Port
Ulvik, Norway
Activity Level
Moderate
Excursion Type
Information Not Currently Available
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Starting At
$159.95
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
Duration
Approximately 4½ Hours
Meals Included
Meals not included
Set off on a scenic drive through the village of Ulvik, skirting the shoreline of the fjord as you travel to Bruravi and across the fjord using the Hardanger Bridge. The slopes on either side of the fjord are covered with orchards—mainly cherries and apples—and at the end of May and early June the trees in full bloom are incredibly beautiful with the snow-capped mountains as a backdrop.
After traveling a short distance you'll arrive in Eidfjord—an area ideal for hydroelectric power production. A plentiful supply of water comes from the nearby lakes and the numerous fast-flowing rivers that tumble down the hillsides from lofty heights.
The Hardangervidda Nature & Wildlife Center is your next stop. Explore the exhibits of the wildlife in the area and an audio-visual presentation about the waterfalls and dams. The National Park is home to the largest wild reindeer herd in the country.
Leaving the center, you will ascend the famous Måbødalen Valley, with its towering mountain walls. The road passes through long tunnels but the old road with its attractive stone bridge is still visible. Climbing to an elevation of 2,500 feet, you will discover the huge Hardanger Mountain Plateau—the largest mountain plateau in Northern Europe. It is also part of Norway's largest National Park.
Continue to the Sysen Dam—the main reservoir for the Sima Power Station and one of Norway's largest embankment dams. The dam has made Eidfjord one of the wealthiest communities in Norway.
At the Fossli Viewpoint, stop to take a closer look at Vøringsfoss Waterfall, which has a free-fall of 600 feet to the canyon below.
After viewing the magnificent Waterfall, it is time to return to Uvik by once again crossing the bridge over the fjord.
Notes:
Views are weather dependent. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Order of sights may vary.