Førde Fjord

This fjord cuts through western Norway and connects several municipalities with deep waters framed by steep mountainsides. The landscape features dramatic cliff walls, snow-capped peaks in winter, and narrow water passages dotted with small settlements and green slopes.

The area preserves Stone Age settlements, with Ausevika being the most significant site, holding large collections of prehistoric rock carvings. These ancient markings show the region has been inhabited for thousands of years.

Fishing traditions have shaped life along these shores for generations, visible in the boathouses and equipment sheds that dot the settlements. The communities here maintain strong ties to the water, with seasonal activities tied directly to what the fjord provides.

The E39 highway runs along sections of this fjord, connecting the surrounding communities and providing scenic driving routes. Ferry services regularly link settlements on both sides, allowing visitors to experience the landscape from different vantage points.

The waters plunge to several hundred meters deep, creating layered ecosystems where cold-water species thrive in the darker depths. This extreme environment supports unusual marine life adapted to constant darkness and pressure.