Thursday (08/06/2015)
We slept in the car and woke up with less back pain than we expected. Read more here. Raise your hand if you want to see photos of fjords and glaciers!?
We had breakfast overlooking the largest fjord in the country and then stopped at a gas station to get ready. We drove for almost 4 hours from Lavik to the largest glacier in Continental Europe, the Jostedalsbreen. We had to take a ferry from Dragsvik until Hella (90 crowns or 10 euros), but most of the way was on a wonderful road that borders the Sognenfjorden.
A summary: We took a road in zig zag beautiful, we stopped halfway at a waterfall, we came across many sheep and cows roaming the roads, we bought fresh strawberries, we saw snow on the slopes and we even stopped at several benches along the way, to stretch our legs and enjoy the view. What a country to go to!!! One view more beautiful than the other and the best thing is, in our time, without stress. Priceless.
The closer we got to the glacier, the more turquoise the water in the lakes became. It was really cool to see the change…
We arrived at Blackbirds Breen, arm of the Jostedalsbreen, We were very tired, but we took on the trail to get to the base (I think it took almost 2 hours round trip). We didn't book a tour with any company because we've walked on other glaciers in our lives, but if you haven't done it yet, do it! They take you with a guide and you go with the right equipment to walk on the ice. It's really cool!
Ah, it's important to point out: There is a boat that takes you very close to the glacier for just 40 crowns (5 euros) round trip. Unfortunately, it had already closed when we were there, but I think it is worth it, because the trail is nothing special and it is still quite slippery (I slipped badly).
The view is beautiful, but keep in mind that it is quite cold. We went in AUGUST, the height of summer, and I think the temperature was below 10 degrees. Be careful with your clothing, okay!
We left there around 7pm and drove to Mannheller, to catch a ferry until Fodnes. We paid 108 crowns (12 euros) for the crossing and as soon as we arrived on the other side, we started looking campsites to sleep. We stopped at a camping excellent, the Laerdal Holiday OG, and we paid 220 kroner (24 euros) for the night. The showers cost 5 kroner for every 4 minutes. Great shower and facilities! I recommend it.
Friday (08/07/2015)
We had breakfast, took down the tent and off we went to the most famous wooden church in the country, the Borgund, that deserves a post just for her. It's WON-DER-FUL!!!
If you want to know more about this 10-day trip to Norway, check out the posts below:
- 10 incredible days in Norway in the middle of summer (Summary)
- Arriving in Norway (a plane, bus, train and car saga)
- 1 day in Kristiansand and surroundings
- Between Kristiansand and the famous Preikestolen stone
- The famous Preikestolen
- 1 day in Stavanger and surroundings
- 1 day in Bergen and surroundings
- The largest Norwegian fjord and the largest European glacier
- Borgund Stavkirke, a medieval stave church
- 2 days in Flam and surroundings
- 2 days in Oslo, capital of Norway
If you want to book tours in Norway safely, check out the options offered by our partner Civitatis: