Skjolden is the innermost cruise port of Norway, located at the head of Norway’s longest and deepest fjord and at the foot of Norway’s highest mountains and largest glacier. The approach is via the picturesque Lusterfjord, which is emerald green because of the melt water from the glaciers. Along both shores of the fjord there are beautiful villages and lush cultural landscapes where fruits and berries are grown on small, idyllic farms.
Being situated deep in the heart of the Norwegian fjord country, Skjolden is surrounded by several of Norway’s major attractions. Jotunheimen National Park is only a few minutes drive away, and offers spectacular scenery with high alpine mountain ranges, glaciers, lakes and waterfalls. Sognefjellsvegen, the national scenic route through this unique mountain area, is the highest mountain pass in Northern Europe. Just an hour’s drive from the port, through the famous Jostedalen valley, the impressive Jostedalsbreen Glacier can be viewed at close range. Urnes Stave Church is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and Norway’s oldest stave church. Some of Norway’s highest waterfalls, such as the majestic Feigumfossen, can also be seen from the fjord.
Other interesting attractions in and around Skjolden, are the Breheimsenteret National Park Centre, The Heiberg Collections/ Sogn Folkemuseum, Safthuset factory museum & village store, Munthehuset-artis’s villa, Urnes Deer Farm and many more.
In this dramatic but still very friendly landscape there is a wide range of outdoor activities. Professional guides offer glacier hikes of all different levels, Nordic walking, mountain hiking, kayaking among icebergs on glacier lakes, kayaking on the fjord, canyoning, rafting, horseback riding beneath the glacier, boat trips and many other breathtaking and refreshing experiences.
Skjolden has a good pier for tender boats, but a large cruise pier is scheduled for completion in May 2010.
Avid Cruiser Posts, Photographs and Videos Featuring Skjolden-Sognefjord.
