1 Day in Balestrand: Fjords & Heritage Unveiled

Sognefjord is Norway's longest and deepest fjord, which stretches from the coast of northern Bergen to the towering Jotunheimen National Park and the glacier-lined Yosdabrian country. The park (JostedalsbreenNationalPark), the melting water of the glacier merges into it, making the water of the fjord as green as emerald and picturesque. The Sogne Fjord is more than 1,300 meters deep, and the peaks on both sides are more than 1,700 meters above sea level. One of the narrower and more prestigious branches of the fjord is Nærøyfjorden, the narrower part of which is only 250 meters wide, and this branch is inscribed on the World Heritage List. The popular town of Sognefjord is surrounded by a number of small towns, some of which are more popular with tourists including Flåm, Aurland, Lærdal and more. Flåm means "little plain in the steep mountains" in Norwegian, and it lives up to its name with houses scattered among the valleys. Although this small town is not big, it has huge ups and downs from 2 meters to 867 meters above sea level. The more famous one is the Flåm Railway, which was opened in 1940. It is known as the higher masterpiece of the Norwegian National Railway. Although there is only a 20-kilometer railway between Flåm and Myrdal, because the left and right sides are surrounded by Famous for its breathtaking beauty, you will pass through the 164-meter Lyonnefersen Falls on the way, and stop for 5 minutes at Shosfersen Falls for visitors to see. Aurland walks 2-3 kilometers along the fjord from Flåm to Aurland. There are water-rich Aurlandsdalen gorges and mountains over 1,400 meters high. There is a Stegastein Viewpoint above the town, which protrudes 30 meters from the cliff from the side of the road and is suspended 650 meters in the air, where you can enjoy the beauty of the Aurlandfjord from a high place. Rydal is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts, and the rivers in the countryside are full of salmon and trout. The Norwegian Wild Salmon Center is also nearby, where you can not only introduce salmon habits and fishing methods, but also learn how to cook salmon. There is also a stunning Borgund Stave Church in the town, built in 1150 and the best preserved stave church in Norway. Fjord cruises There are several cruise lines in the Sognefjord, the most popular among tourists is the cruise in the Nairuifjord, which is Flåm-Aurland-Undredal ) - Gudvangen. Outdoor activities surround the deeper inland part of the Sognefjord and are surrounded by mountains. It is one of Norway's most popular hiking destinations, including Jotunheimen National Park, Josdabryn National Park, Breheimen National Park, Aurlandsdalen and Utladalen valleys. Besides hiking, other popular activities include rafting, mountaineering, rock climbing, summer skiing and mountain biking. Traditional food The food traditions of the Sognefjord region are distinctive. The climate here is good, the air is fresh, the mountains are lush, and the fresh ingredients produced here are the best in the local area. The region's more renowned specialities are high-quality fruit, berries, lamb, game, alpine salmon and goat cheese.

Flam is a small town on the Sognefjord, the starting point and destination of the famous Flam Alpine Railway and an important cruise port. The small town of Flam is located in the Aurlandsfjord, hidden in the embrace of three mountains. Take the Flam train from Myrdal Station, and the scenery along the way is beautiful and unforgettable. The air here is fresh and sunny, with beautiful fjord landscapes, handsome mountains, orchards and quaint country buildings. Due to the fairytale-like natural scenery, this small village with a population of only 400 attracts 1 million tourists from all over the world every year. People can rent a bicycle at the bicycle rental point to travel around the town and its surroundings, enjoying the picturesque scenery here. You can also sample the region's famous brown and white goat cheese in the town's restaurant before boarding a boat for a wonderful fjord tour.

Narlerfjord, which means narrow fjord, is a branch of the Sognefjord. As the fjord's name implies, the Naralfjord is the narrowest fjord in the world, at just 250 meters at its narrowest point. The Narlerfjord has been listed as a World Heritage Site. From the small town of Flåm, you can rent a boat to watch the scenery along the fjord, and if you are lucky, you can see wild seals.