Vestland · Norway
The orchard fjord, between the Folgefonna glacier and the Hardangervidda plateau: the Trolltunga trail, the Vøringsfossen waterfall, the Hardanger Bridge and the apple trees of Lofthus.
In the photo: Hardangerfjord
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
The Hardangerfjord stretches about 180 km inland from the coast south of Bergen and splits into branches that reach to the foot of the Hardangervidda plateau. Unlike the narrow fjords of Sogn, it has gentler shores, with villages, stone churches and slopes covered in orchards of apple, pear and cherry trees that usually bloom in May. Above all this, to the south, lies the Folgefonna glacier.
Odda, at the head of the Sørfjord branch, is an industrial town that grew with hydroelectric plants and smelters in the early 20th century. It is the base for Trolltunga, the rock tongue that juts into the void above Lake Ringedalsvatnet, one of the country's most sought-after hikes. Nearby are the Buarbreen glacier, a branch of Folgefonna, the twin waterfall Låtefossen by the roadside, and the Tyssedal hydroelectric museum. Down the Sørfjord, Lofthus and Ullensvang have orchards, the medieval church and the cabin where Grieg composed.
Eidfjord, on the innermost branch, sits at the foot of the plateau. From there the road climbs the Måbødalen valley to Vøringsfossen, a waterfall that drops 182 meters into a canyon, and passes the Hardangervidda National Park visitor center. The Hardanger Bridge, a suspension bridge, crosses the fjord near Eidfjord and links the region to Bergen.
Trolltunga is a long hike, 7 to 12 hours, done in summer; in winter only with a guide.
This destination brings together 2 cities: Odda, Eidfjord.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Contornos: © Kartverket (CC BY 4.0), divisas de 2024; costa via geoBoundaries. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.
✈ Bergen lufthavn, Flesland (BGO), in Bergen · 150 km to Odda
Check before booking. From Bergen, by car it takes about two and a half hours to Eidfjord via the Hardanger Bridge, and a bit longer to Odda. Buses link Bergen and Oslo to Odda and Eidfjord. In summer boats connect fjord villages like Norheimsund and Eidfjord.
Suggested arrival point: Odda
Odda is the industrial town at the end of the Sørfjord, an arm of the Hardangerfjord, surrounded by mountains and the Folgefonna glacier. It is the base for the Trolltunga hike, the Buarbreen glacier, the Låtefossen waterfall and the Tyssedal hydroelectric museum, and is about half an hour from the orchards of Lofthus.
Eidfjord is the village at the end of the innermost branch of the Hardangerfjord, at the foot of the Hardangervidda plateau. From there road 7 climbs the Måbødalen valley to the Vøringsfossen waterfall and the national park center. The Hardanger Bridge, 15 km away, connects the village to Bergen.
The local experience
The Troll's Tongue: a slab of rock that juts out horizontally over the void, about 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet, at the end of a mountain trail of 20 to 27 km round trip from Odda.
The waterfall that drops 182 meters into the Måbødalen canyon, on the edge of the Hardangervidda plateau, 18 km from Eidfjord, with viewpoints above and a stair-bridge over the abyss.
An arm of the Folgefonna glacier that descends into a valley 8 km from Odda, reached by a short steep trail from the Buer farm, with views of blue ice and waterfalls.
The visitor centre for Hardangervidda National Park in Øvre Eidfjord, with exhibits about Europe’s largest plateau, the wild reindeer, the glaciers and water, and a panoramic film.
The suspension bridge over the Eidfjord, 1,380 meters long with a 1,310-meter main span between two concrete towers, linking Bergen to the Eidfjord region and featuring a pedestrian and cyclist path.
Double waterfall of about 165 metres that falls next to road 13, 17 km south of Odda, and flows under a six-arched stone bridge.
The hydroelectric and industry museum in Tyssedal, at the Tysso I plant from the early 20th century: turbines, generators and machine halls in a monumental building on the shore of the Sørfjord.
The orchard village in the middle of the Sørfjord, between Odda and Kinsarvik: apple and cherry trees on the slopes, Hardanger cider, the medieval church of Ullensvang and the cabin where Grieg composed.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From June to September the mountain trails, like Trolltunga's, are usually snow-free and the days are long. The orchards typically bloom in May, and the fruit harvest runs from July to September. The plateau road beyond Vøringsfossen often has winter restrictions; check in advance. In winter the area is quiet, with snow on the mountains and short days.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Two days are enough for Eidfjord, Vøringsfossen and the Lofthus orchards. Trolltunga requires a full day by itself, with an overnight in Odda before and after. With three days and a car, include Buarbreen, Låtefossen and Tyssedal.
Odda is the base for Trolltunga and Buarbreen, with hotels, guesthouses and campsites. Lofthus and Ullensvang, in the middle of the Sørfjord, have historic waterfront hotels among the orchards. Eidfjord, at the head of the inner branch, has hotels and cabins and serves for Vøringsfossen and the plateau. In season it's wise to book in advance.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
You can reach Eidfjord and Vøringsfossen, with about five hours' driving in total. Trolltunga doesn't fit into a day trip: it requires an overnight in Odda.
A car helps a lot, because the attractions are spread out. Without one there are buses to Odda and Eidfjord, buses to the Trolltunga trailhead in summer and organized tours from Bergen.
Apple and cherry trees usually bloom in May, depending on the year. Harvest typically runs from July to September.
It's long — 20 to 27 km return depending on the parking spot — and takes 7 to 12 hours. It requires physical fitness and is usually done from June to September.
The Sognefjord has narrow branches between rock walls, like the Nærøyfjord. The Hardangerfjord has wider shores, orchards, the Folgefonna glacier and Trolltunga.
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