The Hardangerfjord by boat: routes, harbours and tips
The Hardangerfjord is Norway's second longest fjord, roughly 180 km long and over 800 metres deep. From a boat you see mountainsides dropping straight into the water, waterfalls, fruit orchards and the Folgefonna glacier. You can hop between the villages of Kvam, cross the fjord to Jondal, visit the Barony in Rosendal or make a long day trip deep inland to Utne, Ulvik and Eidfjord. Distances are long, so plan fuel and weather before you set off.
Where can you rent a boat in Hardanger?
In Hardanger, boats are rented out by private owners, from small boats and RIBs to daycruisers and sailboats. You will find boats for rent in Norheimsund and boats for rent in Øystese in Kvam, and boats for rent in Husnes in Kvinnherad, close to Rosendal. Each owner states in the listing which licence and experience they require, and some owners can come along as skipper.
6 boat trips on the Hardangerfjord
The distances below are rough estimates measured on a map, given in nautical miles (nm). Always use nautical charts or a chart app when you plan and navigate.
Norheimsund to Øystese and Steinsdalsfossen
A short, easy trip of approx. 2 nm along the shore from Norheimsund to Øystese, 10 to 15 minutes each way. Norheimsund's gjestehamn (guest harbour, where visiting boats can moor for a fee) is right in the centre with room for about 50 boats, diesel on the pier, petrol approx. 200 metres away, power, water, showers and toilets, and it is open all year. From here it is approx. 2 km to Steinsdalsfossen, a 50-metre waterfall where a prepared path takes you behind the falling water without getting wet. In Øystese the guest harbour is approx. 200 metres from the village centre, with diesel in the harbour and petrol approx. 200 metres away. The village is also home to the Kabuso art centre and the Ingebrigt Vik sculpture museum.
Tip: the waterfall is at its most powerful in May and June during the snowmelt. Bring a rain jacket if you want to linger behind it.
Across the fjord to Jondal
From Norheimsund it is approx. 6 to 7 nm across the Hardangerfjord to Jondal, 20 to 30 minutes in a planing boat. Jondal guest harbour is open all year and has power on the pier, a service building with toilet and shower, a bathing spot and a shop, and both petrol and diesel, at the quay and at SPAR Jondal.
Tip: the Jondal–Tørvikbygd car ferry crosses the fjord here. Keep well clear of the ferry quay and give way in good time when the ferry arrives or leaves.
Husnes to Rosendal and the Barony
From Husnes it is approx. 10 to 11 nm to Rosendal, around half an hour in a planing boat. Husnes marina has over 600 metres of space for visiting boats, a service building with showers and toilets, a laundry room and a barbecue area. In Rosendal the guest harbour is in the village centre, a short walk from Baroniet Rosendal, the manor house from 1665 with a rose garden and landscape garden created over 300 years ago. In summer the Barony has concerts, exhibitions and a café.
Tip: if you want a hike, Malmangernuten takes about 4 hours in total and gives a view over all of Rosendal. Folgefonna National Park lies right behind the village.
Norheimsund to Utne
Utne sits at the tip of the peninsula where the Sørfjord meets the Hardangerfjord, approx. 15 nm east of Norheimsund, 45 minutes to an hour each way. The village has kept its old streets and wooden houses. The Hardanger Folk Museum shows Hardanger embroidery, folk costumes and Norway's largest collection of old Hardanger fiddles, and Utne Hotel by the quay is one of the oldest hotels in the country.
Tip: Utne is a ferry hub with crossings to both Kvanndal and Kinsarvik. Never moor at the ferry berth, and check locally where visiting boats may tie up.
The Sørfjord past Lofthus and the orchards
From Utne it is approx. 6 nm south along the Sørfjord to Lofthus, and approx. 4 nm across to Kinsarvik. Here the orchards of Ullensvang climb the steep slopes above the water, with the Folgefonna peninsula on the other side. From Lofthus the Fruit Trail runs 7 km round trip past the fruit farms at Opedal, with only about 100 metres of ascent.
Tip: come in May when the trees blossom, or in late summer before the apples are harvested. We could not confirm details of guest berths in Lofthus, so ask the Ullensvang tourist information before you moor.
