This summer just after the dust of a local Corona-lockdown in my area had settled, a Friend of mine asked me weather I was interested in joining him for some exploring in Norway.
The idea was to start from Cologne Germany area (where we live) and drive up there by car via a ferry. We would then road-trip our way up towards a tiny little island off the coast to visit one of my friend's old study friend.
The island? Kr氓kv氓g... (don't ask me how to pronounce it)
Location of the island within the country
Close up of the island
I had been to Norway before, so I knew what greatness was to be expected. However, you know, a small Island more or less in the middle of nowhere... It was going to be awesome!
On top of that, the guy we were visiting runs a fishing tour operation for tourists. He told us he is stationed in a huge house with plenty of room and a constant supply of fresh fish for us to feed on.
Great, let's pack up and go!
After loading up on the mandatory alcohol for our host (Norway is taxing the hell out of it), we crammed our hiking gear and race bikes in it. Boom the car is full!
Once in Norway, we drove straight to the area around one of Norway's higher mountain peaks called Galdh酶piggen in the Jotunheimen area. We arrived just after midday. Our goal was to hike up this mountain the next day.
But of coarse, as avid cyclist that we are, we had to do some riding first! We planned to directly challenge ourselves after sitting in a car for too long! The route we took meant a 1200+ meter climb in about 12 kilometers over the Raubergstulsvegen (more info here). Quite a challenge, but the view was really worth it:
My friend challenging this beast of a climb. He wasn't aware yet of the beautiful view behind him :)
A new day, meant a new challenge... Again, we decided to kill some height-meters. We went up the Galdh酶piggen via a direct route that brought us up 1400 meters in about 10 km. Final destination... Beautiful sunny views with a cold brewski on top of this 2469 meter high peak! Many people told us on multiple occasions how lucky we were with the weather 馃槏!
Our host didn't know... but we were drinking his beer supply :)
After returning to our tent we had a huge meal to top up the calories and the next day it was time to pay our host a visit.
After driving about a day through the most beautiful scenery including windy gravel roads and nice fjords we arrived at our ferry to take the final jump to the island of our destination.
In the following days we were spoiled with all kinds of fish. Normally my diet is mostly plant based, but for this I had to make an exception. I think it was worth it.
Our host wasn't only a great host, he also took us to the best fishing spots. Even I was able to catch something:
The last time I caught a fish, I was about 10 years old, and the fish about 10 centimeters long. I guess I did a good job with this one! (all credits to our tour guide).
We also did some cycling while on the island. And actually, we were done quite quickly. When vising a small island, you cant expect too many roads... We took the challenge to just ride all of them while there. Here's a GPS recording of our attempt:
And of course, a mandatory bike-on-an-island-shot
After about a week of fishing, eating fish, talking about all the best fishing spots, and everything else fish... It was time to move on!
It was time show our bikes some more tarmac! We decided to climb two more famous Norwegian roads. The Trollstigen (about 700 height meters in about 10km) and up the Dalsnibba pass from at the Geilranger fjord (about 1500 height meters (!) in 23km). Here some proof of our attempts:
From the top of the Trollstigen. What a view, and what a road! Was great fun to shoot down that one after summiting 馃殌
View form Dalsnibba into the Geilranger fjord. That body of water in the back is actually sea level!
Once we challenged those beasts by bike, it was time to give our legs the chance to do something else. We had a nice multi day hike through Hardangervidda planned for the next days. Here's a picture of our fist day in the wilderness. We found a great little patch of grass next to a river.
We set up the tent and enjoyed the last rays of sun while enjoying a simple but satisfying dinner and some cold beers we brought.
A great place to look back at the two wonderful weeks we had. I felt really blessed that I am in a place where I can do trips like these with friends I care about. To spend some great moments in Beautiful Norway!
Thanks for stopping by and happy exploring!!
