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An arm of the Sognefjord, Norway. Photo by User:World traveler –

Top 10 Interesting Sognefjord Facts

A Sognefjord is a Norwegian inlet to the sea. A fjord is defined as a narrow, deep, and elongated body of sea or water inlet surrounded by elevated land on three sides. Some people would use the synonyms creek, bay, or inlet to refer to the fjord, but in Norway, the Sognefjord refers to the country’s deepest, longest, and largest waterways. Here are the top ten facts about the Sognefjord.

1. The King of Fjords

Being crowned king in a country with numerous fjords is no easy task. It needs to have the longest and deepest body of water in all of Norway.

The Sognefjord stretches captures this by having a stretch of 127 miles (205 kilometers) and a sinking depth of 1308 meters (4291 feet) below sea level! Its magnificence is due to being fed by more than a half-dozen branches, including the three major the Aurlandsfjord, Fjaelandsfjord, and Naeroyfjord.

2. The residence of the world’s tallest free-falling waterfall

Waterfall on Sognefjord Norway. Photo by Sergey Ashmarin –

The Vettisfoss waterfall in Norway is the highest free fall at 275 meters. Walking up the beautiful Utladalen in Ovre Ardal will take you to this highest and most protected waterfall. The waterfall is located in Vettismorki, Ardal, and has been protected since 1924.

This natural Vettismorki waterfall in Ardal has been dubbed “the queen of waterfalls by Jan Schwarzott in his book “Under Storen,” when he professes “once the queen gets to you, she will never leave your heart.”

3. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Naeryfjord, one of the most spectacular arms of the Sognefjord, is also the world’s narrowest fjord. The Fjord is only 250 meters wide at one point, with mountains towering over it more than a thousand meters above the still and peaceful waters. UNESCO found it most appealing to preserve the pristine areas that surround the Sognefjord.

4. The encounter of spies

During the Cold War, the Royal Norwegian Navy submarine KNM Sklinna collided with a Russian Whiskey Class submarine in the Sognefjorden on November 24, 1972. This resulted in a two-week “investigation” of the incident and the intention of the submarine at the fjord.

5. One of the Most Beautiful scenery 

Sognefjord – Dragsviki Norway –

Sognefjord is dotted with numerous waterfalls, and one of them makes up the most beautiful scenery in Norway and one of its most important tourist attractions.

The lush and deep green, clear water reflects the towering majestic mountains watching over it. It is the world’s largest second fjord. The Jostedalsbreen glacier, as well as the Jotunheimen national park and mountains, can be seen from the Sognefjord at a distance.

6. The Balestrand RIB-Tour

A guided RIB-Boat tour on the Sognefjord provides travelers with memorable experiences and the tranquillity provided by the fjord.

The tour lasts a total of one hour and twenty minutes, and the best time to visit and cruise starts on April 20th ending on September 30th. During this time, the weather is sunny and beautiful. 

This tour will take you past the Kvinnefossen waterfall and the famous 22-meter-tall statue of Fridtjof, who is considered the Norwegian Viking hero.

7. How was the Sognefjord created

Sognefjord Photo by qwesy qwesy-

The name fjord is derived from the Norse fjords, which means “der man feeder over,” which translates to “where you travel across” or “where you put across to the other side.”

The Fjord is found in areas where glaciation, either past or present, extends below the current sea level. When a glacier retreats after carving its typical U-shaped valley, the sea fills the resulting valley floor space.

The Sognefjord in Norway was formed by a narrow steep-sided inlet where the glacier’s terminal residue is left settled underwater at the entrance, causing the water to be shallower at the neck than in the main body of the fjord behind it. During the Pleistocene climate of repeated glacial cycles, the entire process took 10,000 years.

8. It is the entrance to several Stave Churches

 The stave comes from the Norwegian word Stav-Kirke. The Stave churches were built with great care. To begin, exceptional long-lasting wood was prepared with care using a unique Norwegian seasoning method.

The staff is related to a barrel’s extra wood staff and stave and churches were constructed primarily from wood rather than from stone, brick, or mortar as is used in many parts. The construction of Stave churches combined Christian elements as well as that Norwegian customs.

9. Houses the official Norwegian Book Town

Fjaerland Book Town Photo by Bjorn Christian Torrissen – 

For backpackers and travelers who dream of living as hermits in a world that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, the Fjaerland is a portal town that exists as a hermit’s dream come true. The town is also a glacier gateway, as well as, a haven for any self-proclaimed and self-respecting nerd and bookworm.

This village has a population of slightly more than 270 people and boasts over 3 kilometers of second-hand bookshelves in a variety of historical buildings, shops, banks, as well as horse stables! The Fjaerland has been the official Book town of Norway since 1995. 

10. Generation ownership of the Wooden grande family

The Kviknes Hotel is a wooden grande that has been family owned and operated since 1877. Situated in the tiny and quiet Balestrand,  an area that is known for its host of galleries and local cider production.

The Kviknes Hotel accommodates the communal history together with the family tradition. It offers a cozy homely stay within the town.