National Geographic has named Vestland, Norway, one of the best places in the world to travel in 2027. Hardangerfjord, Folgefonna and Trolltunga are among the highlights – and the entire list opens with a photo from the village of Sundal, here in Hardanger.
National Geographic compiles Best of the World each year with input from writers, photographers and explorers around the globe. The 2027 list opens with a wooden rowboat on still water beneath steep green mountainsides. The photo was taken in Sundal, a small village on Maurangsfjord, a side arm of the Hardangerfjord – and the rowers are Caroline and Harald, the hosts of Hotel Sundal.
Hotel Sundal is a small hotel from 1889, right by the quay, with eleven rooms and a dinner menu built on ingredients from small local producers. The rowboat belongs here: from the 1860s, villagers rowed blocks of ice from the Bondhus glacier across Lake Bondhusvatnet, then carted them down the "Ice Road" to ships waiting at the quay.
Hardangerfjord stretches 179 km (111 miles) inland from the coast south of Bergen. National Geographic notes it is the second-longest fjord in Norway and the fifth-longest in the world. For generations, people along its shores have grown fruit, built wooden boats and played the Hardanger fiddle.
In May, the fjord slopes turn white with apple and cherry blossom. In autumn, farms sell apples and fresh juice straight from the orchard.
Blossom season in Hardanger · Culture & history · Nature & fjord experiences
Across the fjord lies Folgefonna, Norway's southernmost and third-largest glacier. National Geographic's Vestland guide singles out Folgefonna National Park. With crampons and an ice axe, you can walk among crevasses and blue ice with certified glacier guides from Folgefonni Breførarlag from June to October. In summer, you can also kayak between floating ice all the way to the foot of the glacier.
To understand the glacier before you set foot on it, start at the Folgefonn Centre in Rosendal, the national park's visitor centre. It sits right by the express boat quay and tells the story of the ice, the journey of water and life in the Hardangerfjord.
You don't need a guide or mountain experience to see this emerald glacial lake. From the car park in Sundal, follow the old Ice Road 2.3 km (1.4 miles) along the river on a gentle gravel track. Allow about two hours round trip. The path is stroller-friendly and open almost all year. Staying at Hotel Sundal? The trail starts practically at your door. By the lake, look for the stone signed by Queen Sonja – she opened Folgefonna National Park here in 2005.
Some 700 m (2,300 feet) above Lake Ringedalsvatnet, Trolltunga – "the troll's tongue" – juts out into thin air "like a diving board for the gods," in National Geographic's words. From Skjeggedal, the hike is about 27 km (17 miles) round trip and takes 10–12 hours. It is a demanding mountain hike: start early and check the forecast.
Go with Trolltunga Active or Trolltunga Adventures, both named in the guide, and you can time your hike for sunrise or sunset. Trolltunga isn't summer-only, either: with a guide, you can hike it in autumn and winter too. Want both the sunset and the sunrise? Spend the night on the mountain.
How to experience Trolltunga · Unique places to stay in Hardanger · Your guide to a summer in Hardanger
National Geographic picked three highlights, but Hardanger spans five municipalities and much more. Seven more ideas:
Ready for Hardanger? Browse things to do and places to stay and start planning your 2027 trip.
National Geographic highlights Hardangerfjord as Norway's second-longest fjord and the world's fifth-longest, Folgefonna National Park, and Trolltunga, which juts out 700 m (2,300 feet) above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. It recommends Trolltunga Active and Trolltunga Adventures as guides.
In Sundal, Mauranger, on a side arm of the Hardangerfjord in Kvinnherad municipality. The rowers are the hosts of Hotel Sundal.
About 27 km (17 miles) round trip from Skjeggedal, takes 8–12 hours. It is demanding and should be started early in the day.
Yes. Take Skyss bus 930 from Bergen to Odda (about three hours). Skjeggedal is about 20 minutes from Odda, with a shuttle bus in season.
