Sunday, 11th July 2010
Today the walk was going to be an easy one as we were transferring to Dragsvik in the afternoon. I decided to set out earlier than the main group, and follow the same route, with the aim of walking further than they planned before turning back.
I followed the road beside the fjord as far as Erdal. Here the
main road turned up the valley to cross the river with its cascading waterfalls.
At the bridge I turned off the road to climb past a couple of houses with great
views down to the fjord. The route now followed a narrow overgrown path which
paralleled the river and the road, but higher up the mountainside. Following this
path well into the valley my intention was to continue along the path, well-
marked on the map, up onto the ridge. However, when I arrived at the point where
the path should have turned up the hillside there was no sign of any possible
access through the dense undergrowth and bushes. I then investigated the path
that continued parallel to the river until I reached a locked gate and decided
it was time to turn back. Returning to Lærdal with time to spare, I walked up to
the look-out point on the opposite side of the Lærdal River - a perfect spot for
lunch. Here I met a local resident, taking
his dog for a walk, who informed me that the sun would not reach into the valley
between September and March and that the valley only received 400 mm of rain a
year. He also told me that the Lærdal and the surrounding valleys did not get
any snow in winter.
It was then time to return to the hotel for our transfer to Dragsvik, on the
shore of the Sognefjord, our home for the next four days. Our route took us
through the Lærdal tunnel, at 15 miles the world’s longest road tunnel, and
completed in the year 2,000. We continued alongside and across fjords to reach
our destination, the Dragsvik Fjord Hotel, built on a peninsula and boasting
fjord views from all the rooms.
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
The route heads out past the marina . . .
and the ferry
The early bird - - -
The ferry makes its way . . .
through the fjord
The bridge is an ideal spot to watch the water rush by
Climbing higher the fjord comes back into view
The waterfall at the point where I decided to make the return journey . . .
and a homestead provides interest en route
Back to the fjord - and another ferry . . .
and the twisting road provides a good shot of the river and the bridge I stood on earlier
Walking back alongside the fjord the house nestles amongst the rocks
Heading up the hillside where I climbed on the first day in Lærdal . . .
the lookout point makes a good lunch stop
Looking back to the lunch spot from Lærdal
En route to Dragsvik . . .
where the evening light touches the hilltops . . .
and I try to zoom in . . .
on the glacier . . .
in the distance