Touring Norway

Since most national borders are closed I'm kinda hunkering down for a summer in Norway. This last week I've been on several trips to the west, one even as far as the coast. I've even gone so far as to buy a dashcam for road videos (installing and operating it will probably be what kills me in the end).

These pics are from my first trip of the season, over the mountains of Valdres. I was planning on going to Borgund stave church, but on a hunch I made a left in the traffic circle on the west coast side of the mountains and drove back east again through Hemsedal and then over Gol Mountain Plateau.

The valley of Etnedal, which is a side valley to Valdres. Etnedal is also a tiny municipality.


In the hills between Etnedal and Valdres there are several small waters and tons of purdy lil' cabins.


Purdy flowers by the side of the road. Norwegian roads can be real nice.


Lake Stronda runs through some of the very finest parts of Valdres.




Not sure what types of fish they're breeding here.




Looking towards Vang, where the mountains really start to rise. That's Mt. Grinda to the left, it's quite the sight close up and the lake is called Vangsmjøse. Vang is just a tiny bit more populated than Etnedal.


A bit further into the mountains is Øye, which has a reconstructed stave church, partially built from the remains of an old one, probably from the 12th century.






Just behind the church, the river Rødøla forks into a couple of great falls.


A mile or two along on the road to Hemsedal (Road 52) is this beautiful place, with great views and a nice waterfall. The river is called Galdestølelvi.






Right after Hemsedal proper is this mountain with a lovely waterfall.


The river Hemsil that runs the whole valley is so peaceful up here.


Further southeast, in Gol, I stopped to get mahself a well deserved soft serve ice cream.


Then I drove back to Valdres over the Gol mountain plateau. It's mighty purdy up there too.