We had a big day out the day after arriving in Ortnevik – Friday has a late ferry home so it was the best day to do a day trip. We took the morning ferry to Vik, a good hours ride away. We visited an old stave church – about 1000 years old – before heading over the mountains to Flam. We had to check at the service station to see if the road was open – there had been an avalanche but all was clear. It was an amazing drive – wild icy terrain with frozen lakes and rocky outcrops, the road cutting its way through. We eventually wound our way down the mountains, passing a huge waterfall that emptying itself into a stream that raced off over the valley floor. Spectacular views of the valley, with little houses dotted along the stream. All our favourites – mountains, wild streams, mist and snow!!!
There were numerous tunnels on the way to Flam, the largest being 11kms long. I was very impressed at the time – but there was more to come! Flam was very pretty. Its sits at the end of a small fiord, very narrow and calm. We drove on to Aurland and then turned off towards Laerdalsoyri. The mountain road is closed after October so we took the tunnel – 24.5 km long – the longest road tunnel in the world. There were emergency stops every 100m with a phone, fire extinguishers, and location information. We then drove to Fondes to catch the ferry to the north coast of the Sognefiord. Still a long way from home. We drove on to Sogndal, then to Hella to catch another ferry to Dragsvik, then more driving to Hoyanger to catch our final ferry at nearby Nordeide. We arrived home 11 hours after setting off, very tired but what a wonderful day. Can’t tell you much about the scenery on the last part of the journey – very dark by then, but we drove for many kilometres along the edge of the fiord. All we could see was the road ahead and the rain beating against the windscreen. Something to be said about visiting Norway in the summer I guess.
The last couple of days have been spent chilling out in the cabin – reading, eating, putting wood on the fire – and going for the odd walk. It’s our last evening in Ortnevik. Off to Stryn tomorrow.
Bye for now
Love Di and Reg
P.S. Just a thought. If anyone is interested in renting a holiday cabin guaranteed to be quiet – with very little possibility of drop in guests – we have found a couple for you. The first is on the very icy road to Flam and the second between Flam and Aurland – it’s orange and sits on the edge of the fiord. May not suit everyone.
This entry was posted in Europe, Norway