From the mountains to the fjords

Haukeliseter-Kvanndal/Hardangerfjord (118 km)

First of all, the three course dinner yesterday evening at Haukeliseter, accompanied by a wine package, was really nice. And the visit incl. dinner and breakfast was rather affordable as well. So Haukeliseter can be recommended.

The best thing was when I discovered that there was smoke coming out of a small hut by the lake – a sauna! I only found it at half past nine, and they were going to close at ten, but there was still time for two rounds in the sauna and two jumps into the lake. Click for YouTube video

In the morning, Haukeliseter showed itself from its best side once more. But I had to leave because I had a long ride ahead of me.

There were a couple of tunnels on the way today which were prohibited for bicycles. And that means I had to cross a mountain pass instead. The first one was not too bad – it was 1100 metres high, but I started at over 900 already.

Then I had a long descent down to Røldal at 400 metres. From here I had to go over the pass next to the Røldal ski centre at almost 1100 metres again, so that was a long and tough climb.

From the top I had a great view over the Folgefonna glacier, the third biggest in Norway. It was a long ride down to Odda then which is located at a side arm of the Hardanger fjord. My goal was to take a ferry to the other side of the fjord, so I had 45 kilometres still to go.

Half way to the ferry, I stopped at a supermarket to buy some food and drinks. And when I came back to my bike, I suddenly saw that the luggage rack on the back of my bike was loose. It was hanging down in a strange angle, so I had to fix it. This took me about thirty minutes. I originally had good time to catch the ferry which goes only once an hour, but suddenly, I was in a hurry. I raced the last 22 kilometres as fast as i could and reached the ferry one and a half minute before it left.

Before we reached the other side, I already spotted a nice park where I decided to set up my tent for the night. Tomorrow the weather forecast predicts quite a lot of rain. My plan would normally be to continue to the Sognefjord. But that would be a 115 kilometres’ ride, and I’m not sure if I’m up for that in rainy weather. I am one day ahead of my original schedule, so I might take it easy tomorrow.