Life in the Old Days

You may be wondering what life was like here in the old days. In Geiranger, life was hard, dramatic, and beautiful all at once. People clung to the steep mountainsides and lived off what nature could provide. All transport went by boat — food, livestock, hay, and people alike. In winter, the village could be isolated for weeks, and families had to survive on what they had. Yet, the sense of community was strong, and the people were proud. If you look up at the towering cliffs, you’ll spot some of Norway’s most spectacular mountain farms. Skageflå, Knivsflå, and Blomberg were built on tiny ledges high in the mountains, where families kept cows and goats and harvested hay from the steep slopes. To reach them, they had to climb using ropes and ladders, and children were sometimes tied to keep them from falling. Today you can hike to Skageflå, but imagine living there year-round — with snow, storms, and the endless silence of the fjord. These farms tell a story of courage, endurance, and an incredible ability to live in harmony with nature’s forces.