Eidfjord is a municipality in the county of Hordaland, Norway. Eidfjord consists of two smaller townships, Eidfjord and Øvre Eidfjord. Eidfjord is the “city center" situated by Eidfjorden, and is a major cruise harbour. The village has about 900 inhabitants, but about 500.000 people passes through this small village every year. Eidfjord has a lot to offer tourists, but mainly those looking for either peace and quiet in beautiful scenery. And those who want to actively enjoy the impressive, contrasting nature that surrounds Eidfjord.
But you can easily spend a few days just sightseeing Eidfjord also. The impressive Sima Power Plant is built into the mountain itself. On top of the same mountain you can during the summer time visit Kjeåsen mountain farm, which is still inhabited year round and gives you the opportunity to see how Norwegian farmers lived and worked in the old days. Now you can drive to the top, but you can also walk the old track straight up the hills to the top. But be aware that this trip is a heavy one and you should not be afraid of heights! Either way you choose to visit Kjeåsen you will certainly enjoy the panoramic views of the below Hardanger Fjord and the surrounding mountains.
Vøringsfossen, the famous waterfall with a free fall of 182 meters is also an impressive sight. Most people drive up the new, modern road “Måbødalen" that consists of several tunnels and enjoy the view of the waterfall from “tourist spots" on the top. You can also walk or take the Måbødalen mountain train (runs in the summer months) via the old Måbødalen road to the top. This road shows old, Norwegian road engineering and curls up the hill on the edge of the cliffs. But don’t worry, it is completey safe. At the bottom of this road you can walk straight in the valley along the river that floats down from the waterfall. This track will take you straight beneath the 182 meter high waterfall. An quite impressive sight and an exciting and fun experience.
When you stand at the top of the Vøringsfossen you have the Europe 's largest mountain plateau; Hardangervidda straight ahead of you. This enormous plateau offers beautiful scenery, endless walking tracks and impressive wildlife. You can enjoy fishing in the mountain lakes or go deer hunting (you will need permits). Several glaciers lay within the national park. Here you can walk for weeks without ever stepping in your own foot steps twice. Bring along your own tent or walk from tourist cabin to tourist cabin and enjoy the special social atmosphere in the Norwegian mountains. During winter time you can enjoy alpine skiing in the Maurseth alpine resort. But cross-country skiing is the main thing and you have endless choice of routes to choose from. But be aware of the quick weather changes and respect the mountain!
In the village you can simply take a stroll along the waterfront and enjoy lazy days by the fjord. Or take a look on the stone church and the Viking grave yards in Eidfjord. In Øvre Eidfjord you can visit the Hardangervidda Wild life centre, where you also can enjoy excellent wild life food in the restaurant. You can also get excellent food at the biggest hotel in Eidfjord, The Vøringfoss Quality Hotel, that also feature a large art gallery with an extensive collection of paintings of local artists and a hotel bar where you can enjoy a late drink in a mix of other tourists and locals.
For the more activity seeking visitor you can hire a small boat or take a kayak trip on the fjord. The tourist information offers bikes for rental and can give you information about different bike routes. Eidfjord is also a newly discovered eldorado for iceclimbing. In Garen, just at the start of the Hardangervidda Plateau , about 20 minutes from Eidfjord by car, you can enjoy golf on a 9 holes course situated on the Plateau.
But you can easily spend a few days just sightseeing Eidfjord also. The impressive Sima Power Plant is built into the mountain itself. On top of the same mountain you can during the summer time visit Kjeåsen mountain farm, which is still inhabited year round and gives you the opportunity to see how Norwegian farmers lived and worked in the old days. Now you can drive to the top, but you can also walk the old track straight up the hills to the top. But be aware that this trip is a heavy one and you should not be afraid of heights! Either way you choose to visit Kjeåsen you will certainly enjoy the panoramic views of the below Hardanger Fjord and the surrounding mountains.
Vøringsfossen, the famous waterfall with a free fall of 182 meters is also an impressive sight. Most people drive up the new, modern road “Måbødalen" that consists of several tunnels and enjoy the view of the waterfall from “tourist spots" on the top. You can also walk or take the Måbødalen mountain train (runs in the summer months) via the old Måbødalen road to the top. This road shows old, Norwegian road engineering and curls up the hill on the edge of the cliffs. But don’t worry, it is completey safe. At the bottom of this road you can walk straight in the valley along the river that floats down from the waterfall. This track will take you straight beneath the 182 meter high waterfall. An quite impressive sight and an exciting and fun experience.
When you stand at the top of the Vøringsfossen you have the Europe 's largest mountain plateau; Hardangervidda straight ahead of you. This enormous plateau offers beautiful scenery, endless walking tracks and impressive wildlife. You can enjoy fishing in the mountain lakes or go deer hunting (you will need permits). Several glaciers lay within the national park. Here you can walk for weeks without ever stepping in your own foot steps twice. Bring along your own tent or walk from tourist cabin to tourist cabin and enjoy the special social atmosphere in the Norwegian mountains. During winter time you can enjoy alpine skiing in the Maurseth alpine resort. But cross-country skiing is the main thing and you have endless choice of routes to choose from. But be aware of the quick weather changes and respect the mountain!
In the village you can simply take a stroll along the waterfront and enjoy lazy days by the fjord. Or take a look on the stone church and the Viking grave yards in Eidfjord. In Øvre Eidfjord you can visit the Hardangervidda Wild life centre, where you also can enjoy excellent wild life food in the restaurant. You can also get excellent food at the biggest hotel in Eidfjord, The Vøringfoss Quality Hotel, that also feature a large art gallery with an extensive collection of paintings of local artists and a hotel bar where you can enjoy a late drink in a mix of other tourists and locals.
For the more activity seeking visitor you can hire a small boat or take a kayak trip on the fjord. The tourist information offers bikes for rental and can give you information about different bike routes. Eidfjord is also a newly discovered eldorado for iceclimbing. In Garen, just at the start of the Hardangervidda Plateau , about 20 minutes from Eidfjord by car, you can enjoy golf on a 9 holes course situated on the Plateau.