The Fjord

Flåm lies at the end of the Aurlandsfjord. The fjord is around 28 kilometres long and is a side arm of the Sognefjord, which is one of the world's longest fjords. The fjord stretches 200 kilometres from the coast inland. In this area the fjord is between 50 to 100 metres deep, but further out into the fjord it gets deeper and at its deepest is 1300 metres deep. The water in the Aurlandsfjord is a blend of salt and fresh water, as several large freshwater rivers run out into the fjord. The mountains in the area are high, at their highest point reaching 1800 metres above sea level. There is not much ice on the fjord in winter, but sometimes ice does form in the innermost part of the Nærøyfjord. During the periods when there is ice, then there will be changes in the boat timetable between Flåm and Gudvangen, as the modern electric vessels cannot sail through ice. In addition to the Aurlandsfjord which we are now sailing along, you can find the entrance to the Nærøyfjord around 10-12 kms further out into the fjord. In 2005 Nærøyfjord along with Geirangerfjord was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. There are 7 attractions in Norway on the list. The following year National Geographic Traveller magazine, voted Nærøyfjord and Geirangerfjord as the world’s best managed world heritage sites and in 2009 fjord Norway was voted as the world’s most beautiful travel destination.