Sognefjorden

Sognefjorden is a fjord in the county of Sogn og Fjordane in Norway. The neighborhood surrounding the fjord is known as Sogn. Sognefjorden is the longest fjord in Europe and the second longest in the world. Nærøyfjord, a World Heritage Site, is one of the fjords of Sognefjorden. Several of the few remaining stave churches, including UNESCO listed Urnes stave church, are found in Sognefjord neighborhood.

Sognefjord_map - Map of Sognefjord and surroundings Fraa Hestfjellet - Central section of Sognefjorden

Tufoto i Nærøyfjorden - Tufto hamlet at Nærøyfjorden

Sognefjorden Halal Travel Guide

See also: Fjords of Norway

Sognefjorden is the longest fjord in Europe and the second longest in the world. The fjord stretches more than 200 kilometers from the rugged islands on the North Sea to the central mountains, including the alpine Jotunheimen. With the many arms or branches the entire Sognefjord system has a coastline of at least 500 kilometers, more than the French and Italian Rivieria combined.

It is also the second deepest fjord in the world, more than 1000 meters deep - if all water was removed the fjord would appear as a huge gorge some 2000 to 3000 meters deep. The fjord is actually 1300 meters at the deepest point, or 1500 meters to the bedrock because of some 200 meters thick sediments. The greatest depths are in the central parts of the fjord, at the mouth there is a relatively shallow threshold of some 150 meters. From the water surface to the high summits there is some 1500 to 2500 meters. About 5,400 km³ (or 5,400,000,000,000 m³) were removed to create this vast gorge. Sognefjord's scale can be compared to Arizona's Grand Canyon. The Sognefjord area is about the same width as New Zeland's Fiordland National Park|Fiordlands. While there are large and deep fjords in Greenland and Antarctica, this is the only such great fjord with significant ordinary settlement and easily accessible by road or public transport. In fact, two of Norway's primary streets and the E16 (Oslo-Bergen) and E39 (Bergen-Trondheim) runs along or across the fjord.

The main fjord is too deep and wide too to cross by conventional bridges. There are 3 main ferry crossings for each of the 3 primary streets E39, road 13 and road 5. It is basically not feasible to travel north-south direction except by ferry, although in summer it is feasible to circumvent the fjord via a mountain road through Jotunheimen.

Sognefjorden is more than a single fjord, it is wide fjord system. Each branch (arm) of the Sognefjord is a great fjord on its own and with its own name, but is still regarded as part of the greater Sognefjord system. Even a single branch like Nærøyfjorden is longer than for instance Milford Sound in New Zealand. Steep mountains rise directly from the water leaving little space for roads and settlement, except in the deep valleys such as Lærdal valley and Flåm valley. These river valleys are surprisingly flat offering excellent ground for farming. This complex topography makes overland transport challenging but highly rewarding in terms of scenery and impressive engineering.

On the northern shore, Sognefjorden neighborhood includes Jostedalsbreen, mainland Europe's largest glacier. Numerous rivers transport "thick" (opaque) glacial melt-water to lakes and to the fjord, giving fjords and lakes a milky turquoise appearance, particularly in Luster area. Because of generous precipitation and altitude differences and the area is also home to significant hydro electric power plants as well as a couple of aluminum factories. These man-made objects are however dwarfed by the grand scale of the landscape.

The Sognefjord neighborhood covers some 11,000 square kilometers (about the size of Montenegro) with some 30,000 inhabitants.

The Sognefjord is crossed by the second largest stretch of a powerline in the world. Its span width is 4597 metres. Do not expect tall pylon at the end of this stretch. They are not required, because of the topography.

How is the Climate in Sognefjorden

Because the fjords runs from the ocean to the deep interior, both landscape and climate changes along. The outer section where mountains rise from the ocean, is one of the rainiest areas in Europe, but also one of the mildest areas in Norway. The easternmost or inner part of the fjord is one the driest areas in Western Norway. In particular Lærdal do not get much rain. The shores of the inner area enjoys relatively warm summers allowing extensive fruit and vegetable production.

Regions of Sognefjorden

[[2001 07 0 Aurlandsdalen Under Holmen - Aurlandsdalen is gorge-like valley near Aurland, popular hiking area.photo: Frode Inge Helland

• Indre Sogn - literally Inner Sogn. Comprises Aurland, Leikanger, Luster, Lærdal, Sogndal, and Årdal municipalities.
• Ytre Sogn - literally Outer Sogn. Comprises Balestrand, Gulen, Hyllestad, Høyanger, Solund, and Vik municipalities.

