Vøringsfossen Waterfall
182-metre cascade spanned by a step bridge
A tremendous canyon waterfall where an architect-designed 99-step footbridge floats directly above the chasm.
EidfjordEngineeringFree
Hardangerfjord, Norway
Ideal: 3–5 daysBest: May–SepPrice: Expensive
In 60 seconds
Hardangerfjord in 60 seconds
Known as the orchard of Norway, Hardangerfjord combines terraced apple farms and artisanal cider presses with extreme glacial terrain. Roaring waterfalls like Vøringsfossen plunge from the Hardangervidda plateau, while mountain hikers base themselves in Odda for the legendary trek to Trolltunga.
Fjord
Best for
- Nature
- Hiking
- Food
Known for
- Hardanger cider farms
- Vøringsfossen waterfall
- Trolltunga
- Apple blossom
Skip if
You dislike travelling along winding two-lane fjord roads or expect high-density urban shopping.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Hardangerfjord fits them. Choose interests
See
Must experience
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Trolltunga Rock Ledge
Narrow rock shelf hovering 700 metres above Lake Ringedalsvatnet
One of Norway's most iconic alpine mountain hikes, demanding a full day's trek across granite slabs to a protruding rock tongue.
Odda / SkjeggedalChallengingHiking
Hardanger Fruit & Cider Route
ModerateProtected geographical cider tastings on orchard shores
A collection of family-run apple farms in Sørfjorden and Ulvik producing acclaimed sparkling ciders with Champagne-style methods.
Sørfjorden & UlvikCiderFarm
Eat
Where to eat
A short list, kept short on purpose. Each entry answers one question: when is this the right choice?
Special occasion
Worth planning the evening around.
Restaurant Gløyp
Very expensiveRefined Nordic dining by the fjord basin
A contemporary culinary destination in Eidfjord focusing on Hardanger game, cured mountain fish and organic ciders.
EidfjordFjord viewNordic
Restaurant Ullensvang
Very expensiveHistoric fjord dining since 1846
A landmark hotel dining room on Sørfjorden with a storied history of hosting composer Edvard Grieg amidst orchards.
LofthusBuffetHistoric
More places to eat
Too few picks yet for their own heading, so they share this list.
Syse Gard Farm Store & Tasting
ModerateFifth-generation apple farm and smoked charcuterie
An active traditional farm producing award-winning apple juices, ciders, jams and traditionally cured fenalår lamb.
UlvikCharcuterieCider
Siderhuset Ola K
ModerateCider bistro and quayside terrace
A charming quayside cider tavern and café on the sunny western shore of Sørfjorden serving homemade cakes and local tastings.
NåBistroCider
Beyond the obvious
Hidden gems
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall
Paved trail passing behind a 50-metre curtain of water
A spectacular waterfall where travellers can walk completely dry behind the falling cascade on a safe, paved cliff path.
NorheimsundFreeWalk
Agatunet Historic Farm Village
ModeratePreserved medieval cluster farmstead
One of Europe's few remaining cluster farmsteads, containing 30 protected timber buildings dating back to 1250 AD.
Nå, SørfjordenHeritageHistoric
After dark
Bars & nightlife
Hardanger Gjestebod Bar
ModerateRegional cider bar and fjord terrace
A relaxed waterside bar pouring dozens of dry, hopped and sparkling Hardanger ciders straight from regional smallholders.
LofthusCiderLocal
Orientation
Neighbourhoods
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
Sørfjorden & Lofthus
Terraced orchards and cider farms
The sunlit fjord slopes where apple blossoms meet glacier views, family cideries and quiet farm tracks.
Eidfjord
Inner fjord and canyon gateway
The deep eastern branch of the fjord linking calm blue waters to the massive Måbødalen canyon and Hardangervidda.
Odda
Trolltunga trail base & town
A valley town nestled between Sandvinvatnet and Sørfjorden serving as the primary hub for Trolltunga trekkers.
Stay
Where to stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Lofthus & Ullensvang
Very expensiveHistoric orchard resorts
Renowned for lakeside luxury hotels, garden terraces and direct access to cider tasting walks.
Fjord viewOrchards
Odda Town
ModeratePractical hiking bases
Best for early morning shuttle buses to Trolltunga and convenient grocery supplies.
BudgetHiking
Practical
Know before you go
- Cider season
- Cider farm cellar doors open for tastings from May to October; advance tasting bookings are recommended.
- Trolltunga safety
- The 27 km trek requires 8–12 hours, proper boots, multiple layers, and headlamps if hiking in autumn.
- Cider boat cruise
- The seasonal Vision of the Fjords electric catamaran runs hop-on hop-off cider tours between Eidfjord, Lofthus and Odda.
- Ferry crossings
- Scenic road routes 7 and 13 follow the water; plan extra time for car ferry crossings between Kvanndal and Utne.
Context
History in 5 minutes
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
- 1293
English Cistercian monks introduce commercial apple cultivation and cider grafting to the sunny slopes of Lofthus.
- 1848
Painters Tidemand and Gude create 'Bridal Procession on the Hardangerfjord', cementing the region's romantic national image.
- 2011
Hardanger apple cider is awarded protected geographic designation (Beskyttet geografisk betegnelse).
Further out
Nearby escapes
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Folgefonna Glacier
Vast coastal ice cap & blue ice hikes
Norway's third-largest glacier where visitors can hike with crampons and ice axes over blue crevasses.
45 min by car to JondalGlacierGuided
Hardangervidda Plateau
Europe's largest high-mountain plateau
Endless rolling tundra, wild reindeer herds and panoramic trails stretching past high alpine tarns.
30 min by car east of EidfjordNational ParkTrekking