Eidfjord
Eidfjord village · Hardangerfjord inner arm · Eidfjord havn
60°28.0'N 007°04.4'E
Depth
5–15m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m in 5–12m on mud and silt. Excellent holding. Actual depths far greater than CD — Norwegian tidal range 1-2m. Shore line to rock bolts essential at night — katabatic gusts from the Hardangervidda plateau above can reach 30+ knots suddenly in clear settled weather. Set alarm before sleeping.
About This Anchorage
Eidfjord sits at the innermost navigable arm of the Hardangerfjord system, beneath the massive Hardangervidda plateau — Scandinavia's largest mountain plateau (8,000 km²) at 1,200m elevation. The village is surrounded on three sides by vertical mountain walls rising over 1,000m, with waterfalls streaming down every cleft. The UNESCO World Heritage landscape begins here. The primary attraction is Vøringsfossen, one of Norway's most spectacular waterfalls with a 182m free-fall drop — accessible by a 4nm bus or car journey from the village. The Hardanger Museum in the village documents the fruit-farming and folk art (Hardangersøm embroidery, Hardanger fiddle) culture of the region. Anchoring here in settled summer weather is a dramatic experience: the scale of the fjord head is overpowering and the midnight sun reflects off the water and cliff faces.
Protected From
E · SE · S · SW · W
Exposed To
N · NW
Setting Your Anchor in Hardangerfjord
Shore lines are mandatory in the Hardangerfjord system. Norwegian practice: drop a bow anchor on the shallow nearshore shelf in 5–15m, then run a stern or bow shore line to the nearest fortøyningsbolter (iron ring) set into the cliff face. Use at least 7:1 scope on the anchor rode. The Norwegian tidal range in the Hardangerfjord is 1–2m — small compared to Atlantic tides but actual depths are far greater than Chart Datum. Always verify with your echo sounder. Katabatic gusts from glacier valleys can reach 30+ knots at night on clear settled days — set your anchor alarm to 80m before sleeping. Under Allemannsretten, anchoring on natural shores is free for up to 48 hours; private quays require permission.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies — free anchoring up to 48h, minimum 150m from inhabited dwellings. Shore lines mandatory in fjord arms — use fortøyningsbolter on rock faces. UNESCO Hardangerfjord landscape: no discharge or dumping. Private quays in the village — ask permission before use. Katabatic wind risk: always set anchor alarm.
Hazards
- !Katabatic wind hazard: on clear nights, cold dense air accelerates from the Hardangervidda plateau above creating sudden gusts 30–40+ knots — anchor alarm mandatory
- !Waterfall spray mist: Vøringsfossen and other falls create moisture-laden air — damp conditions and reduced visibility in calm weather
- !Fjord depths extreme behind the anchorage shelf — shore line essential; no swinging room in main fjord channel
- !Tourist ferries and sightseeing vessels call at Eidfjord in summer — maintain radar watch for approaching traffic
Skipper's Tips
- →Time arrival for early evening when the tour buses have gone — the village is quiet and the fjord reflections are spectacular at sunset
- →Hire or bus to Vøringsfossen (4nm, road) for the day — combine with a walk on the Hardangervidda trail from the top
- →Hardanger Museum (Eidfjord arm museum) documents the extraordinary embroidery and musical traditions of this valley — worth a morning visit
- →Shore line technique: carry 60–80m of 12mm polyester warp and a stern hook for the iron rings; rings are set at regular intervals along the cliff face
Facilities
Eidfjord village has a hotel, restaurant and small supermarket. Ferry connects to Brimnes (car ferry across fjord). Limited chandlery — stock up in Norheimsund or Bergen before this arm.
Nearest provisions: Eidfjord village supermarket (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. Snow remains on the plateau above until late June most years. The Eidfjord arm receives the most dramatic katabatic gusts of any Hardangerfjord location — do not anchor here in any unsettled forecast. September is quieter and still beautiful but facilities reduce sharply.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In Hardangerfjord, katabatic gusts from glacier valleys above can reach 30+ knots without warning on clear settled nights. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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