FJORDCRUISE

Explore Norway with a cruise on the Hardangerfjord and cider sampling

Sailing in to Odda with Aurora of The Fjords Photo Øystein Haara

You can combine the Hardangerfjord cruise aboard what is known locally as “the cider boat” with a variety of excursions and activities. Join the Aurora of The Fjords at either Eidfjord or Odda and hop on and off at stops along the way. Here, we offer two different suggestions for your Hardangerfjord cruise aboard the Aurora of the Fjords – one for those who love to explore Norway and Norwegian nature, and one for those who would like to combine cruising and cider tasting.

The cider boat and exploring Norwegian nature

Odda, where the fjord cruise starts and ends, is the perfect launch pad for hiking in the mountains. Pictures of the spectacular rock formation Trolltunga (the troll’s tongue) have made Odda a popular destination for hikers from around the world who want to explore Norway. There are numerous peaks in the area, such as Rossnos and Reinanuten, that can be reached on foot. In the early days of international tourism, wealthy visitors flocked to experience the Buerdalen valley and the Buerbreen glacier. They came by ship to Odda, were conveyed part of the way by horse and boat, and then continued on foot up the Buerdalen valley. In the 1850s, tourism in Odda was just as lively as the New York Stock Exchange. Today, Bjørn Buer and his family are following in the footsteps of his grandparents, who started serving food and beverages around 1970. They have built up a gourmet restaurant at the foot of the Buerbreen glacier, which food critics have praised to the skies. It is truly worth a visit.

From Odda, the Aurora of the Fjords takes you to Lofthus. Here, we propose a stay at the historic Hotel Ullensvang, a magnificent hotel set in beautiful grounds. This is the perfect place to rest after walking the Queen’s Path from Kinsarvik to Lofthus. The Queen’s Path is named after Norway’s Queen Sonja and is one of her favourite hiking trails.

Alternatively, you can hike the beautiful valleys around Lofthus and visit one or more of the farms that produce their own cider. Hear the apple grower explain how this unique Norwegian cider is produced and end your visit by sampling the latest vintage.

After Lofthus, you can kick back and relax as the Aurora of The Fjords takes you on the last leg of this Hardangerfjord cruise, before docking in Eidfjord after a mini-break that will be remembered for a long time.

Trolltunga, Trolltunga Adventures, The Hardangerfjord, Hardanger

THINGS TO DO IN HARDANGER – EXPLORE NORWAY AND NORWEGIAN NATURE

Odda

Trolltunga – extremely popular but challenging mountain hike to Norway’s most spectacular rock formation
Lilletopp – a shorter and far easier mountain hike that also starts at Tyssedal. Can be combined with a guided tour of the tunnels at the top
Rossnos – mountain hike offering spectacular views of Odda and the surrounding countryside from the summit, 1,407 metres above sea level

Folgefonna, Folgefonni Breførerlag, Hardanger

THINGS TO DO IN HARDANGER – EXPLORE NORWAY AND NORWEGIAN NATURE

Ulvik, Jondal & Eidfjord

Oksen (Ulvik)– mountain hike, with spectacular 360-degree views from the summit, 1,241 metres above sea level
Glacier hiking with Folgefonni Glacier team (Jondal)– blue ice hike to the Juklavassbreen glacier
Kjeåsen (Eidfjord)– steep path to a historic mountain farm, 530 metres above sea level

THINGS TO DO IN HARDANGER – EXPLORE NORWAY AND NORWEGIAN NATURE

Lofthus

Queen’s Path (Dronningstien)– Queen Sonja’s panoramic hiking trip from Kinsarvik to Lofthus
Monks’ steps (Munketreppene)– 616 steps up from Lofthus to the Nosi mountain peak
Husedalen valley, featuring four beautiful waterfalls – starts in Kinsarvik, 10 minutes away by taxi or bus

Cider tasting in Hardanger – a world-class experience

Sampling farm-produced Norwegian cider after a tour of the orchards where the fruit was grown has become one of the most popular things to do in Hardanger. Visiting the farm and hearing the farmer explain the artisanal cider production process is truly something to put on your to-do list.