Towns

• Høyanger
• Sogndal

Villages

Feigefossen1 - Feigum waterfall at Luster fjord

• Balestrand
• Fjærland -- gateway to Norway's largest glacier, lovely branch of the main fjord
• Flåm - popular cruise port and via Flåm railway access to national train network
• Leikanger
• Lærdal - major valley with connection to East Norway through mountain passes
• Myrdal - railroad junction in uplands
• Skjolden -- The innermost town of the fjord
• Solvorn -- Charming village on the shores of the Luster|Lustrafjord, good base.

More Destinations

• Jostedalsbreen - mainland Europe's largest glacier
• Gudvangen - small village at the intersection of iconic Nærøyfjorden and dramatic Nærøydalen valley.
• Luster - neighborhood in the innermost part of the fjord, lovely fjord and deep valleys surrounded by Jotunheimen and Jostedalsbreen
• Urnes Stave Church

Urnes Stave Church 1 - Urnes Stave Church in Luster municipality

Local Language in Sognefjorden

As in the rest of Norway, English is widely understood and spoken. Other European languages such as German and French may also be understood, although less common than English. Spoken language is generally Norwegian, signs are in Norwegian (and English in tourist hotspots). The local dialect, Sognamål (lit. Sogn language) is used to a great extent in Indre Sogn. It is one of the more distinct in Norway.

Travel to Sognefjorden

Hella Sognefjord Norway - Ferry transport is necessary and adds to experience

There are a number of ways to get to the Sognefjord and surrounding area.

By boat - Arguably the most enjoyable way is via a boat from nearby towns. The most convenient would be one of the high speed catamaran services operated several times each day from Bergen. Hurtigruten calls at Florø (near the mouth of Sognefjord) and Bergen.

By air - The nearest airports are located in Sogndal (IATA Code: SOG) and Førde (IATA Code: FDE), although the nearest international airport is located in Bergen (IATA Code: BGO). The eastern section of Sognefjord is about 260 kilometers from Oslo airport Gardermoen and the same distance as from Bergen airport.

By rail - Reaching the town of Flåm, sitting at the end of a fjord that branches off the Sognefjord, is feasible via an incredibly steep railway line. Flåmsbana and the Flåm railway line, connects to the Bergen line (Oslo-Bergen) at Myrdal. This is the only railway in the county. Alternative train stations are at Voss and Gol, connections to Sognefjord by bus or car.

By coach - Many of the towns situated along the fjord are also accessible by up to several daily coach services. Long distance coach services connect Sogndal with Lillehammer, Lom, Oslo and Bergen. The outer Sognefjord area is connected by long-distance coaches to Ålesund, Trondheim and Bergen.

By car

Because of modest population and infrequent public transport, a self drive may be the easiest and most flexible way to get a distant corner of Sognefjord. The primary street Oslo-Bergen (E16) runs through the area, as does the primary street Bergen-Trondheim (E39). Except for the E16, travel in this area usually involves ferries, those are not separate means of transport but an integral part of the road network.

How to get around in Sognefjorden

Lågøystolane i Solund - Coastal landscape in Solund neighborhood, mouth of Sognefjord

There are several local bus lines as well as long-distance coach lines. Timetables for public transport and vehicle ferries are administrated by Kringom. There are local high-speed passenger boat services and vehicle ferry services. Passenger services are known as boats (hurtigbåt), while vehicle services are known as ferries (ferje). Keep in mind that some routes may have a limited schedule.

Car rental firms are located in Sogndal (major ones including Avis, Hertz and Europcar), Flåm and Årdalstangen, as well as in Førde which is not located on the Sognefjord.

By passenger boat - The Flåm-Balestrand service is very scenic. Other services is the combined ship sailing between villages on the southern side of the fjord between Ortnevik and Vik, one can also cross the fjord from Ortnevik to Måren and Nordeide. High-speed catamarans (express passenger boats) can also be used within Sognefjord - to cross the main fjord (north-south) or to travel east-west.

By vehicle ferry - The Sognefjord is crossed at several points by vehicle ferries with frequent departures. During day time departures are usually so frequent that travellers should not worry about timetables. These ferries are not a separate means of transport, but a continuation of primary streets E39, road 13 and road 5. Fjord1 is the major operator. Car ferries take all kinds of vehicles as well as foot passengers, but docks are usually in a remote place at the most narrow crossing.

