Geiranger Shows the Beauty and Danger of Norway’s Fjords
The fjords and mountains of Norway attract people from around the world seeking to gaze upon the calm deep waters, majestic waterfalls and quaint cottages of the surroundings. One of the most popular places is the small town of Geiranger located about 50 miles inland from the North Sea at the end of the Geirangerfjord which is a branch of the larger Storfjorden. This World Heritage Site once relied on farming and fishing activity, but it now looks to the 180 cruise ships and more than 600,000 tourists who visit the area each year for economic activity.
Enjoying the Grandeur of Geiranger
There are numerous ways to take in the grandeur of Geiranger and its natural wonders. First, you can take a tour or drive up to one of the many landings and viewpoints above the town in the mountains. The Flydalsjuret View Point near town and the new platform at the Geiranger Skywalk in Dalsnibba are two popular ones. From these locations, the contrast between the stark 5000-foot-high mountains along the fjord with the 800-foot-deep blue waters and the green valley below provides a beautiful image. The second way to view Geiranger is to take a ferry ride to Hellesylt or a local boat tour through the channel. In addition to gazing at the awesome cliffs on both sides of the ship, people enjoy watching the Seven Sisters waterfall which cascades over the side of the cliff into the sea. Finally, for the more adventurous there are seaplane rides available over the mountains or kayak excursions in the cool waters.
On land, there are shops, restaurants and other amenities to enjoy. The Norwegian Fjords Visitors Center which is built alongside a mountain stream brings to life the physical beauty of the region. The museum includes many interactive exhibits explaining the unusual geography and geology of the area. There is also an interesting slideshow that displays the fjords during all four seasons of the year, and the habits of local people and wildlife. Norwegian heritage is also on display such as the ubiquitous trolls which seem to be the unofficial mascot of the country. Finally, the museum explains why the region is considered to be a high risk for rockslides, avalanches and tsunamis.
Dangerous Fjord
The danger of living along a fjord is well known in Norway. In 1934, a huge rockslide into the Korsnaes Fjord created a 200-foot-high tsunami which rushed along the walls of the fjord ripping out trees and dislodging rocks until it smashed into the villages of Tafjor and Fjoeraa leveling everything along the waterfront and killing more than 40 people. Today, Geiranger is considered to be especially vulnerable to a similar incident, so the unstable Aknesfjallet Mountain is constantly monitored for signs of earthquakes and rockslides. An internationally popular Norwegian movie “The Wave” dramatized the possible causes and effects of such a disaster on Geiranger. Despite this potential danger, Geiranger continues to thrill visitors with natural beauty and scenery found in few locations around the globe.