BERGENSSTIEN - English version of The Bergen Trail across Southern Norway

A SURVEY OF THE 21 STAGES OF THE BERGEN TRAIL:

Stage DNT-trail From To Kms 1 Aker brygge in Oslo *Hovdehytta 29 2 *Hovdehytta *Eiksetra in Lier 20 3 *Eiksetra Hokksund 18 4 Hokksund Kongsberg 24 5 205 / 206 Kongsberg *Selsli 21 6 211 / 410 *Selsli *Sigridsbu 20 7 411 / 414 *Sigridsbu *Øvre Fjellstul 25 8 417 *Øvre Fjellstul *Daggrø 17 9 418 *Daggrø *Lufsjå 22 10 420 *Lufsjå Imingfjell 21 11 442 Imingfjell *Mårbu 26 12 446 *Mårbu *Rauhellern 22 13 459 *Rauhellern *Sandhaug 22 14 478 *Sandhaug *Hadlaskard 21 15 513 *Hadlaskard *Stavali 20 16 515 *Stavali Kinsarvik 15 Ferry Kinsarvik Kvanndal 17 Kvanndal Rong 17 18 Rong – *Torfinnsheim 22 19 *Torfinnsheim *Vending 20 20 *Vending *Høgabu 22 21 601 * Høgabu Vaksdal 17

Totally Oslo (Aker brygge) Vaksdal station 441 Names of cabins marked with an * are owned and run by DNT.

STAGE 1: OSLO - HOVDEHYTTA 29 KM

Aker brygge - Sarbuvollen (footpath /local road) 10 km Sarbuvollen - Sandvika (coastal trail) 5 km Sandvika - Vestmarkveien (footpath) 5 km Vestmarkveien - Franskleiv (local road) 2 km Franskleiv - Rustan (trail) 3 km Rustan - Hovdehytta (trail) 4 km Altitude difference: 400 m

ON PUBLIC FOOTPATHS ALONG THE FJORD

From Aker brygge (quay) in Oslo you walk alongside the harbours of Frognerkilen and Bestumkilen until you reach the western border of the city at Lysakerelva. Here, at the mouth of the river, is the original site of a farm called Ljosakr, which literally means the light field. The name of the river was originally Fod or Fad, which means border, because the river from the time of the Middle Ages has been the border between the communities of Bærum and Aker (now part of Oslo). Immediately after crossing the Lysaker river, you turn right into Elveveien under the E 18 motorway and follow the bicycle signs in the direction of Sandvika. On the other side of the E 18 you must turn 90 degrees left to Lysaker staton, but a little further uphill, another sign tells you how to get to Sandvika. After having passed a number of roundabouts at Lysaker, you keep on following the signs to Sandvika. You walk across Fornebuveien, and at the next junction at the toll gate you keep on straight ahead along Kilenveien. At the next junction, however, signposted “Legesenter”, you have to turn right along the pavement of the main road. At the next junction you follow Michelets vei, pass another toll gate and Holtekilen folkehøyskole, before you keep on along Fagerstrandveien.

THE COASTAL PATH IN BÆRUM

At number 50 Fagerstrandveien, you turn left down Sarbuvollveien to the quays at Sarbuvollen. Here the blue- marked “Kyststien” (coastal path) starts along Holtekilen. Soon, you pass some small beaches by the beautiful summer residence at Båtstø used by Reichskommisar Terboven during the German occupation of Norway. The best one is Høvikstranda just before you cross Høvikodden and walk past the Henie Onstad Art Centre along the shore. Keep following “Kyststien” along the quays in Solvik bay before you walk past Sjøholmen, the island Danmark (Denmark) and Kadettangen alongside Bærum Rådhus (the city hall of Bærum). After a short break at one of the outdoor restaurants at Sandvikselva, you keep on walking on the footpath along the east bank of the river until you see the railway bridge. After having crossed the small river from the lake Engervannet, you pass under the railway and further along Sandvikselva until you see Løkke footbridge. This is Norway’s oldest cast iron bridge, which among many others, the artist Claude Monet painted in 1895. Follow the directions of the signposts for ”Turvei C1” past ”Sandvika videregående skole” and up along the east bank of the river to Bjørnegård.

THROUGH VESTMARKA TO HOVDEHYTTA

Cross Sandvikselva for the last time at Bjørnegård. From this point you follow the signposts of ”Turvei A2” 600 metres on pavement and footpath alongside Slependveien, before “Turvei A2” turns right. At the parking lot at Emma Hjorths vei you turn left uphill until you cross Tanumveien at Tanum church and proceed past Ringi farm and finally reaches Vestmarkveien. Further along Vestmarkveien almost 2 km past the farms Kattås and Sørli to the parking place at Franskleiv. From here along a marked trail to Furuholmen and along the northern side of the swampy area Fløyta. You cross Gupuelva on a bridge at Øvre Fløyta and continue through Nordhagan past Moltemyr to Vestmarkveien, which you have to cross once more at Rustan. After some few metres along the forest road southwards in the direction of Sørmarka, The Bergen Trail follows the marked westward trail down to Eikestøa at Sandungen (319 metres above sea level). Lake Sandungen was formerly used as drinking water, but not any more, so you may gladly go for a swim here if you want to. The trail goes along the shores of Sandungen to its southmost creek. Further on a forest road the short distance up to Vesle (Little) Sandungen. Then along a marked trail up the valley Sandungsdalen and across Ivershogget to Asker Turlag’s self- service hut, Hovdehytta with 8 beds. The hut is provided with a stove for heating and gas and basic equipment for cooking, but there is no food. The hut is provided with candles, washing- powder and toilet paper. In every bed you will find a featherbed, a pillow and a blanket. Please notice that it is obligatory to use a sleeping bag! Hovdehytta is 34 sqm. Downstairs is a bedrooom with 5 beds, a kitchen and a living room. Upstairs is a small room with 3 mattresses on the floor. From Hovdehytta you have a mavellous view over the Oslo fjord. During WW2 the hut was vital for the resistance because they were able to keep a close watch of the activities at Skaugum which was the permanent residence of Adolf Hitler’s Norwegian Reichskommisar, Josef Terboven. . The name Skaugum is a modern version of the original ”Skogheim” (Forest home), which belonged to Count F. Wedel Jarlsberg until he gave the estate to Crown Princess Märtha and Crown Prince Olav when they got married in 1929. Apart from the 5 years during the war, it has been the residence of the Crown Prince and his family ever since.

