Exploring magnificent fjords

From Ulsteinvik we headed eastwards deep into fjords.  The weather was mostly fine with clear blue skies and virtually no wind.

While we had one day with a light following wind, which bought the spinnaker out,  they usually conspired to be against us and required lots of beating.

We anchored overnight at Eikenosvågen and then at Honningdalevågen with magnificent backdrops of snow-covered peaks.

Honningdalevågen is a good base from which to enter the Storfjord, Sunnylvsfjord and finally the Geirangerfjord.  With no wind, there was no alternative to motor the 37nm – probably the first time we have ever motored an entire passage.

No superlative is adequate to describe the magnificence of the Geirangerfjord with its sometimes vertical rock faces and numerous cascading waterfalls.  The Seven Sisters is famous and draws many visitors and cruise ships. We had it almost to ourselves.

Geiranger itself is an attractive village centred on tourism but with very little open at this early date.  There are several powerful waterfalls gushing through it. We enjoyed walks up the mountain behind to magnificent views over the fjord.

We treated ourselves to the buffet in the opulent Union Hotel.   The four tables of desserts would have taken an extended stay to do them justice.  It was mind-blowing in abundance and almost obscene.

Still under a clear blue sky, we had to motor back out of the Geirangerfjord. Eventually, a northerly breeze appeared and we had a long beat back to Honningdalevågen.

The fine weather has now broken and we are sitting out a day’s rain berthed on the little island of Raudøyna before tackling the Statt headland.

Our track chart is here.