Hardanger
Hardanger: the fjord, Vøringsfossen, Odda and the fruit blossom
Blossoming fruit trees down to the fjord, a waterfall that drops 182 metres and Trolltunga in the mountains above Odda. Hardanger is fjord Norway at its most beautiful. Here is what to see, when to go and where to stay.
In spring the whole fjord is dressed in white and pink. Along the Sørfjord, apple and cherry trees blossom right down to the water, and above them lies the Folgefonna glacier, still covered in snow. Hardanger is fjord country as many imagine it: steep mountains, waterfalls, fruit farms and small villages by the water.
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Short answer: Hardanger
Where: Around the Hardangerfjord, Norway’s second-longest fjord, between Bergen and the Hardangervidda plateau.
See: Vøringsfossen, Låtefossen, Folgefonna and the fruit villages.
Hike: Trolltunga from Odda, and the Queen’s Trail from Lofthus.
Best time: May and June for the blossom, July and August for the hikes.
Where to stay
On the fjord in Lofthus: Hotel Ullensvang. See rooms at Hotel Ullensvang
By Vøringsfossen: Fossli Hotel. See rooms at Fossli Hotel
In Ulvik: Brakanes Hotel. See rooms at Brakanes Hotel
Vøringsfossen
At the head of the Måbødalen valley, above Eidfjord, Vøringsfossen plunges 182 metres into the gorge. The new stair bridge across the falls gives you a view straight down into the depths, and at the top stands the historic Fossli Hotel. The falls are at their mightiest in early summer, when the snow melts on the plateau.
Odda and Trolltunga
Odda, at the end of the Sørfjord, is an old industrial town with a new role: the base for the Trolltunga hike. Just south of town, Låtefossen falls in two streams down towards the road, and from Odda you can also hike up to the Buarbreen glacier. Read our guide to Trolltunga.
Vøringsfossen in the Måbødalen valley.
The fruit villages and cider
Hardanger is Norway’s largest fruit-growing district, and the villages along the fjord have grown fruit for centuries. Many farms make cider, and you can taste and buy it at the farm. Follow the fruit route along the Sørfjord and stop wherever you see a sign.
Ulvik and Eidfjord
Further into the fjord lies Ulvik, a small village with orchards running down to the water, and Eidfjord, the gateway to the Hardangervidda plateau. Both are peaceful places to stay, close to Vøringsfossen.
Where to stay
Hotel Ullensvang: the fjord hotel in Lofthus
A historic hotel on the Sørfjord with pools and views of Folgefonna. Read more in our story on Hotel Ullensvang.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Ullensvang
Fossli Hotel: on the edge of the gorge
A historic hotel right by Vøringsfossen, overlooking the Måbødalen valley.
Book your stay: See rooms at Fossli Hotel
Brakanes Hotel: on the fjord in Ulvik
A hotel right on the fjord in Ulvik, with views over the water and mountains.
Book your stay: See rooms at Brakanes Hotel
Hardanger Hotel: in Odda
A hotel in the centre of Odda, close to Trolltunga and Låtefossen.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hardanger Hotel
Ulvik on the fjord.
Frequently asked questions about Hardanger
When do the fruit trees blossom in Hardanger?
From mid-May to mid-June, depending on the weather.
How high is Vøringsfossen?
The falls drop 182 metres into the Måbødalen valley.
How long is the drive from Bergen to Hardanger?
Around two to three hours, depending on where in Hardanger you are going.