No. The glacier has crevasses and should only be crossed with a certified glacier guide, such as Folgefonni Breførarlag. Lake Bondhusvatnet in Sundal is an easy, unguided walk with views toward the glacier.
https://hardangerfjord.com/en/...May brings fruit blossom and waterfalls in full flow. Summer is the season for glacier hikes, kayaking and Trolltunga, and autumn for harvest time and a quieter fjord. In winter, expect snow-capped mountains and deep powder at Røldal Ski Resort, one of Norway's most snow-sure ski areas – and with a guide, you can hike Trolltunga then too.
Vestland is one of 25 destinations on six continents in National Geographic's Best of the World 2027, published October 20, 2026.
Vestland is the first destination on the list. The opening photo was taken in Sundal, Mauranger, and the couple in the rowboat run Hotel Sundal.
From the Hardanger region, the guide highlights Hardangerfjord, Folgefonna National Park and Trolltunga.
Trolltunga Active and Trolltunga Adventures are recommended as Trolltunga guides.
Stay between fjord and glacier at the historic Hotel Sundal in Kvinnherad. Enjoy local food, nature's soundtrack, and easy access to Hardanger's top hikes like Bondhusvatnet and Trolltunga.
The Folgefonn Center is connected to the Folgefonna National Park. It includes modern, interactive exhibitions on topics such as geology, climate, the water cycle, and life in the Hardangerfjord. The Folgefonn center is easy to reach, for instance by speedboat from Bergen.
Folgefonna National Park was established in 2005 and is one of 42 National Parks in Norway. The Folgefonna glacier is the glacier furthest south in Norway, and the third largest. In the National Park and its surroundi...
A unique kayak tour amid icebergs and mighty nature. See Folgefonna glacier up close, glide across crystal clear water and be amazed.
Experience the blue ice on the Folgefonna Glacier with the Folgefonni Glacier Team! They take you on a glacier hike with a panoramic view of the fjord and mountain landscape on the Juklavass glacier. This part of the Folgefonna glacier offers both exciting terrains with crevasses and flat, easy-to-walk areas.
Bondhusvatnet glacier lake near Sundal in Kvinnherad is a popular destination and one of the most popular hikes in the Hardanger region. The hike is short and not demanding and you can do it all year round.
Trolltunga - also known as the Troll's Tongue - is the most spectacular rock formation in Norway. At 1180 meters above sea level, is lies about 700 meters above the lake Ringedalsvatnet. From the top, you have a fantastic view. The hike to Trolltunga starts in Skjeggedal and leads through the high mountains.
Experience one of the most spectacular mountain formations in the world together with Trolltunga Active. The activity company offers a double-digit number of exciting activities on and around Trolltunga – all year round.
Visit Trolltunga during winter on a guided hike with Trolltunga Adventures! Available from March-May.
Experience the Vøringsfossen waterfall - the most famous waterfall in Norway!
Monks' Steps and Nosi: Fantastic Fjord View. Start: Start by the supermarket in Lofthus(or Lofthus Camping, Hotell Ullensvang or Opedal School). End: Nosi, 950 masl Parking: By the supermarket in Lofthu...
Discover the majestic Husedalen waterfalls on a 3-6 hour hike from Kinsarvik to Hardangervidda. The well-marked trail offers spectacular nature and varied routes.
Walk safe and dry behind one of Norway's most popular waterfalls. Steinsdalsfossen near Norheimsund, is easily accessible right next to the road.
The fruit and cider route in Ulvik connects the fruit farms Ulvik Frukt & Cideri, Syse Gard and Hardanger Saft- og Siderfabrikk. Join in on a guided tour for a unique peek "behind the scenes" or sample some scrumptious goods from the farmyard shops.
Baroniet Rosendal is Norway's only barony and Scandinavia's smallest castle. The barony is centrally located in Rosendal and is known for its cultural program and its rose garden.
Go skiing in Hardanger. Røldal Ski Resort, with one of Norway's most stable snow and winter conditions, is perfect for both beginners and experienced skiers.
The Hardangerfjord Express takes you from Bergen to Rosendal, where you can visit the Barony with its magnificent rose garden, the world's largest art installation Salmon Eye, experience interactive exhibitions at the Folgefonn Center, and many more fantastic experiences!