STAGE 2: HOVDEHYTTA – EIKSETRA 20 KM

Hovdehytta – Lierskogen (trail/ local road) 4 km Lierskogen – Lierbyen (local road / footpath) 5 km Lierbyen – Undersrud (farm road / local road) 3 km Undersrud – Storsteinsfjell (trail) 4 km Storsteinsfjell – Eiksetra (trail) 4 km Altitude difference: 500 m

DOWN TO AND ALONG NORWAY’S OLDEST ROYAL ROAD

From Hovdehytta there are 800 metres downhill to Bergsmarksetra Ressurssenter at Solliveien 131. Just walk across the courtyard and proceed down to the red- marked skitrack starting in the forest at the northern side of the field beneath the institution. Follow the skitrack some 200 metres to the junction where you turn left on the bridge across the brook, following the direction of the signpost to ”Lierskogen 2,5”. After a while you reach the local road Rypeveien, which you follow right down to Gamle Drammensvei in the centre of the village of Lierskogen. Gamle Drammensvei is today an asphalted local road. In fact it is Norway’s oldest public road. The order to build the road was passed by a royal decree at Akershus Castle in Oslo on May 2 1624. The most urgent part of ”Sølvveien” (the silver road) from the mines in Kongsberg to Hokksund was finished in 1630. The whole distance between Oslo and Kongsberg could not be declared a royal highway with a guaranteed width of minimum 8 alen (5 metres) until 1665. The notice board also says that in the 18th century this part of the road was improved by the priest Vogelins. The clergy evidently had a number of extra duties in former times, but I take it for granted that the road was asphalted after his time. Keep on walking through the village of Lierskogen, and pass under the motorway. On the other side you stay on ”Gamle Drammensvei” which is only open for local traffic to the residential area of Ytre Tveten. You cross the motorway once more, this time on a bridge, and keep on walking to Gjellebekk. From here you walk along Grøstadveien, which at Griserud changes its name to Høgdabakkene. There is no more asphalt, and you soon enter Gjellebekk nature reserve, where a great battle took place during ”The Great Nordic War”. By using a number of logs the Danish- Norwegian troops succeeded in stopping the army of the Swedish king Karl XII, from advancing further westwards in 1716.

THE HISTORY BEHIND FREDRIK V’S OBELISK

If you are observant, you will notice Fredrik V’s obelisk among the trees on the southern side of the road. It is placed at the entrance of an old marble quarry, which was sporadically in operation between 1740 and 1960. If you get closer you will see a marble obelisk with a description in Danish. The essence of the inscription is that this obelisk is raised to commemorate the great and mighty king Fredrik V who personally visited this quarry in 1745, for which he has shown so much fatherly care. Count Johan Ludvig Holstein, the king’s companion, writes that His Majesty left Kristiania on June 25th at 9 a.m. and arrived at Skaugum in Asker at noon. Here he was ”at table” for half an hour, before the company continued westwards. According to the count, the king personally inspected the quarry, but another story relates that the king had fallen asleep after his substantial lunch at Skaugum, so he preferred to have an afternoon nap inside his carriage instead of unveiling the monument in memory of his own presence in 1745.

THE PARADISE HILL AND SAINT HALLVARD’S DEED

From the obelisk, keep walking down Høgdabakkene and cross the main road Kirkelinna. Walk some few metres on the footpath on the other side till you see the blue sign showing the way to Paradisbakkene and Lier bygdetun. Miss Nella Nielsen, who in the summer 1829 travelled along this road by horse and trap, writes in her diary: ”The view from the famous Paradise hill was truly a paradise, smiling plains spread in front of the admiring eye, nice country houses, a grace indescribable.” But when beholding the fertile Lier valley and the Drammen fjord, you should also bear in mind the dramatic events taking place here almost a thousand years ago. On May 15 1043 Oslo’s patron saint was rowing for his life across the fjord in order to save the life of a young woman unfairly accused of stealing. Unfortunately he did not succeed, and as a consequence both the woman and he himself were killed. In an attempt to hide this crime, the murderers tied a millstone to his neck and threw his body into the sea. But because both Hallvard and the millstone were found floating shortly afterwards, the Church made him Oslo’s patron saint, and his body was moved to St. Hallvard’s Church in Gamlebyen in Oslo in 1125 At the museum area of Lier Bygdetun in the middle of the Paradise Hill, you find the community’s oldest school building with authentic equipment and writing desks. There is also a garden serving as a gene bank for every species of Norwegian apples. At the lower end of the Paradise Hills you turn right, down Fossveien and left on the footpath along Ringeriksveien across the Lier river to Lierbyen, which is the administration centre of Lier council.

LIER’S GREAT SON AND THE MORAINE FROM THE ICE AGE

Take Bruvegen to the right along the rear of the town hall, then straight ahead up to the remnants of the old railway station. You may have a break at the tables beside the old train and the station building. When you cross the main road on a footbridge you may have a look at the notice board about the trains rattling past here for about 100 years. On the other side you see the mansion of Haugestad, where the local council in Lier has held its meetings since December 20 1907. Stop for a moment on your way down Haugestadbakken, and admire the statue of Lier’s great hero, colonel Christian Hæg. He emigrated to America and died at the age of 34 as brigadier general on September 20 1863, as a hero at the battle of Chickamauga (water of death) at Tennessee River. Downhill at Vinderenvegen you turn left into Sauevegen. Walk straight ahead at the junction at Stubben through the residential area and across the fields up to the farm buildings of Saue. Turn first left and then right uphill Kirkestien almost to Frogner church. In front of the church you meet Undersrudvegen. You turn right and follow this road uphill past the farms at Eik until it ends at Undersrud. The view along this road is maybe even more remarkable than from the Paradise Hills on the other side of the valley. To the south you see the Drammen Fjord. To the east, the Paradise Hills and Tranby Church. Northwards, you see the great moraine which divides the valley into two halves. It was formed approximately 9500 years ago, when the inland glacier was about to withdraw after the last ice age. At that time the water level of the sea was about 200 metres higher than today, and the entire Lier valley was sea bottom. Today part of the moraine has been excavated to provide for the Lyngås motor- cross track, a fact most of the residents in the area do not like very much.

