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 July 31 - August 8, 2010 Plan your arrival in Bergen, Norway for July 30, 2010 Plan your departure from Bergen, Norway for August 9, 2010 July 30 - August 7, 2011 Plan your arrival in Bergen, Norway for July 29, 2011 Plan your departure from Bergen, Norway for August 8, 2011 Printable version of itinerary  |
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| NEWS! National Geographic Traveler Magazine's sixth annual “Places Rated” Destination Stewardship survey gave top honors to the fjord Norway region with a score of 85 points. The survey rates the world’s most celebrated travel destinations based on how well they have weathered the pressures of mass tourism and other threats. Fjord Norway also ranked first in the magazine's first "Places Rated" survey in 2004. Come experience for yourself a place that some have called the most beautiful place on earth. | |||||||||||
| Enjoy a close encounter with western Norway’s convoluted coastline, a landscape that has been called the most beautiful on Earth. Here towering granite cliffs plunge into deep, twisting fjords that wind their way for as much as a hundred miles into Norway’s rocky core. Picturesque villages and farms huddle where the topography permits. Stroll to ancient stave churches, and hike to the blue face of glaciers to see how the hand of ice is still at work shaping the Scandinavian landscape. Enjoy thrilling walks and hikes to glorious vantage points and isolated summer farms perched high above the fjords. Gain a better appreciation for the resiliency of the Norwegians who have over the centuries come to terms with and thrived in this rugged, harsh, and magnificent environment. | |||||||||||
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The village of Lofthus i Hardanger. |
Day 1 Overnight in Lofthus Dinner included Velkomen til Norge! Depart Bergen and visit Troldhaugen, home of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Travel to Lofthus, a fjord village in the Hardanger region known for its fruit orchards. Enjoy the ambiance of one of Fjord Norway's most renowned hotels, your base for two nights. Stretch your legs on an afternoon walk to the waterfalls that plunge over the edge of the great Hardangervidda plateau into the Opo Valley. The waterfall named Skrikjo ("shriek") plunges down the face of the escarpment at the head of the valley in a thin stream while the Bjørnabyksefoss tumbles down the valley’s north wall in a series of powerful, roaring cascades. A cabin that Edvard Grieg used while staying in the Hardanger region can be found on the hotel grounds. |
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Cloudberry on the Hardangervidda. |
Day 2 Overnight in Lofthus Breakfast included Follow the route of the Munketrappene ("Monk’s Steps") which leads to the fabulous vantage point called Nosi ("the nose") at the edge of the windswept Hardangervidda. Marvel at the cataracts that plunge in a foaming spectacle through narrow canyons on their way to the fjords below. For a longer hike, continue into the austere, tundra environment of the Hardangervidda where rushing streams link a myriad of high country lakes. Be on the lookout for cloudberries (Rubus chamæorus)—highly prized by Scandinavians. They can sometimes can be found in the Hardangervidda's high windswept meadows. Descend the old trail to Stuvasete to return to your hotel nestled in the luxuriant green landscapes of fjord country. |
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Hiking the Rallarveg near Kardal.
