Fjords and Fosses--Norwegian Style

June 21, 2013 Norway. We depart Bergen by coach and travel to the village of Flåm. There the railway carries us up 2838 feet in less than an hour to Myrdal and down again. We cruise the narrow Aurlands and Nærøy Fjords, continue by coach across the Vika mountain, board a ferry for a short crossing to Balestrand and the Kvikne's Hotel

Bergen to Flåm

There are tons of tunnels in this part of Norway. The longest was 7.5 miles long.

 

Hint of fjords to come

Tvindefossen Waterfall

A 500 foot high waterfall situated approximately 7 miles north-east of Voss.

Waterfalls grace the steep mountain sides everywhere

Flåm Railway

This regular working railway is also one of the most popular tourist spots in Norway.

The 20-kilometer train ride traveled through some of the most dramatic and magnificent Norwegian scenery. There were rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls that plunged from the steep cliffs of the snow-capped mountain slopes, as well as mountain farms clinging on to steep slopes.

from brochure

The Flåm Railway is one of the world's steepest railway lines on normal gauge tracks. Nearly 80 percent of the route is on a 55‰ gradient, ie: a rise of one meter per 18.  The twisting tunnels that spiral in and out of the mountain are testament to the most daring and skillful engineering in the history of Norwegian railway.

Ann-Marie, our guide, photographs the tour participants

There is only one area wide enough for double tracks. The trains pass each other there.

The other train

A road switches up the mountain to the left of the waterfall. It is a favorite spot for mountain bikers!

Kjosfossen Waterfall

When we stopped to see Kjosfossen, we had an encounter with Huldra, who wanted to lure our men into the forest for some horizontal refreshment.

The Scandanavian Huldra is a stunningly beautiful woman with long hair; though from behind she is hollow like an old log and in Norway has a cow's tail. The Norwegian huldra has often been described as a typical dairymaid, wearing the clothes of a regular farm girl, although somewhat more dazzling or prettier than most. She may also lure men into the forest to kidnap them.

The Huldra tried their best, singing an enticing song.

The Huldra did not approach due to the concentration of angry women on the train dock. check out the reaction of the men in this video.

Sight from the train along bike path

Our group reflected in window glass. The train was going through a tunnel.

Green Water

The water in the streams and fjords is green due to an algae in the water. OK, this looks blue but check out the photo below

Rustic cabin with grass roof

Cruise through Aurland and Næry Fjords

The following photos are from the ship, showing the cliffs, clouds, tiny villages and spectacular overall scenery.

There are four structures on this cliff reachable only by a path

Some cliffs appear to have "desert varnish"

Waterfall in the mist

There are sheep grazing in the meadow

Kayakers

Tiny villages--many have a church

Coach Across the Vika Mountains

Hello friends

in far-flung regions

This is me

From Camp Norwegian.

Camp is very 

entertaining,

And they say we'll have fun if it stops raining...