The great Atlantic road

Recipient of Norwegian and international awards

The Atlantic Road connects the island of Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands and islets spanned by a total of eight bridges over 8,274 meters. The road was opened in 1989 and is toll free.

The Atlantic Road has National Tourist Route status, and the entire stretch between Bud and Kristiansund is one continuous experience packed with coastal scenery, culture and history.  The construction of the  road, was approved by the voting process as the "gift of the century".  We took the coastal  road via bud.

I) The Atlantic road selected

Loen skylift and devil's path

Loen Skylift opened on the 20th of May 2017 - a spectacular new attraction and adventure arena, at the inner part of the Nordfjord, in the heart of Fjord Norway. A Cable Car  lifts you from the fjord to 1011 m.  Views of the fjord landscape - from Hoven Restaurant, or while hiking in the mountains.


I ) Here is the photo-album  Loen Skylift  




One of the major highlights of the  driving trip of Norway  was the passageway, called Trollstigen, or the troll’s path or devil's path . It  remains a spectacular example of the power of engineering in a remote region that is basically impassable from early November to May, when the snow falls.

My trip plan was   was a solitary road trip. focused to  to see the Norwegian Scenic Routes after hearing about the unusual undertaking of  road  design and  man-made access to see the beauty of bends of road with silvery water fall.
Trollstigen was the focus of the trip. It justified  extravallagent  cost of rental car drop-off and  have trip itinerary to  drive on this  road  to Andesnas ( and the great Atlantic Road next day).  It's all thanks to the Norwegian Government's investment in National Tourist Routes.


ii) Photo album of "Devil's Path " 



III ) Trollstigen Rest

Geirangerfjord & Jostedalsbreen National park

Geirangerfjord

A fairytale by the fjord

The deep blue UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord is surrounded 

by majestic, snow-covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls and lush,
 green vegetation.

I  have  many  pictures  of this  most picturesque places , starting  from the views from the hotel room at midnight.  For nature lovers, the Geirangerfjord has plenty to offer. Experience the fjords and the waterfalls from one of the many available sightseeing trips. 

This was with Day 1 with Niral. Geirangerfjord, followed by Dalsnibba view point, 100+ KM water side drive to and t Jostedalsbreen national  park  Geirangerfjord, the pearl and the peak  of many spectacular fjords, renowned for its steep cliff,  tal slender waterfalls (750 ft) and photo opportunities galore.   The road to Jostedalsbreen national  park  Via Dalsnibba  and Gamle- Strynefjellasvegan  with waterfront drive, hike to   Briksdalsbreen glacier even  prettier. Pictures from Midnight views from the room to   Briksdalsbreen glacier, most scenic 24 hours. Per fitbit, walked  20,000 steps  and 95 floors in that day. Here are the pictures and Videos (coming)  of one day.



1) Geirangerfjord-top  (44 pictures)



2) Geirangefjord- selected  (127 pictures)
3) Geirangefjord rest ( 337 pictures
4) Pictures  fro  Niral

Videos ( coming)

The stops at Djupvasshytta  restaurant on the way to Dalsnibba was very beautiful. Next stop was at the    Hjelle Hotel. It is  is a charming hotel. Hjelle lies at the eastern end of Lake Oppstrynsvatnet, midway between Stryn Sommerskisenter (20 km) and Stryn township (27 km). Nice lake and views

Here is our driving  map.

See  Gamle Strynefjellsvegen scencic road description 

Jostedalsbreen National Park

Almost half of the Jostedalsbreen National Park is covered by the Jostedalsbreen glacier, which is the largest glacier in mainland Europe. The national park is famous for its wide variety of natural environments all within a short distance of each other, ranging from valleys with lush vegetation to bare mountain and glacier landscapes. A short hike in this area is like hiking from one season to another.

Almost half of the Jostedalsbreen National Park is covered by the Jostedalsbreen glacier, which is the largest glacier in mainland Europe.
The national park is famous for its wide variety of natural environments all within a short distance of each other, ranging from valleys with lush vegetation to bare mountain and glacier landscapes. A short hike in this area is like hiking from one season to another.

 Facts about the Jostedalsbreen Glacier

* The glacier covers an area of 487 km² and is 80 km long
* Several places are coverd in ice layers over 500 m thick
* The ice mass at the Jostedalsbreen glacier corresponds to approx. 300 000 million baths of water, all of Norway's water for use for 100 yeras.

