





Sitting at the eastern tip of the Hardangerfjord, Eidfjord is a two-and-a-half-hour drive east of Bergen along Route 7. The village is known for the 182-metre drop of Vøringsfossen waterfall and as a launch point into the vast Hardangervidda plateau. Eidfjord is worth visiting if you want wild plateau hiking, monumental waterfalls, and quiet orchard walks along the water. Look elsewhere if you expect evening nightlife, boutique shopping, or a dense network of indoor sights on rainy days.
Last updated 24 Oct 2026
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Life in Eidfjord stays tethered to the weather and the water. The town spreads out along the eastern shoreline of the fjord, flanked by stone peaks and the turquoise Eio river. Days here revolve around morning coffee near the quay, heading up into the high plateau of Hardangervidda, and returning for a hot stew of mountain trout or local venison. It suits independent travellers who enjoy brisk mountain air and quiet evenings.
Start early with a twenty-minute drive up Highway 7 to beat the tour buses at Vøringsfossen waterfall. Head back down to Øvre Eidfjord for a warm lunch of cured reindeer and fresh cider at the local café, then spend a quiet afternoon admiring the 14th-century masonry of Old Eidfjord Church before an evening stroll along the waterfront. Select 1 Day above to see it.
Dedicate day two to the heights. Time your drive up the single-lane mountain tunnel to the cliff-edge farmstead at Kjeåsen for panoramic views over Simadalsfjorden. Afterwards, drop down into Simadal valley for an afternoon kayak on the quiet fjord, followed by a hearty plate of salted mountain mutton and local root vegetables. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
With three days, venture across the Hardanger Bridge to the cider farms of Ulvik, or hike deep into the tundra from the Liseth trailhead. You can take your time tasting sparkling apple ciders at family-run orchards, stop at roadside honesty boxes for fresh summer berries, and watch the evening fog roll over the high peaks at your own pace.
Stand on the cantilevered steel platforms above Vøringsfossen as 182 metres of water crash down into the dramatic Måbødalen gorge.
Trek the trails out from Liseth or climb the steep steps of Måbøberget toward the high tundra of the Hardangervidda National Park.
Sample crisp Hardanger apple ciders and farm-pressed juices produced on the sun-warmed slopes around Ulvik and the local shoreline.
Examine the whitewashed stone walls and carved soapstone portal of Old Eidfjord Church, built in 1309 by Ragna Asolfsdatter.
Paddle across the glassy waters of the Eidfjorden branch right from the shoreline, looking straight up at towering granite cliffs.
Drive the narrow gravel hairpins to Kjeåsen, a historic mountain croft perched 530 metres above the Simadalsfjorden.
Taste cured mountain trout, smoked reindeer, local goat cheeses, and venison stews served in cosy timber dining rooms across town.
Explore the interactive Hardangervidda Nature Centre at Øvre Eidfjord, featuring dioramas, aquariums, and panoramic nature films.
Navigate the Norwegian Scenic Route Hardangervidda along Highway 7, crossing high tundra passes and dramatic glacier views.
Catch the local express boat across the Simadalsfjord and Hardangerfjord to view sheer cliff faces and distant apple orchards.
Cast for wild brown trout and Arctic char in Lake Eidfjordvatnet and the rushing waters of the Eio river with a local day permit.
Walk the old postal road through Måbødalen, navigating stone stairways and wooden bridges hand-built across centuries.