This is fjord Norway, a sailor’s paradise in the North Sea through deep and dramatic fjords lying in gorges cut between majestic mountains. The climbing mountains on either side of the fjords are steep and high, and continue as far below the water as above.

The headland of Statt divides the west coast into a southern section, starting in Stavanger, and a northern section, ending in Trondheim, where south and north Norway meet.

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city, and lies conveniently between two of the most famous and interesting fjords, Hardangerfjord, which goes under several names winding its way northwest between low-lying landscapes and steep impressive mountains, and Sognefjord, one of the world’s longest natural fjord.

Stavanger is situated in the southwest corner of a large bay of islands surrounded by fjords. Lysefjord, with its dramatic pulpit rock (usually seen in most of the Norway Fjords’ tourist literature) is as steep and dramatic as the larger longer fjords further north.

Fjord scenery is spectacular, but care and good planning is required for fjord sailing in many regions of Norway. There are small settlements, anchorages, and towns but due to some of the distances attention to detail when planning your passages is required. Winds can be unpredictable in the fjords and can occasionally funnel down through the fjords or from the mountains.