Three waterfalls and a gondola in one day. Hardangerfjord scenery and the Voss Gondola do not mess around on this 9-hour loop from Bergen; you pack in mountain views and three different waterfall moods without doing any planning headaches.

I love the speed of the gondola up to Mount Hanguren, with panoramic payoff in under nine minutes. I also love the variety in the falls: Skjervsfossen’s big two-drop wall, Vøringsfossen’s famous sheer plunge, and Steinsdalsfossen where you can walk behind the water veil.

One consideration: this is not a fjord cruise. It’s a drive-and-stop day along the fjord, so if you’re craving hours on a boat, you’ll need a different outing.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Hangursbanen gondola speed: you ride from Voss to Mount Hanguren in under nine minutes.
• Small-group feel: maximum 15 people, with an English-speaking guide.
• Three waterfall styles: double-drop power at Skjervsfossen, the iconic plunge of Vøringsfossen, and the misty walkway at Steinsdalsfossen.
• Hardanger Bridge photo-stop: a suspension bridge spanning 1,380 meters with a 1,310-meter main span.
• Time in Eidfjord: enough room to wander around the cruise-port area and connect with the Hardangervidda National Park visitor center scene.

A day out of Bergen built around fjord views and waterfalls

This is the kind of day trip that makes sense when you want Norway’s “wow” without a big time commitment or a rental car. You start in Bergen at 9:00 am and spend roughly 9 hours moving through Voss, Eidfjord, and along the Hardangerfjord corridor.

The big win is how efficient the route feels. Instead of long waits, you get short, targeted stops: quick mountain views, then full-focus waterfall time. And because the group is capped at 15, the day doesn’t feel like a cattle-pup scramble.

You also get a nice mix of “nature + simple town stops.” Vossevangen gives you a sense of Voss as an adventure hub, Eidfjord adds a small-port vibe, and the bridge stop gives you a classic engineering moment.

Vossevangen: where Voss turns adrenaline into a way of life

The first stop is Vossevangen, the administrative center in the Voss area. It sits amid snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes, and fast whitewater rivers, which helps explain why Voss became such a magnet for action sports.

This is where the region’s reputation shows up in real life: skiing and water sports are part of the identity, and you can find skydiving and paragliding based locally. In the last week of June, the area hosts Extreme Sports Week, which has a strong claim to being one of the top events of its kind worldwide.

Even if you don’t plan to do anything extreme today, this stop helps you read the landscape you’re driving through. When you later see the gondola and the waterfall scenery, you’ll understand why locals built so much infrastructure around outdoor fun.

Hangursbanen gondola to Mount Hanguren: quick ride, big panorama

From Voss, the gondola takes you to Mount Hanguren (820 m) in under nine minutes. That speed matters. It turns the ride into a quick “reset” from the road, then gives you a viewpoint payoff before the day gets too full.

At the top, you get panoramic views toward the mountains around Voss. In summer, this area is set up for hiking and biking, and you can also find activities like paragliding. There’s a restaurant and café up there, so you’re not stuck just staring—though you’ll probably want to do plenty of that.

In winter, the same gondola supports the ski resort area. So regardless of season, the point stays the same: get altitude fast and make the most of clear sightlines.

Skjervsfossen waterfall: two drops totaling 150 meters

Skjervsfossen is a “big waterfall nearby” stop, and it’s easy to see why it lands well on a day schedule. It has two major drops and a total height of 150 meters, with the most impressive stage being a single 60-meter drop visible from the parking area.

You’re there for about 20 minutes, which is just enough time to get the main views without feeling rushed. And since this stop is built around that upper-drop perspective, you don’t need to do a long walk to get a strong first impression.

Bring something for mist. When you’re chasing a waterfall with a 60-meter drop, wind and spray can show up even on bright days.

Hardanger Bridge: the long suspension span that saves drive time

Between scenic stops, you’ll cross the Hardanger Bridge, a suspension bridge across the Hardangerfjord. It connects Ullensvang and Ulvik and replaced a ferry route, which shortens driving time between Oslo and Bergen—that’s a practical reason it’s more than just a photo.

It’s also the longest suspension bridge in Norway by the numbers that matter: 1,380 meters long, with a 1,310-meter main span. On a road trip, bridges like this can feel like background scenery. Here, the sheer scale makes it a real moment.

If the weather cooperates, this is one of those spots where a quick stop and a few photos are worth the time. Even if you keep it brief, you’ll remember crossing something that’s visibly engineered at a huge scale.

Vøringsfossen in Måbødalen valley: the famous plunge

Next up is Vøringsfossen, often considered the most famous waterfall in Norway. It sits at the top of the Måbødalen valley in Eidfjord municipality, and the stats explain the reputation.

Vøringsfossen drops 182 meters total, with a major drop of 163 meters. It’s also listed as the 83rd highest waterfall in Norway by total fall, which is a reminder that Norway is packed with serious waterfalls—this one is simply the best-known stop along the Hardangerfjord drive.

You’ll have about 45 minutes here, which gives you time to find the best viewpoint angle and settle in. It’s not a quick glance-and-go situation. This is the kind of place where you can keep adjusting your position as water volume shifts and the mist changes.