THE STONE WOMAN AND THE MILORG HUT ON STORSTEINSFJELL

From the parking place at Undersrud you follow the signs toward Storsteinsfjell along the blue- marked trail. At Undersrud skileiksenter you turn right, and shortly after the yellow turnpike the trail leads through the forest to the left. On your way uphill you may need to rest on the splendid bench known as “Hermods plass”. At Knutesetra by the gravel road, you turn right. The gradient gradually slackens and the landscape is more open. Some hundred metres after the trail junction at the top of the hills, you walk past the artistic and impressive Stone Woman. Shortly afterwards you may take a short deviation to “Utsikten” (the view) and the hut, from where the Norwegian resistance could watch almost all outdoor activity in Lier and Drammen during the war. The cairn on the summit of Storsteinfjell is 540 metres above sea level and the view is marvellous. Walk further over Eikheia in hilly landscape to DOT’s lodge Eiksetra (32 85 52 12) at Garsjø lake. It is possible to put up a tent or spend the night in the shelter which is situated beside the lodge. If you want to spend the night indoors, you have to book the nearby Garsjøkoia on beforehand on "www.dntdrammen.no" This lodge har 4- 6 beds and can only be boooked if at least one of you is a member of Den norske Turistforening. It is situated on the other side of Garsjø, 1,5 km (2 miles) away to the north east. This lodge has a special key inside a code box fixed on the lodge. Dial DNT Drammen's office on telephone 32 25 51 40 or send an email to "kontoret@dntdrammen.no" to get the code of the key box.

STAGE 3: EIKSETRA - HOKKSUND 18 KM

Eiksetra – Lokkeråsen (trail) 6 km Lokkeråsen – Årbogen (trail) 5 km Årbogen – Hagatjern – Hokksund (trail) 7 km Altitude difference uphill to Lokkeråsen 200 m Altitude difference downhill from Lokkeråsen 540 m

THROUGH FINNEMARKA

The Bergen Trail crosses Finnemarka from Lier til Eiker. The area has its name from the many Finnish immigrants who settled in this desolate forest territory mainly in the 16th and 17th centuries. According to legend, one of the first Finns, named Matti, settled at the small lake of Lelangen. He was not a Christian and together with some of his countrymen, he built a heathen “hov”, a sacrificial site, at Himmerikstjern (heaven’s tarn) where they could worship their gods freely without any interference from the authorities. You start walking 1 km along the gravel road until you see Solvang on the right. At the junction, The Bergen Trail turns to the left uphill, first 250 metres on the northern side of Liseterbekken, then on the southern side to the dam on lake Løken. From here you walk along the road, which soon turns into a trail, but no longer than approximately 300 metres. Here is a junction, and a small green sign on a tree says that the main track heads for Tverråsvann. The Bergen Track, on the other hand, follows the smaller track to the right. Another junction after 300 metres at the end of a marsh. The Bergen Trail turns left along a couple of relatively dry bogs and down to the shores of lake Breivrangen, where you may have a swim if you feel for it. The Siddis Track now leaves the lake for a while, crossing three bogs before crossing a small valley and Toblebekken on an artificial bridge made of large stones. On the other side, you pass Ragnhildsstøl and the southern end of lake Vrangen before you walk uphill and meet a broader trail. Turn left at the junction and then after a couple of hundred metres, bear right in the direction of Nerdammen. At Nerdammen you turn right along the eastern shore of the lake before you cross the dam of the next lake, Mellomdammen (440 m). On the other side, climb Tretjernsåsen (Three Pond Hill) past the three beautiful ponds which have given the hill its name. You pass the summit of Hoggskollen (597 m) and descend to Smedsetra overlooking the lakes Solbergvann on the western and Steinarvann on the eastern side of the watershed. Continue a little uphill over Lokkeråsen (607 m) with a panorama view over Drammen and the Drammen Fjord. The sea level was at least 10 metres higher in this area during the Middle Ages, and Drofn, Drafn or Dramn was the name of the long narrow fjord of brackish water between Eiker and Drammen.

ALONG THE HIKING FACILITIES AT ÅRBOGEN

If you want to keep on to Hokksund, you have to cross the asphalted road after 1,5 km to the parking lot on the other side of the road. At the upper end beside the tablet you see a pole decorated with a white, a yellow, a red and a black painted ring. Follow the trail below Årbogen lake and cross the bridge in front of the dam. Continue along the white trail past the signpost "Lauvtjern 4,5" and further about 4 km until you have passed the southern side of the tarn Hagatjern. Here you turn left at the junction, first a short hill upwards and then down to a map and notice board. Further you have to bear slightly to the right approximately 200 metres across the brook from Lauvtjern until you reach the forest road, which you follow downhill until it turns into a local road named Lauvtjernveien, where you get a panorama view over Lerberg and Hokksund,

THE SIGHTS OF HOKKSUND

From the roundabout at Lerberg you walk along the footpath down towards the Drammen River. You pass two places where you can stay overnight before you reach the river: Hokksund hotel (32 25 05 50) on the upper side of the bridge and Hokksund Båt & Camping (32 75 42 42) on the lower side of the bridge. At the church on the other side of the river you may also spend the night at Langebru Gjestegård (32 75 47 00). No matter where you decide to spend the night, you should take some time to roam the old town called Dynge at the upper part of the bridge. This was the “city” of Hokksund until the 1890s. Most of the houses here in Old Hokksund have protected status and were built in the 17th and 18th century. You can also admire the 5.6 metre high Hellefossen waterfall. The huge amounts of salmon and other fish here have been reported since 1130. Until 1890, the steamship Nøkken (the Nixie) sailed on the river between Old Hokksund and Drammen.

STAGE 4: HOKKSUND – KONGSBERG 24 KM

Hokksund – Gorud (footpath / local road) 3 km Gorud – Skarragruvene (gravel road / trail) 8 km Skarragruvene – Skjellbreddalen – Hallhytta/ Brennåstjern (trail) 3 km Brennåstjern – Aspesetra – Kjennerudvannet (trail) 8 km Kjennerudvannet – Kongsberg (footpath) 2 km Altitude difference: 350 m

LOCAL BUS OR WALKING 3 KM ON ASPHALT TO GORUD

If you don’t like walking on asphalt, this stage may be reduced by 3 km if you make use of the local bus service 117 marked Ormåsen from Hokksund station to Gorud 6 minutes past every full hour tne first five days of the week. If you want to walk the whole way from Hokksund, you start on the pavement along main road 35 under the railway bridge. Then you turn right up the steep footpath to Ringveien which you follow and cross the main road towards Skotselv. Keep walking along the footpath on the left hand side of this road over the railway until you are opposite the Texaco petrol station on the opposite side of the road. Follow the narrow and steep Tranggata to the left, uphill to its junction with Bråtabakken, where a yellow sign tells you that it is 2.5 km along Rørenveien to Gorud. Soon you come to another junction where you follow the sign to “Gorud 2”.

