We will be visiting Norway Aug 2022 and are planning to stay in the Sognefjord area. As Flam is touristy due to cruise ships/trains/ferries, we were hoping to stay in Balestrand for a few days. Unfortunately, there are no available accommodations during our days of travel. I found lodging in Leikanger, only a ferry ride away from most important destinations. There is no information in Rick Steves' book about Leikanger, so I'm a bit apprehensive. Looking at photos, it looks like a slightly bigger community than Balestrand (which admittedly isn't saying much) so may not be as quaint, but may offer more dining options. I am hoping someone with personal experience can give me information about Leikanger - is it worth staying there? Do cruise ships dock there (I'm guessing not, based on the small size of the dock)? Thank you in advance.
Posted by
Washington DC
27057 posts
I haven't been to the north side of the Sognefjord, much less to Leikanger. I assume you're going to have a car; staying there without one would probably not work well at all. Such buses as exist in the area generally run infrequently; the one from Flam to the Borgund stave church (not the termination point) is just once a day, and during peak season only.
I think you're OK from the cruise-ship standpoint. I believe Flam is their stop--probably because it is so convenient for the things many visitors want to do and see.
The practicality of staying in Leikanger will depend on what you want to see in the area. Two of the peak experiences require getting over to Flam (or alternatively to Gudvangen in one case): the Flamsbana train between Flam and Myrdal and the ferry between Flam and Gudvangen. How often do the ferries run from Hella and Dragsvik across to Vangsnes? It looks as if you'd be quite dependent on those, or the ferry running east of Kaupanger, unless you'd be satisfied to drive up to Fjaerland and down to Balestrand and stick to the north side of the fjord. I know it's beautiful there, too. I've seen a few posts here by folks who drove around that area. You might be able to find them by scrolling back through the Norway forum and the Trip Reports forum and opening threads with likely-sounding titles.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your insights and suggestions.