Home Perch Which country is famous for its fjords? The majestic Norwegian fjords of Lyfjord.

Which country is famous for its fjords? The majestic Norwegian fjords of Lyfjord.

The fjords of Norway, these majestic mountain bays, are a unique natural phenomenon that will not leave anyone indifferent. Let's try to find out why they are called the pearl of the country.

In the northern part of the west coast of Norway there are fjords that were formed during the last ice age. When the glacier retreated 10-12 thousand years ago, amazing Norwegian fjords, now famous all over the world. The word "fjord" means "bay" in Norwegian.

Each fjord has its own characteristics and attractions. Geirangerfjord is famous for the highest and most picturesque waterfalls. The majestic beauty of Geirangerfjord has been a major attraction on cruises for decades. Geirangerfjord is located approximately 200 kilometers northeast of Bergen and 280 kilometers northwest of Oslo. The fjord stretches for 15 kilometers and is a branch of the Storfjord.

Some of the fjord's attractions are waterfalls, the most famous of which are the Seven Sisters, the Bridal Veil and the Groom.

Along the banks there are steep cliffs up to 1400 meters high and glaciers. Along the Geirangerfjord there are also abandoned farms, some of which are located on small areas of mountain ledges, so it is only possible to reach them using special ladders or rope ladders.

Sognefjord is the longest fjord in the world. This bay, which in Norway is also called the “King of the Fjords,” is located in Sogn og Fjordane. It stretches 204 km inland and 1308 m to the depths of the sea.

Along the entire perimeter of the fjord there are inaccessible cliffs, and if you go deeper into the surrounding areas, you will encounter beautiful waterfalls and cultural monuments along the way.

The formation of Sognefjord began 2.57 million years ago during the Pliocene period. As a result of erosion caused by the convergence of glaciers, the river system turned into a fjord. At the same time, 7,610 km were destroyed? rocks over the entire area of the Sognefjord basin, which today amounts to 12,518 km?. The average deepening caused by erosion was 610 meters, and the maximum (in the eastern part) was 2850 meters. Annual erosion rates have reached 2 mm per year.

Trondheimsfjord is the third longest fjord in Norway. Located in western central Norway and stretches from Ørland in the west to Steinkjer in the north.

On the banks of the Trondheimsfjord lies the city of Trondheim, after which the fjord is named.

The deepest point of the fjord is 617 meters, located in the municipality of Agdanes. The largest islands of the fjord are Ytterøy (28 km) and Toutra (1.5 km). Trondheimsfjord was an important sea route back in Viking times and remains so today.

Hardangerfjord is best known for its surrounding area, where magnificent orchards bloom in spring. The fruit orchards of Hardangerfjord in May will make anyone believe in heaven on earth:) The fjord is surrounded by rocky mountains up to 1.5 km high, from which many magnificent waterfalls fall, in particular the 145 m high Vøringsfossen waterfall and Skjeggadals.

Hardangerfjord is divided into many smaller bays, including Kvinnherads, Granvin, Sør, Eid and Osa. Hardangerfjord juts out into the coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula for 113 km. It starts south of Bergen, near the island of Stur in the North Sea and extends to the Hardanger Plateau. The maximum depth is 891 m, at the entrance - 253 m. At the bottom of the Hardangerfjord lies the Trygg-class destroyer KNM Stegg, sunk on April 20, 1940 by a German ship.

Lysefjord is famous for the Preikestolen rock, where you can enjoy a magnificent view, and the bravest ones can go to the very edge of the rock, where the spectacle will take everyone’s breath away!

The length of the fjord is 42 km, the maximum depth is 422 meters. The fjord was formed under the influence of glaciers, and after the glacier retreated, the “giant crack” filled with water. This happened approximately 10,000 years ago. Lysefjord stretches from west to east for 42 km. The height of the vertical rock walls above the water reaches 1 km.

Due to the difficult terrain, there are only two settlements on the banks of the fjord - Lysebotn and Forsand. The depth of the fjord ranges from 13 meters - at the point where the fjord “empties” into the ocean near Stavanger, to more than 400 meters - in the area.

Nordfjord is the sixth longest fjord in Norway, its length is 106 kilometers.

Nordfjord, along with Sognefjord in the south and Storfjord in the north, is one of the three large fjords of central Norway. The maximum depth is 565 m, the maximum width is about 5 km.

The fjord has great tourism potential, in particular because it provides easy access to several tongues of the Jostedalsbreen glacier, the largest glacier in continental Europe.

A fjord is a narrow, winding sea bay with steep slopes, deeply cut into the land. Many people consider the fjords to be the symbol of Norway. This country truly contains some of the longest, deepest and most beautiful fjords in the world.