ACROSS GRUVEÅSEN TO LAKE JUNGER

From Gorud you keep walking straight on along the gravel road for 1 km until you see a red sign on the left hand side of the road warning about ”Kryssende skiløype 30 m” (Crossing ski track 30 m ahead). Turn left along the farm road through the gate and after a while through another gate. The road ends up in an area full of dross and flooded mines, which are the sad remnants of Eiker Coppermines. Eiker Coppermines were part of the Berg mines and were operative in three periods in the 19th century. The first period around 1818 lasted for only a few months. Later in the century, copper was mined between 1874 and 1879 and between 1884 and 1889. The work- force was over 100 men at its peak. The ore contained slightly more than 4 % copper. Turn right at the junction at the entrance to the copper mines and follow this track 1 ½ kilometres across Gruveåsen (Mine Hill) past two old copper mines until you reach a gravel forest road at Bergsetervollen. Stick to ”the main road” in all junctions until this forest road ends at a junction at the end of the wider Junger Road. Turn left and follow this 700 metres downhill to a junction with a signpost where you turn right for the 2 kilometres to Kolbergsetra. You keep walking downhill to lake Junger (with a small public jetty used by bathers) and past the small lake of before the road ends at a parking place in front of Kolbergsetra.

THE SKARA SILVER MINES

At Kolbergsetra you turn left uphill to the Skarra Silver Mines on top of the hill. The silver was formed by volcanic activity during the Cambrosilurian and Permian ages between 200 and 800 million years ago here on the edge of the geological Oslo field. This made the area Eiker’s most important employer during the years between 1770 and 1793. The notice board at the entrance of the mining area tells us that it was Ener C. Klemp who found silver here for the first time in the spring of 1769. The mining started the following year, run by The Kongsberg Silver Mining Company. Sakkerhus (dwellings) for 80 men were built here in the middle of nowhere, in addition to hestegjøpler (stables) for the many horses, needed to keep the pumps working in order to keep the mines dry. The whole mining project, however, did not pay. Although the discovery of gold in the area in the beginning of the 1780’s created new optimism for a while, the mining adventure was definitely over in 1798. 30 metres from the notice board is an old solar clock from 1783 with the following inscription: “Mr. Steemand was here in June 1783”. If you find a stick, please put it in the middle of the hole in the solar clock, and you can check what time it is. Keep in mind, however, that the EU had not passed the law about summer time at the end of the 18th century. 20 metres from the sun clock on the same hill, there is another inscription: ”Discovered on August 16 by E.C. Klemp”. Keep walking past the entrance of the 145 metres deep mine “Øvre Stoll”. Downhill to the Dørja river at the opposite end of the mining area, you will find an excellent place to have a rest at “Pukkverket”. It was here the enormous amounts of crushed stone for the road between the mines and Lurdalen (Kongsberg) were produced.

BETWEEN LURDALEN AND FISKUM

After having crossed the river Dørja on a newly restored bridge, The Bergen Trial turns left along the river for about 1 kilometre before it turns into Skjelbreddalen. At the junction you turn sharply to the right and follow the ski track belonging to Fiskum Sports Club over two relatively dry bogs and uphill to a trail leading to Hallhytta (named after a mr. Hall) by the small lake Brennåstjern. At the junction at Brennåstjern (295 m), you turn right following the signpost to Aspesetra. At first you follow a new tractor road up the west side of Storåsen (360 m) through open landscape and with a marvellous view in all directions. Then slightly downhill in the wood until you reach a good trail ending at an open area at the end of the track named Hestedalsveien. Keep on walking along the good tractor road to the right until it ends at the idyllic Grønntjern lake. From here walk on various paths in a slightly hilly landscape to Aspesetra with wide fertile meadows. From Aspesetra, walk along on a good trail ending at a parking place with a wide view to the south- east. Down at Krekling and Råen dramatic things happened between 1639 and 1641. An epidemic related to the Black Death killed 79 people, nearly everybody in this small community. The fleas first killed all the rats, which of course was an advantage rather than a tragedy. But when there were no more rats left, they attacked the humans instead. But as you can see for yourself, the community has fully recovered since the disaster 370 years ago. Continue on a good track in an easy landscape on a bridge over the river from Lurdalen and a little bit uphill before the track ends at a large parking place at Kjennerudvannet. Unless you want to stop for a swim, you turn left 300 metres along Bomplassveien and further 500 metres to the left along Lurdalsveien to the road junction at Rødshøgda.

THE SILVER ROAD THROUGH KONGSBERG

Continue downhill from Rødshøgda on an asphalt footpath following traces of the oldest part of Norway’s first road from 1624. 500 metres from the junction you turn right down the steeper Eikerveien, which still follows the trace of the old “Silver Road". After 1200 metres, Eikerveien ends and you keep on along Bekkedokk under the railway to Storgata and cross the river on the bridge over the great waterfall to Old Kongsberg. Look for the signpost to Kongsberg Vandrerhjem Bergmannen (32 73 20 24). In addition Kongsberg also has two hotels on the other side of the river, where you just came from. The town is officially 164 metres above sea level, spreading out on both sides of the river Lågen, which has 3 waterfalls in the central part of the town. It was founded by King Christian IV the year after silver was found here in 1623. On May the 2nd 1624 he consecrated the new town Konningsberg. I 1770 the silver-mining industry employed 4000 people, and Kongsberg was Norway’s second largest town with almost 10 000 inhabitants. This industry produced 1350 tons of pure silver during the 335 years till the production ended in 1958. Today approximately 16 000 citizens live in the central areas. You will find the most attractive sights in the area around the church in Old Kongsberg. At the lower end of the waterfalls you may watch the forces of nature in a new park equipped with tables and benches. If you don’t want to spend the night in town, you may keep on 8 kilometres through the mining areas up to the private Knutehytta (720 m). This will cut next day's stage by the same distance.

