The Hjørundfjord
A fjord surrounded by soaring mountain peaks and far from the crowds, it’s no wonder this dramatic fjord is a national treasure.
Not many ships sail into the Hjørundfjord, but we, like most Norwegians, can’t resist its charms. Many of us say it is the most beautiful of the Norwegian fjords.
Time slows down as you venture into the Hjørundfjord. This is a place to explore at an easy pace, serene, and tranquil.
A secret fjord
As an arm of the enormous Storfjord, the Hjørundfjord stretches for 22 miles beneath the jagged mountain peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps. Its mouth is wide, but the fjord gets narrower and narrower the deeper in you sail – finishing at the picturesque village of Bjørke.
To the west, you'll find small settlements connected by dramatic mountain roads. On the eastern side, a few tiny farms cling to steep mountains that plunge straight into the deep waters.
About halfway along, the fjord splits in two, with the Norangsfjord branch pointing east towards Geirangerfjord. This internationally famous Norwegian fjord is just 20km away on the other side of the mountains, but it feels world apart from the relatively unknown and little-visited Hjørundfjord. You can guess which of the two fjords most of us Norwegians choose to visit.
A short history of the Hjørundfjord
The Hjørundfjord’s jagged summits, green meadows, and isolated mountain farms are a window into Norway’s past.
As you sail along the fjords, raise your eyes to the pointed peaks of the surrounding Sunnmøre Alps. They are nunataks – an Inuit term that means ‘lonely mountain’ – which rose through the kilometers-thick ice of the last ice age.
Over the centuries, the Hjørundfjord’s small communities have rebuilt themselves again and again after treacherous landslides and avalanches. But they have also welcomed royalty, celebrities, and adventurers. And built one of the most famous swings in the world!
The charming villages of the Hjørundfjord
The village of Sæbo is home to a few shops, a church, a school, and some of the fjord’s most spectacular views. Set on the edge of a small bay, almost opposite the mouth of the Norangsfjord, it’s an ideal base for hiking excursions – or for simply exploring as you chat to locals and enjoy the scenery.
On the eastern side of the fjord and connected to Sæbo by ferry (via Leknes), Urke is tucked just inside the mouth of the Norangsfjord. This tiny hamlet – home to only around 50 permanent residents – is a joy to explore on foot, taking in the stunning landscapes of the surrounding Sunnmøre Alps.
The tiny village of Øye, with its renowned historic hotel, sits between the tip of the Norangsfjord and the spectacle of the Norangs valley.
The best things to do in the Hjørundfjord
1. Visit Hotel Union Øye
Kings, queens, famous actors, musicians, and more have been drawn to the Hjørundfjord for centuries thanks, in part, to the heritage Hotel Union Øye. Opened in 1891, its parade of famous visitors includes Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, Sherlock Homes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. You can see the hotel – now part of the luxury Relais & Châteaux brand – on our A Taste of Norway excursion.
2. Hike to Patchellhytta (the Patchell hut)
British mountaineer Charles Watson Patchell was the first person to climb 15 of the routes around the Hjørundfjord. He was an annual guest at the Hotel Union Øye from 1923 to 1939, but also had a cabin built at the foot of Slogen. You can hike to his hut from Urke or from Øye, and even stay the night in the basic accommodation it still offers for the more intrepid hikers.
(Image copyright: Wikimedia Commons)
3. Spot a flooded village
In 1908, a landslide created Lygnstøylvatnet, a small lake in the narrow Norangs valley. Beneath the water, you can still see the remains of the farm buildings and roads that were flooded as river levels rose behind the rock fall. You can visit Lygnstøylvatnet and the Norangsdalen on our A Taste of Norway excursion.
4. Have a go on one of the world’s most famous swings
Given its Instagram fame, you might have already seen the swing at Christian Gaard Bygdetun, an inn located in the tiny village of Trandal. It seems to hover over the waters of the Hjørundfjord below. Come for the selfie, but stay for the restaurant, accommodation, and boat trips!
5. Travel back to the 16th century
The beautifully preserved farm buildings of Bakketunet are a surprisingly rare find in Norway. The region’s oldest and most complete farmstead is now a heritage art and cultural center with exhibitions, a small farm shop, and a café. You can visit on our Hidden treasures of the Hjørundfjord excursion.
Visit the Hjørundfjord with Hurtigruten
Not many cruise ships sail into the majestic Hjørundfjord, but we sail here every year between September 1 and October 30.
Stories from the Hjørundfjord
Meet Per-Gunnar Holmberg, the flower farmer of the Hjørundfjord, who runs a flower farm in a tiny village on the edge of the fjord.
