Friday, 9th July 2010
Our walk today began initially through Lærdal to reach the bridge across the river. After a short distance along the road we started to head up the valley that had looked impassable from a distance. Before long we were climbing up a good path with name boards at various points. After a couple of catch-up stops it was decided that those who wished to do so could go on at their own pace and that we would meet up at the huts at the top of the climb. After an enjoyable climb up a path that was rocky and steep in places, Penny and I reached the huts and decided to eat our lunch while we waited for the rest of the group. We were then given the option to extend the walk so we went as far as we thought feasible in the time we had. At this point the surrounding hills were very inviting but we dragged ourselves away to return to the huts, where we found that most of the group had already started the descent. Chris, our leader, had kindly waited for us - no doubt wanting to make sure that we hadn't decided to just keep going! Penny practised a jogging descent while I descended at a more leisurely pace, taking in the views on the way.
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
The Lindstrøm Hotel opened in 1845 and the same family continues to own and run the hotel today.
The Hotel has a total of five different buildings and the oldest is a Swiss-style building from 1800.
The Annex boats a very pleasant garden with stone tables to enjoy the sun
Another part of the valley begins to open up as we start the climb . .
and looking back over Lærdal the fjord has now disappeared from view
Some of the group make their way . . .
onto an open area - ideal for a break . . .
and time for Penny to locate the record book
Nearly at the top of the climb a bridge takes us over the rushing waters . . .
and from the first hut Lærdal can now be seen far below
Penny and I investigate an extension to the walk . . .
reaching the waterfall . . .
before we decide . . .
that we had better make our way back . . .
to the huts which are just out of sight
Chris records our return before we descend
Evidently a sod roof is a natural occurrence when dirt is used to hold down the roofing materials in the gale force winds experienced along the fjords.
Looking back up our route, the small triangle of green, middle right, was our stopping point on the way up . . .
and zooming in reveals the rock we were standing nearby