HIKING IN THE FJORD LANDSCAPE

- Adventures in the mountains around Sognefjord

- Cultural attractions

From the coast Sognefjord stretches 200 km inland.  Lusterfjord is the innermost part of Sognefjorden. Here you can enjoy the magnificent view of the high and mighty peaks of Hurrungane in western Jotunheimen, with 24 of them more than 2000 m. above sea level.

Mountaineering has a long tradition here. Our hikes follow good tracks in a luxuriant   green landscape, with waterfalls, lonely homesteads and summer farms up in the mountains.

The hike to Feigumfossen, one of the highest waterfalls in Norway, is an attraction in itself. Of the many attractions we shall visit, Urnes Stave Church, the oldest stave church in Norway, is on UNESCO's Heritage List of international cultural treasures.

We shall be staying at Nes Gard, in the heart of the district, close to Lusterfjorden. Nes Gard is an excellent starting point for hikes in the mountains or on the glaciers, and can accommodate 15-20 guests. The farmhouses are in a traditional style from the

1850s, and they have just been renovated. There is a rowing boat at your disposal and there are bicycles for hire. Nes Gard grows apples, pears, plums and morello cherries.

Daily hikes last from 3 to 5 hours, and this give you the possibility to visit some of the cultural attractions of the district. A guide will take care of the party, with a maximum of 14 members. Transport with a minibus to the point of departure.

Program:

SUNDAY: Arrival.  Dinner. Information about the program of the week.

MONDAY: Hike to Molden, 1116 m above sea level.  3-4 hours.

Molden Mountain is situated on a peninsula, out in the Lusterfjord, with a fantastic view over the fjord.  We will follow a good track through luxuriant scenery. In the afternoon we will visit Gaupne Church, which dates back to the seventeenth century, an unusual church, decorated with rose paintings.

TUESDAY: Vigdal - Navarsete.   5 hours.

Transport to the starting point in Vigdalen, close to Jostedalen. The hike passes the mountain farm  Vigdalstøl and  the top Fivlenosi, 1200 m above sea level.  Nice view of the Jostedal Glacier.  Down through the green valley of Engedalen.  Transport back to Nes Gard.

WEDNESDAY: Jostedal Glacier - The valley of Krundalen.  3 hours.

The most frequently visited attraction in the district is Nigardsbreen, a part of the Jostedal Glacier, the largest glacier on the European continent. By boat over Nigardsvatnet we can get right up to the glacier.  After an easy guided hike a little way up the glacier, we end the day by walking up the valley Krundalen to Bergsetbreen. This glacier drops sheer down the mountain face, an awesome sight. On the way back we call in at Breheimsenteret, a National Park Visitor's Centre, which gives you an insight into several thousand years of natural and cultural history of the glacier.

THURSDAY: Hike around the Feigumfossen waterfall.  4 hours

This is one of the highest waterfalls in Norway with a vertical drop of 218 m. The walk to the waterfall is in itself a thrill. We follow a track up the hillside. At the top you will find another beautiful waterfall, wide as a bridal veil. In the afternoon we move on in our minibus to Urnes Stave Church, Norway's oldest stavechurch. Finally, we take the ferry across Lusterfjord back to Nes Gard to enjoy the final dinner.

FRIDAY: Departure after breakfast.

Extra days are possible. There is a choice of 30 more hikes to be done in Luster!

2010: "Hiking the Fjords"

A1: 18.07 - 23.07

B1: 27.07 - 01.08

A2: 10.08 - 15.08

www.sognefjord.no