Skagefla

Skagefla clings to a shelf 250 metres above the Geirangerfjord opposite the Seven Sisters, and it was farmed from the 1600s until 1916, with the family reaching it by boat and then climbing a path up the cliff; children are said to have been tethered to keep them from the edge. The buildings survive, restored and maintained as cultural heritage, with the small fields still visible. Getting there means a boat from Geiranger to a landing at the foot and then a steep climb of about an hour on a path with fixed ropes and chains at the harder steps. It is one of several such ledge farms above the fjord, part of what earned the Geirangerfjord its UNESCO listing.

What you actually see

• The ledge farm - restored buildings and fields on a shelf above the fjord.
• The climbing path - a steep route with fixed ropes and chains.
• The Seven Sisters view - the waterfall directly across the fjord.
• The fjord from above - the water 250 metres below the farmyard.

When to go

June to September, when boats run and the path is clear; the climb is not maintained for winter. Boat schedules dictate the visit, and the last pick-up sets a firm deadline.

Honest expectations

The climb is steep and exposed in places with ropes needed, and it is unsuitable for young children or anyone uneasy with heights. Boat transfers must be arranged in advance. There are no facilities at the farm.

Nearby

Geiranger and the Seven Sisters are on the fjord; Homlong and the other ledge farms lie along the same shore.