The length of fjords is usually tens of times greater than their width, and the shores are rocks and cliffs about 1000 meters high. They owe their origin to glacial activity and the movements of tectonic plates. North America, Chile, Norway, New Zealand's South Island are four of the most famous fjord destinations in the world. Fjords also exist in other countries, in particular in Iceland, on the island of Greenland, on the Arabian Peninsula and even in Russia.

The fjords are very popular among tourists from all over the world. These are very picturesque and beautiful natural attractions. Below you can look at our selection with photographs and see for yourself.

The most beautiful fjords - PHOTOS

1. Howe Sound, Canada

Howe Sound, essentially the southern fjord of North America, is located directly northwest of. It is surrounded by high mountain peaks that rise straight out of the sea. The fjord is a favorite destination for Vancouver residents for sailing, fishing, diving, camping and a variety of other recreational activities. The fjord includes many interesting islands.

Kenai Fjords is more than 650,000 acres of national park land on the south-central Kenai Peninsula. The park's dramatic scenery includes mountains with huge glaciers sliding between them into the sea. There are also kilometers of deep fjords that provide habitat for thousands of nesting birds and small marine mammals such as sea otters, seals and sea lions.

Lysefjord is a popular tourist destination in the southwest. The fjord is very beautiful along its entire length, but two points are especially popular. Preikestolen or Pulpit Rock is a huge cliff over 600 meters high. Its peak, approximately 25 by 25 meters, offers a magnificent panorama of the fjord and surrounding mountain scenery, and is almost always filled with tourists. The second popular place is the Kjorag plateau, 1084 meters high, but people climb here not for the scenery, but to see Kjoragbolton - a “pea stone”, a huge cobblestone with a volume of about 5 square meters stuck between two vertical rock walls.

4. Aisen Fjords, Chile

The landscape of the Aisen region in the south is marked by several glaciations, which have formed a large number of lakes, canals and beautiful fjords. Laguna San Rafael, part of the area of the national park of the same name, accessible only by boat or plane, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in this area. The park also includes some of the highest mountains.

5. Misty Fjords, USA

The Misty Fjords are located within a remote and wild nature reserve in the southern part of Southeast. The area is often called the "Yosemite of the North" for its similar geology. Unfortunately, cruise ships cannot always sail into the narrow fjords surrounded by high granite cliffs. But excursion tours on small planes, motor boats, and especially group kayak tours are popular here.

The fjord is located near the city of the same name on the west coast of Greenland, 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Filled with glaciers, the Ilulissat fjord stretches 40 kilometers from the Greenland ice sheet to Disko Bay. This territory is included in. This is an amazing place where the speed of icebergs is one of the highest in the world (19 meters per day). Constantly moving blocks of ice create incredible fantastic landscapes every day.

7. Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

Doubtful Sound is a very large fjord located on the southwest corner of the South Island. The fjord is popular among tourists due to its nature, rich wildlife, as well as numerous waterfalls, the number of which increases to several hundred during the rainy season. Doubtful Sound is the second largest of the national park's many fjords.

8. Nærøyfjord, Norway

The largest fjord in Norway, and one of the most beautiful in the country. Its length is 17 kilometers, and its width at its narrowest point does not exceed 300 meters. On the shores of the fjord there are small villages and farms. The height of the steep cliffs reaches 1700 meters, passing between them on a cruise ship is one of the most memorable trips in.

Milford Sound Fjord is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Greece. Situated in the northern and highly accessible part of the Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is the epitome of the most stunning coastal scenery with fantastic mountain peaks and deep blue waters. The frequent showers that occur in this area only add to the beauty of the island, sending numerous waterfalls from the cliff tops.

10. Geirangerfjord, Norway

Geirangerfjord is the sparkling jewel of the Norwegian fjords - snow-capped mountain peaks, beautiful waterfalls, lush greenery and blue water. The fjord can be explored aboard one of the 130 cruise ships that visit each year. The small village of Geiranger, located at the base of the fjord, can also be reached by car ferry from the town of Hellesylt.

Norway is a harsh and mysterious country; even the hard-to-pronounce names of its cities and natural sites can be puzzling and cause difficulties when preparing an independent trip. This article will help you get your bearings and figure out which cities in Norway are most convenient from which to make forays to the country’s most attractive and unique attraction – the fjords.

I’ll immediately make a reservation that, although there are examples of independent travel through the mountains and fjords using only public transport, due to the large distances and features of the Norwegian terrain, a car is the best and, I would say, the main means of transportation around the country by land ( plus in many places you have to cross by ferry). Another popular mode of transport in the country is the plane. Air services connect all major cities in Norway. In order to see the fjords, it is absolutely not necessary to fly through the Norwegian capital Oslo: you can buy connecting tickets through Europe to cities located close to one or another famous natural attraction (there are international airports in Bergen, Ålesund, Stavanger).

