Ornesvingen, the Eagle Bend, is a hairpin on the road above the Geirangerfjord, and the viewpoint beside it gives the classic picture of the fjord: a long, narrow slot of green water, hemmed by cliffs and waterfalls, with the village of Geiranger at the far end and the white wakes of ships crossing. The road that leads to it, the Eagle Road, climbs from the fjord in eleven hairpins, and takes its name from the birds that sometimes soar here. The name suits the bend, which seems to hang in the air.
The Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site, shared with the Naeroyfjord, and it is among the most visited places in Norway. Its walls rise more than a thousand metres, and waterfalls tumble down them, including the Seven Sisters, a row of falls side by side, and the Suitor, which faces them across the water. According to the legend, the Suitor is a man trying to woo the sisters, and the Bridal Veil is another fall that looks like gauze. In summer, cruise ships fill the fjord, and the village is crowded.
Higher still lies Dalsnibba, a mountain with a toll road that climbs to about 1,500 metres, with a view down onto the fjord, and a stop there is worth the effort on a clear day. The old farms along the fjord, some abandoned, cling to impossible slopes, and a few can be visited. Walking trails lead between them, and the air smells of pine and wet rock.
As for practical matters, the nearest towns of any size, Stranda and Stryn, are twenty-five and thirty-four kilometres away, and fuel is available in Geiranger itself, though prices are high. Fill up in Stranda or Stryn if you can. The road is well surfaced but narrow, with tight bends, and it can be crowded with coaches, so approach with care. Weather changes quickly, with cloud and rain often hiding the view, so be patient, and wait for a break. Early morning is the quietest time, and in autumn the light is clear and the crowds thin. Be aware that the road is closed in winter.