to southern fjords, or north to historic Trondheim, or southeast to Jotunheimen mountains for hiking.
Start in Oslo, travel north to Lillehammer, continue to Lom, then drive to Geiranger. From Geiranger, proceed to Ålesund, then north to the Atlantic Road, potentially ending in Trondheim.
From Geiranger, travel south to Sognefjord, visiting villages like Balestrand. Continue to the Hardangerfjord region, known for fruit orchards and waterfalls. End your journey in Bergen.
