0327 Krossbu to Nr Geiranger

Fri 14^th Aug 2015

Water falls, lakes, rivers and bunnies.

It was cold during the night, probably about 3-4 deg C, but we were snug in sleeping bags with liners, and by the time we awoke at about 7.30 am, the sun was warming up the canvas on the pop top and it was quite toasty inside.  But get in the shade, and it was still about 6 deg C !!  We packed up and got moving by about 9.30, and headed off down the mountain from the 1400 metres where we had camped.

Unfortunately the sun was only just starting to come into the valley, so the view was a little bit less than it could have been, but it was still pretty stunning as we dropped down through the steep sided valley, passing several lakes and small villages, following the Leira river.  We suddenly saw a tall carved column with a man on horseback on top – It stood out a bit in the valley because it was over 30 metres tall !   We turned in and found the Elveseter Hotel – A farming estate which has accommodated visitors since 1880.  It is in the shadow of

Norway’s highest mountain, (Galdhopiggen at 2469 m) and has been partly rebuilt.  The oldest building dates from 1640.   Nearby stands Sagasoyla, the 33 m high monument decorated with motifs from Norwegian history and crowned by Harald Finehair (?) on horseback.  We saw some VERY large bunnies in the grounds – just one would have been enough for a stew for a while family !  Very interesting old farm house. 

Carrying on down this delightful valley, we were now beside the larger Bovra River which was so blue from all the snow run off,

until we arrived in Lom where the river joined the much larger Otta river that runs through Lom.  We stopped in Lom for a quick shop, and then went over to Lom wooden Stave Church, which dates from 1160 AD.  This one is considerably larger than the one we saw in Bergen, (in fact is one of the largest in Norway) and is largely original, although it has had many changes over the years as population grew and it changed from Catholic to Lutheran in 1608.  Fascinating to see such an old building with many of the beams still as original.

As we drove back into town, and crossed the Otta river, I spied a little coffee shop beside the river, so we went in and enjoyed a short break.  Someone who had been in the camp site with us last night, Nils, came over for a chat, and as always, we wished we had longer in each place to chat to interesting people like this.  From Lom we drove west beside this amazingly blue river, and stooped for lunch at a little turn in - where we found yet another rushing river and a delightful little cafe.   After our lunch

we went for a walk up beside the river, crossing over on an old wooden bridge, and then returning down the other side.   The water in the river was not only blue, but amazingly clear.  Just a lovely spot.

 

We then drove on, past lakes with names too long to write, and turned north on Hwy 63 towards Geiranger, and alongside first

Langvatnet lake, and then the bigger and blue blue Djupvatnet Lake – And we were still at some 900 metres ASL.  Suddenly, in Djupvasshytta we saw a turning up to the right to a

place called Dalsnibba – So being inquisitive me, we shot up this road (paying a quick toll !) and went up this amazing switchback road rising some 600 metres in about 15 minutes, with incredible views back over the lake below, and over the countryside all around.  At the top, where it was suddenly very windy and cold, there were the most amazing views north down to Geiranger Fjord – It claims to be Europe’s highest fjord view from a road.  The fjord itself of course has to be at sea level, so we were looking down some 1500 metres down into the valley below. 

After a few pics at the summit we then went back down, being very careful with my brakes which from experience I know have a problem dealing with my 3500 kg fully loaded weight !  Having dropped back down to the Lake at Djupvasshytta, we then dropped down further towards Geiranger, winding down through the valley with waterfalls cascading down everywhere around us – Once again just an amazing drive through some pretty incredible scenery.  We have decided that (so far) Norway is not like anywhere else we have seen, although it does remind you of different places occasionally. But it really is different, and therefore very enjoyable for that reason. 

As we descended the mountain, just before Geiranger, we saw a little camp site down below us in a field, and decided to stop there for the night.  We want to spend time in Geiranger and around the fjord tomorrow, so decided to get some sleep and explore all that tomorrow.

Yet another amazing drive through this scenic part of Norway.  The last couple of days have been much more spectacular than we had expected – So it is a big thank you to Grete’s brother Bjorn for giving us the details of this route – We can strongly recommend it to anyone else wanting to explore Norway.  And the mountains to the east of here, across the Jotunheimen towards Lillehammer, must be spectacular – I just wish we had time to see it all.  But we have sunshine now for a few days, so we need to make the most of it.  Tomorrow we are heading slowly towards Trondheim, but first exploring the fjord region between Molde and Kristiansand.  Can’t wait………..    

Pics are here :-   https://picasaweb.google.com/110185357936043625130/0327KrossbuToNrGeiranger?authkey=Gv1sRgCIqypafV0__97wE