STAGE 5: KONGSBERG – SELSLI 21 KM

Kongsberg – The Crowns at Håvet (local road) 2 km The Crowns at Håvet – Knutehytta (trail) 6 km Knutehytta – Selsli (trail) 13 km Altitude difference: 600 m

11 ROYAL CROWNS AND AN OLD MINING COMMUNITY

From Kongsberg church you walk along Kirkegata 300 metres southwards before you turn right at Rogstadbakken over the main road and the railway track, and further uphill along a narrow and steep road called Håvet, until you see the blue Ts just in front of the junction at “Kronene i Håvet” (the crowns at Håvet). This is a bluff where 11 royal crowns from 10 kings and 1 queen from Christian IV to Harald V, who have all visited Kongsberg, are engraved. From here you follow the directions of the signposts heading for Knutehytta. You walk past the abandoned jumping hill at Persløkka on your way up to the alpine centre at Funkelia. Further along the road / trail to the old mining community at Haus Sachsen. According to legend, a bull discovered the first grain of silver in 1623 and showed it to his shepherds. King Christian IV visited the place in 1624, and named the mine ”Kongelig Majestæts Christianus Quartus”, later simply ”The King’s Mine”. The Kongsberg Silver Mining Company (Kongsberg Sølvverk) was in operation until 1957. Then it had become too expensive to excavate the remaining ore. In the forests between Meheia and Kongsberg, however, there are still approximately 300 bigger or smaller mines behind rusty fences. The King’s mine (Kongens gruve), which is the biggest and richest, goes as far as 1070 metres into the ground. Here nuggets of up to 500 kilos could be found. From the mining village you may choose between two marked trails uphill to Knutehytta (720 m), where you can eat and get accommodation for the night. The shortest alternative is to walk across Gyldenløvefjell, but I recommend the somewhat longer trail heading northwest alongside the artificial water canals dating from the mining period. You walk along the eastern and northern shores of Gyldenløvedam and follow the canals heading northwest. The trail goes around the mountain Aksla, and then proceeds southwardly along the southern shore of Stordammen to Knutehytta.

FROM KNUTEHYTTA TO SELSLI

From Knutehytta you proceed westward. You pass Jonsknuten on the southern side. You may take a short deviation to the summit of 904 m with panorama view and a high TV tower. Further westward past Southern and Northern Lisetra. The trail passes the hill Barmsåsen on the northern side before you descend Bjørndalslia. You walk along the northern shores of Gulbrandstjern and Torgeirbuvatn before arriving at the non- service hut Selsli (730 m) with 18 beds at your disposal.

STAGE 6: SELSLI – SIGRIDSBU 20 KM

Selsli – Bolkesjø road junction (trail / forest road) 7 km Bolkesjø – Øygarden (main road 37) 1 km Øygarden – Sigridsbu (forest road / trail) 12 km Altitude difference: 900 m

EASILY DOWNHILL TO BOLKESJØ AND STEEP UP TO BLEFJELL

The trial from the hut proceeds along Selslinatten to Fagervann. Further northwestwards, passing Fisketjønnstulen on the eastern side and Homtjern on the southern side. Finally you reach the forest road, which you follow all the way to Bolkesjø. After walking 1 kilometre along main road 37 in the direction of Rjukan, you turn right at Øygarden along the forest road. Shortly after you have passed the farm, the trail turns left up along the old trail / forest road via Flatliseter and Snipetjørn to Sørstul. From Sørstulsetra steep uphill, at first northwards on the ridge to Surløytenuten, and then westwards to Langedalen. Here you have to decide between the shortest trail up through Langedalen and a 1 km longer and somewhat heavier trail with a marvellous view from the summit of Sigridsfjell south of Sigridstjern. The non- service hut, Sigridsbu (1170 m), has 30 beds.

STAGE 7: SIGRIDSBU – ØVRE FJELLSTUL 25 KM

Sigridsbu – Eriksbu (trail) 12 km Eriksbu – Øvre Fjellstul (trail) 13 km Altitude difference: 230 m

ALONG THE RIDGE OF STOREBLE

The vegetation at Blefjell is varied, although the actual number of plants and animals is rather small. Below the tree line it changes between dry moors where the pine grows, marshes covered by grass and hillsides dominated by birch and spruce. Amidst it all we find the barren ridges of Store-Ble. Typical for this area is that the spruce grows all the way up to the tree line of the mountain. From Sigridsbu the trail first descends northwards to Langedalen before it goes uphill between Tvergrønuten and Bletoppen. Further northwards along the ridge Bleryggen and up on the eastern slopes of Nystølnut and Gråfjell. The trail proceeds via Brørsteinan and along the western slope of Huldrenatten, and via Hjulet (The Wheel) and along the western shore of Blomtjern. Finally across Uverudfjell and down to the non- service hut Eriksbu (945 m) on the northern shore of one of the four lakes named Åklivatna. If you prefer to spend the night here, you have 24 beds at your disposal. In the annex there are 8 additional beds, and in this building dogs are also permitted to spend the night indoors. If you decide not to stay at Eriksbu, the trail proceeds northwestwards along the shores of Åklivatna. The trail leads through barren pine forest through Åkliskaret, west of Åklinuten (1245 m). Further through a somewhat marshy area past Åklistulen and Nystulen and via Svarttjønn to the meadows at Lauvhovd. Then steep uphill to the ridge, but slowly descending on the other side through an area dominated by spruce, past Gunnleiksbu and up to the non- service hut Øvre Fjellstul (815 m) with 16 beds. On the eastern side of the trail, north of the Ble- ridge, you may spot Sørkjevatn. In the northwestern end of the lake is the hut Ålmannbu, which the Nobel price winner Fritjof Nansen owned between 1899 and 1908. In the west you see Gaustadtoppen (1883 m).

STAGE 8: ØVRE FJELLSTUL – DAGGRØ 17 KM

Øvre Fjellstul - Daggrø (trail) 17 km Altitude difference: 230 m

ON THE WATERSHED BETWEEN TINNSJØEN OG NUMEDAL

From the hut at Øvre Fjellstul the trail is heading northwest to river Kvåldalsåi, before going uphill to Spjelsetfjell. Then it mostly follows the county borderline, passing Krokvatn on the eastern side before heading northwards across the isthmus between Ausmannsbutjørn and Ljosvatn. Further along the hill to the west of the three Daggrøtjørnan to the self- service hut Daggrø (980 m) with 14 beds, beautifully situated on the shores of Ragnhildstøltjørn.

