Stranda

Stranda municipality comprises the districts of Stranda (population approximately 3.500), Hellesylt (population approximately 680), Geiranger (population approximately 300) and Liabygda (population approximately 260). It covers an area of 866,0 km2. Each district has its kindergarten, school and sheltered accommodation. The municipal centre has a nursing home and two upper secondary schools. The tourist trade in Stranda is varied and robust.

Stranda municipality has a very varied economy with a wide range of jobs. It has 160 modern meat-production and dairy farms. There are a number of longstanding businesses engaged in the production of fresh and cured meat products, a long tradition of furniture and textile manufacturing and the biggest pizza producer in Norway. The municipality has several fish-processing factories and mechanical engineering firms.

Stranda municipality has a reputation for being a good place to grow up in. There is plenty of activity, work and leisure, making Stranda's four districts pleasant places. Sports clubs, alpin skiing centre, cross country slopes, rifle clubs, song and music groups, humanitarian and Christian organisations do good and varied work for children and adults. The municipality has an indoor sports hall, several football pitches, as well as several indoor swimming pools, tennis courts and a golf course and a regional culture centre.

Geiranger and Hellesylt were popular destinations from an early date. The first boatload of tourists from abroad arrived in 1896. Today the Geirangerfjord is the second most important cruise destination in Norway, with well over a hundred ships calling in the summer as well as the Coastal Steamer (Hurtigruten). Click here to see pictures from the Coastal Steamer taken by the passengers. Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord is visited by approximately 1.000.000 tourists in the summer.

The Flydalsjuvet gorge, the Ørnesvingen hairpin bends, the Dalsnibba mountain (I.500 m.a.s), the Geirangerfjord with its Seven Sisters waterfalls, the Suiter waterfall and the fjord farms are all growing attractions.

UNESCO´s WORLD HERITAGE

The West Norwegian Fjords of Geirangefjord and Nærøyfjord was inscribed on UNESCOs World Heritage List in 2005. The two fjords are situated 120 km from each other and they are separated by the Jostedal glacier. The World Heritage Site possesses a unique combination of glacial landforms at the same time as each area is characterised by its own outstanding beauty.

Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord stretches through the municipality of Aurland, Lærdal, Norddal, Stranda, Vik and Voss.

STRANDAFJELL MOUNTAIN

The alpine fields at Strandafjell mountains are bound to be a pleasant surprise on your first visit! The sight of fjord scenery combined with mighty alpine mountains is enough to take anyones breath away. Incredibly beatiful and challenge, say people who have seen alpine complexes around the world. "Action to the extreme", is one comment, "Paradise on Earth", is another, "with the fjord glistening far below you, it gives skiing pleasure a totally new dimension".

The alpine complex has 5 skitows, 35 km thoroughly prepared slopes with a fall hight of up to 1000 metres. The slopes are floodlit in the evenings for alpine and cross-country skiing. Nevertheless the most exciting element is the magnificent unprepared area here you can choose your own run down the mountain slope.

GEIRANGER

The Geirangerfjord is perhaps the world´s most famous fjord; whether or not it is the most beautiful is something you must decide for yourself. The people of Geiranger would like to welcome you to their district and hope that you enjoy the culture, sights and everyday life in this area.

Geiranger and its fjord are examples of Mother Earth at her most beautiful and impressive. Tourists have been overwhelmed by the beauty of this region since the arrival of the first cruise ship in 1869. In Geiranger, you will quite literally become part of nature. You will feel the spray from the waterfalls, you can visit the farms along the fjord and reach the 1.500 metres high Dalsnibba in 45 minutes.

We would like you to get to know the nature, culture and history of this area. The arduous life lived by this close-knit community is in great contrast to our modern lifestyle. On behalf of Geiranger's 300 permanent residents, we would like to wish you a memorable stay.

Farms along the fjord

These farms are a testament both to man's ability to survive and to how a common destiny creates a sense of unity through thick and thin. History tells us of children and animals being tethered so they didn't fall over precipices. Of walking several miles to fetch the midwife or doctor. And of men blocking the paths when the tax man came. The last farm was vacated as recently as 1961.

