Apartment Dreamvalley
Åndalsnes / Isfjorden
Norway
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Holiday apartment "Dreamvalley"
Dalsbygdvegen 37
6320 Isfjorden
Norway
Phone: 0047 93814403
... where the mountains are high and mighty, fjords deep and rivers crystal clear; where rugged peaks harmonize perfectly with romantic valleys and form this incomparably beautiful landscape that can hardly be found more beautiful in Norway.
Location:
- Central western Norway, on the Romsdalsfjord
- Administrative province (county) Møre og Romsdal, Rauma municipality
- Next major cities:
Åndalsnes, Molde, Kristiansund, Ålesund
- Distance to Oslo: approx. 6 hours by car
- Distance to the North Cape: 1947 km, approx. 26 hours by car :-)
The idyllic village of Isfjorden is located on the banks of the Icefjord ( Isfjord ), the foothills of the Romsdalsfjord. A wide valley, the Isa river (right outside the front door), meadows and forests and of course the countless peaks of the " Romsdal Alps " characterize the image of Paradise Bay , as Isfjorden is affectionately known by the locals.
Isfjorden is an ideal starting point for excursions to the most beautiful and famous sights of Norway, some of which are right on the doorstep.
The apartment itself is located in the basement of my house in the interior of the valley.
Away from traffic and noise, just a few minutes' walk from meadows and forests, you can enjoy the peace and quiet and the uniquely beautiful landscape. However, there are shops in the immediate vicinity - the supermarket and post office can be reached in 15 minutes on foot.
View of Isfjorden. The red circle is the apartment :-)
Åndalsnes with further shops, petrol stations, restaurants and the train station is only 7 minutes away by car - a wonderful trip along the fjord with great views.
View of Åndalsnes, with the Rampestrekken viewing platform
View of Åndalsnes from the "rampestrekken" viewing platform on the local mountain.
There are endless possibilities for hiking - from relaxed "walking straight" along the fjord (or by bike, great too!!), slightly uphill or scrambling for hours on the mountain ridges - everything is possible.
Yes, you can also swim in Norway in summer - in the fjord against the beautiful backdrop of the Romsdal Alps.
Holidays are not only worthwhile in summer. The incredibly beautiful backdrop of the snow-covered mountains, fantastic skiing conditions and that very special "Nordic" feeling make the heart of every winter sports fan beat faster.
Here are some photos of my winter guests. Cool, right?
**I'm jealous** (but I'm too scared :-/
Excursion destinations / sights:
---> Geirangerfjord
---> river Rauma
---> Atlantic Road
---> Farstad sands
---> Hustadvika
---> Molde
---> Alesund
There are also descriptions for all points! Please be patient - it will! :-)
Trollroad
Åndalsnes, travel time from the apartment: approx. 20 minutes
- 11 hairpin turns, 10% incline / decline
- Opened in 1936 after 8 years of construction
- open from mid-May to October (depending on the weather)
- demanding route through curves and
mostly single lane
- 3 peaks: Bispen (Bishop -1450 m), Kongen (King-
1614 m), Dronninga (Queen 1701 m)
- 2 waterfalls: Tverdalsfossen and Stigfossen
- Stigfossen bridge made of natural stone
The spectacular Trollroad (TROLLSTIGEN), which can best be crossed with a Troll Ladder or Trollsteig, wind up from Isterdal to Stigrøra Pass at 858 meters above sea level. It is the busiest scenic route in Norway.
It is fair to say that this engineering masterpiece is hand-built. There was only a little dynamite available, with which the streets were blasted out of the granite or laid on rock ledges. Several hundred workers and engineers were involved in the construction for eight summers. Ten of the curves are named after the foreman of the work team who was responsible for building the respective curve.
Kløvstien, which leads from the foot to the plateau, is part of the former mule track that led over the pass. Olav the saint, Norwegian king from 1015-1028, walked on it with his entourage. Today you can walk in the footsteps of the medieval traders and walk (and sometimes climb) up to the Trollstigen plateau.
