Discover Norway’s Coast and Fjords

Board your ship at the port and set sail in the early evening. Check in for your cruise begins one hour prior to embarkation and embarkation at the cruise terminal usually begins three hours before departure and closes one hour prior to sailing. At the port you will be greeted by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ staff, including porters who will arrange for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin. There will be a letter from your leader in your cabin informing you of the place and time for you to meet the rest of the group that evening.

Time at sea to relax and make the most of your ships on board entertainment. Perhaps enjoy a beverage at the bar or find a quiet spot on the sun deck to relax and read a book.

Walks

Distance: 2.5 miles

Time: 3 hours

Ascent: 190

Descent: 190

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway but is described more as a town with character and a friendly atmosphere. It is known as the heart and the gateway of the fjords, and is one of the most visited places in Norway. It has a perfect blend of history, tradition and modern life. Scandic colourful houses dot the hillside above its cobbled narrow alleyways. Bergen is surrounded by seven magnificent hills, complimented with the special picture perfect combination of mountains and water. Add to this the old timbered merchants’ houses, hundreds of years of history dating back to the Hanseatic League and beyond, and you have a wonderful place to spend the day.  Explore Bergen and be whisked up by the Fløyen funicular, taking us to 320m above the city. From here walk along well made paths through the woods, past tranquil lakes, and up to viewpoints with panoramic mountainous scenery. Returning to the city, there will be time to wander around. Maybe spend the afternoon exploring Bergen's legendary fish market, perhaps try its local speciality steamed cod, known as Persetorsk. The streets are filled with shops, galleries and cafes. There is plenty to see and do here!

If there is time, you'll enjoy a relaxing circular walk through woodland around a tranquil lake. miles

Walks

Distance: 3.5 miles

Time: 1.5 hours

Ascent: 130

Descent: 130

Discover the remote village of Eidfjord, located in the impressive Hardangerfjord. Eidjord is a quiet village surrounded by incredible scenery, with steep mountains and deep blue fjords, verdant valleys and glacial rivers, thundering waterfalls, and distant glaciers…Eidfjord is a nature lovers paradise.

Follow a picturesque trail from Eidfjord to a scenic turquoise lake, passing a unique Viking cemetery on the way. Be surrounded by panoramic views full of mesmerising natural wonders.

Later cruise along the incredible Hardangerfjord and Maurangerfjord. The impressive Hardangerfjord, at 197km in length it is the second longest fjords in Norway with a maximum depth of more than 800m!

The Maurangerfjord is a smaller fjord located off of the Hardangerfjord. Its home to the mesmerising Furebergfossen waterfall where water free falls for 20m before crashing into the side of the mountain and flowing under the road directly into the Maurangerfjord.

Steep mountains, deep blue fjords, verdant valleys, glacial rivers, thundering waterfalls, and distant glaciers…today is a nature lovers paradise! miles

Walks

Distance: 9 miles

Time: 4-5 hours

Ascent: 120

Descent: 120

Skjolden is a petit scenic village with a spectacular location! It is situated at the end of Lustrafjorden, a small branch off of the Sognefjorden, Norway's longest and deepest fjord! The village is nestled between the highest mountain pass in Northern Europe, Sognefjellet (1434m) and close to the largest glacier on mainland Europe, the Jostedal Glacier. If that's not enough, the village is an ideal place to explore the Jotunheimen, Breheimen and Jostedalsbreen National Parks, granting Skjolden as the gateway to the national parks. Although a very small village, there are a handful of cafes, shops and a tourist information centre which is well worth a visit. You’ll find Urnes Stave Church, the world’s oldest stave church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are a number of walks along the Lustrafjord and here is an example of one of the many you may enjoy during your time on shore.

Your walk starts from the cruise ship, following a path alongside the shoreline to the village. Capture the beautiful and wild landscapes surrounding Skjolden. Walk between its towering mountains, alongside the picturesque Eidsvatnet lake towards the cascading Asafossen waterfall. Continue along the meandering Fortundaselva river and through alpine scenery, before heading back to Skjolden for some free time. miles

Walks

Distance: 7 miles

Time: 3.5-4 hours

Ascent: 725

Descent: 725

Vikoyri is a coastal village on the mighty Sognefjord in the Vestland country of Norway. This quaint and secluded little village is located at the mouth of the river Vikja and is surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and green rolling hills. This is a quiet village with a small number of facilities. However, its home to two impressive churches, the Hopperstad Stave Church, built in 1130 and is the oldest stave church in Norway, and Hove Church, built in 1170 and one of the oldest stone churches in Norway. You will notice the Tine Meieriet which is a cheese factory making Gammelost cheese, the only factory in the world still producing this speciality Viking cheese!

Follow a route through the village up into the hills. Pass the historic churches, and meander alongside the river and through Vikoyri’s quiet neighbourhood. Continue to ascent along a path for beautiful panoramic views of the village and the dramatic Sognefjord. miles

Time at sea to relax and make the most of your ships on board entertainment. Perhaps enjoy a swim in the pool or treat yourself to a relaxing sauna or beauty treatment!

We arrive back at your embarkation port around 07.00 for disembarkation after breakfast.