Bergen: Scenic Hardangerfjord with Waterfalls & Lunch at a Garden
Description
On this round trip, you’ll discover the authentic Norway, featuring some of the most stunning locations that Western Norway and Hardanger have to offer. We begin the journey by passing through the southern suburbs of Bergen, and after a short ferry crossing, we stop along the Hardangerfjord in Mundheim and Strandebarm to enjoy a gentle walk along idyllic nature trails right by the water. We then visit Berge Gard & Gartneri, a family-run garden and plant nursery, for a delicious lunch served in green surroundings among flowers and plants. The tour continues to two impressive waterfalls near Norheimsund, including the famous Steinsdalsfossen, where a path allows you to walk behind the cascading water. Throughout the day, a knowledgeable local guide accompanies the tour, sharing insights about the region, its culture, and everyday life. Travel is by comfortable, premium coach with an experienced local driver. A day to savor – stunning fjords, local traditions, and pure Hardanger beauty!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Within a couple of minutes after leaving the city center, we pass through the southern suburbs of Bergen, driving through impressive mountain tunnels before the cityscape gives way to peaceful countryside and fjord views.
In Norway – and especially along the west coast – ferries are a natural part of everyday travel and an essential link in the road network. On this tour, we cross one of the scenic arms of the Hardangerfjord – the Bjørnafjord. During the short 15-minute crossing, you can step outside to enjoy the fresh sea air and take in the beautiful fjord views – a peaceful and memorable moment in the heart of Western Norway’s landscape.
As we arrive in Mundheim, we’re greeted by the magnificent Hardanger fjord at its most expansive. Here, the fjord stretches wide between towering mountains and shimmering blue waters, offering one of the most breathtaking panoramas along the route. This is one of the tour’s most scenic photo stops – a perfect moment to pause, take in the view, and capture the beauty of Western Norway’s fjord landscape.
Strandebarm is a beautiful village nestled along the shores of the Hardangerfjord. It is a place where nature and culture go hand in hand, with roots dating back to the Viking Age and long traditions of fruit growing and local craftsmanship. Here, you can experience the authentic character of Western Norway, surrounded by small farms, and a peaceful atmosphere typical of life along the fjord. We allow time for a well-paced break, giving you the opportunity to take a walk along idyllic nature trails, take photos and simply enjoy the calm, rural surroundings without any rush.
The peaceful village of Tørvikbygd lies along the shores of the Hardangerfjord and offers a genuine glimpse into rural life in Western Norway. Surrounded by rolling hills, fruit orchards, and traditional farms, it is a place where the pace naturally slows and the fjord landscape can be enjoyed without distraction. A highlight of the tour is a visit to Berge Gard & Gartneri, a family-run garden and plant nursery. Here, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch made from fresh, local ingredients, served in a greenhouse setting surrounded by plants and greenery. This relaxed stop offers a pleasant break in calm surroundings before continuing the journey.
After following the Hardangerfjord’s scenic shoreline, we arrive in Norheimsund – the vibrant heart of the Hardanger region. With the fjord stretching out before you and majestic mountains rising behind, this charming village perfectly captures the essence of Western Norway. In spring, the surrounding orchards burst into stunning white and pink blossoms, transforming the landscape into a living postcard. Later, during harvest season, the air fills with the scent of ripe apples, and the area comes alive with tastings and local festivals celebrating Hardanger’s proud fruit-growing traditions. If time allows, we’ll make a short stop at the scenic waterfront promenade for a relaxed stroll and beautiful fjord views, where nature and village life blend seamlessly.
Located just outside Norheimsund, Steinsdalsfossen is one of Norway’s most popular waterfalls. Standing 50 metres high, it’s particularly famous for the path that runs behind the waterfall, allowing visitors to walk dry-shod and feel the power of the water up close. Take a walk behind the rushing cascade for a truly unique experience – and don’t forget your camera! Steinsdalsfossen is a favourite spot among photographers, offering countless opportunities to capture the beauty of Hardanger’s landscape.
On the way to the next waterfall, we pass through Kvamskogen, enjoying a scenic mountain drive through forests, lakes, and open highland landscapes before returning to the city.
One of the most dramatic waterfalls along the route, Fossen Bratte – often called “The Bride’s Veil” because of its elegant white spray – is known for its impressive 80-meter drop and the powerful roar that echoes through the valley. Today, the road passes through a tunnel behind the waterfall, but after parking, we can follow the old road to reach the top of the fall. You can also choose to go the opposite way - down to the bottom of this mighty cascade, where you can truly feel the strength of the water. Your guide is always with you, helping you find your way, take the best photos, and enjoy the best possible experience.
