Ulvik (Norway Hardangerfjord)

Ulvik is a port town in Hordaland county (Norway's 3rd largest by population - after Akershus and Oslo). The town has population under 1,000 and is located at the end of Ulvikafjorden.

During WW2 *1939-1945) the village was destroyed (on April 25, 1940) by the Germans landing in boats. Most houses were burned down.

Ulvik is mostly visited in the summer by foreign-flagged ships traveling along Hardangerfjord. Other transportation options to Ulvik include a 2-hour drive from Bergen (via route E16 to Vossevangen and Road 13 through Vallavik Tunnel). Road 13 continues after Ulvik and crosses Hardanger Bridge (over Hardangerfjord). The nearest airport is in Bergen (Flesland Airport).

Bergen Railway runs through the town's northern part and through a roadless region that is very popular for hiking and trekking. Finse train station is at elevation of 1222 m (4009 ft) ranking it Norway's highest. Finse Tunnel is one of Norway's longest (approx 10 km / 6 mi). Rallarvegen is a historic road (following Bergen Railway through Ulvik) and is popular for biking and hiking.

In 2017, the port handled 12 cruise ship calls, in 2018 - 5, and for 2019 were scheduled / booked 3. Shore excursion options include live folklore performances, visiting local farms, "Taste of Hardangerfjord” (half-day tour to Hardanger Juice and Cider Factory, with cider and juice tasting and food sampling).

In 2022 was introduced the half-day cruise shore excursion "cider safari". This is a guided boat tour stopping in Ulvik Harbor. It includes a visit to "Ulvik Frukt & Cideri" (fruit and cider farm) for a 1,5-hour factory tour and tasting hosted by the farm's owner. Follows a restaurant lunch showcasing traditional local food and products.

Hardangerfjord

Hardangerfjord is Norway's 2nd-longest and the world's 4th-longest fjord. Located in Hordaland (Hardanger), its length is 179 km (111 mi) starting from the sea and going into the country's mountainous interior. Its innermost point is the port town Odda, and the outermost part is the Bomlafjorden.

Hardangerfjord is among Norway's most popular tourist travel destinations, becoming a major industry for aal the communities located along the fjord. Fish farming is another major industry for the Hardangerfjord towns and villages, with fish farms producing 40,000+ tons of fish (mainly salmon and rainbow trout) annually. The Norwegian brand bottled water "Isklar" (translated "ice clear") is from the Hardangerfjord's melt-water and is distributed worldwide.

Cruise ports in Hardangerfjord include Ulvik, Eidfjord, Rosendal, Jondal, Odda.

Ulvik cruise terminal