Mt. Dalsnibba and Eagle Road Bus Tour – Geiranger, Norway (Guide and Review)

I found that planning this multi-generational family cruise was tough in that I had to balance varying ages, fitness levels, interests, etc to consider so I went with a number of bus tours including for our Ålesund port day. Why? First is that transportation is covered which can be challenging for big groups but I like that in picturesque locales like Norway, being able to relax and just admire the views makes the experience more enjoyable. Secondly, we were able to see and learn so much from fun and engaging tour guides to really maximize our time in port.

And I am so happy that I chose this as a combined Mt. Dalsnibba (Geiranger Skywalk) + Eagle Road (Ørnevegen / Ørnesvingen) excursion is one of the most iconic ways to experience the scale of Geirangerfjord: panoramic alpine vistas from ~5,000 feet/~1,500 m and dramatic fjord overlooks along the steep switchbacks above the village. Since this is a short tour, you are able to pair it perfectly with other activities (we also did a RIB Fjordsafari – here’s my guide/review on that) + for more on what I did for the entire day, check out my port day recap!

But back to what you will find in this post: First it’s a guide that covers everything you’ll see and what to know about the tour including practical tips, FAQs so you can make the most of your Norway adventures and is also a review of the actual tour!

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Choosing the Right Tour and Tour Company

Always read reviews of the company/tour and posts like this one! to help make guided decisions. If you don’t like long port days or bus rides, this is not the one for you. Want to see as much as you can especially for those that may not have a chance to return? Definitely consider this one.

Especially important for cruise ship passengers: book with a company that routinely books and accounts for cruise ships (you will know if you are required to put your cruise ship info in when booking!) One of the concerns that comes up with booking an excursion that isn’t with the cruise line is that the ship will not wait for you if you are late.

Norway Excursions has a back-to-ship guarantee that is offered for cruise passengers provided that information (name of the cruiseship) is registered during booking. The tour must end 1 hour prior to your ship’s departure

This is done by ensuring that their buses are ahead of the NCL tour buses with the guides and driver constantly monitoring where the buses were- this is something that I saw on both of our tours with the company (we first took the Ålesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls, check out my review/guide for that activity here)/ In addition, the guides explained that the company would get us to our next port if we ever did miss the boat!

And to boot, the tour operator, Norway Excursions, was wonderful to work with as they patiently went through my questions that I had as a first time cruiser!

Geirangerfjord

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Geirangerfjord (along with Nærøyfjord) according to UNESCO itself “are exceptional in scale and grandeur in a country of spectacular fjords” and are “among the most scenically outstanding landscapes in the world”. “Fjord, a word of Norwegian origin, refers to a long, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs formed by submergence of a glaciated valley.” Geirangerfjord is an impressive 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) long and 853 feet (260 meters) deep and is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks, 2,600 feet (800-meter) high cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

This is a place so renowned for its beauty, that Norway’s own Princess Märtha Louise chose this location for the site of her nuptials in 2024! And I can attest that it is one of the most beautiful places I have been to and I am so glad that we were able to see it from so many different vantage points!

Good To Know for Geiranger Shore Excursion: Mt. Dalsnibba and Eagle Road Bus Tour

Geiranger Shore Excursion: Mt. Dalsnibba and Eagle Road Bus Tour

Tour Details

• Overview: Experience Norway’s natural wonders on this shore excursion from Geiranger. After a scenic drive through the mountains, hop out for a photo on the dramatic cliff-edge of Flydalsjuvet. Continue to the 4,900-foot (1,500-meter) peak of Mount Dalsnibba, where, after winding along the hairpin bends, you’re rewarded with panoramic views over Geiranger and the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, before descending to the glittering Lake Djupvatn.
• Details – Duration: 3.5 hours
  • Choice of morning or afternoon departure – but book early to ensure you get your desired time as they do sell out!
  • Tours depart within walking distance of the cruise port
• Important Notes:
  • Road Closures: From Norway Excursions: In the month of May, the road to Mount Dalsnibba may still be closed (snow and risk of avalanches). Should the road be closed on the day of your visit, our stop there will be replaced with a visit to another beautiful place. Rest assured that this will not lessen the duration or the quality of the tour.
  • At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking “ship name”
  • All terrain are wheelchair accessible with all vehicles supporting foldable wheelchairs. Note: Contact Norway Excursions before tour if wheelchair ramp is needed!
  • Service animals are not allowed by default as other customers may have allergies, in case a service animal is needed please contact us
  • Bring child/infant seats with you
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers

Meeting Point

When we took the tour, the meeting point (near the supermarket) which was ~ 10 minute walk from the cruise ship.

The meeting point is now at Geiranger Cruise Terminal, within walking distance from the port and most of the hotels. Look for our staff, yellow jackets, carrying our company logo. Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

As advertised, our guide was waiting for us near the buses and quickly checked us in and we boarded the comfortable coach to begin our journey. I found the bus to be modern and it was also climate-controlled. As we drove along, our guide shared stories about Norwegian nature, culture, and folklore including the origins and importance of Norway’s trolls and some very fascinating facts about fjords and Geirangerfjord specifically (more on that below!)

Drive Eagle Road to Ørnesvingen Viewpoint

What to expect: a steep, narrow mountain road with dramatic switchbacks and a well-known bend (Ørnesvingen) with sweeping fjord views.

