City: Western Norway
Top Things to do in Western Norway
Top Hotels in Western Norway
Countries
What to do and see in Western Norway, Norway: The Best Geologic Formations
Western Norway (Norwegian: Vestlandet, Vest-Norge, Vest-Noreg) is the region along the Atlantic coast of southern Norway. It consists of the counties Rogaland, Hordaland, Sogn og Fjordane, and Møre og Romsdal. The region has a population of approximately 1.3 million people. The largest city is Bergen and the second-largest is Stavanger. Historically the regions of Agder, Vest-Telemark, Hallingdal, Valdres and northern parts of Gudbrandsdal have been included in Western Norway.
Restaurants in Western Norway
1. Geiranger Fjord
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,051 reviews
Reviewed By garyrU7172XN - Melbourne, Australia
This fjord is gorgeous, the narrowness of it with near sheer vertical snow capped mountains surrounding and cascading waterfalls makes it a picture perfect setting that is almost unbelievable. There are a few elevated viewing points that are ideal to make the most of the stunning scenery and capturing outstanding photos. A cruise on the fjord is well worthwhile to maximise the fjord in its entirety.
2. Nigardsbreen Glacier
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 389 reviews
Reviewed By kd1289 - Chicago, United States
Had a great time hiking on the glacier. We did the Short Blue Ice Hike with Jostedalen Breførarlag and had a great experience. As advertised, it is a bit of a trek in - 15 minutes on the boat (each way) + 45 minutes uphill to get from the lake to the glacier. Does require at least a moderate fitness level (one person in our larger group was struggling to make it up to the glacier so turned back before going on the glacier). Great views along the way. Once on the ice, we stopped a number of times for pictures and a snack break. We had a great Nepalese guide who definitely knew his stuff - we felt very safe on the glacier - and was able to take some pictures for us as well. Make sure to clarify what parking lot to meet at (its the one on the lake) and leave enough time to get through the toll between the lot at the glacier center and the meeting point. Would highly recommend for anyone visiting the area! Leave time to look around the exhibits at the Glacier center before/after as well - great views off the back deck.
3. Galten
4. Jostedals Glacier
5. Naeroyfjord
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By simply-peregrinating - Waddington, United Kingdom
We were fortunate to be on a cruise ship small enough to go down Nærøyfjord almost to Gundavgen. The scenery is marvellous, from the water to the mountain top. Every now and then waterfalls cascade down the sides. As you sail down the fjord you pass scattered traditional farmsteads before reaching Gundavgen.
6. Halsa Peninsula
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
7. Sognefjorden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
Stretching 204 km (120 miles) from Solund at the coast to the mighty Jotunheimen massif and Jostedalsbreen glacier, Sognefjorden is the longest fjord in Norway. The Sognefjord has a maximum depth of 1308 metres (4300 feet), and is Norway’s deepest fjord. You can choose between different boat trips to experience the beauty of the fjords all year round. At the mouth of the fjord the climate is maritime, whereas the innermost parts of the fjord have a much drier inland climate. Because of the contact with the warm ocean water of the Gulf Stream, the main fjord never freezes to ice. The Sognefjord has several distinctive fjord arms winding their way between steep mountains to end in small, picturesque villages. One of them is the world-famous Naeroyfjord, which has now been included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. This is the most narrow fjord arm. The innermost fjord arm is the Lusterfjord, and this fjord has a beautiful green colour because of the meltwater from the glaciers. Some places along the Sognefjord the difference in altitude between the highest mountain peak and the lowest point in the fjord is about 3000 metres (9800 feet). Fjords represent a unique landscape that is found in only a few places in the world. A common definition of a fjord is a long and narrow inlet of sea often surrounded by high and steep mountainsides. Some 20 000 years ago the fjord was shaped and formed by glacial ice in river valleys.
Reviewed By Mono_Jockos - Barcelona, Spain
We took the ferry from Gudvangen to Flam via the Sogne Fjord and the scenery was breathtaking. Incredible waterways flanked by mountains which, until you see another ferry to put them into perspective seem quite normal, when in fact they are pretty huge! Still, calm water and a pleasant couple of hours cruising around a beautiful part of a beautiful country
8. Buarbreen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By ahsulyn - Zurich, Switzerland
One of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done (and I live in Switzerland where we have so many stunning hikes). This hike doesn’t take long, less than 3 hours if you’re in good shape, and the variety of terrain you see - mountains, glacier, forest, streams, waterfalls - is spectacular. The trail is rocky and steep in parts, requiring use of ropes and ladders to scramble up some of the slopes. You also have to cross a few muddy, wet areas, so be sure to wear good hiking shoes. There's parking available in Buer for a fee, as well as a campsite. Enjoy!
9. Gloppedalsura Rock Fall
10. Gloppedalsura Scree
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Gloppedalsura consists of avalanche boulders that are piled on top of an end moraine. 10,000 years ago the ice sheet that covered the area, melted away. For a period of time the massive end moraine dammed the Hunnedal river's former course, towards Veen and Vikesa, and formed a lake in Byrkjedalsgryta. The terraces in Byrkjedal at 240 metres altitude are evidence of this moraine-dammed lake. The annual cycle of frost and expanding ice broke free a vast number of boulders and rocks and sent them tumbling down the southern mountainside. This debris settled as a 100-metre thick scree on top of the moraine. Hunnedal river and the lake in Byrkjedalsgryta were forced to find a new outlet the water burrowed a gully from Byrkjedal towards Gilja - Giljajuvet.
Reviewed By 55edd - Buzzards Bay, United States
The Magna Geo Park is huge and the highlight is this scree, the largest in Europe, containing most of a mountain that fell millennia ago. Norwegian military bravely held off vastly superior Nazi forces during World War 2. The views of boulders are incredible, bit DO NOT stop for vies and pictures unless it's at a pull-off, since the road is quite narrow.
