OVERVIEW

Cruise through an absolutely gorgeous fjord to one of Norway’s most photographed waterfalls, which you will see from two different perspectives. Although it will take about two hours to reach Akrafjorden – including a drive through the sea tunnel deep beneath Hardangerfjord – the journey will be well worth the effort as the scenery will be spectacular. The cruise will begin in Fjæra, a tiny village at the innermost end of mirror-like Akrafjorden. You will pass sheer mountain cliffs, lush hillsides and roaring waterfalls, none more dramatic than Langfoss. Unlike cascades that spill straight down into the sea, Langfoss rushes along the rocky terrain never leaving the ground. It is an extraordinary sight as it is one of the longest waterfalls in Norway. If you look closely, you may see hikers along the challenging path that leads to the top of Langfoss. You will enjoy another view of the cascade after dining at the Eljarvik Restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise majestic Akrafjorden, a fjord that follows a winding course through the countryside.
• Behold thundering Langfoss waterfall as it rushes along the rocky terrain into the fjord.
• Enjoy a buffet lunch at a restaurant that looks out on Langfoss.
• Drive through the sea tunnel beneath Hardangerfjord, which features a roundabout.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Take a leisurely and enlightening walk through the heart of Leirvik, a compact maritime town toward the southern end of Stord Island. Along the way, the guide will describe the points of interest and how Leirvik has evolved from its Viking roots and economy that focused solely on herring fishing. On one of the low hills behind town, you will find Sunnhordland, an open-air museum with a collection of meticulously restored buildings from different time periods. You might browse a smokehouse from the 1500s, a timber home from the 1700s, a historical church and numerous commercial buildings, including a mill store and a blacksmith shop. Each one will present a window into the past. For an interactive experience, you can try band weaving and wool carding in the textile exhibition. Back in town, you will pause outside of Stord Kyrkje, a white-washed 19th-century parish church overlooking the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through downtown Lervik at a leisurely pace with an entertaining local guide.
• Hear commentary about the Vikings that settled Stord Island in the 9th century.
• Browse an open-air museum with historical buildings from different centuries.
• Pause to snap photos of a seaside church from the 19th century.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for an immensely scenic drive to Brandasund, a tiny fishing hamlet on the island of Gisøya. To reach this remote spot on the edge of western Norway, you will travel along a circuitous coastal route and over a series of modern bridges that connect the islands of the archipelago. The area’s natural beauty will be on display the entire way as the islands are sparsely populated and relatively undeveloped. You can expect to pass rugged mountain peaks, deep steep-walled fjords and picturesque fishing villages tucked along the North Sea. Brandasund is a fine example. Founded as an old trading post, it hasn’t grown much since it was first established. You might wander along the quay and modest marina, browse a few of the waterfront stores or simply soak up the fresh sea air while admiring the picture-postcard setting. Here, the star attraction is nature.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an incredibly scenic drive through the surrounding archipelago.
• Pass through pristine, largely undeveloped islands where nature rules supreme.
• Spend free time exploring the picturesque fishing hamlet of Brandasund..

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Admire the beauty of western Sunnhordland, a district of deep fjords, majestic mountains and awe-inspiring landscapes. While crossing bridges such as Klubbasundet that connect one island to the next, the views of the glacially formed skerries that dot the sea will be inspiring. One of the islands that you will visit is Moster, where in the 11th century King Olav II – who later became Saint Olav – adopted a law code based on Christian values in accordance with Biblical laws and standards. Known as the Kristenretten, it dictated that conflicts should be resolved by law rather than violence. It also strengthened the rights of women, children and the poor. For yet another view of the surrounding natural beauty, you will walk along narrow Kulleseid Canal, a one-mile-long waterway built on Bømlo Island in 1856. Its original purpose was to provide a shortcut between herring fishing grounds.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through Sunnhordland, a western district known for its stunning natural beauty..
• Gaze out over Moster Island from a lookout that captures its scenic beauty.
• Learn about Norway’s Christian heritage and how it evolved over the centuries..
• Walk along the narrow 19th-century Kullseid Canal as the guide describes its construction..

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Follow a well-marked trail that winds along the slopes of Stord Mountain and passes through a biodiverse landscape of forests and open moorland. Your ascent will begin in Heio and continue to Kattnakken, where your reward will be an absolutely gorgeous view of the North Sea and the surrounding peaks. If the day is clear, you may even spot distant Folgefonna, one of the largest glaciers in Norway. Although nature has shaped much of the terrain, the Sherpa Steps were added to make the steepest part of the trail easier to negotiate. Named for the legendary Nepalese mountain climbers and guides, these stone steps and the occasional benches on them provide plenty of areas to pause, rest and take in the spectacular views. The top of Kattnakken stands at nearly 2,400 feet above sea level, offering sweeping views of the islands below, which include Huglo, Tysnesøy and Halsnøya.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ascend Stord Mountain by following a challenging but highly rewarding trail.
• Be rewarded with sweeping, unobstructed views of the islands and sea below.
• Climb the Sherpa Steps in the steeper areas and rest on them along the way..
• Hear enlightening commentary that describes the attractions below.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Take an exhilarating ride in a Rigid Inflatable Boat known as a RIB through the scenic Sunnhordland archipelago and on to Røyksundkanalen, a natural canal that divides Bømlo Island. After suiting up in a thermal floatation suit, you will take off in the RIB on a high-speed adventure that hugs the rugged coastline. The vessel is designed to zip through the water yet provide a remarkably smooth ride. Although you will see industrial sites such as the Aker Stord oil company, the emphasis will be on natural beauty. You will pass a number of smaller islands on the way to Bømlo, a large outer island that shelters the inner waterway from the open sea. The waters are even more tranquil within Røyksundkanalen, parts of which were widened and deepened in the 19th century to accommodate larger boats. The RIB can access areas that other vessels can’t, which opens up all sorts of photo opportunities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Race across the Sunnhordland archipelago in a Rigid Inflatable Boat known as a RIB.
• See coastal towns and the archipelago’s natural beauty from a unique water perspective.
• Cruise through the tranquil waters of the natural canal that runs through Bømlo Island.
• Be impressed by the RIB’s stability even at high speeds.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Zip through the inner waters of the Sunnhordland archipelago to Akrafjorden, a deep-walled fjord that features one of the most dramatic waterfalls in Norway. You will cruise there in a Rigid Inflatable Boat known as a RIB, which is remarkably stable even at high speeds. The boat is open-air so you will enjoy uninterrupted views in every direction. Although you will pass a number of naturally beautiful islands on the way to the fjord, the scenery within Akrafjorden will be even more stunning. Towering mountains frame the fjord, which drains the huge Folgefonna glacier. Those crystal-clear glacial waters reflect the mirror images of the mountains and the surrounding natural beauty. Even so, the star attraction is Langfoss waterfall as it is one of the longest cascades in Norway. It is also notable for tumbling down the rocky slopes rather than plummeting vertically into the sea. It couldn’t be more photogenic.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise majestic Akrafjorden, a fjord that follows a winding course through the countryside.
• Behold thundering Langfoss waterfall as it rushes along the rocky terrain into the fjord.
• Race to and from the fjord in a Rigid Inflatable Boat known as a RIB.
• Be impressed by the RIB’s stability even at high speeds.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.