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Glaciers
Fjord horse
Sanctuary for birds
FJORDS
There are almost uncountable fjords in Norway. Most of them
are situated on the West coast of Norway, and some of the biggest and most
famous are mentioned here.
Geirangerfjord (On
UNESCO`S World Heritage list)
Geirangerfjord,
witch is an arm from the Storfjorden (Big fjord), lies in the county of
Møre and Romsdal. Only few places in Norway you can capture you with such
dramatic nature. It is supposed to be the most photographed fjord on the West
coast. The city of Ålesund lies at the entrance of Storefjord. On your way in to
the fjord, you can se mountains covered by snow and precipices right down into
the deep green/blue water of the fjord. Waterfalls that drop several hundred
meters down the mountain side, beautiful fertile small places like emeralds inn
between the stone grey landscape. Her is situated the famous waterfalls "Seven
sisters", "The veil" and "The suitor". In Geirangerfjord, added to the fantastic
nature you can find the famous shelf farms, "Skagerflå", "Knivsflå"
and "Blomberg". The three farms lies about 400 meters above sea level.
It is incredible that people could live on farms like that.
On your way down to Geiranger (small city in Geirangerfjord) from Stryne
mountain, you have the possibility to drive up to the Dalsnibba (1500 m.a.s.l).
From the top of the mountain you have a superb view over the surrounding
mountain, glaciers, the valley of Geiranger and the fjord. Far down in the
valley lies the precipice of Flydal, witch is situated above Geiranger and you
have a splendid view from there. From Geiranger you can also take the eagle road
and follow the "golden route" that leads to
Trollstigen.
Nordfjord
In Nordfjord
there are contrasts in the landscape, with ocean, fjord, lakes, glaciers
and mountains. This region goes from Stryne mountain in the east and along
with the
Nordfjorden to the powerful Stat sea in the West. If you feel like it you can
climb on the biggest glacier on the European continent, Jostedals glacier,
with guides, and on the same day go bare foot on one of the nice beaches
on the coast. If you are in the mood for fishing, the possibility for sea
fishing is there. The beautiful fjord horses are a good choice for a ride,
to see the variety in nature. Nordfjord has many historical places
and old culture attractions to visit. Where ever you are, you will always
long back to Nordfjord to the idyllic places you have seen and
experienced.
A journey through this landscape, shows the many of the fantastic
attractions the nature has to offer here in Norway. It inspires harmony
and inspiration to explore the best in your self. The glacier,
mountains, nature and fjord lies there as they have done for thousands of
years, just waiting for you to come and discover it all over again.
Lustrafjord
At
the beginning of the Lustrafjorden, where it joins the Sognefjorden, you
can find one of the oldest and most beautiful Stave churches in Norway. Urnes stave
church goes to be the oldest church and is on UNESCO`s list
over world treasure heritage. Further to the south, about 30 minutes from
Lærdal, lies Borgund stave church from about year 1150. Is is reckoned as
the best conserved stave church.
Norwegian Stave Churches
Fjærlandsfjord
The
Fjærlandsfjord is an arm of the Sognefjord. Fjærland is a small city with 300 persons living there.
Already in the Viking period, people lived here. The population has
varied a lot through the years. At the end of the 1800, many immigrated to
America, as they did in many fjords. The time was hard in the fjords in
that period. The glaciers grew and the Bøyaglacier and Supphelleglacier
came all the way down the valley, towards Fjærland. These to glaciers are
arms of the Jostedalsgacier. In Fjærland there is now a big and
interesting glacier museum.
Bøyaøyri is a sump in the near area of Fjærland, it is protected and made
into a nature reservation, specially because of the immigrating birds
spring and autumn. There has been observed about 90 species here and about
50 of the species nest in this area in summer.
Sognefjord
The
Sognefjord is the longest and the deepest fjord in Norway. It is 204 km long
and the deepest part
lies about
1300 meters under sea level. The Songnefjords inner arms have a very good
climate, because you can find the mixture of inland and coast climate. It is
so good that you can grow citrus fruits some of the places. Earlier there have
even been farmed tobacco.
