Hellesylt, Norway

Breathtaking fjords and crashing waterfalls.

When you picture Norway, do majestic fjords, lush valleys, and crashing waterfalls come to mind? Probably, because that’s quintessential, iconic Norway—and that’s what you’ll get in Hellesylt. At the head of the Sunnylvsfjord, Hellesylt is your gateway to exploring further through the UNESCO World Heritage West Norwegian Fjords.

A famous Viking port in the Medieval age, today this village is home to just 250 people. But don’t let its small size fool you, there is plenty to experience in port, and outdoor excursions abound. You can’t miss the Hellesylt Waterfall that crashes through the center of town. Two bridges provide excellent vantage points to watch glacier-fed streams cascade over polished granite rocks.

Experience the area’s sweeping scenery with a hiking or biking tour of the Kjellstaddalen Valley. Keep an eye out for the Troll’s Pot—a unique rock formation were legend says a troll’s wife makes porridge. Head to the Aisen River for some of the world’s best salmon fishing, or relax surrounded by snow-capped mountains along the shore of Europe’s deepest lake, Hornindalsvatnet.