Hjørundfjord

Between the jagged peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps, the Hjørundfjord dramatically cuts 35 km into the landscape. The fjord branches in two, where one arm leads to Bjørke, while Norangsfjord stretched all the way to Øye Village. 

In the summer, a cruise departs from Ålesund to Øye, making stops at Trandal, Sæbø and Urke. Another way to visit is to go by car, and enjoy the view from the deck of the ferry while crossing the fjord. There are ferry crossings between the quays at Ytre Standal, Trandal, Sæbø, Skår and Leknes. 

The towering mountains made road constructions near impossible, and some hamlets and tiny villages are still only reachable by boat or hiking across the mountain. Trandal is best known among these little communities, where Christian Gaard Bygdetun can proudly announce that they have one of the world's most beautiful swings! The highly-instagrammed swing is angled so that you can almost dangle your feetabove the stunning fjord.

The mountains that surround the fjord are popular hiking destination, with Saksa an Slogen among the most visited. Local guide companies are ready to take you on adventures in the mountains, on a bike or in a fjord kayak. 

The Norangsdalen valley is a narrow passage between Øye and Hellesylt. Here, the Lyngstøylsvatnet lake holds a secret, a part of the valley's dramatic history. At the bottom of the lake you can spot the foundations of farmhouses and traces of the old road, flooded after a rock fall in 1908. Now, you can go paddling or snorkeling to admire the clear waters and mysteries of the lake.

The fabled Hotel Union Øye has many stories to tell, aboutthe valley, the fjord and the hotel itself, which has housed both royalties and celebrities. The hotel, which is a member og the Historic Hotels & Restaurants group, has named the rooms after its prominent guests - so perhaps you will recognize the name on your door when you are ready for a good night's rest?