Queen of the Fjords: A private journey to Hardanger
Tour from Bergen
🕐 6 hours
Discover the incredible natural beauty of the Hardangerfjord, often called the «Queen of the Fjords.» This 6-hour private excursion takes you through a landscape of dramatic waterfalls, lush fruit orchards, and serene fjord views. Traveling in a premium Mercedes minivan or Tesla, you will experience the heart of Norwegian culture and history, guided by a local expert who shares the stories behind the scenery.
Tour highlights
- Walk behind waterfalls: Experience the roar of Steinsdalsfossen and Fossen Bratte.
- Ancient history: See authentic rock carvings from the Stone and Bronze Ages at Vangdal.
- The fruit garden of Norway: Visit local farms and enjoy fresh berries and fruits (in season).
- Fjord crossing by ferry: Relax on a 15-minute ferry ride across the Fusafjord, included in your tour.
- Premium comfort: Door-to-door transport in a luxury vehicle from your hotel in Bergen.
What is included:
- All taxes
- Local driver/guide
- Hotel/port pickup
- Live commentary on board
- Transport by premium air-conditioned minivan
- Bottled water
- Ferry tickets
Departure and return
Departure Point. Traveler pickup is offered. The suggested start time for this tour is
09:30 am. We pick up from any hotel in Bergen city area, all the cruise ship terminals
and any private address within city limits. Extras for picking up from Solstrand hotel,
airport Flesland and airport hotels. If you are not departing from a hotel, please provide
the address. It is also possible.
Additional info
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Foldable wheelchair is possible
Infant seats available
Children must be accompanied by an adult
May be operated by a multi-lingual guide: English, Norwegian, Russian
A maximum of 7 people per booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
What To Expect
Waterfalls and scenic roads
Our journey follows the historic Hardanger Road (Route 7), a national treasure in itself. We make dedicated photo stops at two of Norway’s most famous waterfalls. At Fossen Bratte, you can walk to the foot of the 79-meter drop, while at Steinsdalsfossen, a safe path allows you to actually walk behind the falling water without getting wet – a truly unique perspective.
Ancient carvings
As we reach the Hardangerfjord—the second longest fjord in Norway—we stop at the Vangdal viewpoint. Here, you have the rare opportunity to see prehistoric petroglyphs (rock art) carved into the stone thousands of years ago. The tour continues through quaint villages like Mundheimsdalen, where the landscape is dotted with traditional fruit farms.
Crossing the fjord
To complete your western Norwegian experience, we drive onto a car ferry for a 15-minute crossing of the Fusafjord. This is the perfect time to step out of the car, breathe in the salty sea air, and enjoy a 360-degree view of the mountains reflecting in the water before we head back to Bergen.
Contact us for this trip
Ready to start your Norwegian adventure?
Have questions or need a custom itinerary? We are here to help you plan the perfect journey.
Email: info@jandis.no
Phone / WhatsApp:
+47 465 23 313 (Vlad – WhatsApp only)
+47 915 32 64 (Vlad – Phone & WhatsApp)
+47 482 90 047 (Jana – Phone & WhatsApp)
Detailed itinerary and stops
Detailed itinerary and technical stops
Bergen – gateway to the fjords Our tour starts in the city of Bergen – the gateway to the fjords. Founded in 1070, the city contains many historical and cultural landmarks. We will pass some of them on our way from the city and also on our return.
Osterfjorden and the Southern fjord We head towards the Osterøy area. Sørfjorden (the Southern fjord) is part of the Osterfjord system, a peculiar natural phenomenon where a saltwater inlet completely surrounds Osterøy, the largest inland island in Northern Europe. We drive along the shoreline until we reach the crossroads at Trengereid.
Hardangervegen (Route 7) We continue along the historic Hardanger Road (Norwegian Route 7). This road is a tourist attraction in itself, offering views of dramatic mountains, quiet lakes, and rushing streams. On our way to the Hardangerfjord, we make two dedicated photo stops at beautiful waterfalls.
Fossen Bratte waterfall Our first major stop is at Fossen Bratte, a stunning 79-meter (259 ft) tall waterfall. The view from the road is great, but we highly recommend a short walk to the bottom of the falls to feel the roaring freshness and the gentle mist on your face.
Steinsdalsfossen waterfall Next, we visit the famous Steinsdalsfossen (50 meters tall). This is one of Norway’s most visited sights because of the safe path that allows you to walk behind the falling water without getting wet. A walk to the viewpoint behind the falls is an experience you won’t forget.
The Hardangerfjord and Vangdal viewpoint We arrive at the Hardangerfjord, the second longest fjord in Norway. At the Vangdal viewpoint, we stop to enjoy the panorama and visit ancient rock art (petroglyphs). You can take an optional walk down moderately steep trails to see these authentic carvings from the Stone and Bronze Ages.
The fruit garden of Norway As we travel along the fjord, you will see why this area is famous for its fruit production. Lush orchards and small villages line the coast. During the summer season, we can stop at local fruit stands to buy fresh berries, cherries, or apples directly from the farmers.
Omaholmen and Mundheim We make a stop at the small hill called Omaholmen, which offers one of the best views of the Hardangerfjord. From here, we continue through the scenic landscape towards the village of Mundheim before heading to our ferry crossing.
Crossing the Fusafjord by ferry We cross the Fusafjord on a car ferry (approx. 15 minutes). This is a great chance to leave the car, walk on deck, and enjoy the 360-degree views of the fjord and surrounding mountains from the water.
Return via Osøyro After disembarking the ferry, we pass through the town of Osøyro before the final stretch back to Bergen, where our 6-hour journey concludes.
Practical information
When is the best time to see the fruit blossoms?
The famous fruit blossoming in Hardanger usually occurs in May and early June. During July and August, you can enjoy fresh cherries, plums, and apples from local roadside stands.
Is the walk to the rock carvings difficult?
The trail at Vangdal is moderately steep but optional. If you prefer to stay at the viewpoint, you can still enjoy the spectacular panorama of the fjord.
Are ferry tickets included?
Yes, all ferry tickets for the vehicle and passengers are included in the tour price.
