How fjords were formed in Norway. Majestic Norwegian fjords

Remember our trip to the incredibly beautiful glacial Moraine Lake? So today we will visit a similar fairy tale! Mountains, forests, crystal pure water will surprise us today. And our journey today will be no less interesting and magical. We will visit the fjords of Norway - the most beautiful mountain bays and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Where are the fjords of Norway?

But before we talk about the most beautiful mountain bays in Norway, let's answer the question: what are fjords? A fjord is a narrow bay with rocky cliffs where the length exceeds the width. By the way, no less.

Everyone knows that if we start talking about Norway as a whole, we cannot help but talk about the most beautiful mountain bays themselves. After all, it was these unusual formations that directly cut up the northern coast of Norway in particular. They leave the impression of some kind of fairy tale. Quiet, calm, the most beautiful mountain fairy tale.

The fjords are located in the north of the country and fascinate everyone with their grandeur. This is truly something extraordinary and fabulous. They conceal something unique within themselves. Their power and greatness make one believe that beauty mountain ranges, the silence of the bays and the fresh aroma of the forests can be magical and bewitching.

How and when were the Norwegian fjords formed?

This beauty appeared here due to the fact that a long time ago, about 11 thousand years ago, the glacier retreated and formed these amazing mountain bays. Soil erosion also provided some help. Years passed, and the beauty of this area only increased.

By the way, “fjord” is translated from Norwegian as “bay”.

The most beautiful mountain bays in Norway

The fjords are called the pearl and calling card of Norway. Their beauty has attracted and continues to attract tourists from all over globe.

Majestic mountains and quiet, most beautiful mountain bays seem to beckon with their unearthly beauty.

Being here, in this wonderful place, you immediately forget about all the problems of life.

And Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord became the property of UNESCO. The first became famous for its amazing waterfalls and incredibly beautiful landscapes. The second is the narrowest: the length reaches 1700 meters and the width - 300 meters.

By the way, this area is also known for its beautiful waterfalls. This place is full of unusualness and fabulousness. Coming here, you will find yourself in a real fairy tale.

If you look at the rocks of Norway, light shivers will immediately run through your body. Here you want to embrace the immensity, to stay forever. All problems here become just dust. Useless and absolutely useless dust. In a word, the fjords of Norway are a real fairy tale that you should definitely visit.

Travel around incredible places globe and relax with us.

Where are the Norwegian fjords located on the map?

With rocky shores. The length of the fjord is several (most often tens) times greater than its width. The shores of the fjord are in most cases formed by cliffs up to 1000 meters high.

Most often, fjords are of tectonic origin and arose when there was a sharp and sudden change in the direction of movement of tectonic plates from counter to opposite. As a result of this, at the edges of the plates, already compressed by the preliminary oncoming movement, numerous cracks and faults are formed, which are filled sea water. In this case, the fjord can have significant depth, up to 800 meters. In some cases, the emergence of fjords is the result of glaciers processing (during the Quaternary glaciation) river valleys and tectonic depressions, followed by their flooding with water.

The four most famous fjord regions in the world are located on western coasts Norway, Chile, the South Island of New Zealand and North America from Puget Sound (Washington) to Alaska. Fjords are also found on the shores of Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Labrador Peninsula, Maine (USA) and on some Arctic islands.

Thanks to their beauty and picturesqueness - cliffs rising straight out of the water, mountains covered with dense vegetation, snowy peaks - the fjords enjoy deserved interest among tourists all over the world.

Hardangerfjord, Norway

Some fjords

Name	Location	Length (km)	Width (km)	Depth (m)
Sognefjord	Norway	219	6	1308
Hardangerfjord	Norway	183	10	750
Trondheimsfjord	Norway	137	24	600
Nordfjord	Norway	113	5	565
Kola Bay	Russia	57	7	300
Milford	New Zealand	19	3	390
Portland Channel	Alaska (USA)	145	3	385
Loch Morar	Scotland (UK)	19	3	310
Saguenay	Quebec (Canada)	120	5	30

World Heritage Sites

In 2005, the fjords of Western Norway, namely Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, received UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

“They owe their beauty to their steep slopes composed of crystalline rocks. The shores of the fjords rise above the waters of the Norwegian Sea to a height of 1,400 meters, and go to a depth of 500 meters. Numerous waterfalls fall from the steep banks of the fjords, and in their surroundings, covered with deciduous and coniferous forests, you can see glaciers, as well as glacial lakes, rivers and mountains,” is how UNESCO describes the Norwegian fjords.