Inner Hardanger: the Hardanger Bridge, Ulvik and Eidfjord
This is a long day out. From Utne it is approx. 13 nm to Ulvik and approx. 14 nm to Eidfjord, and approx. 13 nm between Ulvik and Eidfjord. From Norheimsund it is closer to 30 nm each way. On the way you pass under the Hardanger Bridge between Bruravik and Brimnes, a suspension bridge with a main span of 1,310 metres and 55 metres of clearance. Ulvik guest harbour in the heart of the village has 12 to 15 quayside berths, showers and power, with fuel approx. 250 metres away. Eidfjord guest harbour has 10 berths at a fixed quay and fuel approx. 100 metres away.
Tip: fill the tank before heading inland, and plan for the whole day.
| Route | Distance (approx.) | Time | Highlight | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norheimsund – Øystese | 2 nm | 10–15 min | Steinsdalsfossen, Kabuso | Families, short trips |
| Norheimsund – Jondal | 6–7 nm | 20–30 min | Crossing the fjord | Half day |
| Husnes – Rosendal | 10–11 nm | approx. 30 min | Baroniet Rosendal | Culture and hiking |
| Norheimsund – Utne | 15 nm | 45–60 min | Folk museum, old Utne | Day trip |
| Utne – Lofthus | 6 nm | approx. 20 min | Sørfjord orchards | Blossom season in May |
| Utne – Ulvik / Eidfjord | 13–14 nm | 40–60 min | Hardanger Bridge | Experienced, long day |
Rules and safety on the Hardangerfjord
- Boat licence: anyone born on or after 1 January 1980 needs a båtførerbevis (Norwegian boat licence) to skipper a boat over 8 metres or with an engine over 25 hp. Visitors should read our guide to the Norwegian boat licence before booking.
- Fall winds: steep mountainsides can send strong gusts down onto the fjord, often without warning, and the wind can shift and build quickly in narrow fjord arms. Check the forecast and keep your distance from steep shores when it is windy. See the explanation of fall winds (fallvind) in the Norwegian encyclopedia.
- Cold water: the water is cold for much of the year. Everyone on board should wear a life jacket and bring warm clothes, even on a fine day.
- Ferries and passenger boats: Skyss runs the car ferries Kvanndal–Utne, Kinsarvik–Utne, Jondal–Tørvikbygd and Gjermundshamn–Varaldsøy–Årsnes. From May to September a sightseeing boat also runs daily from Norheimsund to Eidfjord. Give way in good time and stay clear of ferry berths. See the ferry timetables at Skyss.
- Distances and fuel: fuel stops can be far apart. Fuel is available at, among other places, Norheimsund, Øystese, Jondal, Ulvik and Eidfjord.
Best time for a boat trip on the Hardangerfjord
The guest harbours in Norheimsund, Øystese, Jondal, Ulvik and Eidfjord are open all year, but the summer half of the year suits most visitors best. In May the fruit trees blossom around Lofthus and across Hardanger, and the waterfalls are at their biggest in May and June as the snow melts. From May to September the sightseeing boat runs between Norheimsund and Eidfjord, and the villages are at their liveliest. The Barony in Rosendal has its cultural programme in summer.
FAQ
Where can I get fuel on the Hardangerfjord?
Norheimsund has diesel on the guest pier and petrol approx. 200 metres away. In Jondal you get petrol and diesel at the quay, and in Øystese, Ulvik and Eidfjord fuel is a short walk from the guest harbour.
Can I take a boat under the Hardanger Bridge?
Yes. The bridge has 55 metres of clearance, which is plenty for ordinary leisure boats and sailboats.
Can I see the Folgefonna glacier from the boat?
Folgefonna is Norway's third largest glacier and lies on the peninsula between the Hardangerfjord and the Sørfjord. The national park covers parts of Kvinnherad, Ullensvang and Etne, and villages such as Rosendal sit right below it.
How long does it take from Norheimsund to Eidfjord?
It is close to 30 nm each way. In a planing boat that is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way without stops, so plan for a full day.
Do I need a licence as a foreign visitor?
It depends on your age and the boat. If you were born on or after 1 January 1980, a licence is required for boats over 8 metres or with engines over 25 hp. The owner states in the listing what they require.
Heading further north? Read our guides to the Sognefjord by boat and seven day trips by boat from Bergen. Before you go, the day-trip packing list is worth a look.
