A stunning Nordic fjord that inspired Disney has been named one of the best places to wild camp in Europe. The Nærøyfjord is in Vestland county, southern Norway. The 11-mile-long fjord is only 500 metres wide in some parts and is a branch of the large Sognefjord.
It was included on National Geographic’s list of the seven best places to wild camp in Europe, alongside the Stockholm Archipelago in Sweden, Rum in Scotland and Cape Kolka in Latvia. The magazine said: “You won’t find a more spectacular place to camp than this. Norway’s right to roam and its permissive camping rules suggest a landscape full of promise, too, though the sheer-sided topography does limit the number of good pitches. You might want to book into a proper campsite on your first night – such as Dyrdal Gard. That way you can take your time finding a wild pitch on day two.”
The Nærøydalselvi River flows down the valley into the fjord at the village of Gudvangen. The village of Bakka and the Bakka Church are both located on the west shore of the fjord.
The fjord has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been rated the world’s number one natural heritage site by the National Geographic Society, along with the Geirangerfjord.
Nærøyfjord was also used as an inspiration for Arendelle in Disney’s ‘Frozen’, with steep mountain inclines, ascending 1,800 metres high, and wild waterfalls.
There are many untouched, wild areas and small farms surrounding the Nærøyfjord. No visible roads connect the farms and tiny villages, demonstrating what an important lifeline and travel route the fjord provided in the past.
There are many possibilities to experience the Nærøyfjord close to the water. Go by sightseeing boat or ferry, RIB boat safari, or even kayak.
Take the train from Bergen to Voss, then a bus to Gudvangen and after that you have two choices: rent a canoe and paddle your way to a pitch. Or take a ferry to Dyrdal and explore on foot from there.
