The Hardangerfjord, extending for almost 120km/75mi from Herøysund to Odda on the Sørfjord, is one of the best-known Norwegian fjords, its mild climate being a particular attraction. Along its shores are large plantations of fruit trees (particularly cherries and apples), which are especially beautiful when the trees are in blossom in the second half of May. The people of the Hardangerfjord are known as Háringers.
The road along the west side of the Hardangerfjord runs through the little industrial town of Ålvik (pop. 1,000), with a hydroelectric station powered by water from the Bjølsegrøvatn, with a fall of 880m/2,890ft. Beyond this is Ytre Ålvik, where there used to be a waterfall, the Bjølvefoss, whose water has been diverted to supply the power station.
12km/7.5mi from Hardangerfjord Ålvik the road crosses the narrow, 11km/7-mi-long Fyksesund at its junction with the Hardangerfjord on the Fyksesund Bridge (230m/250ys long between the towers, 27.8m/91ft high).
From Eidfjord a road runs up through a 2.2km/1.5-mi-long tunnel to the mountain farmstead of Kjeåsen, which has no other communication with the outside world. From the farm there are magnificent views of the Hardanger peaks and down into the fjord.
From Lofts the Monks' Path, constructed by the monks of Lyse Abbey near Bergen, climbs steeply up to the Hardangervidda (900m/2,950ft). From the top there is a breathtaking view of the Hardangerfjord.
E 16 runs southeast from Flåmdal to the Hardangerfjord, reaching its highest point (262m/860ft) in 10km/6mi, at the south end of the Opelandsvatn. 1km/0.75mile beyond this is the beginning of the 3km/2-mi-long road (constructed 1863-70) through Skjervet, a valley enclosed by massive rock walls. To the left is the Skjervefoss, a waterfall on the Granvinelv.
From Odda a narrower road (No. 550) runs north along the west side of the Hardangerfjord under the snowfields of the Folgefonn, coming in 29km/18mi to the village of Aga, with an open-air museum (Agatunet) in the form of a well-preserved farming settlement of some 40-50 buildings clustering round an old courthouse.
The various exhibits and buildings date from the 13th century. Highlights include clothes and tools from the Middle Ages.
On the Hardangerfjord route it is not necessary to leave the fjord at Norheimsund. Other possibilities are to follow the fjord to Mundheim and from there either continue via Eikelandsosen and Tysse to Bergen (an additional 56km/35mi), or via Eikelandsosen to Fusa, from there by ferry to Hattvik and then by road to Bergen (an additional 20km/12.5mi).
Northwest of Voss lies Bavallen, one of the best-equipped alpine skiing resorts in Norway (cabin cableway 1,080m/1,180yds long climbing 550m/1,800ft; ski-jump, record distance over 100m/330ft).
From Brimnes it is 11km/7mito the village of Eidfjord, magnificently situated on the south side of the fjord, with a view across it to the north of the snow-capped peak of Onen (1,621m/5,319ft).
Eidfjord is a major cruise harbor and has several tourist attractions - the Sima power station, a typical example of a Norwegian hydroelectric station, and the waterfall Vøringsfossen.
From Kinsarvik, Road 7/13 runs northeast along the southern shore of the steep-sided Eidfjord, the most easterly branch of the Hardangerfjord, and comes in 18km/11mi to Brimnes, from which there is a ferry over the Eidfjord to Bruravik.
Road 552 runs along the south side of the Eikelandsfjord to Fusa, from which there is a ferry to Hattvik (20 minutes). From there a road runs via Osøyra and Syftland to Bergen.
From Myrdal station, north of Voss, a branch line runs down the Flåmdal to Flåm and the Sognefjord. The journey in specially designed trains, descending 865m/2,838ft in a distance of 20km/12.5mi, takes 45minutes.
The road continues along the fjord through attractive country, seen at its best at the end of May when the fruit trees are in blossom. Above the west side of the fjord rises the great Folgefonn glacier (34km/21mi long and up to 16km/10mi across; highest point 1,654m/5,427ft).
8km/5mi past Vikingnes the Hardangerfjord road comes to Fosse, from which there are fine views of Vesoldo to the northeast, the Folgefonn over the fjord to the east and the Hardangerjøkul to the north.