STAGE 9: DAGGRØ – LUFSJÅ 22 KM

Daggrø – Killingskardet (trail) 2 km Killingskaret – Slepeskardet (trail) 6 km Slepeskardet – Lufsjå (Nordmannsslepa) 14 km Altitude difference: 350 m

THE BERGEN TRAIL MEETS NORDMANNSSLEPA

From the hut at Daggrø you proceed northwards along the county border to Killingskaret, where the trail crosses the road between Veggli and Tinn. Further along the western shore of Svartetjørn and uphill to Rustnut, proceeding along a minor valley over Storegrønut. On the northern side of the mountain you descend into Slepeskardet, where the trail meets and follows Nordmannsslepa, coming up from Veggli in Numedalen, all the way to Lufsjå. There were in fact a number of ancient trails across Hardangervidda, which were marked with cairns. Many of the old cairns are still intact. They were especially popular between 1650 and 1900. They were named Nordmannsslepe by people in Eastern Norway, because people from Western Norway at that time, usually were called nordmenner. They spent the night in the open air, dressed in their wide raincoats called, ”voksakjolen”. When they lay down on the ground, it was like a small tent. They brought along herds of horses, cows and even pigs across the mountain. Packhorses carried great amounts of wool, homemade clothes, woven items and above all tallow. The reason for this enormous commercial activity was the mining in Kongsberg. Numerous names like Kongsbergnuten, Kongsbergvadet and Kongsberghelleren are evidence of this traffic. Tallow, which was used as lightning in the mines, was in great demand. In the course of two months in 1744 the Silver Mining Company bought 16 200 kg tallow, all carried on horseback across Hardangervidda. The trail proceeds along the western shore of Skirvsjøen, rounds the northern side of Skirveggin på nordsiden and turns northwesterly over Tuva og Heigetilflottin to the mouth of river Lufsjå, which must be crossed either by means of stepping stones or wading. The self- service hut (1235m) lies 300 metres uphill from the southeast end of lake Lufsjå. The view over the open landscape is marvellous. The main building has 12 beds and the annex has 4. The hut has an ample and varied supply of food. Clean water must be carried from a well 20 metres from the hut.

STAGE 10: LUFSJÅ – IMINGFJELL TURISTHEIM 21 KM Lufsjå – Borgsjålia (Nordmannsslepa) 11 km Borgsjålia – Sønstevatn (trail) 8 km Sønstevatn – Imingfjell turistheim (local road) 2 km Altitude difference: 300 m

ABOVE THE TREE LINE

Follow Nordmannsslepa northwards alongside the eastern slope of Lufsjåhovda, west of Ljotetjørnan and uphill the eastern slope of Skålnatten. Proceed northwesterly on the south side of the three lakes Øvåtjørna, then uphill the southern slope of Borgsjåbrotet and downhill in the direction of lake Borgsjå. In the junction Nordmannsslepa turns left towards the lake. Our trail, however turns right northwards along the western slope of Borgsjåbråtet, between the two Sedalstjørnan and downhill Urdelia to the local road at lake Sønstevatn. Proceed along the road the last two kilometres to Imingfjell turistheim. The hut is situated just above the tree line at the northeastern side of Sønstevatn. The hut is usually open from Midsummer until the end of August and also in the weekends in September.

STAGE 11: IMINGFJELL TURISTHEIM – MÅRBU 26 KM Imingfjell turistheim – the western end of Sønstevatn (local road) 9 km Sønstevatn west – Nutebekken (forest road) 3 km Nutebekken – Mårbu (trail) 14 km Altitude difference: 200 m

The first 9 km of to- day’s stage you have to walk along the local road along the northern shore of the regulated Sønstevatn (1029 – 1060 m). At the western end of the lake you turn left on the bridge over the river and follow this forest road 3 km on the southern side of Imingdalen until the road ends at Nutebekken. Proceed on the trail in the slope on the southern side of Vikevatn and downhill to Nedre Afdalstjønne (1103 m). You walk along the northern shore of this lake past Afdalsseter, and the tail proceeds into Afdalen (the Afdal valley) along the shores of Øvre Afdalstjønne. After having passed the watershed, you descend to the two Soltjørnane (Sunny lakes) and Soltjørnstølen, which you pass on the northern side. The last part of this stage goes along the southern slope of Olavarden and downhill to the full- service hut Mårbu, beautifully situated on a point at lake Mårvatn (1121 m). The hut is open during the summer season between July 1st and the middle of September. The hut offers double rooms, a large kitchen for the guests, a large living room with a fireplace and an outdoor hot- tub. There is one daily boat connection to the south end of Mårvatn at Synken, but if you want to get further, you have to order a taxi down to Mæl where Rjukanexpressen takes you to Skien or Oslo.

STAGE 12: MÅRBU – RAUHELLEREN 22 KM Mårbu – Geitvassdalen bridge (trail) 16 km Geitvassdalen bridge – Rauhellern (trail) 6 km Altitude difference: 200 m

AT THE GATEWAY TO NORWAY’S GREATEST NATIONAL PARK After 4 km you cross the border to Hardangervidda nasjonalpark, which is Norway’s greatest national park. Hardangervidda was once totally covered by a glacier, which gradually melted approximately 9 000 years ago. The naked plain was then relatively soon covered by lichen, which provided food for the reindeer. From the winter pastures here on the eastern part of the plain, the large herds of reindeer move westwards in the spring, because the soil here is more fertile with nourishing grass for both reindeer and cattle. It is here the calves are born. In the course of the summer, the reindeer have to escape from the troublesome swarms of gnats and gadflies, and herds of many thousands may gather on the snowdrifts. After the rut, the animals move eastwards to the barren mountains, which are now covered by lichen. It is the access of winter pastures, which limits the number of reindeer on Hardangervidda. Besides being the resort of the largest herds of wild reindeer in Europe, Hardangervidda is also the southernmost outpost for mountain fox, snow eagle and many other species of arctic plants and animals. The hard bedrock in the area where you are walking to day, is a remnant of the more than one billion old mountain country, where the rock disintegrated and the plains were covered by the ocean. Most likely the first humans arrived at Hardangervidda at the same time as the reindeer. Archaeologists have found remnants from about 250 dwellings dating from the Stone Age, the eldest one from approximately 6 300 BC. The hunters probably moved according to the roaming of the reindeer. Hardangervidda was partly covered by forest at that time. Trunks from trees and bones from moose have been found in marshes up to 1300 metres above the sea level. The walking uphill Kosadalen around the northern slope of Kosadalsnutan is easy and the view is marvellous. After having crossed the old trail to Litlos you walk past Festningsnutan and cross the river Numedalslågen on a bridge in Geitvassdalen. On the other side you have to cross a hill and come down to Hansbu at the shores of Langesjøen (1206 m), which you walk along all the way to the full- service hut Rauhellern with 58 beds.

