Basic HTML Version
STATENS VEGVESEN: WERNER HARSTAD, BJØRN ANDRESEN, JARLE WÆHLER
Bergen to Balestrand
–
National Tourist Route Gaularfjellet (5)
The National Highway Route E39, north of Bergen
towards Sande, is a scenic drive with a welcome ferry
break over the mighty Sognefjord, from Oppedal to
Lavik. Over 200km in length, the Sognefjord is not only
the world’s longest fjord, but Norway’s deepest. Cliffs
surrounding it rise to 1,000m (3,300ft).
A relatively short drive north will take you to Sande
from where you turn east into the twisty National
Tourist Route Gaularfjellet into Fosseheimen along the
protected Gaular waterway. Consider taking a short
detour north to Forde with its steep mountainsides
and sheltered valleys before turning back towards
Likholefossen (‘
fossen
’ means waterfall in Norwegian).
The highlight is the rest area at Likholefossen – a
JUNE-JULY 2012
WIZZ MAGAZINE
49
NORWAY
FEATURE
It is mandatory
to drive with
dimmed
headlights
at all times,
day or night.
TOP:
THE STEEL BRIDGE
OVER LIKHOLEFOSSEN.
ABOVE AND RIGHT:
SOGNEFJORD AND
ACCOMPANYING ROAD
breathtaking example of how modern architecture
can interact with nature. A bridge of clear steel with
elegant clean triangular lines straddles the wild and
powerful flow of the waterfall.
The contrast between the bridge’s strength and
stability and the powerful rush of water metres below
leaves you with a humbling sense of man’s desire to
tame nature – yet our inability to do so.
Find a base close to your favourite routes. You may wish
to consider Hotel Ullensvang on the Hardangerfjord
(+47 5367 0000, www.hotel-ullensvang.no) and Basic
Hotel Bergen (+47 8152 2742, www.basichotels.no).