Drive it Yourself: The Gaularfjellet Tourist Road
Enjoy this spectacular mountain crossing on one of Norway’s national tourist roads.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 10,495 / 61.2 degrees north
Førde, Norway
Førde may not win any prizes for Norway’s prettiest town, but the scenery surrounding it is incredible. The town is also centrally located in the fjord region, making it a good spot to stop on any Norwegian road-trip.
About Førde
Latitude: 61.2 degrees north
Population: 10,495
Sunnfjord Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Map of Førde
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Førde
Open-air Museum
Sunnfjord Museum
The Sunnfjord Museum is an outdoor and indoor museum that shows daily life in the Sunnfjord region from historic times through to today. The open-air museum has 32 historical buildings including homesteads and a shieling. The area is open to the public all year round, but in the summer months you can pay a little for a guided tour – this is highly recommended!
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are my recommendations!
Waterfall
Huldefossen
Huldefossen is an 80 metre high waterfall located just out of Førde. In fact, the area around Førde is famous for waterfalls so you’ll find many in the region.
Hike
Viafjellet
Viafjellet is the viewpoint over Førde with the best views. The trail is 3.2km round-trip and is graded as a moderate hike.
Road-Trips
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Førde
The E39 from Bergen to Ålesund
The E39 between Bergen and Ålesund is regarded by many as the most beautiful major highway in Norway. Winding its way around the mountains and fjords of the west coast, this highway connects many charming villages to the two large cities of Bergen and Ålesund.
Gaularfjellet Tourist Road
Gaularfjellet is a mountain area that separates the traditional regions of Sogn and Sunnfjord. The mountains reach as high as 1,615 metres. The tourist road has been open since 1938 and is very popular because of the rapid transition from fjord to mountain. For many, though, it is still a well-kept secret as it is not as popular or well-known as the other tourist roads.
The road was established as a tourist road because of its high number of waterfalls but also the engineering that went into building a road over the mountains.
Lærdal to Florø on the Rv5
The scenic highway from Lærdal to Florø weaves its way around the mountains between the Sognefjord and the Nordfjord, passing some of Norway’s most spectacular glaciers including the famous Jostedalsbreen glacier. The road was built in stages throughout the 20th century and is now one of the major highways for Western Norway. This fjord-to-coast highway takes you from the innermost part of the Sognefjord to the coastal village of Florø, on the westernmost part in Norway.
Self-Guided Walks
I currently do not have any self-guided walks available in Førde
Førde on YouTube
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Førde
Uniquely Førde
Here are some things that you must do and try in Førde
History of Førde
Førde Today
Today Førde has schooling for all age groups as well as the Department for Engineering and Health at the University of West Norway. Førde also has a hospital that serves this part of Western Norway.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: No airport.
Drive: Førde is located on the E39 running between Bergen and Ålesund.
Train: No train access
Ferry: No ferry access.
Getting Around
Førde is walkable.
Shops
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Erketunet Gardsbakeri
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
High End & Unique Eats
Places to Stay
All my hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. I don’t recommend somewhere unless I think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences.
Camping
Chains & Mid-Range
Scandic Sunnfjord & Spa is a rare chain hotel with an indoor swimming pool and spa centre!
Click here to view rates & book
There is a Thon chain hotel here.
High End & Unique Properties
Birdbox is a unique tree-house style hotel with three cabins out in the nature.
All Posts About Førde