The Walks


Each walk described is the easier choice of the two which were on offer.

Thursday - the off day : Ulvik, an art gallery and a mountain top.

Friday Oppheimsvatnet : 7 miles : 950 feet of ascent

OppheimOppheim Because of a larger than usual party wishing to do the hard walk, both minibuses had to go to the remote hamlet of Jordalen. Our route started out from the hotel down the old road, now one-way, passing the Silve waterfall and negotiating several hairpins to reach the Naeroy valley floor. A side road then took us up and through a very primitive rough hewn tunnel - it had no proper road surface and thus tested the suspension of the vehicle severely - before we reached the dropping off point. Then the "easy" walkers enjoyed the same experience again as they returned to the main road towards Voss. After a few miles we reached the far end of the large lake at the village of Oppheim with the object of walking from there back to the hotel. A narrow road took us along the far side of the lake passing the occasional house with little to admire except the peace and the view on our left towards Oppheim over the water.

 

 

 

 

 

The old mail roadUnusual view of hotelSeveral kilometres later we were at the end of the lake and had to cross the main road to climb up a steep access road to houses and a farm. Then we were on the ancient Mail "road" dating back to the mid sixteen hundreds. This was nothing more than a gently ascending country lane which meandered through pleasant light woodland to eventually give us a view of the hotel from an unusual angle. As you can see, although it is situated high above the valley, it is itself dominated by the mountains. Shortly afterwards our track joined the hotel approach road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday - our last walk - Aurlandsfjordan & Naeroyfjorden : 5 miles : 1070 feet of ascent

View of FlamGudvangen ferry The minibuses transported us to the now familiar Flam. We started off along the waterside road towards Aurland all the while looking back to admire the changing view of Flam. But this sort of easy progress was a little tedious so we were pleased when we deviated up a side road on the right. However this became very steep and we were glad to turn left into a side track into woods. But somewhat less glad when we found it ascended extremely steeply. However we eventually encountered another road and mercifully we were allowed to follow it down to the small township of Aurland. A handy cafe provided us with coffee as we awited the Gudvangen ferry.

 

 

 

 

The ferry approached with its "mouth" open and its bows gently nudged the wharf at rightangles so that we could board it over a short gangplank without mooring being necessary. UndredalNaerfjordWe cruised down the fjord passing one or two tiny villages such as Undredal the only access to which was by ferry before the advent of the tunnel. Hamlets which are not normally stopped at by the ferry, hang up a flag or lamp to indicate that service is required. The ferry turned to port to enter the very narrow Naeroyfjord from the Aurlandsfjord and we had continuous views of close very tall cliffs and occasional waterfalls. An unusual sight prior to berthing at Gudvangen was that of a Viking long boat complete with a crew of lustily rowing Vikings.

 

 


For your continued amusement you could try :-

Flambana Utube film shot from the rear of the train.

Bergen

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Text & Pictures© 2009 D.C.Adams

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