Grande Hytteutleige og Camping, Geiranger

I didn't realise just how big Norway was until we tried to tour with family and tent!! We drove all day and every time we looked at the map we'd progressed about 4 inches. Probably half the length of the UK though. Ok, I'm being stupid. It's an intro. It is a very long country though. Which is why, after 8 hours in the car at 40mph (max speed limit on most roads) it's always a joy to find that the campsite you're heading to turns out to be a corker and can be used for a few days rest rather than just an over-nigher. This is one such corker.

Setting.
Drive north through and past the village as if heading out of Geiranger. The site is located on the left on the fjord shore just before the road starts to climb for miles up the mountain side. The setting is just wonderful. There are actually 2 campsites joined together and either one would do. Both run along a narrow strip of grassy shoreline which has a walled drop into the fjord. (About a 2 foot drop). The fjord however is 600 meters deep. About 3 times the depth of Loch Ness and twice as deep as the Eiffel tower is high. (I'm sure someone will correct me here and I'll wish I'd researched better). So beware with little ones!! It actually gets deep very very quickly but there are places where you can paddle. Diving from the jetty's is great. I'd wear a wetsuit though. Water freezing. There is another site at the head of the fjord which looks more toddler friendly but not as dramatic a location.

The fjord is one of the most dramatic in Norway. It's a bit like being in a massive quarry pit (but a nice one). Cruise liners visit every day which bugged us at first but did provided entertainment. They are huge, especially as they navigate down such a narrow channel. They go right past the campsite and moor up at the village. A whole tourism industry then kicks in. It's great to watch. The kids got really excited when another one arrived. Although in a "pit" the site gets sun. Morning sun hits the site at about 9 and it’s lost at about 6pm (In August). I guess this is a drawback but the positives outweigh this by far.

The site.
It's clean and well appointed. Usual showers etc all in clean blocks. Everything is like this in Norway. The pitches are all flat and you can pitch wherever is free. We were really lucky and put 2 big tents up together on the shore. Staff are friendly and helpful and all speak perfect English. Like everyone else in Norway.

Entertainment.
No night clubs or loud bars. Just good old scenery and a lovely village. Very tourist orientated though. The site has boat hire (with engines) which we all loved. You can tour the Fjord beyond what you can see from the site. Opens up into an even more dramatic view. There are bigger boat trips and best of all the fast RIB trip (Rigid Inflatable Boat). It really flies along and the tour was the highlight of our visit here.
There are plenty of eating places in the village but all quite expensive. Everything is very expensive in Norway. Good supermarket for home (tent) cooked grub. We took the kids bikes so they were always mobile and had plenty to do.

Surrounding area.

Loads to see. A short drive up the mountain out of Gerangerfjord provides one of the most spectacular views I have ever seen. Within a day trip is Alesund and the most spectacular Road in Norway the "Troll Ladder” This is a long day out though so set off early. Several ferry crossings but well worth it. It's hard to recommend as its all spectacular really. Just drive.

Drawbacks.
Only the feeling of being in a "pit". One of our friends felt a bit claustrophobic to begin with but the visiting porpoises overwhelmed her so much she soon forgot. It can feel a bit dark. The liners leave fumes which can settle in swirling smoke clouds if there's no breeze. I was a bit worried initially about the kid's asthma but the first breeze blew it all away.