When we think of “fjords” we automatically catch the word “Norway”. Although most of them are located in this northern European country, there are many fjords, wonderful and impressive, spread throughout the planet.
In this article we tell you which the 6 most impressive fjords are so that you have a great dilemma when choosing which to meet first. They are all fascinating!
Now, let’s move on to the practical part … a tour of the most beautiful fjords in the world!
What are the most wonderful fjords?
The Sognefjorden is located to the west of the country and extends for 204 kilometers until it flows into the town of Skjolden. Its maximum depth is 1,308 meters and its innermost arm is called Lustra fjord. From here you can reach the Jotunheimen National Park.
In ancient times it was used as transport to the interior of Scandinavia. Nowadays, it navigates many of its arms to communicate coastal towns. It attracts hundreds of tourists a year due to its great natural beauty.
In its local language Kangertittivaq, it is the largest in the world, with an extension of 350 kilometers. As if this were not enough is the deepest, with its 1,500 meters. It is on the east coast of the island, near Iceland. Within this fjord are located several islands, the largest is called Milne Land.
The main human settlement is very close to the mouth of Scoresby Sund and is called Ittoqqorttoormiit. The fjord was discovered in 1822 during a whaling campaign led by William Scoresby, hence its name.
In Norwegian Hardangerfjord, it is located in the North Sea, in the south of the country. It is the third largest in the world, with a length of 179 kilometers. It begins south of Bergen and runs north-east to the Hardangervidda plateau. Its largest arm is 50 kilometers long.
It is used for pisciculture of salmon and rainbow trout. It is divided in 13 municipalities and in the environs of this fjord live near 70 thousand people.
It is located in the southwest of the island and next to it is located a small but better known fjord, the Milford Sound. The latter can be accessed by road. Doubtful Sound was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770, who did not enter it because he was not sure if it was navigable?
One of the characteristics of this fjord is that it has two different layers of water, one sweet and another salty. To get there you must take a boat from the village of Manapouri, 20 kilometers away.
Nærøyfjord is located in the interior of the country, on the west coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula, within the Sogn fjord area. All its banks belong to the municipality of Aurland and are 17 kilometers long. It was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2005 next to the Geiranger fjord.
Ilulissat Kangerlua is to the west of the island and since 2004 is a World Heritage Site. It is located 250 kilometers from the Arctic Circle and has a length of 40 kilometers. At its end of Disko Bay lies the Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier, so this fjord is filled with icebergs, some large, up to 1 kilometer in height.
Are you going for an excursion on one of these fjords? It will be a wonderful experience!