THE VIKING-WAY TO FJORD NORWAY - Visit Haugesund

Haugesund – Hardanger - SunnhordlandTHE VIKING-WAY TO FJORD NORWAYLangfoss waterfall © DHH / Espen MillsRyvarden Light House © Tove V. BraathenBarony in Rosendal: © Kjartan PettersenDays: 5Suitable for: individuals and groupsDistance: approx. 478 km.HIGHLIGHTS:City island cruise in HaugesundVikings at AvaldsnesÅkrafjorden fjord cruise and tractorsafariLofthus – orchardsFolgefonna glacier and nationalpark(Hardangerfjorden, queen of theNorwegian fjords)Rosendal ancient barony and rosegardenMoster Old Church and MosterAmphitheatreRyvarden Light HouseCrossing fjords, passing by one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls and drivingthrough valleys between steep mountains, this round trip will bring you close to a glacier,and give you the opportunity to visit a unique barony surrounded by roses. After a visit toan extraordinary amphitheatre and an old church, you will be able to enjoy a panoramicview of the North sea from a light house. And maybe you’ll meet a Viking on your way?

Vikings © Ørjan B. IversenDAY 1 HAUGESUND – AVALDSNES – SKUDENESHAVN - HAUGESUNDStart the day at Avaldsnes, Norway’s first Royal Seat, where you will experience theViking’s fascinating way of life, and get in to the right “viking-mood” to start the round trip.The historical landscape at Avaldsnes tells of the Old Norwegian Kings and the legendarycharacters celebrated in ancient myths and lays. The kings and princes who controlledthe old “Nordvegen” – the way to the North – have left powerful traces: impressive burialmounds, tall stone monuments and rich archaeological finds. Next to the medieval churchin Avaldsnes, a new history centre has been built, and east of the church is areconstructed Viking settlement.Days: 5Suitable for: individuals and groupsDistance: approx. 478 km.Skudeneshavn is a lovely sailing ship town, where the old part of town consists of 130well preserved homes and maritime storehouses from the early 1800s.HIGHLIGHTS:• Avaldsnes (medieval church, history centre, Viking settlement)• Skudeneshavn• Overnight stay in HaugesundDirections: Follow route 47 from Haugesund. First stop at Avaldsnes, then continue toSkudeneshavn. To visit Sandvesanden beach, retour by route 511.

Tractor safari © Espen MillsDAY 2 HAUGESUND – ÅKRAFJORDEN - LOFTHUSStop at Åkrafjordtunet and join a fjord cruise on Åkrafjorden, this can be combined witha tractor safari to a mountain farm on the opposite side of the fjord.The contrasts in Åkrafjorden are huge: bare mountain sides, luscious pastures, stillreflectingfjords and tumbling glacial waters. Viewed from the boat, the landscape islike a string of pearls with the 612-metre high cascading Langfoss Waterfall as themost impressive of them all.On your way to Odda, don’t miss Låtefossen, a famous twin waterfall by the main road13.Arriving in Lofthus in the evening gives you a great opportunity to try a local beer fromEkspedisjonen, a microbrewery with a pub. There is also a trail through the orchards,with different charts informing you about fruit cultivation and local history.HIGHLIGHTS:• fjord cruise in Åkrafjorden and Langfoss waterfall• tractor safari to Eikemostølen Mountain Farm• Låtefossen waterfall• Overnight stay in LofthusDirections: route E134 from Haugesund, first stop at Åkrafjordtunet, continue towards“Brimnes, Utne, Odda” on route 13. Continue on route 13 Lofthus.

© Pål Hermansen / Destination Hardanger FjordDAY 3 LOFTHUS – KINSARVIK – JONDAL (FOLGEFONNA) - ROSENDALHardanger is well known for being Norways’s largest fruit growing area. Experience thefantastic blossom in spring, or have a taste of fresh fruit during summer and autumn.In the garden of hotel Ullensvang in Lofthus one can visit Edvard Grieg’s (1843-1907)cabin, where he composed several of his most famous works.This day you will have the opportunity to visit Folgefonna National Park, where thecentral feature is the Folgefonna glacier, Norway’s 3rd largest glacier. Folgefonna canbe reached by car from Jondal during the summer season. Hiking on the glacier is onlypossible with glacier guides and the right equipment. See www.folgefonni-breforarlag.noHIGHLIGHTS:• the Hardanger Fjord region• the National Tourist Route Utne - Jondal• Folgefonna National Park and glacier• Overnight stay in RosendalDirections:r oute 13 to Kinsarvik via Lofthus. Ferry from Kinsarvik to Utne. From Utneto Jondal you will be driving on one of the National Tourist Routes in Norway. Continueto Folgefonna Summer Ski Centre. From Jondal cross the Hardangerfjord by ferry toTørvikbygd, continue to Gjermundshamn, and cross the fjord once again to Årsnes.Continue towards Rosendal. Schedules: www.tide.no

DAY 4 ROSENDAL - BØMLOWake up in the valley of the roses (Rosendal), where the ancient Rosendal Barony liesonly a few minutes from Rosendal centre. Scandinavia’s smallest castle dating from1665 has a wonderful rose garden.Going from Rosendal to Bømlo, cross the fjord by ferry, and continue towards Bømlo.Drive over some amazing bridges to the island of Bømlo. Join a historical walk aroundMoster Old Church. At summertime you might enjoy a play at Moster Amphitheatre,which is the most unusual open-air theatre in Northern Europe.(After visiting Moster we suggest that you go to the north side of the island Bømlo. Thiswill take you to the fisher village of Brandasund - with the North Sea as the nearestneighbour. )HIGHLIGHTS:• the Barony in Rosendal• Moster Amphitheatre• 4 th night in BømloDirections: From Rosendal follow road 48, and continue on road 544, (ferry betweenRanavik and Skjersholmane), than follow road E39, and 542 towards Bømlo. Schedule:www.tide.no

DAY 5 BØMLO – RYVARDEN LIGH HOUSE - HAUGESUNDTo complete the round trip, visit Ryvarden Lighthouse, built in 1849, where thebuildings have been used as a cultural centre since 1984. An important element of ourhistory is the light houses. Through centuries this has been an important navigatingtool for sailors.Teeming with life day and night, Smedasundet Sound is at the very heart ofHaugesund. Stroll along the quayside and take in the fresh sea air or stop for a coffee,a bite to eat, or purchase fresh prawns and crab from local fishermen. A 45-minute triparound the harbour with Haugesund’s time honored Flytt Boats is recommended.HIGHLIGHTS:• Ryvarden Lighthouse• Smedasundet Sound• Overnight in HaugesundDirections: road E39, road 47, and road 541 to Mølstrevåg. Road 541 and 47 toHaugesund.

ADDITIONAL DAY 6 AND 7RØVÆR is an island located only 25 minutes from Haugesund, and has 110inhabitants and only 1 car. Departure from Inner Quay (Indre Kai)www.rover.noUTSIRA: Experience a day on the North Sea island of Utsira. The island is situated 18km west from Karmøy, and is Norway’s smallest municipality with approximately 215inhabitants. Departures from Garpaskjærskaien.www.utsira.noInformation and directions can be found at visithaugesund.noPlease read more about accommodation, food and transportation atwww.visithaugesund.nowww.hardangerfjord.comwww.visitsunnhordland.no