Tuesday, 6th July 2010
Catching the 8.30am train from Voss we travelled through the Raundalen Valley to Ørneberget station. No ticket office here - not even a platform - just a set of steps to aid our descent! A steep, rocky path led down to Mjølfjell Youth Hostel, surrounded by mountains. The picturesque mountain path that leads from the youth hostel is an historic road built to build the railway at the beginning of the 20th century. It forms a spectacular gateway to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau.
We followed the track to Slondalsvatnet, the first of the four lakes we were to encounter on this walk. Following the right hand shore we headed to the top end of the lake and started up the mountain path. The incline increased as we navigated rocky terrain alongside foaming waters rushing over rocks in their haste to reach the lake. The scenery here was spectacular and justified many stops to enjoy the views and soak in the atmosphere. After passing the smallest of the four lakes we reached the third lake, Småfagerdalsvatni, where we stopped for lunch. By the time we were leaving the weather had deteriorated but this only added to the wildness and wonder of this upland mountain plateau.
Eventually finding the path to the fourth lake, Fagerdalsvatni, we followed the shoreline before descending to Slondal, the summer pasture that we had seen from the other side of the first lake. As the weather improved we retraced our steps to the youth hostel, where there was time to explore the swing bridge over the Raundal River, and to enjoy a Hot Chocolate at the youth hostel.
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
A damp start as we wait for the train . . .
to take us to . . .
Ørneberget station where steps are provided for 'the descent'
A steep, rocky path leads down to the youth hostel . . .
from where we can see the tunnel . . .
that the train passes through
All mod cons provided!
Assembling at the youth hostel . . .
we spot a train heading back to Voss
The sound of rushing water welcomes us to the start of the walk . . .
and a bird poses for a photo
Nearby a weir marks the youth hostel's use of the water to generate their own electricity . . .
and waterfalls abound . . .
as we make our way over the river
Yet another 'watery' view . . .
as we make our way along the path . . .
but not over the bridge Ian . . .
to the first lake, Slondalsvatent
The waterfall . . .
attracts lots of attention . . .
but watch out for that sloping bridge
The summer pasture of Slondal nestles on the opposite side of the lake and our route of descent can be seen to the right of the picture
A small herd takes life easy . . .
as we continue on our way . . .
to the head of the lake . . .
where the water is perfectly calm . . .
and provides the opportunity for lots of photos . . .
of the amazing reflections
Our path continues up over the hill . . .
and back to the river . . .
which, thankfully, has a bridge . . .
to take us to the other side . . .
as the waters rush by . . .
on their way to the lake
The path gets more interesting as we head upstream . . .
and the water is a constant source of amazement . . .
with waterfalls galore . . .
and a rock that looks like part of a huge tree trunk
Waterfalls and snow - magnificent!
Another lake comes into view . . .
with the mandatory waterfall . . .
and even the snow reflects in the water
Nearly past the fourth lake, one hut is well camouflaged . . .
but a second one is rather more obvious
Our gradual descent is accompanied by yet another waterfall . . .
and the first lake comes into view . . .
while sheep peacefully graze . . .
on the hillside
The easy path soon takes us down . . .
to Slondal, the summer pasture seen earlier
Back near the youth hostel a swing bridge . . .
spans the waters of the Raundal River . . .
which look spectacular upstream . . .
and downstream