Eidfjord: cruise-port town energy with Hardangervidda connections

You’ll spend around one hour in Eidfjord, located at the end of the Eid Fjord—an inner branch of the larger Hardangerfjord. It’s a major cruise ship port of call, so the area has that built-for-arrivals feel, even when you’re not on a ship.

What I like about the Eidfjord stop is that it’s not just a “pass through.” You can connect to key sights tied to the Hardangerfjord experience: Måbødalen valley access and the nearby Vøringsfossen theme. You can also look at the Sima Power Plant, built into the mountain itself, which fits the region’s blend of nature and engineering.

If you want a more interpretive stop, the Hardangervidda Natursenter in Øvre Eidfjord is a visitors center and museum for Hardangervidda National Park. Even if you only have time for a quick browse, it can help you understand what you’re seeing in the wider plateau region.

This is also where the pacing stays sensible. You’re not stuck on one viewpoint. You can walk a bit, take in the town edge, then roll back into fjord driving.

Hardangerfjord driving time: 179 km of scenery without the boat

The tour includes about two hours along the Hardangerfjord. The fjord is the fourth longest in the world and the second longest in Norway. It stretches 179 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean into the mountainous interior along the Hardangervidda plateau, reaching as far inland as Odda.

This matters because the “Hardanger” story isn’t just Vikings and waterfalls—it’s also farming and the fertile fruit-growing reputation people associate with the region today. The fjord area has been shaped by hunters long before farming became established, and later on by the famous 19th-century tourism push.

It’s also where the Thomas Cook connection shows up: in 1875, weekly cruise departures from London to the Hardangerfjord began due to the spectacular fjord scenery and major waterfalls. Your tour isn’t a cruise, but you’re traveling through the same stage that drew visitors long ago.

So you get the big views of the fjord corridor, plus stops that keep the day from feeling like a nonstop bus ride.

Steinsdalsfossen: walk behind the water veil

Steinsdalsfossen is one of the most popular waterfalls in Norway for a clear reason: you can walk behind the water veil. That’s special. It turns a waterfall from something you view into something you experience.

The river Fosselvi drops 48 meters, and the flow is described as consistent. It’s fed by water from a series of lakes, including Myklavatnet, which helps explain why the waterfall can stay dramatic without relying on a one-time rainstorm.

You’ll have about 30 minutes here, so focus on getting the best behind-the-water access you can. This is also where your clothing choices matter: expect mist, and plan for wet surfaces near the walkway.

Steinsdalsfossen also has standout historical notes. It was popular about a hundred years ago, including annual visits by Emperor Wilhelm II until World War II began. And the story of how the river’s course changed—like the 1699 flooding damage at Øvsthus farm—adds a real sense that the waterfall is part of an evolving natural system.

Price and logistics: what $322.81 buys you

At $322.81 per person, the value comes from packing several paid experiences and transport into one guided day. The group is small (max 15), the tour is offered in English, and you get a guided structure that keeps the day efficient.

You also get key included moments: Skjervsfossen and Steinsdalsfossen have admission listed as included, while the gondola and Vøringsfossen are shown as free. So your money isn’t only paying for driving—it’s also covering the experience components that can add up when you plan them separately.

The day is about nine hours, starting at 9:00 am. That’s a good length for people who want multiple highlights but still want to be back in Bergen the same day. If you’re time-crunched and want the big Hardanger names, this is a solid way to do it.

Should you book this Hardangerfjord, Voss Gondola and waterfalls day trip?

Book it if you want a single day that hits the essentials: Voss altitude views, three major waterfalls, and Hardangerfjord driving scenery—all without sorting logistics yourself. The small group size and focused stops make it a comfortable fit for couples and small families, and the tour says most people can participate.

Skip it if your ideal Norwegian day involves long hours on a boat. This is a road-and-stop experience along the fjord, not a fjord cruise. Also, if you’re chasing a slow, wandering pace, remember this is scheduled for about nine hours with timed viewpoints.

If your priority is maximizing scenery and waterfalls with minimal fuss, this is exactly that kind of day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 9 hours.

Where is the meeting point in Bergen?

The tour starts at Guided Fjord Tours, Strandkaien 16, 5013 Bergen, Norway.

What language is the tour in, and how many people are in the group?

The tour is offered in English, with a maximum of 15 travelers.

Does the tour include the Voss Gondola to Mount Hanguren?

Yes. The gondola takes you from the Voss train station to Mount Hanguren in under nine minutes, and you get time at the top for panoramic views.

Which waterfalls are included, and what makes Steinsdalsfossen different?

You’ll see Skjervsfossen, Vøringsfossen, and Steinsdalsfossen. Steinsdalsfossen is special because you can walk behind the water veil, and the river drops 48 meters.

How much time do you spend at each waterfall?

Skjervsfossen: about 20 minutes. Vøringsfossen: about 45 minutes. Steinsdalsfossen: about 30 minutes.

Is this a cruise on the Hardangerfjord?

No. This is a guided road trip with scenic stops along the Hardangerfjord rather than a fjord cruise.

What admissions are free or included?

The gondola ride to Mount Hanguren is listed as free, Skjervsfossen and Steinsdalsfossen are listed as included, and Vøringsfossen is listed as free. Eidfjord and the Hardangerfjord portion are also listed as free.

Does the tour use a mobile ticket?

Yes. The tour includes a mobile ticket.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.