Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
17th century. Wall paintings in the nave feature musical annotation, while vine and flower
motifs entwine around the chancel. The Celtic-style chancel arch is unique.
THE SOGNEFJELLET CIRCUIT
A spectacular circular, day-long driving route, the Sognefjellet circuit runs beside one of
Norway's loveliest fjords, climbs a sizeable chunk of the magnificent
Sognefjellet Na-
tional Tourist Route
, meanders along a lonely, lightly travelled single-lane road that
threads across the heights, then plunges in a knuckle-clenching descent, once more to
fjord level. The trip can't be done by public transport and cyclists will need to be very fit,
and attempt it over a few days.
From Sogndal, head out on the Rv55 to the northeast as it hugs, for the most part,
lovely Lustrafjord all the way to Skjolden at the head of the waters. About 5km beyond
this tiny settlement, the road starts to seriously twist and climb. You're following an an-
cient highway where for centuries, when it was no more than a rough track, fish and salt
would be hauled up from the coast to be exchanged for iron, butter and hides from com-
munities deep inland.
At wind-battered Turtagrø you can continue along the Rv55, which runs through Jotun-
heimen National Park, up and over northern Europe's highest road pass (1434m) and on
to Lom.
To return to Sogndal, turn right to leave the Rv55 and head for Årdal. The narrow road,
known as
Tindevegen
, (Route of the Peaks), keeps climbing, just above the treeline, until
the pass (1315m) and a toll booth (Nkr75 per vehicle). Then it's a plunge down through
woods of spindly birch to the emerald-green waters of Årdalsvatnet and the undistin-
guished village of Øvre Årdal. From here, the Rv53 takes you, via the ferry between
Fodnes and Mannheller, back to Sogndal.
Sleeping & Eating
Kjørnes Camping
CAMPGROUND
( 57 67 45 80;
www.kjornes.no
;
campsites Nkr240, 2-/5-bed cabins Nkr900/1350, with outdoor
bathroom Nkr410/580, apt Nkr800; )
This large, well-maintained campground, where the young owners have expanded and im-
proved facilities, enjoys a gorgeous fjord-side setting. Choose a large cabin with fjord-side
