The Serene Hardangerfjord

Day 1  Voss      
Arrive in Voss at any time.

Day 2  Voss      
In fine weather, walking the high moorland circuit from the top of the Voss gondola can’t be beaten, offering exceptional views and ambience, without significant climbing.

Day 3  Voss to Ulvik      
From Granvin you join the route of the old post road as it winds through forests, pasture and high moorland, passing isolated farms and the picturesque lake at Vatnaset before descending to the village of Ulvik and the fjordside Brakanes Hotel.

Day 4  Ulvik      
Head out through the orchards of the cider farms to the east of Ulvik before climbing gently through meadows and forest to Jobykse, a viewpoint high above the Osafjord. On your return, you can sample the produce at one of the cider farms before retracing your steps to Ulvik.

Day 5  Ulvik to Lofthus      
From Ulvik you travel by morning boat or bus along the fjord to Lofthus, where you spend two nights at Hotel Ullensvang. A relaxed amble along lanes through the orchards of Lofthus gives wonderful fjord views and a lesson in fruit-growing thanks to comprehensive information panels along the way. You can extend the walk by climbing alongside the river Opo, for views of the high Skrikjo Falls, as well as glimpses of a second waterfall. The route returns via Ullensvang church and swimming jetty – the perfect spot for a break before returning to your hotel.

Day 6  Lofthus      
After taking a bus or boat (20mins, pay locally) to Kinsarvik, walk up Husedalen, a steep, pine-clad valley boasting four thundering waterfalls. As this is an out-and-back route, you can choose how far you walk, although the views of the falls get better the higher you climb.

Day 7  Lofthus to Bergen    
Your final views of the week’s memorable landscapes are from the water as you journey by boat through the early evening to Norheimsund, and then on to Bergen by bus. Norway’s second-largest city is set in a wonderful location on the western fjords. You spend your final night in a hotel well placed for exploration of the historic Bryggen district, just a short stroll from the seafood restaurants which line the harbour, for a final taste of Norway.

Day 8  Bergen
Your tour comes to an end.