STAGE 13: RAUHELLEREN – SANDHAUG 23 KM Rauhellern – Bakkatjørnbekken (trail) 10 km Bakkatjørnbekken – Sandhaug (trail) 13 km Altitude difference: 100 m

An easy stage with relatively small differences in altitude. You start walking along the northern sshores of Langesjøen, then around the southern creek of Vestre Bakkatjønn, where you have to cross the Bakkatjørn brook. After having crossed the old trail at Nilsbu, you walk across Vombsflatane, another old trail and the hill Eriksbueggi, before descending to the full- serviced hut Sandhaug with 80 beds. The hut is situated at the eastern creek of Normannslågen 1244 metres above the sea level.

STAGE 14: SANDHAUG – HADLASKARD 21 KM Sandhaug – Viersla (trail) 11 km Viersla – Hadlaskard (trail) 10 km Altitude difference: 350 m

Sandhaug is situated in the municipality of Ullensvang, 5 km from the county border between Buskerud and Hordaland. Nevertheless the water of Normannslågen is flowing eastwards to Numedalslågen. The trail follows the northern shore of the lake for another 11 km before it crosses Nordåni on a summer bridge before heading uphill over Grønahæ og Vierslanutane and reaches a junction on the hill above Viersla. From here you can look down on the small isthmus, which is the watershed between Eastern and Western Norway. The next small river, which you have to cross, is the beginning of the westerly bound Veig. The trail goes across the long moraine green fields named Sørfjordingsrindane all the way to the junction of trail to Hedlo. You, however, are heading to Hadlaskard. This trail continues westwards along the southern slope of Grananutene and Kisteskardnuten descending to the Veig valley. The self- service hut Hadlaskard with 30 beds, is situated on a green field at the river Veig (995 m). The old hut was restored in the late 1980s. The hut is provided with everything you need for cooking, cutlery, plates, bedclothes and food. The guests do the cooking themselves and are responsible for washing up and cleaning the hut before they leave. There is no electricity. In the summer the hut is serviced with a person from Bergen Turlag, who among other things is baking bread for sale to the guests.

STAGE 15: HADLASKARD – STAVALI 20 KM Hadlaskard – Fagerli (trail) 4 km Fagerli – Finnabu (trail) 5 km Finnabu – Stavali (trail) 11 km Altitude difference: 230 m

Although we are still inside Hardangervidda nasjonalpark, it is evident that we are now walking in the mountainous Western Norway. The trail starts on a bridge over the river Veig and proceeds uphill on the other side over Skinnfjell and downhill to Olbogo on the bridge at Fagerli. Further northwest uphill the slope on the southern side of Vatnalivatnet past Fantehelleren. You turn right at the junction over the river running into Vatnalivatnet and keep walking to another junction at Finnabu with some fine old stone houses. Bergensstien continues northwest on the northern side of Høgaleitet and Fagradalsbjørnen, along the northern shore of Langavatnet and uphill to the watershed. On the other side you walk downhill Moldbakkane, along the northern shore of Lonavatnet and down to Stavali tourist hut (1024 m) with 82 beds. The farmers have lived with their cattle in summer at Stavali since about 1600-1700. The new Stavali tourist hut was built in 1939 and restored during the 1990s. In July and August the hut is partly serviced by members of Bergen Turlag. They sell homemade local food including beer, wine and bread, and these products must be paid in cash. The rest of the year Stavali is a self- service hut. The hut is provided with everything you need for cooking, cutlery, plates, bedclothes and food. The guests do the cooking themselves and are responsible for washing up and cleaning the hut before they leave.

STAGE 16: STAVALI – KINSARVIK 20 KM Stavali – Nykkjesøy seter (trail) 8 km Nykkjesøy seter – Kinsarvik kraftstasjon (trail / local road) 3 km Kinsarvik water power works – Kinsarvik (local road) 4 km Altitude difference: 1050 m

The trail first follows the footing of Randinuten, then proceeds on a bridge over the river Grøno, further northwest uphill through Botnane and steep down Vierdalen where the river is crossed by a bridge. As it gets steeper, the trail is zigzagging, but it is still easy to walk. Through beautiful fir forest as you get closer to Nykkjesøy seter. The rest of the distance down to through one of the most beautiful and preserved valleys in Western Norway. First you walk past the 243 m high waterfalls Søtefoss (900 m) og Nykkjesøyfoss. Further down the 218 m high Nyastølfoss (400 m) and finally the 200 m high Tveitafossen (200 m). The local road, which is closed for ordinary traffic, starts from the borderline of Hardangervidda nasjonalpark. You may walk along the road or you may follow the marked trail along the river, the last alternative is recommended. The last 4 km from Kinsarvik power station down to Huse and Kinsarvik, however, you have no choice and have to follow the local road. The road from Husedalen ends in a junction with main road 13 at Hardangertun Hyttesenter (53 67 13 13). On the other side of the river you find Kinsarvik Fjordhotell (53 66 74 00) in addition to the tourist office and the local supermarket. Next neighbour to the ferry- berth is Kinsarvik church. It is a medieval stone church from about 1200 AD. Ferry across Hardangerfjorden via Utne to Kvanndal on the other side of the fjord. It is also possible to stay overnight in one of the huts at Kvanndal Camping (56 52 58 80).

STAGE 17: KVANNDAL – RONG 14 KM Kvanndal ferry- berth – Kvanndalen / bridge (forest road) 3 km Kvanndalen – Kvanndalsstølen – Svartetjørni (marked trail) 4 km Svartetjørni – Allmenningane 5 km Allmenningane – Rong (local road) 5 km Alternative route via Lussand to Svartetjørni (main road 7 / forest road) 9 km Alternativ route from Ålvik to Rong 14 km Altitude difference: 770 m