The Hardangerfjord road from Mundheim bears northwest, away from the shores of the fjord, and comes in 12km/7.5mi to Holdhus (alt. 130m/427ft), with a chapel (fine interior) which is believed to date from 1726. 6km/4mi beyond this is Eikelandsosen (pop. 600). Just before the village, on the right, is the Koldedalsfoss. Here Road 48 goes off on the right to Tysse.
The road winds its way from Skjervet down for 10km/6mi to Holven (alt. 30km/100ft), with Granvin church (1720). One of the church's two bells is said to be the oldest in Norway.
From the farm of Berge it is 2km/1.25mi to the village of Tørvikbygd, from which there is a car ferry to Jondal (15minutes). From there skiing enthusiasts can continue to the summer skiing center on the Folgefonn glacier. The road from Jondal to Utne runs past numerous farms, allowing visitors to see something of the agriculture of the Hardangerfjord.
5km/3miles south of Tørvikbygd is the farm of Ljones. 1km/0.75mi east, at Vikingnes, are a number of large burial mounds.
From Granvin the road runs along the west side of the fjord to Kvanndal, from which there are car ferries to Utne, at the mouth of the Sørfjord (15minutes), and Kinsarvik (35minutes).
From Sørfjord, Road 48 runs south along the east side of the Hardangerfjord for some 40km/25mi. In 10km/6mi it comes to Lofts, one of the most beautiful spots in the Hardanger (folk high school, experimental fruit farm).
The Hardangerfjord road from Tysedal runs through a 1,520m/1,650yd long tunnel and comes in 6km/4miles to Odda (pop. 10,000), a considerable industrial town at the south end of the Sørfjord. 16km/10mi south, on a road which runs past the Sandvinvatn, is the Låtefoss, a mighty waterfall 164m/540ft high.
The Folgefonna glacier, west of Odda, is one of the largest in Europe. East and south of Odda is the Hardangervidda National Park, home to Europe's largest flock of wild reindeer.
9km/5.5mi beyond Fyksesund Bridge is the village of Øystese (pop. 1,500), beautifully situated in the bay of the same name. Opposite the church is a museum devoted to the work of the sculptor Ingebrigt Vik (1867-1927). To the northwest rises the Torefjell (1,044m/3,425ft).
Rosendal Garden, built in 1670, is located on the western side of a baroque palace. Within it is a parterre that has become a rose garden, and a park filled with a variety of trees.
This annual weekend festival takes place in late May. Various events are featured, including brass band concerts, all-night jazz sessions and street entertainment.
Beyond Norheimsund the road leaves the Hardangerfjord and traverses the gentler scenery of the Steinsdal. In 2.5km/1.5mi it comes to the Steinsdalsfoss or Øvsthusfoss, a beautiful waterfall on the Fosselv. It is possible to walk behind the 30m/100ft high wall of water.
2km/1.25mi from Foss Strandebarm is the village of Strandebarm, on the bay of the same name with fine scenery and beautiful bathing beaches. There was formerly a flourishing boatbuilding industry in this area, but there are now only a few craftsmen making the local type of boat, the "Strandebarmer". The local church was built in 1876.
The Hardangerfjord road from Folgefonn comes in 26km/16mi to Tyssedal (pop. 1,300), at the mouth of the valley of the same name (beautiful waterfalls on the Tysså), with an aluminum plant and a hydroelectric station which supplies power for local industries. Lilletopp, the plant at the top of the pipelines, was opened to public in 2004. The local chapel was built in 1965.
From Holven, Road 572 goes off on the left to the village of Ulvik, one of the most popular holiday resorts in the Hardanger. There is a particularly attractive stretch of road in the descent from a height of 350m/1,150ft to the village. Church of 1858. State College of Horticulture, where Kristofer Sjursen Hjeltnes planted the first potatoes in Norway in 1765.
Ulvik was the home of Norway's best-known lyric poet, Olav Hauge.
Address: Ulvik Tourist Office, Ulvik i Hardanger, N-5730 Ulvik, Norway
From Norheimsund the road continues along the west side of the Hardangerfjord, coming in 4km/2.5mi to the village of Vikøy and in another 4km to the farms of Ystheim and Vangdal (rock carvings of ships and animals).
3km/2mi farther on, on the right, is the farm of Berge, with a large stand of oaks (a tree rare in Norway). To the right is a view of Vesoldo (1,046m/3,432ft).
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