Tickets for domestic flights in Norway operated by the budget carrier Norwegian airlines are relatively inexpensive (except for additional costs for baggage, which, like all low-cost airlines, is paid separately, and meals on board).

You can pre-select a rental car for traveling around Norway and pick it up right at the airport of arrival here

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Fjords– sea bays formed as a result of tectonic shifts and “cutting” the land area for tens and even hundreds of kilometers (the longest fjord in the world - Scoresby - is located in Greenland and stretches for more than 350 kilometers, followed by its Norwegian “brother” - Sognefjord 204 kilometers).

The number of fjords in Norway and the Svalbard archipelago is huge and amounts to about 1200. The length of most Norwegian fjords is from 4 to 50 kilometers, but there are also real giants - from a hundred kilometers or more. At the same time, naturally, their beauty does not depend on size, for example, the most famous fjord in the world, Geiranger, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is only 15 kilometers long. As you can see, it is impossible to physically cover all the fjords, so you have to select only a few of them.

The most famous and popular fjords in Norway are:

Geirangerfjord, Lysefjord, Hardangerfjord, Trondheimsfjord, Sognefjord, Nærøyfjord, Aurlandsfjord, Nordfjord.

They are concentrated on the west coast of Norway (see map) https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zpmSSUsmrIho.ks9dZ3QlvhcA

City of Trondheim - The third largest city in Norway, located on the shores of the Trondheim Fjord. Sights: Trondheims Fjord (the third longest in the country), the medieval Nidaros Cathedral - a landmark cathedral for Norwegian history, where the legendary King Olaf II (St. Olaf) is buried, the oldest coronation site of Norwegian monarchs.

City of Kristiansund(Kristiansund) – (not to be confused with Kristiansand, located in southern Norway!) – Atlantic Road, mountain road Aurshoevegen, Trollheimen(home of the trolls) - a mountain range with picturesque valleys.

The Atlantic Road is one of Norway's popular attractions, located between the cities of Kristiansund and Molde. This is an 8-kilometer section of the National Tourist Road 64, which passes through islets in the Atlantic Ocean. In some places the road is shaped like a wave, offering postcard views - both in good weather and during a storm on the Atlantic. There are several viewing platforms where you can park your car, admire the views and take photographs.

City of Molde(Molde) – mountain road Trollstigen(Troll Staircase), Romsdal And Atlantic Road.

Troll Staircase

City of Ålesund(Alesund) is a beautiful Art Nouveau city located on seven hills. Attractions: Geirangerfjord And Jorundfjord, bird island Runde, Road of Eagles(mountain serpentine between Geirangerfjord and Norddalsfjord) and the already mentioned Troll Staircase Trollstigen.

Ålesund

Geirangerfjord

City of Bergen(Bergen) - Norway's second largest city is called the “gateway to the kingdom of the fjords.” From here you can go to Norway's longest fjord - Sognefjord, its branches - Nærøyfjord And Aurlandsfjord, Hardangerfjord(second largest in the country), drive along Flåm railway. In the city itself there is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a beautiful Bryggen embankment, as well as the house-museum of the famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

Embankment in Bergen

Sognefjord

City of Haugesund(Haugesund) – impressive Lysefjord and small Okrafjord.

Lysefjord

City of Stavanger(Stavanger) – Lysefjord, Pulpit (Preikestolen)– a giant flat cliff above the Lysefjord, route Rüflüke(waterfalls road), Sulastranden beach.

Preikestolen

When to go see the fjords?

The best time to travel around Norway to the fjords is from June to mid-August (or, in extreme cases, from May to September), this is due to the harsh climate of the country. During the rest of the year, it is better to devote time to exploring only Norwegian cities.

Norway is a country of fjords, famous for its beautiful nature and stunning landscapes. The fjords are clear proof of this. They are narrow, winding sea bays of glacial origin that cut into the mainland for many kilometers. There are fjords in European and North American countries, but the largest and most beautiful cluster of such formations can be observed in the western part of Scandinavia. Due to its geographical location, Norway has a huge number of beautiful fjords, which attract millions of tourists from all over the world to see. Fans of extreme sports and simply those who want to take a break from the civilization of big cities find their refuge here. See further description and photo 10 the best fjords in Norway, which will come in handy if you ever come to this country.

