Karl WP Beyer Every year up to a million people visit the tranquil Norwegian town of Geiranger at the end of the Geirangerfjord. You arrive by land and water. Geiranger is world famous for its beautiful and majestic scenery. The main natural and man-made sights include the Geirangerfjord with its waterfalls and Geiranger's Ørnevegen pass road.
Geiranger
The Geirangerfjord - UNESCO World Heritage Site
The waterway leads through the 15 kilometer long Geirangerfjord, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fjord and the surrounding mountains are among the most beautiful regions in Norway. A fjord trip brings unforgettable impressions, especially when the sun is shining. It is one of the highlights of any trip to Norway. Abandoned mountain farms lie high up on the rocky plateaus, some of which could only be reached via ladders. The farmers living there secured their playing children with ropes to keep them from falling.
High-altitude farm in the Geirangerfjord
Waterfalls along the Geirangerfjord
Imposing waterfalls lie to the left and right of the fjord. The most important are:
Seven Sisters waterfall
On the north side of the fjord, depending on the season, the water from seven waterfalls plunge into the fjord from a height of around 250 to 300 meters. The snowmelt and the precipitation determine the productivity of the falls. Only three or four waterfalls are active in dry summers.
Geirangerfjord - Waterfall of the Seven Sisters
The suitor's waterfall with the liquor bottle
The suitor's waterfall
Opposite the fall of the Seven Sisters is the mighty Freier waterfall. According to legend, the suitor intended to marry each of the sisters. However, they refused to court his love. To drown his grief, the rejected man reached for the bottle. A rock wall that is not hidden by the fall and looks like a liquor bottle apparently confirms the legend.
The Bridal Veil Waterfall
The Bridal Veil Waterfall on the north side of the fjord is more than 300 meters high. The water runs gently over the rocks. If the sunlight shines through the waterfall from behind, the rock looks like it is covered by a veil.
The Bridal Veil Waterfall
Geiranger's sights
The Storfossen waterfall
Geiranger also has a rich waterfall with the Storfossen. He exits below the 5-star Hotel Union. Past the Storfossen Falls, 307 steps lead from the fjord up to the hotel. The height of the Storfossen Falls is estimated at 35 meters.
Geiranger - Storfossen waterfall
Geiranger - path along the Storfossen waterfall
Geiranger's Fjord Center
The fjord center is located next to the Hotel Union. The institution provides information about the history of the region and the life of its inhabitants. A multimedia show interprets the influence of the seasons on the way people live.
Geiranger Fjordcenter hut
Geiranger's Church
Geiranger's little church has an octagonal floor plan. It was completed in 1842 and offers 120 seats. The ornaments were added between 1938 and 1945. The organ was renewed in 1964.
Geiranger's Church
Geiranger's Church - nave
Shore excursions in Geiranger
Drive over the Ørnevegen
Norway has great mountain passes. One of these streets is the Ørnevegen, in English the eagle street. Eleven serpentines lead from Geiranger to a height of more than 600 meters. From the Ørnesvingen viewpoint, visitors can see the town and the fjord. Then it goes further up to the quiet Eidsvatnetsee. It is surrounded by huge mountains.
Geiranger - Ornevegen
Geiranger - Eagle Turn
The Norwegian landscape route between Åndalsnes and Geiranger
The Hurtigruten shipping company offers its passengers bus trips along the 106 kilometer Norwegian scenic route between Åndalsnes and Geiranger. Special highlights of Reichsstraße 63 are the Flydalsjuvet gorge, the Geirangerfjord and the viewpoints on the eagle street and Trollstigen. The Trollstigen mountain road has a nine percent gradient. There are eleven hairpin bends to be tackled. There are a total of 18 so-called Norwegian landscape routes in Norway.
Dalsnibba Utsikt Point
Another destination easily accessible from Geiranger is the Dalsnibba-Utsikt point, 24 kilometers away. The main part of the route leads over Geiranger street. It was recognized as a technical masterpiece at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 and was awarded a gold medal. During the approach, the Dalsnibba pass is crossed at an altitude of 1038 meters. It offers views of Lake Djupvatnet and the Djupvasshytta mountain hut. There the Nibbevegen toll road branches off up to the Dalsnibba lookout point, provided that the road is free of snow. In some years the toll road and the lake are covered with snow in May.
Geiranger - Djupva's hut
Geiranger - the frozen Djupvatnet lake
The dizzying Dalsnibba lookout point at the end of the road wasn't completed until August 2016. Fantastic views of the Geirangerfjord and the Blåbreen Glacier are offered. Visitors should be free from giddiness; the free fall height is 500 meters.
Walks on the agricultural trails
An alternative to the expensive tour offers are hikes on the old farmers' paths. The paths also offer beautiful panoramic views. Maps for such hikes are available from the tourist information.
View of the Geirangerfjord
Suggestions
Visitors arriving by ship book their excursions and activities either on the ships or at Geiranger's tourist information office. It is located next to the Seawalk and the cruise ship tender zone. The range of tours is varied and can be used well depending on the length of time the ships are berthed.