If you start your fjord cruise in Odda, we suggest that you hop off at Aga. Here, between high mountain peaks and in the centre of the Hardanger fruit basket, lies the idyllically situated Aga Sideri.

Joar Aga, a seventh-generation farmer, started the cidery at this fruit farm in 2018. The farm lies close to both the mountains and the waters of Sørfjord, which offers a perfect climate for fruit growing. On steep slopes, Joar grows a handful of different apple varieties, which are carefully harvested and turned into both apple juice and cider.

After stopping at Aga, rejoin the Aurora of The Fjords and continue your cruise to Lofthus. This is a short leg with the cider boat, but gives plenty of time to rest your legs and have a bite to eat. Make sure to try some of the local delicacies available on board.

End your cider tasting in Hardanger with a night at the venerable Brakanes Hotel. This historic hotel is an experience in itself, offering a great ambience and excellent food. The Aurora of The Fjords docks within walking distance of the hotel. After a delicious breakfast, the next day starts where you left off the day before. The cider boat departs from Lofthus in the direction of Odda at 3.45 pm, so we suggest you spend some time sampling the cider at the Lofthus Ekspedisjon. Cider tasting starts at 2.30 pm, with a variety of different cider types for you to sample.

Your cider tasting in Hardanger adventure ends aboard the Aurora of The Fjords, from which you can enjoy magnificent views of the fjord and mountains on the return trip to Odda.

We recommend that you book your cider sampling in advance. At Taste Hardanger you can book your preferred cider experience.

The Hardangerfjord, Hardanger, Cidertasting

CIDER TASTING AND FRUITFARMS ALONG THE WAY

Nå

Store Naa Siderkompani – the cider named 57/2 is a tribute to the farm and its traditions; their rosé cider Brudeferd has recently become extremely popular
Åkre Gård – known for its Edel cider from Hardanger
Alde – farm shop and cider tasting at Indre Bleie
Kvestad Sideri – award-winning cider producer, with the old farm cottage turned into a country pub

CIDER TASTING AND FRUIT FARMS ALONG THE WAY

Aga

Aga Sideri – delicious ciders made from apples grown on the steep slopes beside Sørfjord; their Humlepung cider, made with added hops, is one of the Norwegian state-owned alcohol retailer’s best-selling cider brands

Cidertasting, The Hardangerfjord, Hardanger

CIDER TASTING AND FRUIT FARMAS ALONG THE WAY

Lofthus

Lofthus Ekspedisjon – sample a variety of different Norwegian ciders all in one place
Alvavoll Frukt- og Sidergard – experience beautiful views over Lofthus and the fjord; book a guided tour of Lofthus’s orchards, which ends with cider tasting at Opedalstunet or Alvavoll
Opedalstunet – new cider producer at a farm dating back to the 12th century
Lofthus Sideri – drop in for a cider tasting plank and something good to eat

Siderruta, Cidertasting, Hardanger, The Hardangerfjord

CIDER TASTING AND FRUIT FARMS ALONG THE WAY

Ulvik

Ulvik Frukt & Cideri – farm shop and guided tours for groups
Syse Gard – guided tour, cider tasting and opportunities to sample other farm-made produce
Hardanger Juice and Cider Factory – guided tour and product tasting at Lekve Gard

Hardanger

All trips

We are sailing daily from Eidfjord to Ulvik, further on the Lofthus and doing several stops along the fjord all the way to Odda.

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Dronningstien, HM Queen Sonjas panoramic hikingtrail, Hardangerfjorden

Package

HM Queen Sonjas Hiking Trail

When sailing with Aurora of The Fjords from Eidfjord or Ulvik to the HM Queen Sonjas Hiking Trail (Dronningstien) you get to experience all the best of Hardanger in the same day.

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