Hellesylt may be small, but it’s surrounded by jaw-dropping natural beauty and feels like a place where time has stood still. This quaint, sleepy village is home to around 240 people and is nestled right on the edge of an arm from the stunning Geirangerfjord – a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and pristine waters.
Whether you’re visiting Hellesylt as a port-of-call on a Norwegian fjords cruise (like us) or stopping by on a road trip through Norway, you’ll be surprised by just how much there is to see and do here. It might look tiny on the map, but Hellesylt packs in plenty of adventure, charm, and photo opportunities. Come take a look.
Hellesylt at a Glance – Don’t Miss 👀
- Hiring kayak’s and paddling out on Geirangerfjord
- Admiring Hellesyltfossen, the village’s thundering 20-metre waterfall
- Taking a scenic RIB boat ride to see the famous Seven Sisters waterfall
- Driving mini electric cars to explore Norangsdalen
- See Tom Cruise’s motorbike from Mission Impossible 7
In this article...
Admire Hellesyltfossen – A waterfall at the Heart of Hellesylt
You can’t miss Hellesyltfossen, the village’s thundering 20-metre waterfall which greets you the moment you step off your cruise ship. This powerful waterfall sits right in the centre of Hellesylt, tumbling dramatically into the fjord below.
Take a stroll across the bridge for a closer view, or stand right beside the falls and feel the refreshing mist on your face. Some adventurous visitors scramble onto the rocks for photos, but be careful! This waterfall is fed by snowmelt from the mountains and is deceptively powerful.
There are benches and picnic tables nearby too, making it the perfect spot to sit and take in the beautiful view while listening to the roar of the water.
Step Inside The Turf Roofed Watermill
Right next to Hellesyltfossen, you’ll spot a charming hut topped with a thick layer of grass. On closer inspection, you’ll find it’s actually an old watermill with a traditional Norwegian turf roof!
Although the wheel no longer turns, the wooden machinery remains, and you can peek inside to see how grain was once milled here. The doorway is tiny (mind your head!) but stepping inside feels like stepping back in time. Sadly theres no information inside, but this little piece of Hellesylt history is one of those unexpected finds that make the village feel so authentic.
Read more: Best Things To Do in Stavanger, Norway: Cruise Port Guide
Hire a Mini Electric Car and Explore Norangsdalen
If you’re itching to see more of the surrounding area, consider hiring one of the funny little Renault Twizy electric cars. With room for 2 (just about!) these two-seater vehicles are a quirky and eco-friendly way to head out along Norangsdalen. A scenic route nicknamed “The Queen’s Route” thanks to its royal connections and breathtaking landscapes.
Each car comes preloaded with GPS-based audio commentary in English, German, Italian, and Spanish. So you’ll get fascinating insights, facts and stories about the mountains, fjords, and villages you pass along one of the narrowest valleys in Norway.
At least one of you will need to have a drivers licence to hire a Renault Twizy, but they’re automatic and easy to drive. It’s also worth knowing that they don’t have windows, and you aren’t protected from the elements. So make sure you dress in warm layers and maybe even waterproofs if the weather it looking dodgy.
I think these sound like such a fun way to venture out beyond Hellesylt for a little while, but they aren’t the cheapest.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Price: From £171 per car
RIB Boat Adventure on Geirangerfjord – A Must-Do!
This was hands-down the highlight of our stop in Hellesylt. We booked a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) ride a couple of days before via GetYourGuide, and it turned out to be the perfect mix of adrenaline and jaw-dropping scenery. Plus it was far cheaper than booking the same excursion through P&O.
Our tour started at 8am, so we got off early and walked a few minutes from the cruise port to the RIB dock. The early start meant it was pretty chilly, thankfully the insulated suits that are included in your ticket were lovely and cosy. I recommend taking some sunglasses with you too, as the reflection on the water as the sun rose up above the mountains was pretty blinding. Gloves wouldn’t be a bad idea either, especially if you want to hold on to the handle bar inside the boat.
Our guide, Christian, was a fountain of knowledge, sharing fun myths, stories, and local legends as we sped across the glassy waters of Geirangerfjord. Some of our highlights included seeing the famous Seven Sisters waterfall and the “Bottle” waterfall opposite, along with spotting an eagle and a natural rock formation shaped like a troll’s face!
The boat ride is fast and exhilarating, but also peaceful when you pause to take in the breathtaking scenery. If you only do one activity in Hellesylt, make it this RIB tour. I can’t recommend it enough. See if there’s any availability here.
