Good Natured

ANISHA SHAH sets off on a journey across the charming towns and inconceivably beautiful fjords of Western Norway

SOME PLACES MOVE to their own beat. With the flow of the seasons, the rhythm of nature and the call of the wild, Western Norway is a force of wonder and a magnet for adventurers.

Yet for all its organic ferocity, the fjords prove the ultimate dichotomy: Jagged, snow-crested peaks plunge into deep narrow blue inlets; obscure sandy beach fishing villages cornered by towering green mountains; and thousands of remote isles appear, on approach, from a watery horizon.

Such drama is heightened by the profound peace unique to this region of Norway. For every square inch crammed with nature’s highlights, absolute Zen abounds.

Bergen, the cultural capital of Norway, is the gateway to the fjords and easily navigable on foot. Nestled between seven mountains and hugging the coastline of Sognefjord, the country’s longest and deepest fjord, Bergen is a treat for all the senses. From inhaling the cool mountain air on a hike past picturesque mountain houses and taking the funicular up Mount Floyen to sampling the seafood at the UNESCO-listed Hanseatic Wharf, culture hounds will want to stay a while.

After an idyllic introduction to Norway, it’s time for an expedition into the fjords. Several maritime routes offer visitors varying degrees of duration, remoteness and challenge. Whether it’s hiking, climbing, skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking or simply finding a tranquil guest house on a tiny islet for a relaxing escape, the fjords are all-encompassing.

The network of inlets zigzags deep inland, funnelling out to the Norwegian and North Seas. They can be traversed in all manner of boats, from big ferries to tiny crafts. The fjords are the definition of wanderlust-inducing photography — every angle is a brochure cover.