my first fjord!

posted in: travel 1

While Oslo is technically in a fjord (as defined by wikipedia), the Oslofjord is not all that impressive. But after this weekend, I can finally say that I have been to a real movie-worthy Norwegian fjord!

A couple of hours away from Stavanger (on the southwest coast of Norway) is Lysefjord:
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To get to the start-off point of Öygardstöl (strangely with a Swedish spelling), you first have to drive past hundreds of sheep and then get carsick several times from the small winding road (which looks very much like a single lane to me, but somehow accommodates two-way traffic). At this point you park your car and start hiking. After a strenuous 2.5 hour climb (a mere stroll by Norwegian standards), you will reach this beautiful view at Kjerag:

But even better is this, the famous Kjeragbolten

Just don’t ask about the hike down.

  1. Meg
    |

    Ah, yes, the deceptive hike down. People always think going up is the hard part, but I’ve found after numerous trips up, that going back down is always more treacherous.