Discover Hellesylt by the Storfjord

Hellesylt lies at the inner end of the Storfjord and is a gateway to the Geirangerfjord and its World Heritage area. Hellesyltfossen flows right through the town centre. If you’re looking for hotels for your trip, first consider whether you’d like to focus on cultural sites, a fjord cruise or a hike. The different options can help you tailor your stay to your interests.

Badehuset and Sunnylven Church

Badehuset was built in 1937. In 1997, it was chosen as a cultural heritage site by the municipality of Stranda in a public vote. On 2 October 2009, the Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren) placed Badehuset and the surrounding seaside bath under protection. The 1997 designation applies to Badehuset; the 2009 protection also includes the seaside bath as part of the protected ensemble.

Sunnylven Church is another historic landmark. The long church, inaugurated in 1859, stands high above the centre of Hellesylt and is listed by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage. Badehuset and the church thus represent different aspects of the town: one is a bathhouse and seaside bath, the other a church with its own distinctive architectural form. If you’d like to include historic buildings in your travel plans, both offer specific places to visit.

Experience the fjord and waterfall

The waterfall in the town centre and the location on the Storfjord shape Hellesylt in different ways. The town also has a cruise pier. There are several ways to explore the Geirangerfjord: the ferry between Hellesylt and Geiranger travels directly into the fjord. There is also a round trip departing from the ferry terminal that runs the full length of the Geirangerfjord. The fjord is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site West Norwegian Fjords.

Geirangerfjord and Sunnylvsfjord boat tours depart from Hellesylt marina and last about 90 minutes, depending on the destination. Historic mountain farms and waterfalls such as the Seven Sisters and Friaren lie along the route. These tours let you explore more of the fjord, not just the town itself. Safety equipment and weatherproof suits are included on these boat tours; confirm what equipment is included before departure, as operator services may change. If the ferry is important to your plans, check the timetable for your travel date.

Hiking across Ljøbrekka

You can also explore the area on foot: the restored section of Den Trondhjemske postveg over Ljøbrekka is now used as a hiking trail. The hike can start in Ljøen, near Hellesylt. There is a viewing platform in Ljøen along the Ljøbrekka route. In the wider destination of Stranda, the restored post road over Ljøbrekka is considered both a tourist attraction and a visitor activity; it also helps preserve cultural history. The route therefore combines a hike with a historical connection, without requiring you to plan these as separate destinations.

Events in Hellesylt

Hellesyltløpet is a recurring event held as part of Hellesyltdagane; in 2026, it was held for the 39th time. Andesleppet is a traditional highlight of Hellesyltdagane and takes place at Hellesyltfossen in 2026. These events add a time-specific reason to visit alongside the permanent buildings, fjord tours and hiking trail. If an event is key to your trip, check the dates for the relevant year.

When choosing where to stay, you can weigh these options against one another: Sunnylven Church and Badehuset represent architectural and cultural history, the boat tours offer different ways to explore the fjord, and Ljøbrekka provides a hike with a historical connection. This lets you search for a hotel based on what you’d like to do in Hellesylt.

Discover more destinations: Stranda, Geiranger, Liabygda

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