Norway’s Spectacular Western Fjords: A Bucket List Destination

15.05.2024 - 22:09 / forbes.com

"The wildest alpine valley I ever saw was not in the Alps, it was the valley Norangsdalen at Sunnmøre, Norway." William Cecil Slingsby, Pioneering alpinist

Breathtakingly beautiful, Norway's Western Fjords are carved by ancient glaciers, with towering mountains, cascading waterfalls and serene blue waters. The Geirangerfjord stretching for over 60 miles is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its outstanding beauty. Whether you're cruising through the fjords, driving or hiking through the stunning Sunnmore Alps, this area of Norway offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Scandinavia. 62Nord, a trio of family-owned, boutique hotels in the region, provide excellent accommodation and experiences in three stunning settings. You can take a circular route by car or boat, staying for a night in each of the three, giving a great overview of the area. Each hotel is distinctly Norwegian but completely unique.

Your Western Fjords trip should start in picturesque Alesund where there’s a small airport. Stay at 62Nord’s Hotel Brosundet, located right on the edge of the quayside in the town center. Once a fisheries warehouse, the Art Nouveau-style hotel forms an important part of the town’s historical heritage. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming with a huge floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the lobby, surrounded by plush chairs and sofas. There are 132 guest rooms, including five suites, over two buildings, connected by an underground tunnel but the hotel has the intimate feel of a much smaller hotel. While retaining the history of the place, with rooms that have exposed wooden beams and uneven floors, the furnishings are contemporary Scandinavian style and the bathrooms are sleekly modern with Ren toiletries. Rooms face either the pretty cobbled streets or overlook the harbor.

Guests are well catered for with a wonderful breakfast buffet in a waterfront dining room while a superb dinner option is Apotekergata No. 5, with an a la carte or tasting menu featuring seasonal, local produce. A four-course tasting menu with a fish focus includes dishes made from clipfish, cod, catch of the day and even whale. For an aperitif or digestif, the petite Arkivet Bar (named after the local trader Peder Devold who ran his fish oil business out of this address in 1905) serves great cocktails.

Alesund has a sweet old town center with shops, cafes and restaurants but the real highlight is the Fjellstua Viewpoint. Be prepared for several hundred steps to get to the top but the views over the town and sea are worth the effort.

From Alesund, your scenic adventure will continue by car or a boat right from the private dock at Hotel Brosundet. An hour or so later, following an unforgettable speed boat ride up the fjords, you’ll