A calm Norwegian village at the head of Sunnylvsfjorden, known for its 19th-century wooden houses and the cascading waterfall that flows through its center.
Hellesylt is a small village in western Norway at the meeting point of Sunnylvsfjorden and Geirangerfjord. You'll find a 50-meter waterfall thundering through its center, mountain paths leading to fjord viewpoints, and a 19th-century wooden church overlooking the water. Take a RIB boat through the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord or walk the village's waterfall-side paths to experience this gateway to Norway's fjord country.
The Central Waterfall
The Hellesyltfossen waterfall runs through the middle of Hellesylt. Water volume peaks from April to early June during mountain snow melt, creating a powerful 50-meter cascade. Walk across the 1907 stone bridge above the falls, or stop at the wooden viewing platform halfway down for photos. Look for the restored watermill at the base of the falls, which local residents still maintain.
Getting Around the Fjords
Between June and September, catch the car ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger every 90 minutes. The one-hour journey takes you past 800-meter cliff faces and abandoned mountain farms perched on rocky ledges. From the marina, join a 90-minute RIB boat tour through the Geirangerfjord that brings you within 100 meters of the Seven Sisters waterfall.
Mountain Activities
Walk the 5-kilometer Høgreiten path through pine forests to reach a viewpoint 300 meters above the fjord. For longer hikes, follow the marked mountain trails that extend up to 15 kilometers into the surrounding peaks. In winter, when temperatures drop below freezing, you can cross-country ski on marked routes through the snow-covered landscape.
Village Life and Culture
Visit the white wooden Sunnylven Church, positioned 100 meters above sea level with large windows facing the fjord. Step inside the Peer Gynt Gallery to see local artist Oddvin Parr's wooden carvings that tell Henrik Ibsen's story through detailed sculptures. While summer brings about 2,000 daily visitors to Hellesylt, the village streets remain calm compared to Geiranger.
Local Film Locations
Walk the mountain roads above Hellesylt where the Mission Impossible team filmed their motorcycle jump sequence in 2022. The local tourist office has maps marking the exact filming locations, and you can hike to several viewpoints where the crew set up their cameras.
