Hardangerfjord stretches 179km inland from the coast south of Bergen, flanked by orchards, waterfalls, and the Hardangervidda plateau — the largest mountain plateau in northern Europe. It's less dramatic in a narrow-walls sense than Nærøyfjord, but the combination of cultivated farmland, extraordinary waterfalls, and wild highland terrain gives it a character that's uniquely its own.
Getting there from Bergen
A car gives you the most flexibility — Bergen to Eidfjord (the inner heart of Hardanger) takes about 2.5 hours. The E16 east through Voss, then south via Granvin, is the most direct route. Without a car, the Hardanger express bus runs from Bergen bus terminal to several towns along the fjord; journey times vary from 2–3 hours depending on destination. A rental car from Bergen for a day costs from around 700–900 NOK and opens up significantly more of the region.
The apple orchards and May blossom
The Hardanger orchards are internationally famous for a reason. In late April and early May, the fjordside villages of Lofthus, Ullensvang, and Kinsarvik explode in pink and white apple blossom — the contrast with the snow still sitting on the peaks above is extraordinary. The Cider Route connects several farm producers between Bergen and Odda; in autumn, hard cider tasting at farms like Hardanger Siderverkstad is a legitimate reason to visit. The fruit season peaks in August–September.
Vøringsfossen waterfall
Vøringsfossen drops 182 metres into the Måbødalen valley and is one of Norway's most visited natural landmarks. The viewpoint at the top of the falls is easily accessible by road (well-signposted from Eidfjord) and free to visit. The walk from the car park to the main viewpoint takes about 10 minutes. A longer hiking trail descends into the gorge for a different perspective, adding 45 minutes to an hour. The falls are most powerful in late spring (snowmelt) but impressive year-round.
Trolltunga
Trolltunga — the "Troll's Tongue" rock ledge jutting horizontally over Lake Ringedalsvatnet — is one of Norway's most photographed viewpoints and a serious hike. The standard route from Tyssedal is 27km return with 1,000m elevation gain; expect 8–12 hours. This is not a casual trip: hundreds of people have required rescue here, and the Norwegian authorities strongly advise hiring a guide in uncertain weather. The hike is open June to September when snow conditions allow. The photo is real; the queue for the photo in July is also very real.