By tourist boat/ferry - There are several summer-only tourist routes, including Fjord1 operated Bergen to Flåm catamaran and the ferries from Flåm and Lærdal to Gudvangen, as well as other trips on the Fjærlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord.

By bus - The larger settlements are served by local buses to rural areas, and long-distance coaches and local buses connect the settlements. The schedules may be very limited, with routes often only operating a couple of times a day, and even a couple of times a week for some sparsely populated areas. Roads E39, E16 and 5 pass through the area, and express buses north-south and east-west run along these roads.

What to see in Sognefjorden

61.16|6.62|zoom=7

• Fjærland - 61.422, 6.758 Road 5 or boat from Balestrand - The Norwegian Glacier Museum & Ulltveit-Moe Climate Centre in Fjærland offers interactive exhibits and films about the glacier and more. Glaciers visible close to the road (arms of the main glacier.) In Fjærland you can also visit the Norwegian Book Town
• Jostedalsbreen glacier visitor centre - Jostedalen valley 61.6513, 7.2765 Road from Gaupne - Breheimsenteret is information center for glacier national park in the glacier. Enjoy the stunning views of the Nigardsbreen from the restaurant. This is also a centre for outdoor activities. This is located in the Jostedalen valley.
• Borgund Stave Church - Borgund Stavkirke | Borgund 61.0471, 7.8124 ☎ +47 57668109 +47 57668108 Opening Hours: 1 May-30 September: 10AM Monday - 5PM, 11 June - 21 Aug: 8AM Monday - 8PM Adults: kr 80, Students/Children: kr 60 - Borgund Stave Church Borgund Stavkirkje Intérieur (Stav) - Built around 1180. It is the best preserved stave church in Norway.
• Urnes Stave Church - Urnes Stavkyrkje | fmf-@ Urnes 61.29803, 7.32197 30 kilometers (19 mi) from Skjolden on route FV331, or with ferry from Solvorn. ☎ +47 57678840 +47 57678889 Opening Hours: 5 May-30 September: 10.30AM Monday - 5.45PM Adults: kr 80, Students/Children: kr 60 - Urnes Stave Church Stave church Urnes - Panorama HDR cropped - The oldest stave church in Norway, built around 1130 AD. Included on UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Hopperstad Stave Church - Hopperstad Stavkyrkje | Vik 61.0778, 6.5676 2 kilometers (1 mi) from Vik village. - Hopperstad Stave Church EgliseBoisDeboutNorvege3 - Built around 1140 or earlier, one of the most elaborate of Norway's ancient stave churches. The building is owned and maintained by National Trust of Norway (the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments).
• Hove Church - Hove kyrkje | Vik 61.071667, 6.583333 - Hove Church Hove kirke, 2016-1 This heavy romanesque building is one of 3 churches in Vik village, and like the stave church is no longer regluarly used. The building is maintained by National Trust of Norway (the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments). It is one of the oldest masonry churches in Norway and perhaps the oldest in Sognefjord area.
• Gulen assembly - Gulating | Eivindvik 60.98177, 5.07521 - Gulating was the viking perioid legislative assembly and high court (þing) for West Norway. The site had a central location along the shipping lane (the highway of the time). The assembly may have been established by Harald Hairfair around year 900 (perhaps older), and existed until 1300. The Gulating law was the corresponding legislation and at its widest extent covered West Norway as well as Agder counties, Valdres and Hallingdal. The Gulating law is Norway's oldest known legislation. Originally Gulating was a "common assembly" where all "free men" joined for the annual meeting, later only delegates from each neighborhood. Around year 1300 the assembly met in Bergen rather than Gulen. Today the name is retained in Gulating court of appeal in Bergen. Two ancient stone crosses mark the original site, and new monument marks a later site nearby. Similar assemblies and laws existed for Trøndelag and for Eastern Norway. When Norway's modern constitution was crafted in 1814 the name Storting (grand assembly) was adopted.