In 2006, the National Geographic Council of Experts compiled a rating of the most popular objects in the World cultural heritage. Norwegian fjords took first place, ahead of Galapagos Islands, Egyptian pyramids, Grand Canyon, Angkor Wat and Machu Picchu.

“This confirms that, compared to other countries, Norwegians are excellent at protecting their property. Leaders in other areas would do well to learn from them and adapt the Norwegian experience to their own situation,” says Jonathan B. Tourtellot, director of the National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Communities.

How to get there and what to use to get around the fjords and surrounding areas

Don't know which fjord to choose?

There are more than a thousand fjords in Norway, so it is not at all surprising that many travelers find it difficult to choose. Find out which fjords are the most popular and use our tips when choosing where to go.

Five facts about the fjords

1. The Norwegian fjords, namely Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

2. Fjords are often spoken of as Mother Nature’s masterpiece. The fjords were formed when glaciers began to retreat and sea water filled the strangely shaped valleys.

3. The villages of Gudvangen and Geiranger are among the most visited cruise ports in Scandinavia. They are located in the farthest corners of Nærøyfjord and accordingly.

4. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream and warm air currents moving under the influence of the Coriolis force, the climate in the Fjord Region is quite mild. The ice-free waters of the fjords are home to seals, porpoises (an order of cetaceans that were previously classified as dolphins) and numerous fish. Eagles and other birds soar over the mountains and water surface.

5. The depth of most fjords is very impressive. Thanks to this, large ships can pass here, from which you can fully enjoy the beauty of the fjords. . Its depth reaches 1,308 meters below sea level.

How to get there and what to use to get around the fjords and surrounding areas

Traveling to the Fjord Region by train will provide you with an incredibly scenic journey. This is often the fastest way to get to the fjords (with the exception of Northern Norway).

The traditional liner calls at many port towns and villages in the Fjord Region.

In the majority settlements Short and longer excursions are organized, during which you can get to know the surrounding area better.

Electric ferries and conventional ferries ply the fjords all year round.

The tunnels and bridges stitch the Fjord Region together, making it much easier to get around the region by bus, caravan or car.

In more major cities There are airports that can be reached by domestic airlines.

Today is a photo post about the fjords of Norway, which I was lucky enough to visit in July of this year. In weather like this outside the window, you especially want rich colors, and the fjord region of Norway is just the place where bright colors are in abundance.

Therefore, I invite you to my fairy tale, because for me a trip to an amazing land of glaciers and gorges became a real summer miracle. During our trip we stayed in excellent hotels, I can confidently recommend any of them. Links to hotels are provided in the description of each fjord.

What are fjords?

Fjords are narrow, winding sea bays of glacial origin, cutting into the mainland for many kilometers. There are similar formations in Greenland, Iceland, Canada, Chile, Montenegro, New Zealand and even Russia, but the largest and most beautiful section of fjords is located in the west of the Scandinavian Peninsula.

Norway is not a cheap country, and most people go there for no more than a week. Therefore, I will tell you only about those places that, in my opinion, definitely deserve to be included in the trip itinerary. Getting to know the Norwegian fjords most often begins with or, which I wrote about earlier, but now let’s go to the sea!

Geirangerfjord

Geiranger is one of the most visited fjords in Norway, and this popularity is absolutely deserved and justified. It is only 15 km long, located 100 km from the city of Ålesund, is under UNESCO protection, and it is Geiranger that you most often see in photos and in tourist brochures.

If you have very little time for a vacation in Norway, you can visit only this one - there will be enough entertainment there for several days. We lived at the Hotel Union Geiranger, 4* - this one family hotel for some reason they love royalty. Price per room from 190€. Cool spa area and views of the mountains and fjord.

What to do in Geiranger:

— Hiking along Geiranger to the high mountain farms of Skageflo and Knivsflo. We had lunch at a Westeros farm where llamas and goats live. The food is delicious, the animals are clean, the views are breathtaking.

— Cruise on a ship or boat. We went on a boat ride and it was something! I already wrote more about it, there are a lot of photos, videos and prices on the link.

— Kayaking — in good weather It's nice to kayak along the cliffs and waterfalls of Geiranger.

