Start your Fjord day with a smooth drive out from the city, leaving behind the colorful houses of Bryggen and the lively harbor. As you follow the E16 eastward, you will see the landscape change from city streets and suburbs into open countryside, rolling hills, and the first glimpses of long lakes and dramatic mountain ridges that frame the western fjords.

After roughly an hour‑and‑a‑half of driving, you reach Voss, a small mountain town nestled between lakes and peaks. You will see Vangsvatnet lake shimmering beside the road, with high‑altitude slopes and ski areas rising above. The stop here offers a chance to stretch legs at a café, snap photos of the lake and mountains, or briefly walk along the water for a taste of the active‑sports vibe Voss is known for.

A short drive further along the E16 brings you to Tvindefossen, a 116‑meter twin waterfall that tumbles dramatically down a sheer rock face just steps from the parking area. Travelers will see the waterfall framed by moss‑covered stones and rushing streams, with the popular “reviving” spring nearby where many visitors stop to drink from the basin. There is time here for short photos, a quick walk along the path behind the falls, and a view of the steep valley wall that gives this stretch of road its dramatic character.

The road then climbs gently into the UNESCO‑listed Nærøydalen, a deep, narrow valley carved by glaciers. As you approach Stalheim, you will see the steep‑walled valley unfold below, with the Nærøy River snaking through farm fields and meadows. From the viewpoint near Stalheim hotel, you are treated to a panoramic view down the valley, with waterfalls streaking down the cliffs and the road ribboning along the far side.

Continuing along the E16, you descend into Gudvangen, a tiny village at the very end of the Nærøyfjord. Travelers will see the fjord calmly reflecting the surrounding mountains, with just a few wooden houses and a small harbor nestled into the steep shores. There is time to walk along the waterfront, notice the Viking‑style buildings of Njardarheimr Viking Village nearby, and imagine the long‑ship crews that once moored in this sheltered spot. The sense here is of being at the “inner heart” of the fjord system, far from the noise of the city.

From Gudvangen, the road curves along the Aurlandsfjord toward Flåm, revealing more open water and steep mountain faces. Arriving in Flåm, enjoy a small village squeezed between sea level and towering cliffs, with waterfalls tumbling down the steep slopes and the short branch of the Aurlandsfjord stretching inland. The stop here offers a walk along the fjordfront promenade, a look at the harbor and boats, and the chance to sit, have lunch and relax across the mountains and the water.

From Flåm, a short drive along the fjordside brings you to the village of Aurland, then a climb up to Stegastein, the famous cantilevered platform that juts 650 meters above the Aurlandsfjord. Walk out onto the steel and wooden deck and feel the fjord spreading out beneath them, with sheer cliffs rising on both sides and the deep blue water winding into the distance. The viewpoint offers a sense of both scale and stillness, making it a perfect place to pause and take in the full drama of the fjord landscape.

On the way back to Bergen, the E16 offers travelers the chance to revisit some of the earlier highlights with fresh eyes, now bathed in different light. The drive through the same tunnels and valleys becomes a cinematic replay, with reflections on what you’ve seen: the rush of Tvindefossen, the quiet depth of Nærøydalen, the fjord‑front calm of Flåm, and the dizzying panorama from Stegastein.