What the weather is like
Bergen is the reference point here, not an average for all fjords. For 1991–2020 the city gives an annual mean of 47 °F (8.4 °C) and annual precipitation of 98 inches (2,495 mm). Rain is common all year. May had 109 mm (4.3 inches) in that period and December 290 mm (11.4 inches), so December had more than twice the precipitation of May. These are normals, not a forecast for any given year.
The fjord places in this guide lie south of the Arctic Circle, so there is no midnight sun and no polar night. Summer evenings are long and light, but that is not the midnight sun. For the north see the midnight sun in Tromsø. Hiking, ferries and roads each have their own season, which the table below follows.
The year month by month
Opening seasons and 2026 timetables. Dates shift with snow and weather.
| Month | What is running | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| April | The Flåm Railway runs six departures a day from Flåm. The Bergen to Flåm express boat starts on April 1. Facilities at Vøringsfossen open from April 1. | Snow and ice can limit access. Orchard blossom can start in a warm year. |
| May | Summer timetable on the Flåm Railway from May 1. Dalsnibba and the Flydalsjuvet toilets usually open from mid-May. Orchard blossom in Hardanger, mostly mid-May to mid-June. | The blossom date follows spring temperatures, so do not plan around one date. |
| June | Trolltunga is open to experienced hikers without a guide from June 1. The P3 car park opens June 8. Preikestolen is in its main season. | A June date does not guarantee a snow-free path. |
| July and August | The full Flåm Railway timetable, with nine departures a day and an extra weekday train at 07:20. Main season at Preikestolen. | Rain can arrive quickly. On the night of July 22, 2026 two hikers at Preikestolen were caught by rain and needed help to get down. |
| September | Trolltunga and the P3 car park until September 30. The Mostraumen cruise leaves at 10:00 and 14:00. Fresh Hardanger fruit comes in late summer and autumn. | Shorter days. Mountain roads can close for snow or ice at short notice. |
| October | Six Flåm Railway departures a day. The Geiranger to Hellesylt ferry runs three times a day in each direction. The express boat to Flåm runs until October 31. | The Kjerag road, parking and information usually close by mid-October. The Dalsnibba operator reported a weather closure on October 4, 2026. |
| November and December | Four Flåm Railway departures a day from November 1 to December 12, 2026. The Mostraumen cruise leaves at 10:00. Bergen still has cruise calls. | Bergen’s wettest month in the normals is December. Rail works between Finse and Myrdal end November 8. |
| January to March | The Nærøyfjord boat has a winter timetable until March 31, 2027, with departures from Flåm at 09:30 and 14:45. The Mostraumen cruise runs all year. | A guide is recommended at Trolltunga outside June 1 to September 30. Preikestolen is much harder in winter. |
Fjord tours through the year
Fjord cruises, rail and boat combinations and guided hikes from Bergen, Flåm, Geiranger and Odda, with live prices and availability.
The best time by purpose
No single month is best for everything.
Hiking
June to September is the main season. At Trolltunga, experienced hikers can go without a guide from June 1 to September 30, and the operator recommends a guide outside that period. This is a recommendation, not a legal rule. Preikestolen works all year in principle, and winter is far more demanding and depends on the weather.
Orchard blossom
The Hardangerfjord blooms mostly from mid-May to mid-June, and in some warm years already in April. Sources give different lengths for the blossom, so keep your dates flexible. Blossom and harvest are not the same: fruit is picked in late summer and autumn.
The Hardangerfjord →Trains and boats
The Flåm Railway, the Nærøyfjord boat and the Mostraumen cruise run all year with winter timetables. In winter, weather can send the Nærøyfjord boat back to Flåm instead of on to Gudvangen. Train times can differ by departure, so check the timetable for your day.
Mountain roads and viewpoints
Dalsnibba is usually open from mid-May to September or October, depending on weather. The scenic route between Geiranger and Trollstigen has sections that close in winter, and the sources for autumn 2026 disagree on the status of Trollstigen. Check the road status before you drive.
The Geirangerfjord →Waterfalls
Vøringsfossen has a 182 m drop. Parking and toilets run from April 1 to October 31, depending on snow and ice, and the platforms, the stair bridge and parts of the path are closed in winter.
Cruise calls
Ocean cruise calls are not limited to summer in Bergen. See the cruise guide for the emission rules and port limits.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pick a season, then a place.
The Hardangerfjord
Orchard blossom, villages and a 182 m waterfall.
The Trolltunga hike
Route, season, parking and safety.
The Flåm Railway
Timetables by season and what changes in winter.
For the whole of Norway, including the north, see the best time to visit Northern Norway.
Best time to visit the Norwegian fjords: frequently asked questions
What is the best month for the fjords?
It depends on the purpose. June to September suits hiking, mid-May to mid-June is the usual window for orchard blossom, and trains and fjord boats run all year with winter timetables.
How much does it rain in Bergen?
For 1991–2020 the annual precipitation is 2,495 mm (98 inches) with an annual mean temperature of 8.4 °C (47 °F). May had 109 mm and December 290 mm in that period.
Is there a midnight sun in the Norwegian fjords?
No. The fjord places in this guide lie south of the Arctic Circle, so there is no midnight sun and no polar night. Summer evenings are long and light, but that is a different thing.
When is the Hardangerfjord in bloom?
Mostly from mid-May to mid-June, depending on spring temperatures. In some warm years it starts as early as April. Sources differ on how long it lasts, so stay flexible.
Can I hike Trolltunga in winter?
The local operator recommends a guide outside June 1 to September 30. This is advice, not a legal requirement, and the season dates do not guarantee a snow-free path.
Does the Flåm Railway run in winter?
Yes. From November 1 to December 12, 2026 it runs four times a day from Flåm, at 09:00, 11:45, 14:30 and 16:50. Check the timetable for later dates.