Our Wandering Chapter

There are days when the journey between places becomes just as memorable as the destinations themselves, and our day trip from Bergen into the fjords was certainly one of them. From waterfalls and mountain lakes to narrow fjords and tiny villages, the landscape seemed to change continuously throughout the day. We had booked a full-day guided tour via GetYourGuide, covering Nærøyfjord, Flåm and Stegastein, along with several scenic stops along the way.

From Bergen to Tvindefossen

It was an early start as we made our way into Bergen city centre to meet our group and guide at the designated meeting point. Soon we were on our way, driving past the colourful wooden buildings of Bryggen before leaving Bergen behind. The route followed the Osterfjord, and it did not take long for the cityscape to to reveal the classic western Norwegian landscape of fjords, mountains and scattered settlements.

Our first break was at Dale, a convenient stop to stretch our legs before continuing towards Voss. From there, the journey took us past Vangsvatnet, the large lake beside Voss, with mountains rising around the water.

Our first sightseeing stop was Tvindefossen, a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall near Voss. Rather than plunging in one straight drop, the water spreads across the rock face in several streams and cascades, giving the waterfall its distinctive appearance. The waterfall is conveniently located just off the main road, so it does not require a long hike to reach. We had enough time to walk closer, take photographs and sit on the rocks for a while watching the water tumble over the layers of dark rock.

Back on the bus, we continued towards Gudvangen through an increasingly dramatic landscape. Mountains rose steeply around us, waterfalls appeared beside the road and small settlements sat neatly between the slopes and water. Even the stretches between the scheduled stops felt like part of the sightseeing.

Gudvangen: At the Edge of Nærøyfjord

By the time we reached Gudvangen, it was time for lunch. We stopped at Bufet Restaurant & Cafeteria before having some time to explore the area around the waterfront.

Gudvangen sits at the head of Nærøyfjord, almost enclosed by the steep mountains rising on either side. Travelling in April gave the landscape a particularly beautiful spring character. The lower slopes were beginning to shed their winter colours, while the mountain tops were still sprinkled with snow, standing out against the clear blue sky.

After lunch, we walked across the small bridge near the restaurant towards the Viking village. Even without entering the village, the walk was worthwhile for the views. From the bridge, the calm water on one side reflected the mountains and scattered buildings along the shore, while the other opened directly onto Nærøyfjord. The Viking-style wooden cottages added another layer to the setting, but it was the landscape around them that held our attention. With towering mountains on both sides and the dark, still water stretching into the fjord, Gudvangen felt tiny against its surroundings.

We wandered around the waterfront before heading to the pier for the next part of the journey, the one we had been particularly looking forward to: sailing through Nærøyfjord towards Flåm.

Sailing through Nærøyfjord from Gudvangen to Flåm

Nærøyfjord forms part of the UNESCO-listed West Norwegian Fjords landscape together with Geirangerfjord. At its narrowest, the fjord is only around 250 metres wide, with steep mountain walls rising dramatically from the water.

As the ferry slowly pulled away from Gudvangen, we wandered around the deck, taking in the spectacular views unfolding in every direction. The water was remarkably still in places, creating almost perfect reflections of the mountains towering above it.

Travelling during Easter in April made the landscape particularly striking. Snow still covered the higher peaks and traced the mountain ridges, while the lower slopes had begun to reveal the muted greens and golden browns of early spring. Narrow waterfalls traced their way down the dark rockfaces before disappearing into the fjord below.

As we sailed deeper into Nærøyfjord, the scale of the landscape became even more apparent. Mountains seemed to rise almost vertically from the water, occasionally opening to reveal tiny farms and clusters of houses tucked along the shore. Against their enormous surroundings, the settlements looked almost miniature.

We spent much of the journey outside, moving around the deck, as the view constantly changed. At times, the fjord stretched ahead between snow-capped mountains; at others, a bend brought the sheer rock walls surprisingly close. Looking back, the ferry’s wake was sometimes the only thing disturbing the otherwise calm surface.

One of the most memorable sights along the way was Lægdafossen (also known as Sagfossen), a waterfall cascading down the mountainside in several stages before rushing directly into the fjord. Our ferry slowed near the waterfall, giving us a wonderful view from the deck. We also spotted smaller sightseeing boats heading much closer to its base, where the scale and force of the cascading water must have been even more impressive.