Duration: 1 Hour
Price: From £59 per person
Hire E-Bikes to Explore Beyond Hellesylt
If you fancy covering a little more ground, then hiring bikes could be a great option. They had e-bikes for hire, perfect to help you up the many hills around here.
You can either hire from the shop near Hellesyltfossen , or GetYourGuide have an e-bike tour from Hellesylt to Norangsdalen.
Duration: Choose 2 hours, 4 hours or all day
Price: From £86 per person
Read more: Best Things To Do in Olden, Norway: Cruise Port Guide
Visit the beautiful Sunnylven Church
Sunnylven Church sits proud above the village, overlooking the picturesque fjord below. This beautiful white timber church was built in 1858 and crafted from locally sourced wood. It has 270 seats, which is enough for the entire population of Hellesylt to fit inside!
I think it’s worth a quick visit to admire its traditional architecture and its incredible fjord views.
Wander Through the Village
Take time to simply stroll around Hellesylt and imagine what it’s like to live here in this remote village.
It won’t take long to explore as the village is so small. But you’ll find adorable homes, neat gardens, and charming details at every turn. If you go early (before most cruise passengers disembark), you’ll practically have the place to yourself. It looked extra beautiful with the low moody clouds covering the mountain tops.
Wild Swimming and Diving in Hellesylt
Feeling brave? There’s a small beach area in Hellesylt with a jetty and diving tower, perfect for a dip in the icy fjord waters.
We didn’t brave it ourselves, but there was plenty of potty-mouthed language to reassure me that the water was absolutely baltic. It was great fun watching locals and visitors brave jumping from the high tower and splashing into the chilly fjord water below.
Just be mindful of jellyfish, I didn’t see them myself, but I could hear swimmers warning others to be careful.
Even if you don’t jump in, it’s fun to sit and watch others take the refreshing plunge.
Kayak on Geirangerfjord
For a quieter, more immersive fjord experience, rent a kayak and paddle beneath towering cliffs of Geirangerfjord. You’ll get close to Hellesyltfossen and have time to appreciate the stillness of the fjord as well as feasting your eyes on the endless mountains and local wildlife. If you’re a little nervous about heading out on the open water, there’s a beginner friendly option too.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: From £88 per person
Go Hiking in Hellesylt
Hellesylt is surrounded by epic mountains, making it a hiker’s paradise. Check AllTrails for routes ranging from gentle walks to challenging climbs. With every step, you’ll uncover sweeping views and gain even more appreciation for this tiny Norwegian gem. So lace up your walking boots and go for a wander to find epic view points and admire more of Norways beauty.
See Tom Cruise’s Motorbike from Mission Impossible 7
We all know Tom Cruise loves to do many of his own film stunts, and Hellesylt made its Hollywood debut in one of the scenes from Mission Impossible 7. Its the scene where Tom Cruise launches a motorbike off a cliff, and you can see a photo of it in the information board here.
Well his stunt bike is now on display here in a glass box. All bent, battered, and mangled – but a fascinating piece of movie history.
Read more: 18 of The Best Things to Do in Vienna
Browse The Souvenir Shops
If you would like to grab yourself a little souvenir to take home, there’s a couple of your typical souvenir type shops in Hellesylt. Both of them sell practically identical stock, but its nice to take a little look and perhaps buy a token gift to remember your time here. We got our boys some metal viking key-rings from here.
Take a Trip to Stranda and Ride the Cable Car
GetYourGuide offer a trip from Hellesylt to Stranda – a lively fjord town famous for its breathtaking alpine surroundings. After a scenic 45 minute minibus ride, you then take the cable car up the mountainside to the top station which sits over 1,000 meters above sea level.
Take some time to soak in the panoramic views and snow-capped mountains of the Sunnmøre Alps with the Storfjord stretching far below. Then pop into the Panorama restaurant for something to eat or a hot coffee before you take a return trip on the cable car back to the minibus.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Price: from £103 per person
Final thoughts
Hellesylt may be a tiny village, but it’s packed with charm, adventure, and incredible scenery. Whether you’re here for just a few hours on a cruise stop or spending a full day exploring, there’s no shortage of ways to make memories. From kayaking and hiking to simply sitting by the waterfall with a coffee. Hellesylt will leave you feeling refreshed and connected to nature.
Stopping at other places in Norway? Take a look at my post on Stavanger, Haugesund and Olden where we went up one of the steepest cable cars in the world!
Before you go …
The blog is where the full story lives, but if you want to come along for the ride in real time for behind the scenes moments, and everything as it happens. Come follow me on Instagram: @roostandroam.co.uk
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