Station 01+109 m
Which fjord is the longest and deepest in Norway?
The Sognefjord stretches roughly 205 km inland from the coast north of Bergen and reaches about 1,308 m at its deepest. Its size earned it the nickname "King of the Fjords".
Bing Norway & its Fjords Quiz
Quiz About Norway and its Fjords
Twelve questions, one voyage. Every correct answer takes you 109 metres deeper, all the way down to the floor of Norway's deepest fjord.
By Andrew Coleman
Updated
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12 questions
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About 12 min read
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Fact-checked against official sourcesFew landscapes on Earth look as dramatic as a Norwegian fjord: a ribbon of dark, still seawater squeezed between cliffs that rise straight up for a kilometre or more, with waterfalls spilling off the edges and tiny farms clinging to ledges. It is exactly the kind of scene that Bing's daily homepage photo and its companion quiz love to feature, and it is a favourite subject for anyone who enjoys geography trivia.
This Bing Norway and its Fjords Quiz is built to be more than a guessing game. Each question comes with a short explanation, so even a wrong answer teaches you something. Below the quiz you will find a plain-English guide to how fjords form, the most famous ones, the landmarks above them and how people live and travel along them.
If you are here for your daily dose of trivia, you can also play the Bing Homepage Quiz Today once you have finished this one.
Stop 1 · The science
What exactly is a fjord?
A fjord is a long, narrow inlet of the sea with steep sides, carved by a glacier. The word itself is Norwegian, descended from the Old Norse fjǫrðr, and it is a close cousin of the English word "ford" and the Scottish "firth". English borrowed it because no existing word described these landscapes quite as well.
Fjords are found in several cold, mountainous coastlines, including Greenland, Chile, Canada, Alaska and New Zealand (where Milford Sound is, despite its name, a fjord). Norway, though, is the country most closely associated with them. According to Visit Norway, the country has more than a thousand fjords, and they are a big reason its coastline is so astonishingly long.
1. River valleys
Long before the ice ages, rivers cut ordinary V-shaped valleys into Norway's ancient bedrock.
2. Glaciers move in
During the ice ages, thick glaciers flowed down these valleys toward the sea, grinding them wider and much deeper.
3. A U-shape remains
The ice left steep-walled, U-shaped troughs, often scooped out far below today's sea level.
4. The sea floods in
When the ice melted and sea levels rose, seawater filled the troughs, creating today's fjords.
Two quirks make fjords especially interesting. First, many are deepest far inland and much shallower at the mouth, because a ridge of bedrock or glacial debris (called a sill or threshold) sits near the entrance. Second, smaller side glaciers did not cut as deep as the main one, leaving "hanging valleys" high up the walls. Streams pouring out of those valleys are why fjords are lined with so many spectacular waterfalls.
Stop 2 · The chart
Norway's famous fjords at a glance
Most of Norway's best-known fjords lie on the west coast, in the regions often simply called Fjord Norway. These five appear in quizzes again and again, so they are worth knowing by name.
| Fjord | County | Approx. length | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sognefjord | Vestland | about 205 km | Norway's longest and deepest fjord (around 1,308 m deep); nicknamed the "King of the Fjords" |
| Hardangerfjord | Vestland | about 179 km | Norway's second-longest fjord; fruit orchards, the Hardanger Bridge; often called the "Queen of the Fjords" |
| Geirangerfjord | Møre og Romsdal | about 15 km | UNESCO World Heritage site; the Seven Sisters waterfall and the Eagle Road's hairpin bends |
| Nærøyfjord | Vestland | about 17 km | UNESCO World Heritage site; one of the narrowest fjords in Europe, about 250 m at its tightest |
| Lysefjord | Rogaland | about 42 km | Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and the wedged boulder of Kjeragbolten |
Figures are rounded. Published lengths and depths vary slightly between sources depending on where a fjord is measured from.
Stop 3 · The descent
The Bing Norway and its Fjords Quiz
Choose one answer per question. You get one try each, and the explanation appears straight away. Every correct answer drops your depth gauge by 109 metres. Get all twelve right and you will reach 1,308 metres, the deepest point of the Sognefjord.
