Explore the untamed wilds of the Geirangerfjord, from its thundering waterfalls to its thick mountainside forests crowned by snow-covered peaks. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 for its exemplary fjord features and unparalleled beauty, the Geirangerfjord is the true epitome of this dramatic geographical formation. With its steep, crystalline rock walls that soar skyward nearly a mile or more (1,600-1,700 meters) and plunge to a depth of as much as 853 feet (260 meters), this archetypic fjord is a majestic monument to a glacier’s plodding, landscape-shaping march millennia ago. The best ways to take in this stunning scene are either from the water during a boat or kayak tour or from one of the area’s several overlooks, like Flydalsjuvet and the Geiranger Skywalk on Dalsnibba mountain.

Wander through the pastoral village of Geiranger. This quaint hamlet at the head of the Geirangerfjord is well worth exploring. Charming wooden homes lend a sense of time and place, while various shops offer the perfect place to search for a memento of one’s adventures. One place visitors certainly won’t want to miss is Geiranger Sjokolade, the local chocolate factory. Housed in historic boathouses crafted out of timber, with enchanting rooftops covered in grass and flowers, it makes for a sweet stop for a snack and some souvenirs.

Witness the remnants of the Geirangerfjord’s agricultural past, as well as the tenacity of humankind when faced with adversity, at long-abandoned fjordside farms. Clinging to the mountainsides like the nimble goats that once called them home, these forsaken farms offer a glimpse into a simpler yet incredibly challenging way of life. Although there are a handful of forgotten mountain farms in the area, which were settled as early as the late Middle Ages and then later deserted due to their treacherous locations, two of the most popular are Knivsflå and Skageflå. The aptly named Knivsflå, roughly meaning “field on a sharp mountain edge,” sits 820 feet (250 meters) above the fjord, neighboring the Seven Sisters Waterfall, and was vacated in 1898. Directly across the fjord at the same lofty height rests Skageflå, a formerly wealthy goat farm that was left behind in 1916. Both are reachable by an arduous, uphill hike. However, those who are up to the challenge will be handsomely rewarded with breathtaking views of the fjord, along with an atmospheric tableau of moss-covered farm buildings reclaimed by Mother Nature.

Uncover the natural and cultural history and environmental resilience of the Geirangerfjord at the Norwegian Fjord Center. Located just a few minutes walk across the river from Hotel Union Geiranger, this visitor center and education hub offers a fascinating look at the ecological, geographical, and social significance of Western Norway’s famed fjords, with exhibits covering the geological processes that carved the Geirangerfjord’s impressive landscape, its biological diversity, and the people who have lived there.