Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Western Fjords
Includes »
Why Go?
In 2009, readers of
National Geographic Traveler
magazine elected the fjords of western
Norway as the best-preserved attraction on Unesco's World Heritage list.
Scouredandgougedbyglaciers,ancientandmodern,thesedeep,sea-drownedvalleysare
pincered by steep, rugged terrain. They offer myriad things to see and do: in the water, up
the mountains or just plain on the level.
Ferriesarefun.Thesereliable workhorseslopoffhugedetoursaroundafjord,butthey're
also an enjoyable part of the journey in their own right, offering staggering and otherwise
inaccessible panoramas of the coastline around you.
Thewesternfjordsaregreathikingcountrytoo,whetherfollowingoneofthemanysigned
trails or lumbering along in a guided glacier-walking group. And if, after so much fresh air
andwide-openspace,youcravesomesmall-townsophistication,dropintothebijouartnou-
veau settlement of Ålesund.
