West Norwegian Fjords

About West Norwegian Fjords

These two spectacular fjord areas are situated 120 kilometres apart and represent classic fjord landscapes in the geological sense. They show the development of the landscape from the last Ice Age to the present day. Both areas are examples of young, active glacier landscapes.

There are indications that they have been used by humans since the ice retreated some 10,000 years ago. Small farmsteads can be found along the fjords while mountain farms sit on the mountain shelves above. Most of these have now been abandoned.

The farms are located in areas protected from avalanches and rockslides. The settlements show that the people who lived here were modest farmers who adapted to life in perilous yet rich surroundings. Many of the mountain valleys also have summer pastures.

The area has seen little human impact. Outside of more populated areas, there are very few technological interventions such as powerlines connecting glaciers, bare mountains and fjords. This makes Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord the largest untouched fjord landscapes in Norway.

World Heritage

The West Norwegian Fjords were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005.

View photos of the West Norwegian Fjords