Our tour guide decided to switch up the order of the tour in hopes that the fog/low clouds would lift so we headed up Eagle Road first. This is Road 63 between Geiranger and Eidsdal and this steepest part is called Ørnevegen, or “The Eagle Road”, as driving along its eleven hairpin turns at 2,030 ft (620 meters) above sea level could feel like we are soaring

At the uppermost bend is the most spectacular viewpoint of the road, Ørnesvingen, offering breath-taking views over the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. You are given ample time to hike up to this view point to soak in the scenery and take photos.

Flydalsjuvet

What to expect: easy-access panoramic platform looking down at Geiranger village and the fjord. Popular with photographers; two-tiered viewpoints make it simple to get a clear shot. Plan for a 10–20 minute visit.

We then headed for the next stop at the gorge of Flydalsjuvet with this spectacular panoramic view over Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord. Most stop where you can see the people on the ledge on the right hand side of the photo but I love the vantage point that we went to has Geirangerfjord more centered. But it’s not like you can get a bad picture here as it is so incredibly stunning!

Dalsnibba Geiranger (Skywalk)

What to expect: a paved toll road climbs to the Dalsnibba Skywalk at roughly 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) altitude. The Skywalk is a large viewing platform with an iron/grid extension and glass barrier. Note that there are facilities that include a cafe and souvenir shop as well as restrooms. Expect cooler temps and gusts at the top and bring layers.

What we were hoping to see :

And what Mother Nature came up with….the fog/clouds did not lift while we were here at Europe’s highest fjord view by road: (Another reason to go back!)

The Geiranger Skywalk sits almost 5,000 feet (almost 1,500 meters) above sea level at the top of a twisting mountain road. This platform at Dalsnibba offers a panoramic view of the Geirangerfjord and the snow-capped mountains that surround it. Again what I was told and have seen in photos but am unable to personally confirm – ha! But life happens like this especially when in the mountains so you roll with the punches – I have hiked to viewpoints and had this happen so at least this time, I hadn’t dragged my family up a mountain for this to happen!

The biggest disappointment was that the cafe did not have the warm cinnamon rolls that I had been hearing so many rave about =(

Djupvasshytta

Photo stop at the mountain lake Djupvatn

View of the lake as we are heading up to Dalsnibba Geiranger – notice how it was momentarily clearer and even a little sunny?!

By the time we came down to the lake, the clouds had rolled in even lower. But how clear and beautiful is this water?

One HUGE Benefit of Tours: Local Knowledge + CRAZY FACTS – Did you know?

When our guide was telling us this story, I thought she was kidding at first because it seems so insane. Per National Geographic already reaching 230-feet deep, the Åkernes mountain crack is growing by as much as three and a half inches a year and will eventually result in part of cliff sliding into the fjord. This could in turn trigger what could be a 300 foot wave tsunami and decimate the area!! It is closely monitored with an early warning system built to give enough advance notice to safely evacuate but still…it’s sobering to think that it’s probably just a matter of when not if.

Has anyone else ever heard about this?!?!

Tips and FAQs for Geiranger Shore Excursion: Mt. Dalsnibba and Eagle Road Bus Tour

• Book your tour early especially during summer as tours fill up quickly.
• Weather: I am paraphrasing one of my favorite Norwegian phrases here: there is no such thing as bad weather, there is only wrong clothing/ Mountain weather is changeable and note that mountaintops can be windy and cool even in summer, bring a warm windproof layer (layers are vital in Norway!) and footwear suitable for rocky viewpoints.
• What if there are road closures?: From Norway Excursions: In the month of May, the road to Mount Dalsnibba may still be closed (snow and risk of avalanches). Should the road be closed on the day of your visit, our stop there will be replaced with a visit to another beautiful place. Rest assured that this will not lessen the duration or the quality of the tour.
• Is Ørnevegen road scary or dangerous? The road is steep with sharp bends, but it is well-maintained and driven by highly experienced professionals.
• Do I need hiking experience? No hiking experience is needed. Most stops involve short walks to viewpoints on well-maintained paths.

Final Thoughts – Book It! Why Wouldn’t You Want to See 1 of the Most Beautiful Places on Earth (Not Just Norway) From All the Angles?!

You will get to see so much on this shore excursion. Classic fjord panoramas from Eagle Road: Ørnevegen (Eagle Road) and the Ørnesvingen (Eagle’s Bend) viewpoints give sweeping views down into Geiranger and toward famous waterfalls and abandoned mountain farms!

Dramatic vantage points: Flydalsjuvet has an easy access panoramic platform looking down at Geiranger village and the fjord. The Dalsnibba Skywalk offers Europe’s highest fjord view from a road-accessible viewpoint (~1,500 m). Both are show stoppers for photos and panoramic views!

I am all about maximizing my time in port and this tour fits perfectly into that. As it is a short tour, you are able to pair it perfectly with other activities (we also did a RIB Fjordsafari – here’s my guide/review on that) + for more on what I did for the entire day, check out my port day recap!

Why I Chose to Book This Tour Via Viator

What I Really Spent

• Tour: $75.85/ adults + $56.89/youths + $37.92/Children (Note that we took this tour in July 2023)

I booked via Viator as I was able to triple stack on this spend:by using a credit card that earns miles + points and earning Viator rewards and earning miles via a shopping portal!

If You Want to Book This Tour Via GetYourGuide Instead?

Interestingly this exact same tour from the same tour company (Norway Excursions) has a different name via GetYourGuide. Interestingly, it is actually cheaper on GetYourGuide, book Geiranger: Dalsnibba, Flydalsjuvet, Eagle Bend & Fjords Tour here

Why You Should Choose to Book Via GetYourGuide