Vik (Sognefjord North Shore)
Vikøy · Hopperstad area · Vik i Sogn
61°04.7'N 006°34.3'E
Depth
6–25m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m in 6–22m. Good holding in mud and sand. The main Sognefjord is so wide here (5–8km) that a S or SE wind can build considerable fetch — a 90m radius is the minimum for the depth and potential conditions. Shore lines help control swing in the deep anchorage.
About This Anchorage
Vik on the north shore of Sognefjord is best known for its two extraordinary Viking-age stave churches: Hopperstad Stave Church (c.1130, one of the best-preserved stave churches in Norway) and the Hove stone church (11th century). The village is a quiet agricultural community with ferry connections across the fjord to Vangsnes (where a 12m-high statue of the Viking Fridtjof stands overlooking the fjord). The anchorage in the Vik bay is one of the few places on the north shore of Sognefjord where anchoring in manageable depth is feasible — most of the north shore drops immediately to 500–1,000m depth. A good waypoint stop when traversing Sognefjord between Flåm and the outer coast.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · W
Exposed To
S · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchoring); Guest quay fee for alongside berth
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Allemannsretten applies. Keep clear of the Vik-Vangsnes ferry approach — the ferry runs frequently. Stave church area is a protected cultural monument — camping forbidden near the churches. No waste discharge in the fjord.
Hazards
- !Sognefjord main fetch: S and SE winds blow from the outer fjord 200km away and can build a significant short chop in the wide section here — this is an exposed anchorage in S wind
- !Depths are significant even close to shore: 10–20m is typical in the usable anchoring zone — generous scope is essential
- !Vik-Vangsnes ferry: this car ferry crosses the fjord regularly throughout the day and night — keep clear of the ferry approach route on both sides
- !Katabatic drainage overnight from the Viksdalen valley above: 15–25 knots possible; shore lines recommended
Skipper's Tips
- →Hopperstad Stave Church: one of Norway's finest and oldest stave churches, open daily June–August — the dragon-head ornamentation and medieval interior are outstanding
- →Vangsnes Viking statue (Fridtjofstatuen): take the ferry (15 min) to Vangsnes to see the 12m-high statue of Viking hero Fridtjof — a genuinely impressive piece of fjord landscape sculpture
- →Midfjord crossing: Vik is a useful waypoint for the 5km crossing of the main Sognefjord channel — the express boat service from Vik connects to Flåm and Bergen
- →The Vik church walk (3km circular) passes both medieval churches with fjord views throughout — one of the best short cultural walks in the Sognefjord area
Facilities
Vik has a reasonable supermarket, café and a hotel restaurant. Water at the guest quay. Fuel by jerrycan from petrol station. Ferry to Vangsnes (opposite shore) takes 15 minutes.
Nearest provisions: Vik village supermarket (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. Vik is a transit stop more than a destination anchorage — it is useful when crossing the main Sognefjord from the Aurlandsfjord area to the outer coast heading north toward Sognefjord's northern shore and Bergen.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
In the narrow fjord arms of Sognefjord, katabatic winds can reach gale force suddenly. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position and shore-line swing continuously.
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