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Close to the cabins
The cabins are situated right on the border of Nærøyfjorden landscape protection area, with a magnificent view straight into the valley creating the very gateway to the World Heritage area, entered in UNESCOs World Heritage List in 2005. Right ahead, the characteristic peak Jordalsnuten, background for some of Per Sivles poetry and stories.
Gudvangen and Nærøyfjord
Ten kilometres down valley is Gudvangen at the very end of Nærøyfjord. The wildest and most beautiful side arm of Sognefjord, is 17 km long, and only 250 metres wide on its narrowest. More than 25 larger or smaller waterfalls drops down the mountain sides. Steep mountians climb higher than 1500 meters above sea level. This landcape was alongside with Geirangerfjord at Sunnmøre chosen to represent Vest Norwegian fjords on UNESCOs World Heritage List. Large portions of the area is untouched nature without technical installations.
Mountain for multiple purposes
As far as your eyes can see, and miles beyond, the mountains around our cabins consist of a white species of rock, anhortosit. The quantity is so huge that you must go to the Moon to find a larger consentration. On the outside, the white stone is dark, exposed to light and weather.
From a shelf high up on the skyline, a skydiver, or several, shoots out with or without bird suit. The base jumpers release their parachute at the last minute. Næyøydalen is an Eldorado for base jumping and other extreme sports.
A unique piece of Norwegian road history
Right below the cabins the old main road decends steeply through 13 narrow hairpin bends down Stalheimskleiva, with spray from Sivlefossen waterfall on one side, while Stalheimsfossen waterfall drops 126 metres free fall on the other side. Incredibly, this narrow, twisted and extremely steep road at one stage was classed as European highway. Today it is a road museum, but can be experienced by tourist coach, car or MC in the summer season.
Experience the fiord and World Heritage at close range
Ten kilometres away, at Gudvangen at the head of Nærøyfjorden, you can hire kayak for fiord kayaking under steep mountains in the summer. Do not be surpriced if a Viking ship turns up among modern boats, ferries and cruiseliners on the fiord. Enthusiasts keeping up Viking traditions, gather at Gudvangen every summer, bringing Viking ships as authentic as they can be built today, manned by "genuine" Vikings.
Protected natural phenomenon
Across the narrow fiord near Nærøy church at Bakka, a tiny quay invites you ashore at Bleiklindi, in the middle of nowhere. The name Bleiklindi originates for a linden tree (Tilia cordata), that is a real natural phenomenon, growing right above the quay. This particular tree has yellow leaves in the spring, turning green towards the autumn, quite opposite to other trees. Bleiklindi is so rare that the tree was protected by Royal resolution in 1910. The protection sign is still there to be seen.
Royal Post Route
From Bleiklindi to Styvi farm the path along the fiord is restored. This is a portion of the ancient Royal Post Road between Bergen and Oslo. Styvi is still listed with a post office and zip code. Annually the 5 kilometres Kings Road march is gathering keen hikers. The museum in Styvi barn a combined rowing boat and sledge is on display. The combination provided the postman safe fiord crossing on unsafe ice.
Cabins and holiday houses
Dyrdal is the small place across the fiord from Styvi. Dyrdal is deserted at winter time, but popular in the summer. People with roots here, keep their properties for summer accommodation. The road stretches several kilometres up the valley beyond.
Lively in the fjord
Solløysa (sunless) is a spot on the shore of Nærøyfjord where the sun never shines. Nobody live here, but not far away the seals are sunbathing. The seals, on dry land or in the sea, are admired by kayakers and tourists sailing past, but not appreciated by the salmon fishers in Nærøydalselva river.
Farms high up
The mountain Beitelen forms the partition between Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord. When Beitelen is passed, you have to look high up the mountain sides to find the tiny farms. Stigen is easy to see, Nedberget more difficult on the opposite side. From Undredal people have settled near the fiord. Goat cheese, brown as well as white, is sold at the Undredal shop.
Join a Nutshell excursion
At Flåm the Nutshell passengers step ashore and travel by train up the steep railway to Myrdal, and onwards with a Bergen-line train to Voss. Voss – Gudvangen is run by bus via Stalheim. From here you can organize your own Nutshell excursion.
Flåmsbana
For most people Flåmsbana is the main attraction of the Norway in a Nutshell excursion. Flåmsbana is a side line from Oslo - Bergen railway line. It is 20 km long, has 20 tunnels and was built in 20 years. In the very steep part below the top station of Myrdal (867 meter above sea level) the line runs in bends inside the mountain. The breathtaking view of the valley changes again and again between the windows on the right and the left side of the train. Only Hunrückbahn in Germany is steeper in Europe. The train crosser the river three times, without any bridge. Instead the water from the river is led through a tunnel, and the railway line crosses the dry river gorge on a stone filling. Flåmsbana has become one of Norways most visited tourist attractions, with more than 600.000 passengers a year. In high season the passenger can enjoy a brief show below the beautiful Kjosfossen waterfall, where two actors play the parts of one singing wood nymth
Fiord cruise and speedy rib
Sailing on the Nærøyfjord avd Aurlandsfjord is also a grand experience. A variety of boats offers minicruise between Gudvangen and Flåm, slow ferries and motorboats and speedier catamarans. If you can't have enough of speed, excitement and fresh sea breeze against your face, the answer is to book a fiord rafting ride in at rib-boat.