All About the Fjords, in one tour by boat & bus from Ålesund

Hjørundfjord is the star here: a quiet, steep-sided waterway where the boat carries you from Ålesund into a wilder corner of Møre og Romsdal. I like the way this tour pairs a 2-hour-15-minute fjord cruise with a road journey through Norangsdal Valley, so you see the region from both water and land.

I also like the variety packed into six hours: Øye, Hellesylt’s waterfall and cafés, the Ljøen viewpoint, and a ferry across Storfjord. The main caution is the boat seating. Arrive early if you want an outside or rear seat, and remember that the aft section may catch diesel fumes.

Key points at a glance

• Hjørundfjord by boat: Cruise from Ålesund to Øye through steep mountains and quiet fjord scenery.
• Norangsdal Valley by bus: Travel through a dramatic mountain corridor on the same comfortable bus used all day.
• Hellesylt waterfall stop: Spend 30 minutes near the waterfall, cafés, and small shops in the center of town.
• Ljøen viewpoint: Get a short but worthwhile panorama over the fjords before continuing south.
• Storfjord ferry crossing: The return route includes a 20-minute ferry ride at Sykkylven.
• Flexible booking: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund and reserve without paying immediately.

Why this route works so well from Ålesund

This is a useful tour for you if you want a broad taste of the fjord country without arranging several separate connections. The route begins on the quay outside the Ålesund Cruise Pier gate, then shifts from boat to bus, from bus to ferry, and finally back to Ålesund.

The structure gives you three different views of the region. From the boat, the mountains rise directly from the water. From the bus, you pass through narrow valleys and villages. On the ferry, you get one last open-water view before returning to town.

At $167 per person, it is not a cheap half-day outing. Still, the price covers the boat, the full bus circuit, the ferry crossing, and a live English-speaking guide. If you tried to duplicate the route independently, you would need to coordinate transport, ferry timing, and sightseeing stops. The tour earns its keep through convenience and the amount of scenery covered in one day.

The tradeoff is that the schedule leaves little room for lingering. This is a moving scenic tour, not a relaxed village day. You will see several places, but you will not have time to explore each one at length.

Meeting the black and white MS Bruvik

Your starting point is easy to identify: go to the quay just outside the Ålesund Cruise Pier gate and look for the black and white boat MS Bruvik. The boat leaves at 9:00 and reaches Øye at about 11:15.

The long first leg is the heart of the outing. You have an interior cabin, restrooms, a kiosk selling snacks and drinks, and blankets available onboard. One particularly useful detail is that the boat can feel chilly even when the sun is out, so I would wear layers rather than relying on a warm forecast.

Seating deserves some planning. The rear seats are popular, and arriving early gives you a better chance of getting one. You can also move around the boat, but there may not be enough chairs for everyone during the entire crossing. If you prefer a comfortable indoor ride, the cabin offers a more reliable place to sit.

The aft section has another possible drawback: diesel exhaust fumes may be noticeable there. I would choose a seat farther forward if you are sensitive to engine smell, then step outside when you want clear views.

Cruising Hjørundfjord to Øye

The cruise heads into Hjørundfjord, a quieter and less built-up setting than the best-known fjord routes near western Norway. The water is bordered by sharp mountain walls and unspoiled scenery, with few distractions beyond the changing views.

This is the part of the trip where patience pays off. The boat moves at a pace that lets you watch the fjord open and narrow around you. You can stay inside for comfort, go outdoors for photographs, and use the audio guide when you want more context.

The audio guide is available in 14 languages, while the live tour language is English. Commentary may not always tell you exactly which side of the boat offers the best view, so I would avoid settling into one position for the whole crossing. Move around when conditions allow and keep your camera ready on both sides.

The cruise lasts more than two hours, which is long enough to feel scenic rather than rushed. It is also long enough for weak seating arrangements or cold weather to become tiring. Bring a warm layer, arrive early, and treat the boat ride as a major part of the tour rather than merely transport to the next stop.

At around 11:15, the boat arrives in Øye. The village sits at the head of the fjord and acts mainly as the handoff point from water to road. You do not get a long independent visit here, but the arrival gives the cruise a clear ending before the bus begins its run through the valley.

Through Norangsdal Valley to Hellesylt

At 11:30, you board the bus for the 15-minute ride toward Hellesylt. This is a short transfer, but the setting changes quickly as the route turns inland through Norangsdal Valley.

The valley is one of the most memorable parts of the road section because it brings you close to the mountains rather than showing them from across open water. You trade broad fjord views for a more enclosed road journey, with dramatic slopes and village scenery around you.

All bus transfers use the same bus, which simplifies the day. You do not need to search for a new vehicle at every stop or keep track of separate operators. That matters on a compact schedule, especially when the boat arrives and the next departure follows soon after.

The bus is described as comfortable, and that is important here. You will spend about two and a half hours on the road during the return portion, including the stop at Ljøen and the route to the ferry. The comfort of the vehicle makes the bus section feel like part of the sightseeing rather than a long chore between attractions.

A short stop in Hellesylt

The bus reaches Hellesylt at about noon, and you have 30 minutes to explore. The village offers cafés, shops, and its best-known sight, a waterfall flowing through the center of town.

The waterfall is the reason to leave the bus promptly. With only half an hour, you will want to see it first, then use any remaining time for a café or quick look at the shops. This is not enough time for a long meal and leisurely browsing.

Food is not included in the tour. You can buy snacks and drinks on the boat earlier in the day, while Hellesylt has cafés and restaurants. If lunch matters to you, plan ahead. A short stop can easily become a scramble if you wait until arriving to decide what to eat.

