Hellesylt
Sunnmøre, Norway
Excursions from the cruise port in Hellesylt, from a short panorama drive to a day tour to Geiranger: choose a tour to see the details and book.
Hellesylt is a small village at the head of the Sunnylvsfjord, in the Sunnmøre region of Møre og Romsdal. The Hellesylt waterfall runs through the middle of the village, and the valley of Norangsdalen, also known as the Queen's Route, leads from here towards Øye.
Cruise ships berth alongside the pier, about 200 metres from the village centre. The tours meet at Coop Market Hellesylt (Hellesyltvegen 45-47), a very short walk from the pier.
Hellesylt at a glance
- Region
- Sunnmøre, Møre og Romsdal
- Fjord
- Sunnylvsfjorden
- Cruise port
- Hellesylt cruise pier, ships berth alongside
- From the pier to the centre
- About 200 m
- Population
- 243 (2026)
- Currency
- Norwegian krone (NOK)
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1), summer UTC+2
Weather and seasons in Hellesylt
Many ships call at Hellesylt for part of the day and then sail on to Geiranger. The Hellesylt waterfall, in the middle of the village, is at its strongest in early summer, when the snow melts in the mountains.
Getting to Hellesylt
Cruise ships berth alongside the Hellesylt cruise pier, about 200 metres from the village centre. The tours on this page meet at Coop Market Hellesylt, a very short walk from the pier.
The car ferry between Hellesylt and Geiranger takes about 65 minutes when it sails, but the operator, Fjord1, has suspended the route until further notice (November 2026). By road, Geiranger is reached via Hornindal Lake and Stryn and over the mountains, the way the day tour on this page goes.
Where to stay in Hellesylt
Hellesylt is a small village with few places to stay. Nearby:
- Union ØyeØye, at the end of NorangsdalenHotel by the Norangsfjord, open to guests since 1891, with rooms in the main building and in garden houses.
Good to know before you visit Hellesylt
- The Hellesylt waterfall runs through the centre of the village, between the Høge bridge from 1907 and the Hellesylt bridge from 1902.
- Norangsdalen, the valley from Hellesylt to Øye, is also called the Queen's Route. The lake Lygnstøylvatnet was formed by a rock fall from the mountain Keipen in 1908, and remains of the old road and farm foundations can still be seen under the water.
- The Sunnylvsfjord is one of the World Heritage fjords. From 2026, passenger ships under 10,000 gross tonnes must sail them without emissions, and from 2032 the rule covers all passenger ships.
Frequently asked questions about Hellesylt
Do cruise ships dock in Hellesylt?
Yes. Ships berth alongside the cruise pier, about 200 metres from the village centre, so you walk straight ashore.
Where is the Hellesylt waterfall?
In the middle of the village, between the two old bridges. It is at its strongest in early summer.
Can you take the ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger?
The car ferry takes about 65 minutes when it sails, but Fjord1 has suspended the route until further notice (November 2026), so check before you plan on it. The day tour on this page goes to Geiranger by road.
Can you visit Geiranger from Hellesylt in one day?
Yes. The day tour on this page takes about 7 hours, via Hornindal Lake and Stryn, up to Djupvatn Lake and Mount Dalsnibba, and down to Geiranger.
What is Norangsdalen?
A narrow valley from Hellesylt to Øye, also called the Queen's Route. In it lies the lake Lygnstøylvatnet, formed by a rock fall in 1908, with the remains of the old road still visible under the water.