Hjørundfjord in Norway is the steep, quiet fjord south of Ålesund, with peaks of 1,400 to 1,600 m rising straight from the water. You can see it in a day on a 1947 boat from Ålesund, or stay two nights and hike. The short local ferries inside the fjord are free. Base yourself in Sæbø or Øye, and come between June and September.
This guide is for visitors from abroad. Norwegians can read our Norwegian version.
The fjord in brief
Where it is
Hjørundfjorden is an arm of Storfjorden in the municipalities of Ørsta and Sykkylven. The mountains around it are the Sunnmøre Alps. Villages on its shores include Sæbø, Leknes, Trandal, Skår, Urke, Øye and Bjørke.
How big it is
Store norske leksikon gives the fjord a length of 21 km. The local tourist site says 33 km in a straight line from Storfjorden to Bjørke. Both agree it is long and narrow, and the local site says it is over 400 m deep.
The peaksSlogen is 1,564 m, Jakta 1,589 m, Råna 1,586 m and Skåratind 1,546 m. Kolåstinden is 1,432 m. These are serious mountains, not walks.
A small road network
Skår and Trandal have only a limited local road network. Avalanches have hit the villages in the past. Treat the fjord as a place for boats first.
How to get there
Fly to Ålesund
Norwegian, SAS and Widerøe flew 187 direct departures from Oslo to Ålesund in October 2026, about 48 a week. The first left at 08:25 and the last at 22:10.
The E39 ferry
If you drive from Ålesund, you may cross Storfjorden on the Festøya–Solavågen ferry. It takes about 20 minutes. A car costs NOK 75, or NOK 38 with an AutoPASS agreement, on the timetable valid until 27 March 2027.
The free ferries
Leknes–Sæbø takes about 13 minutes, and departures from Sæbø run from 06:00 to 22:15. All vehicle prices showed NOK 0 when we checked on 27 October 2026. The Standal–Trandal–Sæbø–Skår route and Festøya–Hundeidvika are also free.
See it from the water
The day boat from Ålesund
MS Bruvik, built in 1947, sails Ålesund–Øye–Ålesund from May to September. It leaves at 09:00 and is back at 14:00, with an audio guide on board. An adult ticket costs NOK 1,100.
You can also go one way. The boat reaches Øye at 11:15 and leaves at 11:45, so the stop is only 30 minutes. Food and drinks are sold on board.
Kayak on Norangsfjorden
Norangsfjorden, the inner arm from Øye to Leknes, is calm water and good for kayaks. Guided kayak trips run near Øye in summer.
The two big hikes
Slogen from Øye
Slogen, 1,564 m, is the classic. The route from Øye is 3.7 km one way with 1,527 m of climbing. The route page gives about 5 hours 30 minutes but does not say whether that is one way or the round trip, so allow a full day. There are no signs.
The last 10 m are as steep as 60 degrees, and only ten people fit on the summit. Water is only found at about 600 m. Park in the paid car park about 1 km east of Øye centre on road 655. Go in summer or autumn.
Saksa from Urke
Saksa starts from Urke and is about 3 km with over 1,000 m of climbing. Plan for 5 to 7 hours between mid-July and mid-September. The route is not for children, and a guide is recommended. Parking costs extra by the Urkeelva bridge.
Easier things to do
Norangsdalen
The drive up Norangsdalen from Øye takes about 25 minutes. Lygnstøylvatnet, the lake in the valley, was formed by a rock avalanche in 1908.
Swings and saunas
There is a swing at Christian Gaard Bygdetun in Trandal, and another at Gunnarråsa, 370 m above Sæbø. Sæbø Fjordsauna has two wood-fired saunas at the Sagafjord wharf.
Fishing and a pub
Bjørkeelva has salmon fishing from June to August. Fjordpuben in Urke is the place for a drink after Saksa.
Where to stay
Hotel Union Øye
Hotel Union Øye has welcomed guests since 1891. It sits at Norangsdal 41 in Øye and holds a Christmas celebration and a Bocuse d’Or weekend in late October. The hotel also has a ghost story, about Linda in the Blue Room. Read more in our luxury hotels guide.
Sagafjord Hotel in Sæbø
Sagafjord Hotel has 35 rooms, including rooms in the Tunhus courtyard. Three of those allow pets. Breakfast is always included, served 07:00–09:30 on weekdays and 08:00–10:00 at weekends. Suites with a sea or mountain view sleep up to four.
Cabins and camping
Other options include Bjørke Fjordtell, Hustadnes Fjordhytter, Hjørundfjorden Brygge, Hjørundfjord Camping, Bondalselva Camping and Rekkedal Gjestehus.
Safety
Respect the mountains
Slogen and Saksa are steep and exposed. Turn back in fog or wet rock. Tell someone your route.
Ferries in winter
The Leknes–Sæbø ferry was running when we checked in late October.
Our verdict
Take MS Bruvik for a day if you have one. Stay at Sæbø or Øye if you have two, and climb Slogen with a clear forecast. This fjord rewards a slow trip.
More fjords are in our fjords section. Read our ten best fjords in Norway or things to do in Ålesund.
The Ålesund–Øye boat costs NOK 1,100, and the Leknes–Sæbø ferry is free.