- Fishing. The water contains cod, pollock, and salmon. You can fish all year round, just purchase a license first.

Salmon production on Geiranger

— Trollstigen mountain road, aka “Troll Ladder”. The serpentine winding through the mountains at an angle of 9 degrees is one of the famous attractions of Norway. The length of the route is more than 100 km.

— Eagle Road- This is the steepest section of Trollstigen. A mountain serpentine with 11 very sharp turns and leading from the shores of Geiranger to the top of the mountain at an altitude of 620 m above sea level. This section of the route got its name in honor of the large number of eagles that live in that region.

Fords of Norway in the photo:

Viewpoints of Geirangerfjord

Ornesvingen
Having climbed to the top of the mountain along the Eagle Road, we find ourselves on observation deck Ornesvingen. There is indescribable beauty there and many Chinese in yellow clothes. If you're lucky with the weather, you can see the Seven Sisters waterfall. We leave the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire alone and move on.

By the way, if you don’t want to overpay for housing in the fjord region, you can rent an apartment or house in Norway - it will be cheaper than living in a hotel, especially if you are traveling with family or company.

Dalsnibba and Fludalsjuve
Observation platforms at an altitude of 1500 m. View of Geiranger, clean air, slight chill and a lot of stones - everything I love.

I'm in this photo :) @Photographer Niyaz Aksanov

The surroundings of Geiranger, photos of the fjords of Norway:

Nordfjord

The pearl of the Norwegian fjord system. On the shores of the Nordfjord there is a wonderful place where the king of Norway fishes, as well as a beautiful turquoise lake Lovatnet, along which we rode bicycles. We lived at the Hotel Loenfjord, 3* - this is perhaps my favorite hotel I have ever lived in. Stands where mountain river flows into the fjord. The food there is incredibly delicious, rooms from 200€.

Fjord- a narrow and winding bay with rocky shores. Most fjords are of tectonic origin and are the result of plate movements. Many of them were formed due to the melting of the glacier. Typically, the length of a fjord is many times greater than its width. Today fjords can be seen in countries such as Greenland, Norway, Russia, USA, New Zealand. Most fjords are located in Norway. Norway is a country of fjords, here you can tour such fjords as: Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord, Trondheimsfjord and Nordfjord. I will tell you about my journey through one of the fjords - Sognefjord.

Sognefjord is the second largest fjord in the world and the first in Europe. Its length reaches 204 km, and its depth is 1308 meters. This is one of the most picturesque fjords. You can get to it in several ways; I started my journey from the city of Bergen. On the site http://www.fjordtours.no/ There are several options for fjord tours. All of them are carefully organized, and the routes are planned in such a way that the road is comfortable for tourists. It is worth noting that tickets for the tour are not cheap. The tour can be booked in advance by paying for it online, or you can purchase it at the ticket office at the station before departure. I chose the first method, since I prefer to do everything in advance, and I was not mistaken. Before the tour departed, there was a decent queue of people at the ticket office. Despite this, they all managed to buy tickets and went on a trip with us.

For my trip, I chose the “Norway in a nutshell” tour. The tour is a road to the Sognefjord which you get to first by train, then along the legendary Flåm railway, after that you transfer to a ferry, and at the final stage a bus picks you up and takes you to the train station, from where you return to Bergen again by train. The entire tour takes a full day and lasts from 8 am to 7 pm. It’s worth mentioning right away that this tour differs from the usual excursion in our understanding: there are no guides here, no one will wait for you and guide you. When purchasing a tour, you receive a set of tickets for all types of transport that you will use during the trip.

The path starts from the railway station.

From here, tourists travel by train to the hill station of Mirdle. It is worth considering that there is no separate train for tourists. The train is a regular passenger train and goes to Oslo (with all stops), so listen carefully to the announcements about stops so as not to miss yours. The train is very comfortable, somewhat reminiscent of the Russian Sapsan. This is where our journey begins. The road passes by picturesque landscapes. Due to the complexity of the landscape, many areas railway tracks laid along cliffs. Looking out the window, you can see a steep cliff below you. Small villages isolated from major cities near turbulent rivers, they impress tourists with their unusual location. You won't find this in Russia! The train passes through long tunnels. The whole journey to Mirdle takes about 2 hours, but this time flies by very quickly.

