Bergen: Hardangerfjord, Waterfalls, Culture & Apple pie
Description
This half-day guided bus tour takes you from Bergen to the heart of Hardanger – a region known for world-class fjords, impressive waterfalls, and strong local craft traditions. Throughout the journey, your guide shares stories and insights about the landscapes and places you pass along the way. On this trip you will experience some of Hardanger’s most beautiful highlights — from the famous Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall and nearby Stone Age rock carvings to the impressive Hardangerfjord itself. In Norheimsund, the charming capital of the fjord region, you’ll visit a living Maritime Centre, where you can explore workshops, watch craftsmen at work, and experience local maritime culture. And round off the visit, enjoy a delicious apple pie, baked with local apples — a sweet taste of Hardanger’s long fruit-growing traditions!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Gamlehaugen is the royal residence in Bergen, located on the shore of Lake Nordåsvannet just south of the city. The elegant white mansion, built in 1900, serves as the official residence of the Norwegian royal family when they visit Bergen. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland, it is often called Bergen’s “little royal castle.”
Our first stop will be at the beautifull waterfall ''Mørkholsfossen''. The surrounding area is ideal for short hikes and nature walks. A scenic path along the river leads you to the best viewpoint, where the waterfall reveals its full beauty. The sound of rushing water dominates the atmosphere, creating a calming backdrop for picnics, photography, or simply soaking in the tranquility.
Just 5 minutes drive from our first waterfall, we stop at Fossen Bratte, one of the most dramatic waterfalls along the route, often called “The Bride’s Veil” because of its elegant white spray – is known for its impressive 80-meter drop and the powerful roar that echoes through the valley. Today, the road passes through a tunnel behind the waterfall, but after parking, we can follow the old road to reach the top of the fall. You can also choose to go the opposite way - down to the bottom of this mighty cascade, where you can truly feel the strength of the water. Your guide is always with you, helping you find your way, take the best photos, and enjoy the best possible experience. Today we drive in a tunnel behind the waterfall, but when we park we can use the old road to get right up to the top of the waterfall. We can also choose to move the opposite way - down to the bottom of this mighty waterfall.
On our way back to Bergen, we pass through Kvamskogen, enjoying a scenic mountain drive through forests, lakes, and open highland landscapes before returning to the city.
We make a stop at Salthammeren, a unique cultural heritage site featuring rock carvings from the Stone Age. A short path leads you down to the rock surface where these ancient figures were carved into the mountainside — including animal motifs and symbols that offer a glimpse into the life and beliefs of the people who lived here thousands of years ago. From the viewpoint next to the carvings, you also get a fantastic overview of the Hardangerfjord and the majestic mountains surrounding it. The combination of history, culture, and nature makes this a truly memorable stop on the tour.
After enjoying the fjord scenery at Salthammeren, we continue to Norheimsund — often called the “capital” of the Hardanger region — with the fjord stretching out in front of us and majestic mountains rising behind. The scenic waterfront promenade of Norheimsund invites you to take a peaceful stroll while enjoying stunning views of the Hardangerfjord. The town is also known for its fruit farms, and during apple season, you can taste fresh apples straight from the tree. In Norheimsund, we visit the Hardanger Maritime Center — a living museum where traditional wooden boats, coastal crafts, and centuries-old techniques are still kept alive. You can watch skilled boatbuilders at work, explore authentic workshops, and step into Hardanger’s maritime heritage. To round off the visit, enjoy a delicious slice of homemade apple pie — a beloved local treat served at the museum café!
Located near Norheimsund in Hardanger – just a 10-minute drive from Øystese – Steinsdalsfossen is one of Norway’s most popular waterfalls. Standing 50 metres high, it’s particularly famous for the path that runs behind the waterfall, allowing visitors to walk dry-shod and feel the power of the water up close. Take a walk behind the rushing cascade for a truly unique experience – and don’t forget your camera! Steinsdalsfossen is a favourite spot among photographers, offering countless opportunities to capture the beauty of Hardanger’s landscape.
