Odda, Vestland, NorwayWhen we finally did drag ourselves from the Sauda Fjord campsite, visited a couple of other sites in Sauda:
Hollandsfoss Falls cascades through a narrow gorge just north of town.
Allmannajuvet Gorge & Museum about 10 minute drive west on 520. Parking lot at the Viewpoint-Information area next to the Storelva river. Signs explaining the mining history and museum construction.
Hollandsfoss Falls cascades through a narrow gorge just north of town.
Allmannajuvet Gorge & Museum about 10 minute drive west on 520. Parking lot at the Viewpoint-Information area next to the Storelva river. Signs explaining the mining history and museum construction.
- The abandoned zinc mines used from 1881-1899 inspired architect Peter Zumthor to create yet another historical art installation along the National Tourist Routes. to embody the story of the mines, the simplistic buildings are inspired by the mining operation, the drudgery and the workers’ strenuous everyday lives. The installation consists of a museum building, a café building, toilet and parking facilities, paths and stairs,
Stairs from parking lot up to museum buildings. The path goes above Storelva river along Allmann Gorge from museum buildings to the mine itself. Even though it's not open for tours at this time of year, enjoyed seeing the area.
Fabulous views along the gorge to Hellandsbygda. Extremely scenic area!
Complete change to high barren mountain landscape. Moon-like rocky scenery with lots of tiny pot-hole lakes.
Memorial to Knut Vesthassel, who was responsible for extending the road we drove today - from this point all the way south to Sauda.
Svartavatnet lake elevation of 4042'-nice pullover by the dam.
Spent lots of time stopping for the amazing photo spots on this sunny day. Incredible reflections in the perfectly still water.
Construction at Roldal tunnel. That's why we just had so many cars at one time. 15-minute wait because of one-lane being closed. Passed the time talking to the funny young guy directing traffic. North on Rv13.
Fabulous views along the gorge to Hellandsbygda. Extremely scenic area!
Complete change to high barren mountain landscape. Moon-like rocky scenery with lots of tiny pot-hole lakes.
Memorial to Knut Vesthassel, who was responsible for extending the road we drove today - from this point all the way south to Sauda.
Svartavatnet lake elevation of 4042'-nice pullover by the dam.
Spent lots of time stopping for the amazing photo spots on this sunny day. Incredible reflections in the perfectly still water.
Construction at Roldal tunnel. That's why we just had so many cars at one time. 15-minute wait because of one-lane being closed. Passed the time talking to the funny young guy directing traffic. North on Rv13.
Fjaera. Detour to see one of Norway's best waterfalls. Piravik Rest Stop at head of Akrafjord. Only a few minutes away from the falls. Perfect photo stop.
Langfossen: right next to road. Large well-signed car park near the base of the falls. Below parking lot, nice walkway along Akrafjord with picnic tables and a Geo Park. Impressive display of rocks from the area.
Fifth highest waterfall in Norway, 2007' high. AWESOME sight seeing the water cascading down the towering mountain like a bridal veil before pouring into the Åkrafjod. Can really appreciate the size of falls from up close.
Water level very low so waterfalls were not at their most dramatic.
About 20 minutes to the next waterfall.
Latefossen: Very small car park northwest side of bridge right off the road. Challenge getting a parking spot. Beautiful twin falls that merge into one massive stream flowing under the 150-year-old arc bridge.
Spectacular scenery and more waterfalls along this fifteen-minute drive to Odda. Took us twice as long for all the scenic stops - and we did it again the next morning leaving Odda.
Vidfossen: No pullouts. Luckily, in the morning there were no cars so could stop on the road to see it. Spreads out like a fan into multiple streams as it reaches the bottom of the hill.
Several more waterfalls visible from the road. No wonder this area is known as "the Valley of Waterfalls."
Pullout along Sandvevatnet lake south of Odda. Awesome views of this picturesque town surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
Langfossen: right next to road. Large well-signed car park near the base of the falls. Below parking lot, nice walkway along Akrafjord with picnic tables and a Geo Park. Impressive display of rocks from the area.
Fifth highest waterfall in Norway, 2007' high. AWESOME sight seeing the water cascading down the towering mountain like a bridal veil before pouring into the Åkrafjod. Can really appreciate the size of falls from up close.
Water level very low so waterfalls were not at their most dramatic.
About 20 minutes to the next waterfall.
Latefossen: Very small car park northwest side of bridge right off the road. Challenge getting a parking spot. Beautiful twin falls that merge into one massive stream flowing under the 150-year-old arc bridge.
Spectacular scenery and more waterfalls along this fifteen-minute drive to Odda. Took us twice as long for all the scenic stops - and we did it again the next morning leaving Odda.
Vidfossen: No pullouts. Luckily, in the morning there were no cars so could stop on the road to see it. Spreads out like a fan into multiple streams as it reaches the bottom of the hill.
Several more waterfalls visible from the road. No wonder this area is known as "the Valley of Waterfalls."
Pullout along Sandvevatnet lake south of Odda. Awesome views of this picturesque town surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
ODDA: Sandwiched on a narrow piece of land between the Sørfjorden and the Sandvinvatnet glacial lake, with a gushing river running through it, the town is overlooked by snow-clad mountains and craggy rock formations.
Scenic beauty quite impressive along the drive through the city to the north end of town. Checked out Camp Lothepus, a "parking lot" campground right on the fjord. Couldn't find anyone to talk to about getting a camping spot, plus it's right in the busy tourist center. Drove back to the south end of town to the other campground.
Scenic beauty quite impressive along the drive through the city to the north end of town. Checked out Camp Lothepus, a "parking lot" campground right on the fjord. Couldn't find anyone to talk to about getting a camping spot, plus it's right in the busy tourist center. Drove back to the south end of town to the other campground.
TROLLTUNGA CAMPING - 1 night
Nice little campground surrounded by nature - grassy sites, lots of trees, next to Sandvevatnet lake.
The huge rock along the campground's edge is called Skipheller, the largest rock in Norway, a remembrance from the ice age. Great walkway from the campground along the lake.
Nice little campground surrounded by nature - grassy sites, lots of trees, next to Sandvevatnet lake.
The huge rock along the campground's edge is called Skipheller, the largest rock in Norway, a remembrance from the ice age. Great walkway from the campground along the lake.
Sept 8:
Morning walk from campground at dawn along the walkway that goes from the lake into town:
Old historic 1898 Vastjun Bridge over the Opa river. This pedestrian-only bridge was a perfect place to watch the fast flowing water rushing over the rocky rapids as it goes from Sandvinvatnet lake down through Odda into Sorfjorden.
Opo river viewpoint, along the road high above town. Awesome view of the gushing river running down through town and the golden hour lighting up the mountain tops.
Back to the campground to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some time by this beautiful lake.
Morning walk from campground at dawn along the walkway that goes from the lake into town:
Old historic 1898 Vastjun Bridge over the Opa river. This pedestrian-only bridge was a perfect place to watch the fast flowing water rushing over the rocky rapids as it goes from Sandvinvatnet lake down through Odda into Sorfjorden.
Opo river viewpoint, along the road high above town. Awesome view of the gushing river running down through town and the golden hour lighting up the mountain tops.
Back to the campground to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some time by this beautiful lake.
2025-05-22