One practical concern is the balance between sightseeing and food. The schedule allows 30 minutes in Hellesylt, but a person looking for a proper meal may feel pressed. I would bring something small or use the onboard kiosk, then treat Hellesylt as a waterfall stop with a chance for a quick café visit.

Hellesylt is a good contrast to Øye. Øye marks the quiet end of the fjord, while Hellesylt gives you a compact village center and a forceful natural feature close to the road. The stop is brief, but it breaks up the bus ride at the right time.

The Ljøen viewpoint in 15 minutes

The bus leaves Hellesylt at 12:30 and reaches the Ljøen viewpoint about 15 minutes later. You get another 15 minutes here, from approximately 12:45 to 13:00.

This is a quick photo stop, not a long walk or open-ended viewpoint visit. The reward is a broad panorama across the fjords, giving you a high perspective after the close mountain views in Norangsdal Valley.

I like the change in scale. Hjørundfjord shows you mountains from the waterline, Norangsdal brings you into the valley, and Ljøen lets you look across the region from above. Even with only 15 minutes, the stop helps connect the separate parts of the route.

Keep your expectations in check. The schedule does not allow time for a lengthy viewpoint walk, so this is best for a fast look, a few photographs, and a breath of fresh air before the longest bus stretch.

The long ride toward Sykkylven

From Ljøen, the bus continues for about an hour toward Sykkylven. This is the longest continuous road section after the fjord cruise, and it is where the comfortable bus matters most.

The scenery keeps changing between mountains, villages, and water views. You can listen to the audio commentary when it works, or simply watch the countryside pass by. Commentary on the bus may not be constant, so do not book this tour expecting a spoken explanation every minute.

This stretch is also a chance to rest. The day begins early and includes several changes of transport, so you may appreciate having a fixed seat and no need to navigate. If you prefer active exploration at every stop, the quiet bus time may feel long. If you like scenic transport, it gives you time to absorb the route.

The tour does not include food or drinks on the bus, so bring anything you will need for the road. You can purchase refreshments onboard the boat, and Hellesylt has food options, but the itinerary does not set aside a long lunch break.

Crossing Storfjord at Magerholm

Around 14:10, the bus reaches the ferry crossing at Magerholm Fergekai. The ferry ride across Storfjord lasts about 20 minutes, from roughly 14:10 to 14:30.

This crossing adds a useful final chapter to the route. You are not simply retracing the morning cruise. Instead, you cross another major waterway as part of the return to Ålesund, with time to step out of the bus and enjoy the open air if conditions permit.

The ferry also breaks up the final road ride. After the long journey from Ljøen, a short crossing gives you another change of setting before the last bus leg. The bus then continues for about 30 minutes, returning to the original meeting point in Ålesund around 15:00.

Comfort, guiding, and accessibility details

The live guiding is in English, and a free audio guide is available in 14 languages. That combination should suit you if you want basic spoken guidance but prefer to receive extra information in another language.

The boat has clean restrooms, an interior cabin, outside areas, and blankets. These details make a real difference on a fjord cruise, where wind and shade can make the temperature feel lower than expected.

The crew has also provided extra help for a passenger with mobility difficulties. The supplied information does not give a full accessibility plan, so you should contact the operator before booking if you need specific assistance. Still, the willingness to help is encouraging.

The overall customer rating is 4.3 from seven ratings, with very different experiences reflected in the available comments. That spread tells you something useful: weather, seating, expectations, and comfort on the boat can shape the day. The scenery itself is the safest reason to book. The commentary and seating experience may be less consistent.

Who should book this fjord circuit?

I would choose this tour if you want to see a lot without renting a car or planning several public transport connections. It suits you especially well if your priority is scenery, not long visits in each village.

It is also a strong fit for anyone arriving in Ålesund with only one open day. The route gives you a fjord cruise, a valley drive, a waterfall, a viewpoint, and a ferry crossing before dinner. You get a clear sense of the area in one organized loop.

You may want a different plan if you need a proper lunch, long walks, or plenty of free time. The stops are short, and Hellesylt’s 30-minute visit leaves limited time for food and browsing.

I would also think carefully about the boat if you dislike cold air, engine fumes, or standing to find a good seat. Arrive early, wear layers, and use the indoor cabin when needed. Those small choices can make the two-hour cruise much more pleasant.

The cancellation terms offer useful flexibility: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. That helps if your Ålesund plans depend on weather or a changing cruise schedule.

Should you book the $167 tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized overview of Hjørundfjord and the surrounding mountains, and if you value having the transport handled from start to finish. The most praised parts are the stunning scenery, the comfortable bus, the clean boat facilities, and the considerate help from the crew.

At $167, the value comes from coverage rather than leisurely time. You pay for a full six-hour route that links places difficult to combine on your own in one day. Just bring layers, plan your food, arrive early for boat seating, and expect Hellesylt and Ljøen to be quick stops.

If those conditions suit you, this is a smart way to see several sides of the fjord country from Ålesund. If you want a slow meal, an extended village visit, or a quiet cruise with guaranteed seating and constant commentary, the packed schedule may leave you wanting more.

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Ålesund?

Meet on the quay just outside the Ålesund Cruise Pier gate. Look for the black and white boat MS Bruvik.

How long is the tour?

The full experience lasts six hours, running approximately from 9:00 to 15:00.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat trip through Hjørundfjord, the bus tour through the mountains and villages, and a free audio guide available in 14 languages.

Is food included?

No. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase from the kiosk onboard the boat, and Hellesylt has cafés and restaurants.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English. The free audio guide is available in 14 languages.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.