Geiranger (pop. 270), at the eastern end of Geirangerfjord, is a tourist mecca at the final point of the Trollstigen road. In summer, thousands overrun the town to take in the stunning views of the fjord. The surrounding, well-marked trails offer stunning views and some escape from the crowds.
Transportation And Practical Information. Pick up buses by the ferry station across from the troll statue. Buses run to Ålesund (3hr., 2-4 per day, 186kr). Ferries depart for Hellesylt (1hr., May and Oct. 4, June-Sept. 8 per day, 110kr). For info on hiking and rental bikes (75kr per hr., 300kr per day), visit the tourist office, up the path from the ferry landing. Internet 1kr/min. (☎70 26 30 99; www.visitgeirangerfjorden.com or www.dgt.no. Open daily from mid-June to Aug. 9am-7pm; from mid-May to mid-June and Sept. 11am-4pm.)
Accommodations And Food. Geiranger Camping, 100m from the town center, is set at the mouth of the fjord. (☎70 26 31 20. Showers 10kr per 5min. Laundry 30kr wash, 30kr dry. Reception 8am-10pm. Open from mid-May to early Sept. 20kr per person, 70kr per tent site. 115kr with car. Electricity 35kr. MC/V.) The tentless should head on past Geiranger Camping on the road that loops around, following the fjord to the left. 1½ miles down the road: there are campsites renting cabins for as little as 200kr per person. Villa Utsikten Hotel and Restaurant , 3½km from the town center, has affordable rooms. (☎70 26 96 60; www.villautsikten.no. Open from May to mid-Aug. Rooms from 300kr.)
Sights. Nearby natural attractions include Flydalsjuvet Cliff (round-trip 2hr. on roads), Storseter Waterfall (2hr.), and views of the Seven Sisters waterfalls from Skageflå Farm (5hr.) or take a sightseeing boat to Skagehola and hike up a short ways. At Langvaten, hikers can climb into cloud cover that shrouds the top of Dalsnibba Mountain Plateau (1476m). To get there, take a bus from opposite the ferry docks (1hr., 3 per day, 180kr round trip). The Geiranger Fjordsenter, a 15min. walk from the tourist office on Rte. 63, explores the history of the region. Concerts and traditional Norwegian music and folklore performances are held throughout summer. (☎70 26 38 10; www.fjordsenter.info Open daily July 9am-10pm; June and Aug. 9am-6pm; May and Sept. 9am-4pm; 85kr.)
Hellesylt. West of Geiranger at the intersection of Geirangerfjord and Sunnylvsfjord, Hellesylt (pop. 600), a base for seven well-marked hikes, is quieter than Geiranger. Skaret (2-3hr.) has a mountainside outlook with views of the town and fjord. From there, you can continue to Steimnebba, a nearby peak (4-6hr.). The Stadheimfossen Campground , is a funky, 60s-style lodge above Hellesyltfossen waterfall. They’ll pick you up at the harbor if you phone ahead. (☎70 26 51 28. Breakfast included. Linens and towels 45kr. Free Internet and Wi-Fi. Open from June to early Sept. Dorms 210kr; room for one or two 550kr. 15% HI discount.) When hunger strikes after mountain excursions, head to one of two grocery stores in town, Spar or Coop. Buses go to Ålesund (2hr.; 4 per day; 255kr, students 197kr) and Styrn (1hr.; 2 per day, last at 1:40pm; 98kr, students 74kr). Ferries depart for Geiranger (1hr.; May and Oct. 4, June-Sept. 8 per day; 110kr). The tourist office is by the docks. (☎94 81 13 32. Open early June M-F 10am-5pm, Sa-Su 11am-5pm; from mid-June to Aug. 9am-5pm daily.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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