Hellesylt – Fjord, Waterfall and History

Hellesylt lies at the inner end of the Storfjord; the Hellesyltfossen flows right through the centre. Here, the expanse of the fjord meets a waterfall in the heart of the village. A cruise pier and a ferry terminal are also local landmarks. If you would like to combine nature, waterways and culture on your holiday, Hellesylt offers a range of experiences to weigh up when choosing where to stay.

Seaside resort and historic buildings

The Badehuset was built in 1937. In 1997, a vote selected it as a cultural monument of Stranda Municipality. On 2 October 2009, the Riksantikvaren placed the Badehuset and the surrounding seaside resort under protection. Both the building and the seaside resort are therefore among the protected places that shape Hellesylt’s history.

Another notable historic landmark is Sunnylven Church. The long church was consecrated in 1859, stands high above the centre of Hellesylt and is listed by the Riksantikvaren. Those interested in religious architecture can include the church in their travel plans as part of the cultural side of the village.

Fjord cruises and experiences on the water

Hellesylt is a gateway to the Geirangerfjord and the World Heritage area. A round trip departs from the ferry terminal and travels the full length of the Geirangerfjord, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site West Norwegian Fjords. Along the way, the Hellesylt–Geiranger round trip passes well-known waterfalls and steep fjord farms. The ferry between Hellesylt and Geiranger also travels directly into the fjord.

Geirangerfjord and Sunnylvsfjord boat tours depart from Hellesylt marina. Depending on the destination, they last around 90 minutes. Visitors can also join RIB tours from Hellesylt. These different options give you a basis for choosing between a round trip, a boat tour or a RIB tour. If you would like to make these excursions the focus of your trip, you could consider Hellesylt as a possible place to stay.

Hiking trail and events

You can also explore the landscape around Ljøbrekka on foot. The restored section of the Den Trondhjemske postveg over Ljøbrekka is now used as a hiking trail. The hike can be started in Ljøen, on Hellesylt; there is also a viewing platform at Ljøen along the Ljøbrekka route. Alongside experiences on the water, a historic trail and a viewpoint therefore offer distinct interests for your trip.

The Hellesyltløpet is regularly held as part of Hellesyltdagane and took place for the 39th time in 2026. Andesleppet is a traditional highlight of Hellesyltdagane; in 2026, the Hellesyltfossen was the event venue. If events are important to your travel decision, note the specific year: the information given here relates to 2026.

This way, your choice of holiday destination can reflect your travel interests without any one excursion defining the character of Hellesylt.

If you would like to compare other destination pages: Liabygda, Stranda, Geiranger.

Go to the main travel overview: Stranda.