Lonely houses on the way to Myrdle station

Mirdle is a mountain transfer station. There is small town, which is located 867 meters above sea level. The famous Flåm Railway starts from here. What is she famous for? I'll tell you further.

Once you get off the train, you'll have a few minutes to take photos of the views before heading on your way. Usually, another train will already be waiting for you at the station, which will take you further. There are no fixed seats on the Flåm Railway, so sit in a position where you can see everything. Entering the train, you are immediately amazed by its interior appearance. It resembles trains from the distant past: simple seats, large windows, red interior. Without unnecessary amenities, but at the same time very comfortable.

The Flåm Railway is considered the most scenic road in Europe. Its route passes over mountains, villages and waterfalls. This railway built over 20 years. Its length is more than 20 km and runs through 20 tunnels. The entire road goes along steep cliffs and rises 863 meters up. This is the art of engineering. All tunnels here are cut by hand.

During the trip, the train makes a stop near the Sjösfossen waterfall. Here you can go out and admire the beautiful view.

Also, the train route runs past another waterfall - Rjaanderfossen, whose height is 140 meters and past the Flåm Church, built in 1667.

The path ends in the Flåm valley on the shores of the Aurladsfjord, from where we will sail along the Sagnanfjord by ferry. Here tourists are given several hours to walk around the area, admire the views, go to the available shops and have a snack.

Houses in the Flåm Valley

Big "land" in the Flåm Valley

In the valley there is a small village of several houses, a grocery store, a souvenir shop, several hotels with restaurants and the Flåm Railway Museum, which is free. The museum itself is small, but worth a visit.

Flam Railway Museum

After some time, all tourists are invited to board the ferry, which is operated by two experienced sailors of venerable age.

The ferry on which tourists travel along the fjord

The ferry begins its journey along the Aurladsfjord, which then passes into Nareifjord. These two fjords are branches of the famous Sognanfjord. On both sides you can see huge rocks covered with lush vegetation. Many rocks are cut by mountain streams, falling down with great speed and noise.

At the foot of the fjord there are small villages and detached houses, and numerous herds of sheep graze on the gentle slopes. It is worth noting that here you immediately remember that sheep are the traditional occupation of the Norwegians. They make warm clothes from sheep's wool, use milk to make cheese, and eat meat.

Small villages located right on the fjords

From the windows local residents mountain view

Every new turn reveals an absolutely magnificent view: green peaks give way to white, snow-strewn peaks. At such moments you begin to understand how high these mountains are compared to humans!

Many Norwegians travel this route by boat.

After a two-hour walk along the fjord, the ferry brings us to a small village - Gudvingen. From here our journey will continue by bus. Tourists have some time to explore the village and check out the local shops. What’s interesting is that the entire village is made in the form of a Viking village: small houses with green roofs, cafes with carved chairs.

In the village you can find many reminders of the Vikings

In addition to the store, in the village there is also a small hotel with 5-6 rooms. In the rooms you will find a large bed covered with animal skins. There is no one else in the village except tourists who arrived by ferry and local residents who service all the buildings. There is peace and quiet here. It is in this corner that you can feel unity with nature.

After a short rest, we are picked up by a comfortable bus, which takes tourists along the serpentine road up to the railway station in the village of Voss, from where the train departs for Bergen. The journey by bus takes no more than half an hour and passes along local villages.

The last leg of the journey is by train. You come back again railway station Bergen, where they started their journey.

The trip leaves a lot of impressions. I visited the fjords at the end of October, the weather was cool, I had to wear a thick sweater, jacket and hat. In autumn, the fjords are even more beautiful: a riot of yellow, red, green colors creates the feeling of a fairy tale.

The sun is a rare guest here

By purchasing a comprehensive ticket, you will not have to pay any more fares throughout your journey. Of course, you can purchase all tickets separately; at each section of the route there are ticket offices where you can buy the necessary ticket, for example for a ferry or bus. But it is much more convenient to purchase all the tickets at once and not worry about it anymore. There were no problems with transfers; all routes ended where another section of the route immediately began. It is extremely difficult to get lost with such an organization.

There are many routes to the fjords. For example, large catamarans depart directly from Bergen to the fjords daily. These catamarans sail through the night and make a longer route. However, you will not be able to visit the Flåm Railway and admire its views. But I think you will get no less impressions.