When you visit the county of Sogn and Fjordane, you can not avoid the biggest
fjord of all, Sognefjord, its arms cuts through big parts of the west
coast. As in almost every fjord on the west coast you find mountain sides and
precipices
going directly into the fjord. Great and
breathtaking nature either you see it from above of from below. The
possibilities to explore the fjord is out numbered. A good advice is to take a
mini cruise on boat, it will take you to places you otherwise would
not see because there is no road.
For many people the Sognefjord is the thru Norway, and it has been called Norway in miniature.
Aurlandsfjord
One
of the arms of the Sognefjord, in south going direction, parts in to two smaller
fjords. The Aurlandsfjord to the east and the Nærøyfjord to the west. In the
bottom of the Aurlandsfjord lies the village Flam, where you can take the Flam
railway. It is the steepest going railway on normal rails in the world. The
gradient is 55/1000 at almost
80% of the trip. That is a rise of one meter for every 18 m. The railway is one
of the Scandinavian famous attractions. The track is 20 km long.
The twisting tunnels that spiral in and out of the mountain are manifestations
of the most daring and skilful engineering in Norwegian railway history.
Flåmsbanen
Nærøysfjord (On
UNESCO`S World Heritage list)
Nærøysfjord
is the wildest and the most beautiful of all the side arms of the great
Sognefjord. It lies arm in arm with the Aurlandsfjord. A trip consisting
in steep mountains sides, precipices, snow covered mountains, wild
waterfalls and living Norwegian culture. The fjord is 17 km long and on
its narrowest part it is 250 m. A boat trip on the Nærøyfjord is one of
the most dramatic in Europe.
Hardangerfjord
The second largest fjord of Norway, penetrating 183 km from the Atlantic Ocean into Hordaland county, SW Norway. A southern
branch, the Sørfjord, cleaves the Hardangervidda, a barren and rocky plateau,
for 40 km; at its head are the village of Odda and the famous
Skjeggedalsfoss, a waterfall 160 m high. An eastern branch, the Eidfjord, extends 24 km to the quaint village of Vik near the Vøringfoss,
a waterfall 163 m high. The valleys of the Hardangerfjord are fertile
and dotted with picturesque villages. Embroidery and violinmaking are
traditional home industries. The region is a favourite tourist area. Extending
inland from the fjord is the Hardangerfjell, a mountain mass rising to 1875 m in the Hardangerjøkel.
Hardanger is a name that make the Norwegians to think about fruit and flowers. A pleasant and mild climate, with light summer nights is the ideal combination for the fruit, berries and the rest of the beautiful nature.
Lysefjord
Lysefjord
is a very long and narrow fjord and is a pearl you have to experience. A ferry
trip inn through the fjord is the best way to admire the splendid nature. The
biggest attraction, situated in the county of
Ry, is the Prekestolen and lies 604 meter above the sea. You can either take
the boat and see Preikestol from the water or you can take the small walk up
to the Preikestol from the Preikestol cottage, witch takes about 1.5 - 2
hours.
Hjørundfjorden
Hjørundfjorden
cuts 35 km inn through the massive mountains of the Sunnmørsalps. The height
of the alps rises higher and higher as you go in the fjord. From Jønshornet (1419 meters
above sea level) out by the sea - to Kviteggen (1717 meters above sea level).
The mountains on both sides of
Hjørundfjorden is the main aria of the Sunnmørsalps. You can find lots of
peaks, glaciers, valleys, fields, lakes and rivers on both sides of the fjord.
Even if some of the tours needs heavy/difficult climbing and some equipment,
most of the trips are nice day trips for most people.
Hjørundfjorden is among our most
beautiful fjords. In the end of the fjord you find the small village Øye (oeye),
that leads to the most narrow valley in Norway, Norangsdalen. You should visit
the small famous Øye Hotel, witch has had Queens and Emperors as guests. It
also has its own ghosts. While travelling through the Norangsdal, stop to look
at the old rests of the over flooded farms in the Lyngstøylvannet. Surrounded
by dramatic mountains and captivating nature.
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