Further north still, the scenery becomes even more extreme, reaching pinnacles of isolation in the splendid Trollstigen mountain highway, a stunning prelude to both the somewhat hang-dog town of Åndalsnes and the charming port of Ålesund, with its attractive Art Nouveau buildings. Between the Sognefjord and Nordfjord lies the growling and groaning Jostedalsbreen glacier, mainland Europe’s largest ice-sheet, while east of the Nordfjord is the narrow, S-shaped Geirangerfjord, a rugged gash in the landscape that is perhaps the most beautiful of all the fjords. Dotted with pretty village resorts, the Sognefjord is the longest and deepest of the country’s fjords and is perhaps the most beguiling, rather more so than the Nordfjord, lying parallel to the north. If youre a watersports enthusiast, cruising these scenic waterways offers you an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy Norways stunning landscape. It’s also – as its tag suggests – a handy springboard for the nearby fjords, beginning with the gentle charms of the Hardangerfjord and the Flåmsdal valley, where the inspiring Flåmsbana mountain railway trundles down to the Aurlandsfjord, a small arm of the mighty Sognefjord. Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen is a welcoming place with an atmospheric old warehouse quarter, a relic of the days when it was the northernmost port of the Hanseatic trade alliance. The fjords run all the way up the coast from Stavanger to the Russian border, but are most easily – and impressively – seen on the west coast near Bergen, the self-proclaimed “Gateway to the Fjords”. Norway has some of the biggest, best and most beautiful fjords in the world Visit the famous UNESCO-listed Nryfjord and the Geirangerfjord, and explore. But you’ll also find numerous shorter and gentler paths perfect for families. The Norwegian Fjords are best known for the stunning scenery and popular destinations offering warm hospitality, exciting activities and a high. They might be taxing on your knees and quads, though, unless you are an experienced hiker. In summer, the wilds are filled with hikers and the waters patrolled by a steady flotilla of bright-white ferries, but don’t let that put you off: the tourists are rarely in such numbers as to be intrusive, and even in the most popular districts, a brief walk off the beaten track will bring solitude in abundance. The famous mountains of Preikestolen, the Romsdalseggen ridge, Trolltunga, and Kjerag are just a few of Fjord Norway’s most popular hikes and they are all big adventures. The fjords are undeniably beautiful, especially around early May, after the brief Norwegian spring has brought colour to the landscape but winter, when all is unerringly quiet, has its charms too, the blue-black waters of the fjords contrasting with the blinding white of the snow that blankets the hills, valleys and mountains.
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