Rapids on the Flamselvi. |
Day 3 Overnight in Aurland Breakfast & dinner included Travel to Voss and catch a train to the mountain settlement of Myrdal. Myrdal is the mountain terminus of the Flåm rail line (or Flåmsbana) which makes its way down the lovely Flåm Valley (Flåmsdalen) to its sea-level terminus at Flåm. You can hop aboard the train for the spectacular 55 minute journey to Flåm. Or, if you desire, you can walk down the peaceful yet dramatic valley filled with waterfalls and tumbling streams all the way to Flåm completing a journey from fra fjell til fjord ("from mountain to sea"). Alternatively, you can shorten the walk by riding the train down the valley, disembarking at one of the intermediate stations and starting your hike from there! The walking route down the Flåm Valley is along the Rallarveg, a narrow, well-graded gravel road that was built originally between 1885 and 1898 to serve as a construction road for the Flåm railway. Shortly after departing Myrdal, the route descends quickly via a series of short switchbacks alongside a rushing stream. The trail levels out as it approaches the hamlet of Kårdal. Here, rocky buttresses constrict the flow of the Flåmselvi (Flåm River) resulting in a powerful, foaming cataract. The route continues to descend at a gentle grade to the station at Berekvam, approximately midway between Myrdal and Flåm. Continuing on, pass the Høge Bro (bridge) where you can watch the Flåm River emerging from a man-made tunnel into which the river was diverted during the railroad’s construction. Before reaching Flåm and its wooden church, pass the lovely waterfall called Rjoande, streaming gracefully down the Flåmsdal’s western wall. |
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Naeroyfjord (Photo by S. Zimmermann) |
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4 Overnight in Aurland Breakfast & lunch included Travel to the fjord-side village of Undredal whose name allegedly derives from the Norwegian word under meaning "wonder." From Undredal a small boat will take you to a trailhead from where you begin one of the most exhilarating hikes in fjord Norway. The trail leads by switchbacks to a farm (accessible only by trail) built on a cliff-top shelf of land 1,000 feet above the water. The nineteenth-century farmhouse at the top commands a stupendous view of the cobalt waters of the Aurlandsfjord. Enjoy a prepared lunch and a "million dollar view." After lunch, if you desire, follow a rugged trail into the mountains climbing past several small summer farms (now abandoned) to reach a flat ridge high above the confluence of the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord. The views from this lofty "balcony" are simply stupendous. |
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We especially enjoyed being in small towns with ‘real’ Norwegians. We found the food to be ‘home cooking’ good, and we actually started to look forward to herring at breakfast! We enjoyed every bite! --PEGGY AND JIM HILTON |
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Fjord vista above Bakka hamlet. |
Day 5 Overnight in Aurland Breakfast & dinner included After breakfast, a twenty minute drive brings you to Gudvangen. Here, you can thrill to the spectacle of waterfalls like the Kjelfoss streaming off the 3,000 foot high cliffs that hem in this small settlement at the head of Europe's narrowest fjord—the Nærøyfjord. Continue to an isolated and picturesque fjord hamlet surrounded by towering mountain walls. From this point, energetic hikers can set off on a spectacular mountain crossing via an old, abandoned seter ("summer farm") track that offers almost aerial views of the sinuous course of the Nærøyfjord. The route climbs through three glacier-carved amphitheaters skirting lakes and waterfalls before reaching the high pass at Vardane from where it descends into the tundra-like landscapes of the Jordalen. For a less strenuous but no less scenic mountain outing ascend the open ridge leading to the summit of Prest high above the town of Aurland. Enjoy bird’s eye views over the majestic sweep of the Aurlandsfjord and the tundra of the high vidda which stretches away to the east. |
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The Borgund Stave Church.
The Vindhellavegen from Husum to Borgund. |
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6 Overnight in Sogndal Breakfast included After breakfast, travel by vehicle to the Lærdal, a valley well-known for its salmon fishery. Walk the historic route known as the Vindhellaveg ("way of the winding incline") to the beautiful 12th-century Borgund Stave Church, one of Norway’s best preserved stave churches, richly ornamented with carvings. There were at one time about 1,000 stave churches in Norway; about 28 are left today. The Vindhellaveg was first built in 1793 and rebuilt in the mid-19th century. Today, the old road is closed to traffic, its grassy tread maintained for the delight of walkers. You can return to the trailhead via the Sverrestig ("sword path"), a lovely trail meandering through quiet woodlands. The Sverrestig is part of the old main road between eastern and western Norway, and it's at least 1,000 years old. Continue by vehicle to Sogndal and settle in for an overnight stay. |
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Your choices of activities were excellent. In talking to other Norway visitors, our group seemed to be seeing more of the country and having a greater variety of experiences. --ROSALIE GITTINGS |
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Mundalsdalen. |
Day 7 Overnight in Fjærland Breakfast & dinner included Travel by vehicle to Fjærland where you'll spend the next two nights. For a moderate hiking option, follow the trail leading into the green and quiet Mundalsdalen. At the head of the valley, a large glacial cirque whose walls wear a waterfall filigree awaits you! Wild huckleberries and raspberries grow in profusion along the trail to Mundalsdalen and the open floor of the cirque invites wandering. |
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Anestolen.
