Hjørundfjord
A long, narrow fjord where the Sunnmøre Alps rise straight from the sea; climb Slogen for views over the fjord and stay at the century-old Union Hotel. It is quieter and more untouched than Geirangerfjord.
Hjørundfjord lies in Møre og Romsdal County in western Norway, about an hour's drive south of Ålesund. The fjord is about 35 km long, flanked by the Sunnmøre Alps, which rise to around 1,500 m and plunge straight into the sea, dotted with sharp peaks, cirques and waterfalls. Compared with Geirangerfjord, it is more pristine and far less crowded. On the western shore, at the fjord's northern mouth, lies the village of Sæbø, where the ferry terminal is. On the eastern shore are small settlements such as Urke and Tranda. At the southern end, Norangsfjorden branches off, ending at the village of Øye, home of the century-old Union Hotel. Farther east are Norangsdalen valley and Linstøyl Lake, and you can drive all the way to Hellesylt to connect toward Geiranger.
The main activities are driving along both shores of the fjord and through Norangsdalen, taking a ferry or tour boat on the fjord, climbing Saksa peak or the more challenging Slogen for views over the fjord, and staying at the Union Hotel. June–August has the longest daylight and the fullest schedule of mountain roads and ferries. May and September bring fewer visitors, but some facilities are closed. Winter and spring are popular for skiing and ski mountaineering.
Getting there: it's about a 1–1.5 hour drive from Ålesund, and you'll need to take the Sæbø–Leknes ferry. In summer, Ålesund offers fjord-cruise day trips. Plan to stay 1–2 nights. Mountain roads are narrow, and some sections close in winter. Check the weather before climbing, and don't take risks in rain or fog.
Top sights
- Hjørundfjord – A narrow fjord surrounded by sharp peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps. Visitors are few, and the scenery is dramatic. It is the best fjord day trip…
- Slogen – A pyramid-shaped peak rising 1,564 m straight from the fjord, widely considered one of Norway's finest hiking routes
- Norangsdalen – A glacial U-shaped valley ringed by sharp peaks, where a landslide-flooded lake hides old farmhouses beneath the surface. A classic fjord d…
- Øye & Hotel Union Øye – A small village at the end of the fjord, where the wooden Hotel Union, built in 1891, hosted European royalty and writers, a symbol of 19th…
- Lyngstøylvatnet – An emerald lake formed when a landslide dammed the river in 1908. Old roads and farmhouse stone walls remain visible in its clear depths
- Saksa – A viewpoint peak of about 1,000 m behind Urke village, where a half-day round trip gives views over Hjørundfjord, Norangsfjord and Slogen
- Urke – A small ferry village on the east shore of Hjørundfjord, facing Slogen, and a stop for the Saksa hike and fjord road trips
- Sæbø – The main village and ferry port on the west shore of Hjørundfjord, with a white wooden church by the water. The gateway for fjord road trips
- Trandal – A fjord settlement reachable only by boat, where a century-old farm has become a café and guesthouse. A place to experience quiet fjord liv…
Where to eat
- Hotel Union Øye Restaurant – A century-old fjord hotel opened in 1891 and awarded a Michelin key in 2025, serving seasonal tasting menus built on fj…
- Christian Gaard Bygdetun – A family-run farm restaurant beside the fjord in Trandal village, famous for venison burgers, cured cod and brown chees…
Itineraries
- Western Fjords Grand Loop: 13-Day Self-Drive Itinerary – A self-drive loop from Bergen covering the Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord, Atlantic Ocean Road, and Hjørundfjord.