The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway's most unique and beautiful destinations. Many of the photos you see of Norway feature this UNESCO World Heritage Site—and for good reason. It features cliffs, waterfalls, and fjords which make it one of the country's most spectacular landscapes.
The Geirangerfjord also holds a special place for me, as it was where I first visited Norway with my parents when I was young. I returned in the spring of 2016 and again in the late summer of 2023, giving me the chance to experience the fjord in different seasons.
In this guide, I'll share the best viewpoints, attractions, and practical tips to help you make the most of your visit to the Geirangerfjord. I highly recommend combining this article with our Ultimate Photography Guide: Norway in order to plan a comprehensive trip!
What is the Geirangerfjord?
The Geirangerfjord is a 15-km long fjord in the south of Norway. It is in the Stranda Municipality, and you will also find the village of Geiranger here on the east side. This fjord is a UNESCO world heritage site since 2005. The Geirangerfjord offers some great landscape photography opportunities with it’s blue water, green mountains, waterfalls and steep rock faces. The old mountains farms add to the Norwegian mood.
Seven Sisters Waterfall
The Seven Sisters Waterfall is a 410 meter high waterfall above the Geirangerfjord. It has a free-fall of 250 meters. The name Seven Sisters is because there are 7 separate waterfalls - even though the number can change depending on the time of year. The Seven Sisters can be found 6,5 km from the village of Geiranger. It looks most impressive from the other side of the fjord. It also looks great when sailing underneath it, looking upwards.
If you want to know more about the Seven Sisters Waterfall and other waterfalls in Norway, check out my article on it: Seven Best Waterfalls for Landscape Photography in Europe. I go into detail on how to get there and the best season to visit each area.
Best Photography Spots Geirangerfjord
Skageflå
The Skageflå is the name of abandoned mountain farms. This view is famous for its postcard like view with the Seven Sisters waterfall behind it. Green fjord, cute looking houses, blue colored fjord, a giant waterfall in the background – you get the idea. To get here you can hike from the Geiranger village over a 6km hike. As an alternative, you can also go by boat to the shoreline underneath and only hike up to Skageflå.
There are many landscape photography options around Skageflå. First, the classical composition with the farmhouses, the Geirangerfjord and the Seven Sisters Waterfall in the background. The farmhouses add nice balance to the composition with the Seven Sisters Waterfall on the right.
The Skageflå farms and Seven Sisters Waterfall.
Not far from here there is a decent size waterfall. This waterfall works great with the background view to the Geirangerfjord because the waterfall lines up perfectly. The difficulty with shooting waterfalls is to include them with the background subject. They often come with a big empty space (mountain). Or, because the waterfall often carves itself deeper inside the mountain, the sides will block the background view. In short, it is difficult to find a good spot where the waterfall works with the background view. This waterfall however has a few really good sections where you can see the waterfall and the Geirangerfjord without too much empty space. Even better, is the Seven Sisters Waterfall in the background, which mirrors the foreground waterfall.
Geirangerfjord is home to many impressive unnamed waterfalls like this one.
There are even more great landscape photography spots in this area of the Geirangerfjord. Be aware the slopes are steep! In spring time you can see the vivid green colors mixed with brown tones from the dead grass - which was covered by snow for a long time. On top of the mountains in the Geirangerfjord you will see the snow-covered peaks. At sunset you can use the branches and trees to block the sun and create a sun star.
If you look closely you can see the Seven Sisters below the sunstar.
Blomberg
Blomberg is just like Skageflå a historical mountain farm – only Blomberg is one and Skageflå are multiple. To get here you first take the ferry to the dock below – and then you follow a small hiking trail 452 meters above the fjord. While Skageflå can become touristy on a summer day, Blomberg is more quiet because all visitors have to come by boat (while Skageflå can also be reached from Geiranger village). The view from Blomberg is totally different. This is because it is located on the other end of the Geirangerfjord (the west-part).
The classical composition from Blomberg is to include the mountain farm, covered with a thick layer of moss on top, in the foreground. In the background you will see many waterfalls – especially in the spring season with all the melting snow. The Seven Sisters waterfall is visible for a small part on the left.
Spring is my favourite season to shoot here for the vibrant colours.
Laushornet
The Laushornet is a 1413 meter high mountain which stands directly above the village of Geiranger, looking into the Geirangerfjord towards the west. In order to get here you have to cover the full elevation gain by foot. The total distance (one way) is around 4,5 km and takes 3 hours.
For landscape photographers the view from Laushornet offers a spectacular panorama. You look straight down towards the Geirangerfjord. With an ultra wide angle lens or with a multi-shot panorama you can use the mountain you are standing on as framing of the fjord. Yes, you will have visible distortion this way, but it adds a lot of depth. When you shoot the Laushornet view during sunset you can also include the sunset in the frame. During Spring you can see the nice transition between the snow-caped mountains of the Geirangerfjord and the trees and steep hills underneath. A cruise-ship down below in the fjord might not be everyone taste - but it does add a lot of depth.
I think the boats in the fjords add to the mood of Norway.
The challenge here are the (lack of) layers. There are some on the right side and the middle, but they are small and limited. More layers means more depth in a landscape photo. Therefore it is important to really enhance the layers which are present.
Ørnevegen
Ørnevegen is the name of a viewpoint on the main road between Geiranger and Eidsdal. It is an 8km drive from Geiranger village center. There is also a waterfall next to the viewpoint and a hiking trail going towards the west of the Geirangerfjord. On this hiking trail there are different landscape photography options. You can find many downy birch trees here on the slope. They can be a bit difficult to include. While the stem of the tree is beautiful and good for landscape photography, the bushes on top can make the scene look a bit chaotic. Look therefore for one without too many bushes on top.
This tree had no bushy leaves making it less messy to shoot.
For this view it is best to use a drone in order to have a good angle between the lakes and the Geirangerfjord. If you decide to hike up the Tverrfjellet, you won’t see that much of the Geirangerfjord and the lakes don’t line up well either.
Transport around Geiranger
If you want to cross the Geirangerfjord you have to take a ferry. Just like in the whole of Norway, the quality and frequency of these ferry crossing couldn’t be better. But, keep in mind they don’t go as frequent in the off-season. By ferry - the Geiranger–Hellesylt Ferry. See here the Geirangerfjord ferry.
Also keep in mind not all the roads are open in the winter season. The winter season is also during spring. When I visited Geiranger I walked along the road from the intersection between 15 and 63. The 63 was closed and they were busy making it snow free. If you don’t feel motivated and prefer to come by car, you can still reach Geiranger by coming from Hellesylt and take the ferry.
Final Thoughts
Few places in the world offer such a unique landscape with so many composition possibilities as Geirangersfjord. A trip to the Geirangerford for landscape photography is going to be beautiful in so many ways. If you are going to be in Norway I recommend checking out ouUltimate Photography Guide to Norway. While you're there, we also highly recommend visiting Senja, so don't miss our Ultimate Photography Guide to Senja to help you plan a well-rounded itinerary featuring some of the country's best photography locations. If you're excited about exploring Norway but aren't sure where to start, why not join one of our Photo Tours in Norway ! We'd love to show you around and help you experience some of the country's most spectacular landscapes.
Max Rive is most driven by seeking new perspectives in the natural world and capturing them in his own distinguished style. Max's powerful portrayals of his interactions with the mountains has earned him international recognition in the outdoor community.
Madison McCardle is a passionate landscape photographer driven by curiosity and a desire to capture the true essence of each place she explores. Through her lens, she seeks new perspectives that reveal the beauty and authenticity of the world.
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