Station 02+109 m
Which two fjords were jointly added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2005?
UNESCO inscribed the "West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord" in 2005, describing them as classic, exceptionally well-preserved examples of fjord landscapes.
Station 03+109 m
What natural force carved Norway's fjords?
Massive glaciers deepened and widened existing river valleys into U-shaped troughs. When the ice melted, the sea flooded in, creating the fjords we see today.
Station 04+109 m
The famous Seven Sisters waterfall tumbles into which fjord?
The Seven Sisters (De syv søstrene) is a set of seven streams falling down the cliffs of the Geirangerfjord. Local legend says the waterfall across the fjord, known as the Suitor, is forever trying to win one of the sisters over.
Station 05+109 m
Preikestolen, also called Pulpit Rock, towers roughly 604 metres above which fjord?
Preikestolen is a flat-topped cliff in Rogaland, near Stavanger, hanging about 604 m above the Lysefjord. It is one of Norway's most popular hikes.
Station 06+109 m
If the Sognefjord is the "King of the Fjords", which fjord is often called the "Queen"?
The Hardangerfjord, at about 179 km, is Norway's second-longest fjord. Its gentle orchards, glaciers and waterfalls have earned it the title "Queen of the Fjords".
Station 07+109 m
The steep Flåm Railway climbs from the village of Flåm up to which mountain station?
The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) runs about 20 km from Flåm, at the head of the Aurlandsfjord, to Myrdal on the Bergen Line, climbing roughly 863 m. It is one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world.
Station 08+109 m
Which record-holding road tunnel, about 24.5 km long, runs through the mountains near the Sognefjord?
Opened in 2000, the Lærdal Tunnel links Aurland and Lærdal and is the world's longest road tunnel. Three large caves lit in blue and yellow break up the drive and help keep drivers alert.
Station 09+109 m
At its narrowest point, roughly how wide is the Nærøyfjord?
The Nærøyfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord system, narrows to about 250 m, while its walls rise well over a thousand metres. That contrast makes it one of the most dramatic fjords in Europe.
Station 10+109 m
Counting every fjord, bay and island, roughly how long is Norway's coastline?
The Norwegian Mapping Authority (Kartverket) puts the figure at about 100,915 km including islands. That is more than twice the distance around the equator, almost entirely thanks to the fjords and islands.
Station 11+109 m
Each spring, the shores of the Hardangerfjord turn white and pink with blossoms from what?
Hardanger has grown fruit for centuries, and its sheltered slopes are lined with orchards. Blossom season, usually in May, is one of the most popular times to visit, and the region is known for its apple cider.
Station 12+109 m
The English word "fjord" comes from which language?
"Fjord" comes from Norwegian, which inherited it from the Old Norse fjǫrðr. It shares its roots with the English "ford" and the Scottish "firth", all linked to the idea of a place to cross or travel through.
Stop 4 · Above the water
Landmarks high above the water
Some of the most photographed places in Norway are not on the fjords at all but perched high above them. These three viewpoints regularly appear in travel photography, and in trivia questions.
≈ 604 m · Lysefjord
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
A nearly square, flat-topped cliff with a sheer drop to the fjord. The marked trail is about 8 km there and back and is manageable for most reasonably fit walkers in good weather.
≈ 984 m above sea level · Lysefjord
Kjeragbolten
A boulder wedged in a mountain crevice, with nothing but air below. Brave hikers step onto it for photos; the route to reach it is steep and much more demanding than Preikestolen.
≈ 700 m above the lake · Hardanger region
Trolltunga (Troll's Tongue)
A thin ledge of rock jutting out over the lake Ringedalsvatnet near Odda. It is not directly above a fjord, but it sits in the Hardanger region and is a long, full-day mountain hike.
Stop 5 · People and places
Life and travel on the fjords
For centuries the fjords were Norway's highways. Before modern roads, it was usually easier to travel by boat than over the mountains, which is why so many old farms, churches and villages sit right at the water's edge.
Ferries, tunnels and bridges
Car ferries still criss-cross many fjords, but Norway has also built remarkable infrastructure. The Lærdal Tunnel is the world's longest road tunnel, and the Hardanger Bridge, opened in 2013, crosses an arm of the Hardangerfjord with a main span of about 1,310 m.