The journey begins with a scenic drive along the Osterfjord, with Osterøy — Northern Europe’s largest inland island — on the left-hand side. At the fjord’s narrowest point, you’ll see the elegant suspension bridge connecting Osterøy to the mainland, before continuing through the varied landscapes of Vestland County, accompanied by engaging stories from your guide along the way.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Small occasional delays may occur due to local road conditions, weather or other force majeure situations. However, we always plan the tour carefully to make sure cruise guests return to their ship on time.
Reviews(65)
Terrific experience, our driver David and guide Nils were terrific. We enjoyed learning about the history of the region and culture and the waterfalls and apple pie were wonderful!
I was a little nervous after reading some reviews, but we were very happy after taking this tour. Yes, you spend some time on a bus, but that should be expected when touring Norway. Our tour took us to some incredible waterfalls, a neat boat building spot, and some other beautiful views. We were all impressed with the tour, the bus and our guide. This was a great experience and I highly recommend it. But please understand, you are in Norway, it may rain, you may have to hike to areas for views, and the bus ride can be longer. This trip was well worth it for my family.
Thank you for this thoughtful review. We especially appreciate that you shared it so clearly, because this is exactly the spirit in which this tour is meant to be experienced. Western Norway asks for some time on the road, some changing weather, and sometimes a little walking — but in return it gives you places and views that stay with you. We are very happy that the day, the guide, and the overall experience worked so well for your family. Thank you so much!
Enjoyed this tour of fjord and waterfalls with beautiful views and nice guide. Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall was my favorite as enjoyed walking so close behind the waterfall. Ferry ride across the fjord was scenic and peaceful. Apple farm was more of a stopover to seat and unwind with a warm drink and tasty apple pie.
Thank you for this lovely review. We are so happy that Steinsdalsfossen was such a highlight for you — being able to walk right behind the waterfall really is a special experience. Just to clarify for future guests: in the 2026 season, this tour includes three waterfalls and a visit to the living maritime centre in Norheimsund, where apple pie is served. The ferry crossing mentioned in this review is included on our Scenic Hardangerfjord tour with Lunch.
The tour description is accurate. The visit to the maritime museum that demonstrates the traditional boat building techniques was most interesting. The bus we travelled in was a little cramped. The tour guide was good and the driver got us there and back without incident.
Beautiful scenery, great guide and the apple pie / museum were an added bonus. Thoroughly enjoyed the various waterfalls.
An excellent tour, with spectacular scenery. We stopped at 3 waterfalls and the museum where we had some excellent apple cake and a short stop to see some iron age and bronze age stone carvings. The waterfalls were excellent and our guide was great. It's a shame that there wasn't a brief stop (or 2), to take In some of the scenery but, overall, an excellent day out.
Long bus ride. Guide very talkstive. Beautiful countryside and great weather. Don’t buy this excursion through your cruise. Much less expensive to buy it through Visturs.
A gorgeous drive around the fjord area. We did drive past the advertised photo of an island with red houses, but no opportunity to take a photo - though other photo stops were provided. The guide was delightful with cultural topics, history and trivia. Loved it. The apple farm was charming. To add on to your Norway experience, or as a scouting trip for a future visit, this tour was great.
It’s only essential points like 2 waterfalls and visit at the apple farm . It should be more stops even for a few minutes and while trip would be more interesting.
Highly recommend this bus tour around Hardange Fjord. Jahn and Anita are fabulous. Scenery was amazing and we got bonus i formation about the history and traditions of the area, as well as current global connections and economic and ethical leadership. Lots of humorous mementos, as well. It is wonderfully timed with a break from the bus about every hour to see Waterfalls and stop to visit an apple farm where we not only learned about apples, juice and ciders (they have a gold medal for their cider), we were served a glass of their refreshing apple juice and a slice of the most delicious apple pie from the chef, himself. Lovely day trip!!