The road back to Bergen follows the idyllic Osterfjord, with Osterøy — Northern Europe’s largest inland island — on the left-hand side. At the narrowest point of the fjord, you’ll spot the elegant suspension bridge that connects Osterøy to the mainland.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Small occasional delays may occur due to local road conditions, weather or other force majeure situations. However, we always plan the tour carefully to make sure cruise guests return to their ship on time.
Reviews(17)
This is a bus tour to view the fjords and waterfalls. It is not a boat tour. Well worth it nonetheless.
Beautiful scenery with plenty of stops to take photos and enjoy the view. The bus was clean and comfortable. There is a toilet on the bus. Lunch was absolutely delicious soup and bread. A vegetarian was available upon request but people at the front of the line ate it before those who requested it got to the front. If you request special dietary items, you’ll need to ensure you’re at the front of the lunch queue. Lunch was at a flower shop which was a nice atmosphere. The driver was excellent and very safe. The guide was knowledgeable and shared history and information through the drive while still allowing some quiet time. At one stop, some people chose to swim in the fjord. Take what you need if you want to swim. We were lucky with a sunny and warm day to complement a wonderful tour. I never felt rushed and I did think we stopped enough to enjoy the fjord views and take plenty of pictures.
My friend and I throughly enjoyed a beautiful journey yesterday with Synneva & David. they were both extremely kind, informative and well versed in the wealth of Fjords, small communities and stunning waterfalls along the way. We both highly recommend this lovely tour.
We traveled to hardanger fjord area with a small group of 10 in a very nice mercedes sprinter van. Our guide Helene was sweet, knowledgeable and has fantastic English . Our driver Joakam was also so friendly and funny. Great, smooth driving . Other than a too long stop at a school area for a hike to the water, the stops were great and broke up the driving . The views were beautiful . They totally worked with whatever the group wanted which is so nice. I do wish we would have used this group for our flam trip instead of fjord tours. The curry chicken soup and homemade bread at lunch was soooo yummy !!!
Everything well planned, new bus, nice tour guides
Being a bus tour, we spent considerable time on the road. However, we were always able to enjoy the majestic scenery, were frequently close to the fjord and made several stops on the fjord or other particularly beautiful spots, like the waterfalls. I must point out, at the same time, that it was our guide who made the trip truly exceptional. While we were driving, she would give us much information not only about the area but also about Norway and many phases of the cultural life of the Norwegians. Every moment was valuable. I've been to Europe scores of times and taken many tours over the years. This was one of the best.
It’s a relax and very educational tour. The tour guide was great and we learned a lot about Norway and Bergen thru this tour.
I thought triop was more boat scenic view, you cancelled my trip twice and I had to book it and confirm - so it was not exactly what I expected, it was OK. The driver and guide were excellent
This was an amazing way to spend a day! Olesia, our main guide, was wonderful from the beginning, warm smile and conversation throughout the day and she shared some interesting facts along the way. The pick-up location was easy to find and the guides were waiting to say hello and tell us about the day. We boarded the mini-bus which wasn't full since it was off season (first week of May) and onward we went! Our driver was awesome and put our safety as the priority. We started with taking a ferry which was a new experience for many and provided a fun excursion with great views. The fjord we stopped at first was breath taking, from there we headed to the first waterfall which was incredible, easy to get to, and has some great shopping. Definitely now the proud owner of a Norwegian sweater from the locally owned store! We stopped and had lunch at a beautiful nursery/garden, very yummy and they made sure there was a vegetarian option. The last waterfall has a pretty steep path to it, but the view is amazing from the top. We didn't go all the way down because it SNOWED! We had a lot of fun taking pictures without going to the bottom of the waterfall and it was still a great view! Highly recommend from start to finish, thank you to all of the crew!
What a review to receive — truly, wow! Reading your words brought the whole day back so vividly, from the ferry crossing and the fjord views to the waterfalls, the snow, and even the Norwegian sweater. It is especially meaningful for us to read such warm words about the guiding, the driving, and the overall atmosphere of the day. Thank you so much for this warmth, this detail, and this wholehearted recommendation to the whole crew.
Our guide Julia provided us with valuable information about the land, history and culture. We ate a delicious lunch “Betasoup” at a Berge Gard & Garneri. The nature is absolutely stunning and we enjoyed the trip tremendously!
Thank you for such kind feedback! We are delighted that the natural beauty of the region and the lunch at Berge Gard & Gartneri left such a strong impression. We were especially pleased to see betasuppe mentioned by name — it is a traditional fjord-side soup with a long local history. And of course, it is lovely to know that Julia’s guiding enriched the day as well.
