Geiranger: Hiking Trails, Zipline and Ørnevegen

Geiranger offers several starting points for planning your trip: hiking trails with specific route details, the Via Ferrata zipline, an octagonal wooden church and the winding Road 63. If you’re looking for a hotel in Geiranger, you can first consider which of these aspects matter for your stay.

Compare hiking trails by distance and time

The Fosseråsa hiking trail was authorised in 2019 as Norway’s first National Tourist Trail. It starts in the centre of Geiranger and ends in the outdoor area of the Norwegian Fjord Centre. The route is 3.90 kilometres each way, with an elevation gain of 576 metres; allow around two hours for the ascent.

Fossevandringa follows the Storfossen waterfall. It is approximately 1.04 kilometres each way, with an elevation gain of 96 metres; allow around 20 minutes for the uphill walk. The route includes a staircase with 327 steps leading to the World Heritage Visitor Centre.

The two routes therefore have distinctly different ascent times to consider when planning your schedule. Distance and elevation gain provide additional points of comparison when choosing your hikes.

Zipline, road and viewpoints

The Via Ferrata zipline combines ziplining with a via ferrata and Nepalese bridges along the Geirangerelva River. It consists of two parallel cables with five installations. The combination of different elements sets this activity apart from the hiking trails described above and can be a separate focus in your trip planning.

Ørnevegen is the steep stretch of National Road 63 from Geiranger towards Eidsdal. The road winds up from the Geirangerfjord to the highest point on the route, at Korsmyra, 620 metres above sea level, with eleven hairpin bends. This gives you a road route with clear landmarks to include in your plans. Visitors can use a small electric car from eMobility to explore Geiranger and the World Heritage area independently and at their own pace.

Near Geiranger, Flydalsjuvet is located on Road 63, about four kilometres from the centre towards Grotli. The viewpoint has an upper and a lower plateau, connected by a footpath. Its approximate distance and location on the road help distinguish it geographically from destinations in the centre of Geiranger.

Church and visitor centre

Geiranger kyrkje is an octagonal wooden church built in 1842, with seating for 120 people. Its architect was Hans Klipe. The year it was built, its shape and its material give the church a clearly defined profile among the area’s cultural attractions.

The Norwegian Fjord Centre has a café serving light meals and a shop specialising in sustainable Norwegian products. Along with Fosseråsa’s start in the centre and its endpoint in the Fjord Centre’s outdoor area, the visitor centre is also a practical landmark when planning your hike.

Discover more destinations: Liabygda, Hellesylt, Stranda.

Return to the main travel overview: Stranda.