View from Storbotn en route to Fjaerland. |
Alternatively, experienced mountain walkers can undertake a challenging hike following the trace of an old route across the mountains to Fjaerland. The route starts at Anestølen, an operating goat farm in a high mountain valley. The term støl refers to a summer farm where herds graze and milking and cheese-making is done. From Anestølen, hike across the surrounding stream-laced meadows and begin a gentle ascent along the Langedal stream bordered by grassy meadows punctuated with twisted birches, willow thickets, and huckleberry patches. After a brisk climb alongside a rushing cascade, the trail enters the Haugbotn, a large glacially-carved cirque carpeted with ferns, boulders and meadows where tufts of cotton grass sway in the mountain breezes. Waterfalls cascade down the walls of the Haugbotn from snowfields high above. The route ascends to the high pass at Sogndalseggi and skirts an ice-filled lake before descending through wild, lonely mountain basins into the Fjærland Valley. After dinner in Fjærland, you might choose to take an evening walk on your own to enjoy a serene fjordscape of glacier-clad mountains rising from the sea. | ||||||||||
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Day 8 Overnight in Fjærland Breakfast & dinner included Continue your exploration of the countryside and mountains surrounding Fjærland. Fjærland's wealth of trails leads you through an "open air laboratory" of glacially-sculpted landforms. If you desire, pay a visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum (Norsk Bremuseum) which interprets the glaciers of western Norway (cost of admission not included in trip price). The museum's exhibits are a great way to gain a deeper appreciation for the power of moving ice. A moderately challenging walk leads to the astounding viewpoint atop Nesehaugen where fjord panoramas await! Or you could choose a vigorous hike to the Flatbre hut in the Jostedalsbre National Park (Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalpark)—3,000 feet above Fjærland—from where you’ll enjoy bird’s eye views over the Fjærlandsfjord. Enjoy "front row" vistas of the deeply crevassed Flatbre (glacier) as it descends from the main Jostedal ice cap and plunges over a cliff edge in the magnificent Supphellebre ice fall. |
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9 Overnight in Bergen Breakfast included Depart Fjærland to return to Bergen. Upon arrival in Bergen check into your hotel before enjoying a funicular ride to the top of Fløien mountain for magnificent views over the city. A network of forest paths descend the slopes of Fløien to bring you back to your hotel via the old quarter of Bergen. The trip ends with a farewell dinner in Bergen. Your lodging tonight and breakfast tomorrow morning are included. |
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Other Details about this
Trip Trip Dates: July 31 - August 8, 2010 Trip Dates (2011): July 30 - August 7, 2011 Price: $4,195 (group of 6 or more); $4,895 (group of 4-5) Single Room for entire trip: $600. Single accommodations are subject to availability and may be limited. Meeting Point: Bergen, Norway Departure Point: Bergen, Norway Accommodations: Nine nights in hotels/inns with private bath. Nine breakfasts, one lunch and five dinners are included. Note: Your accommodations on the evening of July 30, 2010 (or July 29, 2011) are not included but we are happy to assist you with booking your lodging for that evening. Notes: The mountains of the western Norwegian Fjords are "sea-level" mountains rising sharply from the waters of the fjords. "Alpine tundra" environments are encountered at an elevation of about 3,000 feet above sea level. No hike on this trip exceeds an elevation of 4,500 above sea level. The trail system in Norway is, in general, less developed than in other parts of Europe (such as the Alps), and many mountain trails are wild and rugged.
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View of Bergen from Floien.
Strawberries from Askoy on sale in Bergen! |
Seeing Bergen
We suggest you allow yourself one or two days in Bergen prior to the start of the trip so you can experience on your own the joys of Norway’s "Fjord Capital." Bergen's main shopping street, the Torgalmenning provides temptations for your pocketbook, and the lively torget (fish market) at the head of Bergen harbor offers fresh steamed shrimp (reker), sizable strawberries (jordbær) from the island of Askøy, and the typical Norwegian open-faced sandwich called smørbrød in all its variations! For a bit of history and a taste of Bergen’s Hanseatic past, wander through the old waterfront warehouses at Bryggen, a World Heritage Site. |
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Other Resources I’m feeling a bit nostalgic these days, thinking over my wonderful Norwegian adventure…I hold "my" trip very special. --PATTY DYKE |
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