Hardanger is a scenic region in western Norway, set around some of the country's best-known fjords. Its landscape is dramatic: steep mountainsides drop to the water, and waterfalls tumble down the slopes in many places, so the region makes a natural choice for visitors who enjoy being outdoors among water and rock.
The area is also known for its traditional fruit orchards. In spring, the apple and cherry trees bloom, and the surrounding hillsides take on a soft white and pink colour. For many visitors, this blossom season is the reason to plan a trip, though the orchards are pleasant to walk through at other times of year too.
What a visit offers
- Fjord scenery, best seen from the water or from the viewpoints along the shore
- Waterfalls set against steep, dramatic walls of rock
- Traditional orchards, especially striking when the trees are in blossom
- A quiet, rural atmosphere well suited to slow travel
Planning your trip
Hardanger suits travellers who want scenery more than city life. Because it is a region rather than a single town, it works best as a base for exploring by car, boat or on foot, with the fjords, waterfalls and orchards spread across the area. Visitors interested in the natural landscape will find it rewarding, and those who time their trip to the blossom will be rewarded with some of the region's most memorable views.