Best things to do in Sognefjorden

From the Stalheim - Iconic Nærøydalen seen from Stalheim hotel

• Flåm railway - Flåmsbana | 60.86293, 7.11437 ☎ +47 57632100 +47 57632350 Single ticket: Adults: kr 300, Children: kr 150, kr 210 for holder of European rail passes#Eurail|Eurail and European rail passes#InterRail|InterRail; Return ticket: Adults: kr 400, Children: kr 300 This railway climbs from sea level to 866 m (2841 ft) in 20 kilometers (12 mi), making it the third steepest normal railroad in the world. View of high mountains and waterfalls, joins the Bergen railway at Myrdal.
• Aurland mountain road - Snow road, Aurlandsfjellet - Aurland-Lærdal 61.012, 7.331 Opening Hours: Summer only Free This road climbs the steep hills to the mountain pass (1300 meters) between Aurland and Lærdal villages. Replaced by the world's longest tunnel in 2000. Maintained as one of Norway's national tourist routes. Magnificent panorama. Snow may fall even in summer.
• Lærdal tunnel - Lærdalstunnelen - Aurland-Lærdal 60.993, 7.428 E16 - Free World's longest road tunnel
• The Norwegian Wild Salmon Centre - Lærdal village 61.1005, 7.4818 Road 5/E16 - Explore everything about salmon and the traditions associated with salmon fisheries. There are interesting exhibits, exciting movies and a salmon observatory. Lærdal river is king Harald's favorite salmon river.
• Sognefjellet mountain pass - Sognefjellsvegen | Road 55 from Skjolden 61.517, 7.826 Opening Hours: Summer only Free Norway's highest mountain pass runs pass Norway's highest mountains in Jotunheimen with view to summits and glaciers. On the eastern side through Bøverdalen valley to Lom (Norway)|Lom village. The road is closed in winter, opens about May. Steep ascent and descent, sharp corners. Cross country skiing is feasible until June.
• Vikafjellet mountain pass - Road 13 Vik-Voss 61.050, 6.551 From Vik at Sognefjord or from Vinje junction in Voss neighborhood - Free Vikafjellet - Main road 13 runs through Vikafjellet mountain pass with wonderful panoramas to Vik village and Sognefjord. Occasionally closed in winter. Snow remains until mid summer along the road.
• Nærøydalen and Nærøyfjorden - Road E16 Voss-Gudvangen 60.846, 6.734 Car or bus Opening Hours: All year (boat daytime only) Main road E16 runs through the wild Nærøydalen valley with incredibly steep rock faces and some of the world's tallest waterfalls, at Gudvangen the valley joins the Nærøyfjorden UNESCO-listed fjord landscape. Sightseeing boat on fjord.

Through exhibitions, an outdoor museum and a traditional farm with live animals, Sogn Folk Museum / The Heiberg Collections at Kaupanger shows you how life is lived along the Sognefjord.

In the Sognefjord Aquarium in Balestrand you can visit the maritime activity center, where you can observe more than one hundred different species of fish from the Sognefjord.

Halal Restaurants in Sognefjorden

In Indre Sogn and the climate is suitable for growing fruits and berries, and alongside Hardanger, it is one of the major areas of fruit production in Norway. A local company named Lerum, located in Kaupanger near Sogndal, makes jam and other fruit and berry products. The entire county has a strong culinary tradition. The tap water is safe to drink, and may be of very good quality. Olden is a bottled water brand made by the Jostedalsbreen glacier. There is a brewery in Flåm, called Ægir. Depending on the season and they brew up to eight different types of organic juice and ale.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Sognefjorden

Sognefjorden - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Sognefjorden, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Sognefjorden. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Sognefjorden and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Sognefjorden. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Sognefjorden. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSognefjorden: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Sognefjorden.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Sognefjorden: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Sognefjorden, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Sognefjorden.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Sognefjorden, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Sognefjorden, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Sognefjorden and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Sognefjorden, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Sognefjorden, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Sognefjorden without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Sognefjorden is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Sognefjorden.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Sognefjorden is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Sognefjorden, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Sognefjorden Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Outer Sognefjord area

• Lavik Fjord Hotell - 6947 Lavik (Høyanger neighborhood) 61.105019, 5.508485 ☎ +47 57714040 - Lavik Fjord Hotell is a comfortable family hotel with a panoramic view of the Sognefjord. The hotel offers transportservice for hikers (Lavik is a fine place for hiking with many well marked trails) and it is also feasible to rent bicycles.

Stay Safe

The county is one of the safest in Norway. Keep a safe distance from glaciers. Never hike on glaciers without a guide and proper equipment. Be careful around waterfalls. The fjord itself is extremely deep and very cold most of the year.

Go Next

• Bergen
• Voss - one of the few "inland" towns and areas of Hordaland, hub between Hardanger and Sogn
• Valdres - a major valley and upland area just east and south of Sognefjord
• Hallingdal - a major valley and upland area just south of Sognefjord
• Hardanger
• Jotunheimen

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