Beyond the waterfall, the scenery continued to shift. Scattered farms gave way to small settlements nestled beneath the mountains, their colourful houses clustered along the water’s edge. The snowline remained high above them, while countless narrow streams made their way down the slopes.

Gradually, the fjord began to widen as we left the narrow Nærøyfjord behind and sailed onwards through Aurlandsfjord. After being surrounded by such steep, enclosed mountains, the broader stretches of water felt noticeably different, but the scenery remained just as impressive.

Eventually, more houses appeared along the shore and the landscape began to feel increasingly inhabited. And then, tucked beneath another enormous wall of mountains, Flåm came into view.

By the time we reached the harbour, one thing was certain: the cruise had never felt simply like transport between Gudvangen and Flåm. The journey itself had been one of the highlights of the day.

Exploring Flåm

Stepping off the ferry in Flåm, we spent our time exploring the compact village and waterfront on foot. We saw the distinctive green carriages of the Flåm Railway/ Flåmsbana and visited the railway museum before crossing the small bridge towards a tiny beach at the edge of the fjord. Just a short walk from the busier harbour, it was surprisingly peaceful, and we stopped by the clear water to take in the views across Aurlandsfjord and the surrounding mountains.

Flåm is also where travellers can choose a very different journey back towards Bergen. The famous Flåm Railway climbs from Flåm to Myrdal through the steep Flåmsdalen valley. From Myrdal, passengers can connect with the Bergen Railway and continue towards Bergen. For anyone planning the trip independently, this offers an interesting way to combine the fjord cruise with one of Norway’s most famous scenic railway journeys.

We had chosen a different route back, one that included another spectacular view before returning to Bergen.

Up the Mountain to Stegastein

From Flåm, we headed towards Aurland and up the winding road to Stegastein. With each hairpin bend, the fjord appeared farther below, making us appreciate having an experienced driver behind the wheel. At the top awaited Stegastein, a viewing platform perched 650 metres above Aurlandsfjord and projecting around 30 metres from the mountainside.

The view was breathtaking. Far below, Aurlandsfjord wound its way between enormous mountains, with the tiny settlement of Aurland visible along the shore. Low clouds hung over the snow-dusted peaks and drifted across parts of the landscape, giving the fjord an entirely different character from the bright, clear scenery we had enjoyed earlier in the day.

And then, while we were standing at the viewpoint, it began to snow. For a few minutes, tiny snowflakes drifted across the viewing platform and the mountains beyond became increasingly hazy. Rather than obscuring the experience, the changing weather made it even more memorable. One moment we could see far along the fjord; the next, clouds and falling snow softened the mountains in the distance. After one last look over Aurlandsfjord, we returned to the bus for the journey back to Bergen.

The sightseeing stops may have been over, but the scenery continued all the way back to Bergen. After a day of fjords, waterfalls, and mountain views, sitting back and watching the picturesque landscape pass by was the perfect end to the journey. It was also a reminder that in Norway, getting from one place to another can sometimes be one of the best parts of the trip.

Is This Day Trip from Bergen Worth It?

Absolutely. It is a long day and covers a lot of ground, but it never felt as though the hours on the road were simply time spent getting between attractions.

From following Osterfjord out of Bergen and passing the lake near Voss to watching Tvindefossen tumble down the rocks, sailing between the towering mountains of Nærøyfjord and finally looking down over Aurlandsfjord from Stegastein, the landscape kept changing throughout the journey.

Travelling as part of a guided tour also meant we could simply sit back and enjoy the scenery rather than worrying about coordinating buses, ferries and road conditions. It is possible to put together a similar trip independently, particularly by combining the Nærøyfjord ferry and the Flåm Railway. However, routes, connections, weather and road conditions should be checked carefully in advance, especially outside the summer season.

For our Easter visit in April, the lingering snow added an extra touch of magic to the dramatic fjord scenery, making this one of the most memorable days of our stay in Bergen.

If you are looking for another outdoor experience while in the city, read about our hike up Mount Ulriken via the Sherpa Steps, with panoramic views over Bergen and the surrounding mountains.