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The Troll´s tongue and Hardanger's Pulpit rock

Everyone else has a personal web site, so I figured, why not me too? On this site I'll describe myself and share my interests and ideas with you. I have several websites written for me and about me, so this time, I'd like to do some of my own writing. I'm already having fun!

Summer Midnight at Kinsarvik

Kinsarvik makes a good base camp for visiting the surrounding areas. Hardangertun is the large camping ground bordering directly on the Kinso river and the beaches of Hardangerfjord. Besides regular camping it also runs an extensive programme for school groups, offering instruction in rock climbing, canoeing and even archery; the large "Familieparken" has for years been a popular destination for families with small children, featuring water slides and a range of fun park installations. The other large camping ground, Kinsarvik Camping, offers modern cabins perched on a grassy expanse overlooking the fjord. The Bråvoll Camping caters to tents and RVs. The Kinsarvik Best Western hotel caters to those who arrive by car or ferry. There is a large supermarket, gasoline station, and souvenir shops including factory visits to Hardanger Sylvplett. The fjord offers many opportunities for fishing and boating. Kinsarvik Båthavn is hardly a full-feature marina, but for the lucky few guests it offers power, water and an idyllic park. In 2007 a web camera was installed overlooking the harbour, so that sailors may plan their arrival and view the weather conditions. The shores of the fjords in this area are thick with fruit trees, primarily cherry and apple trees. There are spikes in tourism for the flowering and harvest of these trees.

The history of Kinsarvik tourism has been one of dramatic changes. Up until the 1970s the village was the busiest ferry port in Norway and a crucial junction on the only all-year road connecting Bergen and Oslo. Alternative routes then eroded its importance, but in 2006 the Norwegian Parliament approved Hardangerbrua, a monumental bridge project only 12 km from Kinsarvik. When completed, it will reestablish inner Hardanger as a dominant route and tourist stop for both east-west and north-south traffic.

HOW TO GET THERE:

From the centre of Odda you follow the main road no 13 towards Kinsarvik. After 6 km you reach Tyssedal. Just after the tunnel, you turn right towards Skjeggedal. After driving through Tyssedal, you reach a soccer field, and the road continues up into the mountains. 7 km from the main road you reach Skjeggedal.

The funicular that normally takes you to Mågelitopp, also known as Trallebanen or Mågelibanen is unfortunately not running this year. The funicular starts at 425 metres above sea level, and leaves you at 850 metres above sea level. You have to take the path following the funicular, which starts on the right side behind the control booth. This takes about 45 minutes extra and it is rather steep.

From Mågelitopp to Gryteskard, a distance of 1.5 km, you'll be following an old construction road. Towards Gryteskard you take a path to the right, follow it to Gryteskard and further on to Trombeskard.
At the top of Trombeskard you will see a sign indicating the direction to Tyssevassbu, while the road to Trolltunga and Preikestolen continues along the horse path to the right towards Florenseter.

At Florenseter there is a river which can be difficult to cross when there is a lot of water in it. The horse path continues to Endeåplatået, which lies to the right of Storenut. Between Florenseter and Endeåen there can be a lot of snow that you have to cross. On your way you have a good view of Ringedalsvatnet. In the south you can see Ringedalsvatnet and the waterfall at the end of the lake, and also Langedalsdammen. In the west you can see Ringedalsdammen, Einseten, Mosdalen and the Folgefonna glacier.

The horse path continues on to the Tyssestrengene waterfall. The path crossing Tyssestrengene is not well marked. After Tyssestrengene, you still have to follow the horsepath about 800 metres, then turn right to Trolltunga, which is another 800 metres further on.

For Preikestolen you continue approx 30 miutes. Between Trolltunga and Preikestolen our local touring association is in charge of the cabin - Reinaskår - situated here. If you want to stay the night here, you need a special key to enter. This one you'll get at the tourist information.

Intro Updated Jan 31, 2010
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Written Jan 31, 2010

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leics May 24, 2012 at 10:25 AM

Happy birthday! :-)
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Usctwin May 24, 2012 at 9:52 AM

Happy birthday, Matt!
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kandoi May 24, 2012 at 1:32 AM

Happy Birthday Matt
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pfsmalo May 24, 2012 at 1:28 AM

Hi Matt, Hope you have a great day.

Paul
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travelinxs May 27, 2010 at 10:59 AM

Happy Birthday Matt. Hope you had a great day friend. Cheers.
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zuriga Feb 1, 2010 at 8:37 AM

Welcome, Matt. Looks like you are a neighbour! I am from the States but have lived in L'head for 6 years now.
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kiwi Jan 31, 2010 at 2:54 PM

Great to see you here, look forward to some great stories :-)