The most beautiful fjords in Norway

1. Geirangerfjord

One of the most popular Norwegian fjords is Geirangerfjord in the Sunnmøre region. The beauty of its landscape will captivate tourists and travelers. In addition to enjoying the splendor of the local landscapes, vacationers are invited to go fishing, rafting, horseback riding or kayaking. There are also two small villages in the bay where cruise ships stop. Another splendor of the Geirangerfjord is its waterfalls, emerging from the forest thickets and rushing straight into the waters of the bay. Geirangerfjord has received UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

2. Sognefjord

The record holder for the longest among the best fjords in Norway is the Sognefjord, which also occupies the second longest position in the world. It is located in the province of Sogn og Fjordane. Visitors to Norway are invited to appreciate the beauty of this place both from the bay and from the land. Serene boat trips on a motor ship will give you a palette of colorful emotions, and on land tourists will be able to visit one (or several) of the five local colorful villages. Those interested can visit local attractions - a national park, a museum and a church.

3. Lysefjord

This beautiful fjord in Norway gained its popularity thanks to the picturesque cliffs - Preikestolen and Kjerag - which are the main attractions of this place. Tourists are offered several travel routes (both land and water), each of which will present vacationers with its own picturesque and mesmerizing perspectives. In addition, on the top of the Preikestolen rock is the House of the same name, which opens its doors to its visitors, and in the summer offers them accommodation and meals. In Lysefjord, tourists can enjoy many active sports and recreational activities. The fjord is located in the Vestland region.

4. Oslofjord

One of the most beautiful fjords in Norway is the Oslofjord. This sea bay is unique in that there are over a thousand small islands throughout its territory. On land, you will find several of Norway's most wonderful cities, each of which is famous for something of its own: for example, Halden - found its place in the country's anthem, Drammen - gave the world the great biathlete Bjoerndalen. Like any other self-respecting fjord, there is also a pier for cruise ships.

5. Hardangerfjord

Spring is the best time to visit Hardangerfjord, as at this time of year the fjord's already scenic beauty is enhanced by flowering trees. A little later, trees will begin to bend their branches everywhere, full of fruits: pears, apples, cherries (by the way, there are rumors that the most delicious cherries in all of Norway grow here). If we talk about the natural beauties of the Hardangerfjord, then they have practically no competition in all of Norway. The beautiful view of the mountains and glaciers fascinates tourists, the waterfalls captivate their views, and you will want to do fishing and boating here forever. Hardangerfjord is one of the best resorts in the country. It is located in southwestern Norway.

6. Nærøyfjord

Nærøyfjord has the smallest width among the fjords of Norway (from 300 to 1000 meters). When you observe its landscape, you get the feeling that the water surface of the fjord is carefully squeezed between the mountain ranges that are trying to oppress it. The fjord got its name from the ancient Norwegian deity Njord, who was known as the patron of the sea. There are many small and medium-sized settlements on both sides of the fjord, which, coupled with the splendor of the landscape, creates a beautiful picturesque backdrop to Nærøyfjord.

7. Westfjord

Quite unusual in terms of definitions is the Norwegian Westfjord, because it is also characterized as an estuary or an open bay. On the territory of this fjord they have been fishing for cod since medieval times. And the killer whales that live in its waters have become a kind of “attraction” of the Westfjord, which many tourists come to see. It is better to relax here in the warm season, because in winter the fjord is often blown by cold frosty winds.

8. Porsangerfjord

The Porsangerfjord is in fourth position in terms of length among the fjords of Norway - its length exceeds 120 kilometers. The fjord originates near the small village of Lakselv, which has become very popular among tourists. Porsangerfjord offers vacationers to enjoy the beauty of its landscapes, catch a good fishing catch, and also visit the local Stabbursdalen National Park. The local nature is practically untouched by man and thereby charms its guests.

9. Trondheimsfjord

The Norwegian Trondheimsfjord has a unique climate and nature. It is named after the city of Trondheim, located on the shore of the estuary. This fjord is famous for the fact that there is virtually no snow here all year round. This is why a unique ecosystem has formed in the coastal waters - over 90 species of marine fish live in the Trondheimsfjord. Mostly those who prefer peace and quiet come here to relax. But it’s worth considering that a significant portion of the fjord’s land area is occupied by a large, wealthy commercial area.

10. Storfjord

A special place among all the fjords of Norway is given to Storfjord. Translated, its name means “big fjord”. It is famous for the fact that, with its length of 110 kilometers, it also manages to split in two, forming two other fjords - Geirangerfjord and Tafjordfjord. But with all this, Storfjord remains “behind the scenes” of tourist life - it is little known and therefore not popular among vacationers, and information about it is not presented in almost any tourist brochure or postcard.

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 with 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 world's most famous fjord regions are located on the western coasts of 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

Which country is famous for its fjords? The majestic Norwegian fjords of Lyfjord.