Mountain farms on the edge
Along the Geirangerfjord, abandoned farms such as Skageflå and Knivsflå sit on narrow ledges hundreds of metres above the water. Families once farmed these near-vertical slopes, and today they are popular hiking destinations.
Stave churches and heritage
Urnes Stave Church, beside the Lustrafjord (an arm of the Sognefjord), dates from the 12th century and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. In Bergen, often called the gateway to the fjords, the old wharf of Bryggen is also on the World Heritage List.
Glaciers still at work
Jostedalsbreen, north of the Sognefjord, is the largest glacier in mainland Europe. Its arms, such as Briksdalsbreen, show the same kind of ice that shaped the fjords, though like most glaciers worldwide it has been shrinking.
The Norwegian Fjord horse
This small, sturdy breed is easy to recognise by its dun coat and its upright mane, which is traditionally trimmed so a dark central stripe shows through. It has long been used for farm work in the mountainous west.
Getting there
Bergen and Ålesund are classic starting points. Many travellers combine a fjord cruise, the Flåm Railway and scenic bus routes, while others drive mountain roads such as the Eagle Road above Geiranger with its 11 hairpin bends.
Stop 6 · Strategy
Tips for acing fjord trivia
Geography quizzes about Norway tend to circle around the same handful of facts. If you remember these, you will be ready for most questions, whether they show up here or on a daily homepage quiz.
- Learn the royal pair. Sognefjord is the King (longest and deepest in Norway); Hardangerfjord is the Queen (second-longest, famous for orchards).
- Remember the UNESCO duo. Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord were inscribed together in 2005. Geiranger has the Seven Sisters; Nærøyfjord is the narrow one.
- Link rocks to fjords. Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten both belong to the Lysefjord. Trolltunga is in Hardanger but hangs over a lake.
- Think "ice", not "fire". Fjords are glacial. Any answer about volcanoes, earthquakes or rivers alone is a trap.
- Watch the units. Quiz options often differ by a factor of ten. Ask yourself whether 250 m or 25 km actually makes sense for a narrow fjord.
Stop 7 · Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bing Norway and its Fjords Quiz?
It is a 12-question educational quiz about Norway's fjords, covering how they formed, the most famous fjords, nearby landmarks and fjord life. Each answer comes with a short explanation so you learn as you play.
How many fjords does Norway have?
Norway has more than a thousand fjords. Many of the best known, including the Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, are on the west coast in the region known as Fjord Norway.
Which is the most famous fjord in Norway?
The Geirangerfjord is probably the most photographed, thanks to its waterfalls and UNESCO status. The Sognefjord is the longest and deepest, and the Nærøyfjord is famous for being exceptionally narrow.
Is fjord water fresh or salty?
Fjords are arms of the sea, so their water is salty. Rivers, glaciers and waterfalls add fresh water, which often forms a lighter, less salty layer near the surface, especially in spring and summer.
When is the best time to visit the Norwegian fjords?
Late spring to early autumn (roughly May to September) offers the longest days, the widest choice of boat trips and the most accessible hiking trails. May is blossom season in Hardanger, while winter brings quieter, snow-covered scenery but fewer services.
Is this quiz affiliated with Microsoft Bing?
No. This is an independent educational quiz inspired by the kind of topics featured on Bing's homepage. It is not created, endorsed or sponsored by Microsoft.
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Stop 8 · Our homework
Sources
Facts in this article were checked against the sources below. Measurements are rounded, and figures may differ slightly between publications depending on how they are measured.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Urnes Stave Church
- Visit Norway, the official travel guide to Norway: visitnorway.com (fjords, Flåm Railway, Preikestolen, Hardanger)
- Norwegian Mapping Authority (Kartverket): kartverket.no (coastline length)
- Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen): vegvesen.no (Lærdal Tunnel, Hardanger Bridge)
- Store norske leksikon (Great Norwegian Encyclopedia): snl.no (Sognefjorden, Hardangerfjorden, fjord formation)
This quiz is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Microsoft or Bing. Bing is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Spotted an error? We review and correct content promptly when readers let us know.