Kvanndal could only be reached by boat until 1945. The name derives from the herb kvann, which formerly was used as a drug and was grown in large kvann- fields. This stage may look short and simple, but you must be prepared for a very steep part uphill from the bottom of Kvanndal up to Kvanndalsstølen. But, as I have mentioned, there are also two alternative routes. From the ferry- berth in Kvanndal you walk along the gravel road along the west side of the camping site, until after 500 metres, you come to placard showing some of the routes, which Granvin Turlag have marked in the mountain on both sides of Kvanndalen. Proceed slightly uphill the beautiful valley past the valley station of the pulley up to Kvanndalsstølen. At the bridge across the river, follow the blue- marked track in the direction of Lussand and further very steep uphill to Kvanndalsstølen (580 m) and from there a couple of kilometres past Kvanndalsvatnet and almost down to the north end of Svartetjørni (550 m). If you suffer from fear for heights, you may choose the alternative route from Kvanndal westward along the fjord on main road 7, and take the forest road uphill from Lussand to the junction of The Salt Road, approximately 1 km ahead of Kvanndalsstølen. The main road is narrow, and you have to walk through a 60 metres long tunnel just before you have to leave the main road at Lussand, but the traffic is rather small early in the morning. It is steep uphill the forest road from Lussand too, but along this route it is no problem, even for people with fear for heights. You will find a placard about 500 metres after you have turned off from the main road. This alternative route is, however 2 kilometres longer than the shortest one through Kvanndalen. The trail between Lussand and Rong is named The Salt Road (Saltvegen). Here the salt was carried on horseback from Hardanger to Rong. The trail northwards from the junction at Svartetjørni is marked only with 200 years old cairns, which are restored by members of the local Granvin Turlag. The trail proceeds uphill to 770 m past many mavellous viewpoints. After having passed the border between the communes Granvin and Voss, there are no more cairns in the open landscape downhill to the farms and huts at Almenningane (590 m). The last 5 kilometres across the watershed between Kvanndalen and Bordalen goes along the local gravel road down to the privately owned Rong Fjellstove Rongastovo (56 51 72 00). If you don’t feel for walking on roads, there is in fact also a third alternative. Then you have to take the bus from Kvanndal 13 km westwards to Ålvik. Information about the time table is available at the tourist office at Kinsarvik. From Ålvik there is a red- marked trail, which, although steep, should cause no problems, across Grubbefjellet (1050 m) and down to Rong.

STAGE 18: RONG – TORFINNSHEIM 22 KM Rong – Kollset (road / forest road) 3 km Kollset – Storavatnet (cairned trail) 5 km Storavatnet – Timaglaset (cairned trail) 6 km Timaglaset – Torfinnsheim (marked trail) 8 km Altitude difference: 870 m

This stage is the real challenge of the Bergen trial. It is not recommendet to walk this stage unless the weather is fine and you are familiar with reading a map the using a compass. From Rong to Kollset you start walking 1,5 km along the asphalt road, before you turn left uphill the forest road to Kollset. From Kollset cairned trail uphill through Storedalen to Storevatnet. Further uphill across the mountain range Skjemmene (1250 m) and downhill to Torfinnsdalen. It was here in Torfinnsdalen that Fridtjof Nansen was training before he crossed the Greenland glacier by ski in 1888- 89. Proceed to Timaglaset (The Sandglass) where you meet the trail from Voss. Timaglaset is a huge stone shaped like a sandglass. It was left where it is to- day after the last ice age with the narrow end pointing downwards, looking as if it is going to tip over any moment. You also find it in the badge of Voss Utferdslag which built the cairns across Skjemmene during the summer 2009. At the south end of Slåttabakktjørnet you can see a board put up to commemorate for reindeer hunters who lost their lives whwn they were surprised by bad weather in 1950. The trail passes Torfinnsvannet along its northern shore to the non- service hut, Torfinnsheim, with electricity and water inside and 32 beds.

STAGE 19: TORFINNSHEIM – VENDING 20 KM Torfinnsheim – Hodnaberg (marked trail) 2 km Hodnaberg – Botnadalen (marked trail) 12 km Botnadalen – Vending (marked trail) 6 km Altitude difference: 320 m

From Torfinnsheim uphill across the ridge and steep downhill to Hodnaberg or Hornaberg at lake Hamlagrøvatnet (598 m). Further along the eastern shore of the lake past the hydro- electric power station, which gets its water from Torfinnsvannet through a 831 metres long turbine tube along the hillside. Part of the power station is built inside the mountain. Torfinnsvannet has a storage capacity of 177 million cubic metres. The water in Torfinnsvannet normally flows in the river Vosso, but has been transferred by regulation to the Bergsdal river. The power station has been in operation since 1953 and is equipped with two turbines of totally 30 MW. The average yearly production is GWh. Proceed further southwards uphill to the watershed at the upper end of Flatabødalen, which end by the sea at Botnen in Fyksesund. At the junction you follow the trail to Vending over to and along the southern shores of Blåkollvatnet before you come to a new junction at the upper end of Botnadalen. Just keep walking according to the directions of the signposts to Vending at all the junctions. The hut at Vending was opened in 2007. It is self- serviced and has 29 senger.

STAGE 20: VENDING – HØGABU 13 KM Vending – Trongasmogtjørni (marked trail) 5 km Trongasmogtjørni – The outlet of Øvre Dukavatnet (marked trail) 3 km The outlet of Øvre Dukavatnet – Høgabu (marked trail) 5 km Altitude difference: 200 m

From Vending downhill to the shores of Søyevatnet, which you follow for a short distance. After having crossed a small hill and passed the hut in Kjerringadalen, the trail goes uphill through Eastern Trongasmog before you descend to the junction at the outlet of Trongasmogtjørni. Follow the signpost to Høgabu and proceed northwards over the watershed and downhill on the other side to and along the western shores of Øvre Dukavatnet. You cross the old military road and stick to the signposts to Høgabu. Keep walking uphill across Bukkafjellet to the self- service hut Høgabu (900 m). The hut was built in 1937 and has 24 beds, partly in the main building and partly in a smaller annex. If you prefer to walk all the way to Bergen, you may turn left in the junction at the outlet of Trongasmogtjørni, and follow the trail 3 km downhill to the outlet of Holmavatnet. From here you have to walk 16 km along a local road to Samnanger, where you can spend the night at the motel. Next morning you first have to walk 7 km along main road 7, then turn left in the road junction and take he trail uphill on the southern slope of Gullfjellet and downhill on the other side to Bjørndalen and Espeland. Here you cross main road 580 and walk uphill across the mountain ridge and downhill via Ulriken to the centre of Bergen. This last stage is about 27 km long.

STAGE 21: HØGABU – VAKSDAL STATION 17 KM Høgabu – Herfindal (marked trail) 10 km Herfindal – Vaksdal station (local road) 7 km Altitude difference: 900 m

From the hut southwestwards along the watercourse. From the end of the last lake a little uphill westwards to some small tarns, then out along the ridge and down to Herfangen. Along the northern shore of the lake, under the high tension power line, uphill along a plain with several tarns, past Buhellervatn and downhill Budalen. Cross the river on the bridge before the trail goes steep downhill to Herfendal. This trail has been called Fantestien (The Tramp Trail) for ages. From Herfindal 7 km steep downhill on a local road to Vaksdal station. The local train to Bergen leaves from Vaksdal approximately every second hour and takes 30 minutes.