The world renowned vantage points around Geiranger must be experienced. From higher up you have a fantastic view over the World Heritage Area, with deep fjords and high mountains. It is difficult not to be bewitched by the sight!
Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic Life/DGT
Dalsnibba above Geiranger is 4,600 ft above sea level and offers
breathtaking views across the World Heritage Area. It lies 22 km up from
Geiranger, along proverbial Geirangervegen. On the way up the road
takes you past “Knuten” (the Knot), also well known as it was Norway’s
first ascending loop road. The last 5 km are a private toll road, with a
toll booth at the turn-off at Djupvasshytta.
On the way from
Dalsnibba to Geiranger you pass Flydalsjuvet (see the large picture). It
is perhaps the best known of all the vantage points around Geiranger,
with the familiar motif of a person standing out on the cliff edge with
the fjord far below. The vantage point itself has been improved as part
of the National Tourist Routes project, with safety fencing, parking
space and a public toilet.
On the way out of Geiranger in the
direction of Eidsdal, up the well-known Ørnevegen (Eagle Road) the final
corner is Ørnesvingen (the Eagle Bend). From the prepared vantage point
you can see right out to the Seven Sisters waterfall and the mountain
farm, Knivsflå. At the inner end of the fjord is Geiranger, crowned by
Dalsnibba thousands of feet above.
Another fine vantage point is
at Kilsti/Hesthaug, a detour from National Road RV63 between Geiranger
and Eidsdal. From here you get a good view over Eidsdal, Valldal and
Norddalsfjorden.
Gudbrandsjuvet is halfway between Valldal and
Trollstigen. This too is a vantage point prepared by National Tourist
Routes, in the form of a platform that stretches out over the turbulent
river, which races through the gorge below.
The Trollstig
plateau is at the top of Trollstigen. The new vantage point there is
breezy and vertiginous - but the view back down this famous road makes
it worth it!
Ljøen is located between Hellesylt and Stranda and
the vantage point gives a fabulous view where Geirangerfjorden stretches
inland as an arm of Sunnylvsfjorden. From Ljøen you can also walk the
“Trondheim Post-Road”, a fine walking tour along the ancient mail route.
Storhjellen
in Liabygda is a popular photo point, where Storfjorden splits into
Tafjorden and Sunnylvsfjorden.