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

The World´s Most Beautiful Voyage is a voyage like no other. Nothing can compare with it. Nothing about this journey will resemble anything you have ever experienced before. A ticket for the Coastal Steamer is a ticket to the theatre, an 11-day drama in which new acts constantly unfold all around you.

HELLESYLT

In the older days Hellesylt was called Lake Møre. The village Hellesylt is the parish that features in the famous play "Brand" by Henrik Ibsen. The play ends when the main character, the priest Brand, falls and favour with the village people and is driven from the parish. Inexperienced as he is with the natural conditions in this area, he ends his days in the great snowdrift that covers the Steimsnibba mountains every year.

Hellesylt Waterfall is one of the most photographed waterfall in this area. The falls divide Hellesylt Village in two, providing the little settlement with a special atmosphere.

DALSNIBBA

A must on any visit to Geiranger. The view, the great height and the contrasts in nature are fantastic. You can even find snow here at the height of summer. The Nibbevegen Route takes you from Djupvasshytta at 1038 meters above sea level to the Dalsnibba viewpoint at approximately 1.500 metres above sea level. The route was constructed on the initiative of Geiranger Skysslag which also paid a considerable part of the cost of GBP 12.800. The route was opened in 1939, having taken 3 years to build. It remains a must on any sightseeing trip to Geiranger. The fjord, jagged peaks and high mountain plateaux frame the beautiful view.

FLYDALSJUVET

One of the world's most famous photographic subjects. Flydalsjuvet, with its springboard-shaped rock formation, seemingly poised between earth and sky, is the best known view point. You yourself can be a part of it. A short way from the centre, the gorge can be included on a trip to Dalsnibba.

STORSETERFOSSEN WATERFALL

See the view from behind the waterfall! Walk for about 60 minutes on a good path from Vesterås farm. Suitable for all ages, but good foot wear is necessary.

EAGLE ROAD (ØRNEVEIEN)

11 hairpin bends are an important ingredient on this easy tour. View of the Pulpit Rock and De Syv Søstre waterfalls. Excellent spot for watching cruise ships enter the fjord.

SKAGEFLÅ

Up in the mountains, across the gorge behind the Friarfossen waterfall on the Geirangerfjord, lies the mountain farm of Skageflå. On dark nights the Jotuns tramp their way along the mountainside and stop at this gorge. The Jotuns are some of the biggest trolls in Norway, taller than houses and just as wide! At this point the gorge is narrow enough to allow them to jump across with much shouting and bawling and helping each other.

It was a horrible sight that frightened people and animals in the mountain pastures and at the Skageflå farm. But for the thosands of years the river worked on the rock a bridge arrived! The bridge is a great blessing for the farm. Now the Jotuns plod peacefully across the bridge without disturbing anyone. Moderately fit people can reach it on a good mountain path from Homlong.

FRIAREN

According to the legend, Friaren Waterfall wooed De Syv Søstre Waterfalls on the other side of the fjord. The fjord sightseeing cruise passes close to Friaren.

THE 7 SISTERS (DE SYV SØSTRE)

Standing on the deck of the boat and feeling the spray of the water from these waterfalls is a unique experience. The tallest of these has a free fall of 250 metres.

BLOMBERG

Blomberg mountain farm is reached via a steep path from the fjord. For those prepared for a little exertion, this walk is highly recommended.

SKIING

Strandafjellet ski resort is a "gem" in Western-Norway, and the ski area offers runs of all difficulty levels. Strandafjellet is a relatively small, but exciting ski resort, with its 6 lifts and nearby mountain range. The mountains of Sunnmøre, often referred to as "The Alps of Sunnmøre", is famous for its steep mountains that go all the way down to the fjords. All kinds of winter sports can be practiced here, such as slalom, Telemark-skiing and snowboard, as well as toboganning and snow-rafting. The ski resort is designed to be a good alternative for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, and is suitable for entusiasts as well as families.

GOLF

Stranda Golfclub is a golf course with 6 holes and a variation of difficulties. Overvoll Golfbane is an idyllic little golf course about 14 km from the center of Stranda, in the direction of Stryn.