The beauty of Balestrand
Situated perfectly along the Sognefjord, Balestrand has long been admired for endless fjord views, enormous mountains and beautiful wooden villas.
The centre of Balestrand is very small but charming. You certainly don’t come here for shopping and big city attractions. In fact, you come here to escape from all that. Balestrand is where you go to switch off and experience some of Norway’s best scenery. There’s also much more to do a bit further afield, making it perfect for hiking and road trip opportunities.
How to get to Balestrand
By Ferry: Take the Norled fast ferry from Bergen to Balestrand. This route operates 14 times per week and takes 3h 50m. The ferry sails along the Sognefjord which is the the longest and deepest fjord in Norway stretching over 200 km. On arrival in Balestrand, the ferry docks adjacent to the tourist centre in Balestrand where everything is within walking distance.
If you’re planning to travel by car, compares rates on www.rentalcars.com.
Things to do in Balestrand
Here are some things to do in Balestrand to make the most of your visit:
Epic views at Gaularfjellet
© Jiri Havran
Love road trips and panoramic views? Then drive across Gaular, passing spectacular fjord scenery before snaking up towards the highest point of Gaularfjellet. Stop at Utsikten viewpoint where you’ll be greeted with an epic panorama of 1500 m high mountains and valleys.
Architecturally, the viewpoint itself is something of a modern attraction. Built by the Norwegian Road Administration and designed by Code architects. The structure is a triangular concrete surface, with corners pointing towards north, south and west.
Please note during winter this driving route closes in December and re-opens in April.
Fossestien hiking trail
From Gaularfjellet take the Fossestien hiking trial to the Viksdalen valley. This scenic 21km hiking route passes 14 waterfalls and seven mountain lakes.
You have the option of starting in four different places, all of which are relatively easy to hike and suit most abilities. As well as passing 14 large waterfalls, including Likholefossen, there are also seven mountain lakes and rich flora and fauna.
St. Olaf's Church
One of the most unique buildings in Balestrand is St. Olaf’s Church. It was completed in 1897 and built in the same style as a Stave Church. It was built in the loving memory of Margaret Sophie Green Kvikne, who came to Balestrand as a mountain climber and married Knut Kvikne, who owned the Kviknes Hotel.
Margaret was the daughter of a priest in England. The story is that she never got accustomed to the Norwegian church with its Lutheran rituals. Before she passed away in 1894, her last wish was for an English church to be built in Balestrand. Her husband made this happen, and the church was completed 3 years after her death. St. Olaf’s Church therefore belongs to the Church of England, and is governed by the bishop of Gibraltar.
Head to the beach from Balestrand
There are several public beaches that you can enjoy around Balestrand:
- Gamleheimsfjøra (approx 1.5 km from the village centre in the direction of Høyanger).
- The Lunde Arboretum is a botanical garden specialising in trees. From here you can access the shoreline and go swimming in the fjord. (Approx 8 km from the village centre in the direction of Dragsvik).
- Kvamsøy recreation area is the perfect place to soak up some rays, have a picnic and go swimming. (Approx 13 km from the village centre in the direction of Høyanger).
Walk the Heritage Trail
Many Norwegian artists have visited and even called Balestrand home. This migration has influenced the appearance and culture of the village. For a small place Balestrand, stands out for its focus on the arts and crafts. This can be seen through a selection of beautifully painted villas and unique architectural designs. You can also find a few small galleries, such as The Golden House and Gallery Munken.
On top of this, I was recommended to walk the leisurely 2 km Heritage Trail which passes many of the unique villas originally built by resident artists during the years 1890 – 1900s. You can pick up a map of the heritage walk from the tourist information centre.
Look out for quirky woodwork
Whilst taking the heritage walk, or simply wandering freely around the area, pay special attention to the buildings for quirky woodwork. I fell in love with a cornerpiece in a wooden window frame and decided it was a carving of a dog.
Some of the villas have a Gothic appearance, with jutting roofs, verandahs and decorated gables often with dragonhead ornaments. These were a symbol taken from the Nordic Sagas and the prechristian world of mythology. The amount of craftwork that has gone into the buildings is astonishing and the view each one of them has of the Sognefjord is what must make living here truly special.
Get fruity at Ciderhuset
Homemade cider on a summer’s day? Yes please! Ciderhuset is a fruit farm that produces its own ciders, jams and juices, as well as tours and tasting sessions in its distillery during the summer. The restaurant focuses on pairing cider and food. An option of meze and main dishes from local produce are available and dessert usually features fruit from the orchard and local organic cream.
Take a RIB boat safari
A thrilling way to explore the fjord and really appreciate the nature of this region is by taking a boat safari.
You’ll pass lots of beautiful little villages with brightly painted houses, stunning waterfalls that drop 120 metres straight down into the fjord and several little islands. Lastly, but certainly not least, there should be ample opportunities to spot birds and sea-life, including porpoises.
Where to stay in Balestrand
The Kviknes Hotel is considered a landmark of Balestrand, dating back to 1877. They’ve managed to keep it a family run business since they opened and it has expanded into a large hotel that can cater up to 200 guests. Though big, its family heritage, beautiful decor and excellent service play a part in making the atmosphere feel welcoming and intimate.
Overlooking mountains and fjords, views don’t get much better than at the Kviknes Hotel. It literally opens out onto the Sognefjord!
→ Book your stay at the Kviknes Hotel
Are you planning your own trip to Norway and Balestrand?
My post Fjord Explorer: Flåm, Balestrand and Bergen provides a beautiful route on how to explore some of the best regions of Western Norway.
Also check out my Norway archive on the blog and save this post for later by pinning it!
2 Responses
Really enjoyed your article. You should definitely take a spring tour in the northern Albania. The blue eye in Theth is fascinating and more fascinating is the road to go there. The view in every mountain top is spectacular. To top it all of the people are so friendly that will make you feel more like a guest than a traveler
Where can we rent a car to hold 6 travelers staying in Balestrand for 3 nights and then off to Oslo where we would return the car?