The glacier has been well marked for its position since 1870s. It has been dramatically receding . ( Pictures to be added ).


This is our trip (in reverse order ) taken   by DJI Phantom Pro  

Beautiful Bergen

Bergen

We took the express boat ride to the charming town of Balestrand for about 3.5 hours and walked to the  Bergen Bors hotel. For the walking tour guide Sue ( A British origin lady married to Neowegian cop at Bergen) was  ready. It was raining . Took the umbrellas and  started the walking tour for about  3 hours.  We stayed in Bergen for three nights. 

Bergen is Norway's second largest city with a population of roughly 270,000. King Olav Kyrre founded the city of Bergen in 1070, and it was the country's capital from 1110 until 1299.

Bergen was one of the major Hanseatic cities in Europe and it has been a great centre of trade throughout the ages. Fish was exported from Bergen, while grain was the chief import. The first German merchants came to the city already in 1270, and the powerful Hanseatic League existed until 1784, when it was disbanded. The Hanseatic merchants operated in the Bryggen area, which is now included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Bergen 

Photo albums 

1. Walking Tours  of Bergen 
2. Bergen Funicular    ** 
3. Bergen Mount Ultiken 
4. Bergen City _rest
5. Hardangerfjord_selected *** (also blog) 
6. Hardanagerfjord_rest 
7. Hutigruten cruise to Alesund  *

Videos :

( Coming soon.. .) 

References  for Bergen

visitbergen.com

Interactive Map: https://fjordmap.no/map#/

Organized Day trips 

1) Hardanger round trip with a bus: https://www.norwaynutshell.com/hardangerfjord-in-a-nutshell/     Timetable   map

2)  Cruise to Rosendal: https://en.visitbergen.com/things-to-do/fjordcruise-bergen-rosendal-and-folgefonn-center-p837363

3) https://en.visitbergen.com/things-to-do/fjordcruise-bergen-mostraumen-p838433

4)  https://www.trollhaugen.com/   ( adventure park . not too intrested )

5) 36 Hours in Bergen ( Ny Times) 

6) Top ten ideas what to do on sunny day at Bergen 

Mount Floyen : 

7) https://t.co/5eayPjcJbG  ( Why scenic Mount Fløyen is the best hike in Bergen, NorwayWhy scenic Mount Fløyen is the best hike in Bergen, Norway )

https://www.globeguide.ca/mount-floyen-bergen-norway/

8) https://www.fjordtours.com/things-to-do-in-norway/sightseeing-and-guided-tours/unesco-fjord-bus-tour-sogndal-to-geiranger/

9) Best Boutique in Bergen 
10) Norway’s West: Fjords, Mountains, and Bergen  by Rick Stevens 
11) Bergen city official guide book (2017, 2016)  : 

https://issuu.com/visitbergen.com/docs/eng_bergguide_2018_e-katalog

Hardangerfjord

This  was day trip from Bergen using train, Bus, ferry, bus.  It  readily  makes to one of the top day of the trip. Hardanger is surrounded by five large waterfalls, which frame the scenery like a painted masterpiece.Each waterfall has its own distinct character, and their majestic power exert an almost hypnotic attraction that can only be fully understood when you experience them in person. The best time of year to experience the power of the waterfalls is in May and June, when the ice and snow is melting in the mountains.

The day trip from Bergen started  by taking the scenic Bergen Railway to Voss. From Voss  continued by bus to the charming village of Ulvik. On this leg of the trip  passed by  cascading Steinsdalsfossen waterfall.  

From Ulvik, embark edon a beautiful boat trip on the Hardangerfjord to Eidfjord. Once in Eidfjord, did a sightseeing trip to Vøringsfossen waterfall (Norway’s biggest waterfall, 600 ft ) and the Norwegian Nature Centre Hardanger. Left  Eidfjord by taking a fjord cruise to Norheimsund, returned  back to Bergen.

600+ ft tll Voringfossen waterfall was  most breath taking where it looks  like a rolling hill cracked open just so waterfalls can drop in to the cervice. 

Hardangerfjord Selected Photo album 

Hardanagerfjord_rest Photo album