Haugesund Hardanger - Sunnhordland THE VIKING-WAY TO FJORD NORWAY

Transcription

1 Haugesund Hardanger - Sunnhordland THE VIKING-WAY TO FJORD NORWAY Langfoss waterfall DHH / Espen Mills Ryvarden Light House Tove V. Braathen Barony in Rosendal: Kjartan Pettersen Days: 5 Suitable for: individuals and groups Distance: approx. 478 km. City island cruise in Haugesund Vikings at Avaldsnes Åkrafjorden fjord cruise and tractor safari Lofthus orchards Folgefonna glacier and national park (Hardangerfjorden, queen of the Norwegian fjords) Rosendal ancient barony and rose garden Moster Old Church and Moster Amphitheatre Ryvarden Light House Crossing fjords, passing by one of the world s most beautiful waterfalls and driving through valleys between steep mountains, this round trip will bring you close to a glacier, and give you the opportunity to visit a unique barony surrounded by roses. After a visit to an extraordinary amphitheatre and an old church, you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the North sea from a light house. And maybe you ll meet a Viking on your way?

2 Vikings Ørjan B. Iversen DAY 1 HAUGESUND AVALDSNES SKUDENESHAVN - HAUGESUND Start the day at Avaldsnes, Norway s first Royal Seat, where you will experience the Viking s fascinating way of life, and get in to the right viking-mood to start the round trip. The historical landscape at Avaldsnes tells of the Old Norwegian Kings and the legendary characters celebrated in ancient myths and lays. The kings and princes who controlled the old Nordvegen the way to the North have left powerful traces: impressive burial mounds, tall stone monuments and rich archaeological finds. Next to the medieval church in Avaldsnes, a new history centre has been built, and east of the church is a reconstructed Viking settlement. Skudeneshavn is a lovely sailing ship town, where the old part of town consists of 130 well preserved homes and maritime storehouses from the early 1800s. Avaldsnes (medieval church, history centre, Viking settlement) Skudeneshavn Overnight stay in Haugesund Directions: Follow route 47 from Haugesund. First stop at Avaldsnes, then continue to Skudeneshavn. To visit Sandvesanden beach, retour by route 511. Days: 5 Suitable for: individuals and groups Distance: approx. 478 km.

3 Tractor safari Espen Mills DAY 2 HAUGESUND ÅKRAFJORDEN - LOFTHUS Stop at Åkrafjordtunet and join a fjord cruise on Åkrafjorden, this can be combined with a tractor safari to a mountain farm on the opposite side of the fjord. The contrasts in Åkrafjorden are huge: bare mountain sides, luscious pastures, stillreflecting fjords and tumbling glacial waters. Viewed from the boat, the landscape is like a string of pearls with the 612-metre high cascading Langfoss Waterfall as the most impressive of them all. On your way to Odda, don t miss Låtefossen, a famous twin waterfall by the main road 13. Arriving in Lofthus in the evening gives you a great opportunity to try a local beer from Ekspedisjonen, a microbrewery with a pub. There is also a trail through the orchards, with different charts informing you about fruit cultivation and local history. fjord cruise in Åkrafjorden and Langfoss waterfall tractor safari to Eikemostølen Mountain Farm Låtefossen waterfall Overnight stay in Lofthus Directions: route E134 from Haugesund, first stop at Åkrafjordtunet, continue towards Brimnes, Utne, Odda on route 13. Continue on route 13 Lofthus.

4 Pål Hermansen / Destination Hardanger Fjord DAY 3 LOFTHUS KINSARVIK JONDAL (FOLGEFONNA) - ROSENDAL Hardanger is well known for being Norways s largest fruit growing area. Experience the fantastic blossom in spring, or have a taste of fresh fruit during summer and autumn. In the garden of hotel Ullensvang in Lofthus one can visit Edvard Grieg s ( ) cabin, where he composed several of his most famous works. This day you will have the opportunity to visit Folgefonna National Park, where the central feature is the Folgefonna glacier, Norway s 3rd largest glacier. Folgefonna can be reached by car from Jondal during the summer season. Hiking on the glacier is only possible with glacier guides and the right equipment. See the Hardanger Fjord region the National Tourist Route Utne - Jondal Folgefonna National Park and glacier Overnight stay in Rosendal Directions:r oute 13 to Kinsarvik via Lofthus. Ferry from Kinsarvik to Utne. From Utne to Jondal you will be driving on one of the National Tourist Routes in Norway. Continue to Folgefonna Summer Ski Centre. From Jondal cross the Hardangerfjord by ferry to Tørvikbygd, continue to Gjermundshamn, and cross the fjord once again to Årsnes. Continue towards Rosendal. Schedules:

5 DAY 4 ROSENDAL - BØMLO Wake up in the valley of the roses (Rosendal), where the ancient Rosendal Barony lies only a few minutes from Rosendal centre. Scandinavia s smallest castle dating from 1665 has a wonderful rose garden. Going from Rosendal to Bømlo, cross the fjord by ferry, and continue towards Bømlo. Drive over some amazing bridges to the island of Bømlo. Join a historical walk around Moster Old Church. At summertime you might enjoy a play at Moster Amphitheatre, which is the most unusual open-air theatre in Northern Europe. (After visiting Moster we suggest that you go to the north side of the island Bømlo. This will take you to the fisher village of Brandasund - with the North Sea as the nearest neighbour. ) the Barony in Rosendal Moster Amphitheatre th 4 night in Bømlo Directions: From Rosendal follow road 48, and continue on road 544, (ferry between Ranavik and Skjersholmane), than follow road E39, and 542 towards Bømlo. Schedule:

6 DAY 5 BØMLO RYVARDEN LIGH HOUSE - HAUGESUND To complete the round trip, visit Ryvarden Lighthouse, built in 1849, where the buildings have been used as a cultural centre since An important element of our history is the light houses. Through centuries this has been an important navigating tool for sailors. Teeming with life day and night, Smedasundet Sound is at the very heart of Haugesund. Stroll along the quayside and take in the fresh sea air or stop for a coffee, a bite to eat, or purchase fresh prawns and crab from local fishermen. A 45-minute trip around the harbour with Haugesund s time honored Flytt Boats is recommended. Ryvarden Lighthouse Smedasundet Sound Overnight in Haugesund Directions: road E39, road 47, and road 541 to Mølstrevåg. Road 541 and 47 to Haugesund.

7 ADDITIONAL DAY 6 AND 7 RØVÆR is an island located only 25 minutes from Haugesund, and has 110 inhabitants and only 1 car. Departure from Inner Quay (Indre Kai) UTSIRA: Experience a day on the North Sea island of Utsira. The island is situated 18 km west from Karmøy, and is Norway s smallest municipality with approximately 215 inhabitants. Departures from Garpaskjærskaien. Information and directions can be found at visithaugesund.no Please read more about accommodation, food and transportation at