Aurlandsdalen (the Aurlands Valley) is known as the Grand Canyon of Norway and is truly spectacular. You can walk for four days from Finse to Vassbygdi, or do different sections of the walk in a dayhike.
We describe the dayhike leaving from Flåm, Sognefjorden, in the Norwegian Cruising Guide (see Flåm, p. 235-6, Vol. 1, print version; p. 256-7, eBook), but there are other options for dayhikes and the Norwegian Trekking Association (Den Norske Turistforening) can provide guided hikes as well.
Norway’s stave churches are some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. The stave church at Ornes (NCG printed version, Vol. 1, p. 240; eBook, p. 262) is believed to be the oldest of the old (c. 1130), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is reopening September 2nd after being closed for significant restoration. If you are in the Sognefjord area, check it out!
There are 30 stave churches left standing in Norway and the government has pledged funds to protect and preserve these historic landmarks
Peter Morrell, a British journalist, has written a lovely short piece on visiting Tromsø, North Norway, called “Norway – The Essence of Nature”. Having spent 2 winters in Tromsø living on board Morgan’s Cloud, we can only agree with him when he writes:
So what does Northern Norway have to offer? A real spirit of adventure in a great wilderness, some stunning scenery and an opportunity to re-connect with the environment.
Jon Amtrup has just left Tromsø hoping to circumnavigate Svalbard. Follow him and his companions on their voyage to the high arctic.
While it is still is permitted to anchor here, landing on the spit south of the anchorage is no longer permitted. A detailed map of the No Trespassing area can be had at the Sysselmann’s office when you register at Longyearbyen. (Printed version Vol. II, p. 212; eBook, p. 500.)
Note that part of the south shore of Ytre Norskøya is protected as a natural heritage site and landing is not allowed. A map detailing the off bounds area is available from the Sysselmann in Longyearbyen. (Printed version Vol. II, p. 219; eBook, p. 506.)
We recently received an interpretation of the Norwegian Sailing Permit Circular (Circular UDI 2010-139) from Inge Hoem, Senior Advisor UDI (Norwegian Department of Immigration), which we have copied at the end of this post. We have also been in direct correspondence with Inge to answer several questions that we had regarding the Circular. [Read More…]
If you want to get a taste for the Geirangerfjord and Ålesund areas, take a look at these 360° skycam views—both the views and the skycams themselves are amazing! (These areas are covered in the Sognefjorden to Kristiansund chapter in the Norwegian Cruising Guide.)
Tell us what you think about the skycams by leaving a comment.
The Holmenkollen Ski Jump, which was an Oslo attraction due to the incredible view as well as the ski museum located there, has been closed since 2008 while being rebuilt. It is now open once again. The view from the observation deck is definitely worth the journey! (See Oslo in the Norwegian Cruising Guide—Vol. 1 printed version, p. 95; eBook, p. 117.)
Let us know what you think about the new ski jump or give us any other updates for Oslo by leaving a comment.
Thanks to Su from Schoonersail, who sent us the following update regarding the caves at Solsemvågen on Leka in the Rørvik to Bodø chapter (Vol. 2 printed version, p. 51; eBook, p. 335): [Read More…]
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