The Trollstigen are closed in winter - walls of snow up to 5 meters high make it impossible to drive on. From the beginning of April until the opening around the middle of May, the serpentines are cleared using heavy machines equipped with high-performance technology. These fight their way to the plateau with millimeter precision and only with GPS as an aid in several weeks:
And this is what the troll ladder looks like after the clearance, before the opening. You have to wait until all the ice has come off the surrounding rock before you can open the barrier and make it accessible to the public. But then there's no stopping ... Skiers in shorts storm the peaks, families laugh at a snowball fight and then continue to swim in the fjord! It's just ... gigantic !!
One of the highlights of this trip is definitely the crossing of the Stigfossen waterfall over the Stigfossen bridge . The waterfall cracks deafeningly with 320 m free fall spraying gout right next to the vehicle. The Tverdalsfossen on the left is a few meters higher, but by far not as spectacular as the Stigfossen.
The two carry the most water in May and early June, when the snow melts. Also one of the many reasons why I would go on vacation to Norway in May!
With a little luck and in good weather conditions, you can also discover one or the other hidden troll.
But be careful! Not for nothing is warned about the legendary figures at the foot of the Trollstigen ... you enter their "sanctuary" ;-)
The large viewing platform, which can be easily reached on foot from the parking lot, protrudes 200 m over a cliff edge. From here there is a wonderful view of the Trollstigen and the Istertal. You can even see as far as Åndalsnes harbor.
The Trollroad - an absolute MUST DO on a Norway tour -
and only about 20 minutes drive from the apartment!
Troll wall and troll battlements
Åndalsnes, travel time from the apartment: approx. 20 minutes
The rockface "Trollwall" ("Troll Face") is Europe's highest steep face. It belongs to the Trolltindene (Trollzinnen) massif and rises 1,800 meters above the valley floor of the Romsdal. The vertical part of the wall is up to 1000 meters high and overhangs up to 50 meters.
Several climbing routes lead through the wall. One of these routes is the "Trollryggen" route and, at 3.5 km, the longest climbing route in Europe. It was first climbed in 1958 by Arne Randers Heen and Ralph Høibakk. With this they wrote climbing history, because they were the first climbers in Norway to spend the night on a wall.
The Troll Face, i.e. the steep face itself, was considered to be invincible for a long time. But in 1965 a Norwegian and an English team managed to climb the wall within 13 and 12 days, respectively, on different routes, with the Norwegian team at the summit one day earlier. However, the route of the English rope team ( Rimmon Route ) is considered the more popular ascent.
In 1974, Poles climbed the wall on the Franske ruta for the first time in winter for 13 days; four years later it was first freely climbed by 2 local climbers, including a woman.
Today there are 14 world-famous climbing routes; however, several of them were almost completely destroyed or their character completely changed in the great stone avalanche in 1998, which could still be measured with 2.2 on the Richter scale in Finland. Even today there are always smaller and larger stone avalanches that make life difficult for both athletes and residents. On September 16, 2015, 200,000 m³ of rock rushed into the valley - in the upper part of the massif with 900 m of free fall.
In 1980, the Finn Jorma Øster was the first parachutist to fall from the Troll Wall and heralded a new era. However, this should only last 6 years, because after several deaths and countless time-consuming and expensive rescue operations, jumping off the wall was banned - and it is still today. But like everything that is forbidden, it still attracts jumpers from all over the world to the Troll Wall every year, who defy the unpredictable winds and the prohibition - and every year there are accidents, some of which are fatal. Sometimes the trolls have no mercy ...
Norsk Tindesenter + Via Ferrata
Norway's battlements (summit) center
Åndalsnes, driving time from the apartment: approx. 8 minutes
Where should a mountaineering visitor center be - if not in Åndalsnes? It is not for nothing that Åndalsnes is known as the mountaineering capital of Norway and is considered the cradle of climbing.
The Norsk Tindesenter is dedicated to leisure activities in the mountains and offers visitors many exciting experiences. The breathtaking Romsdal with its rocks and peaks is internationally known among climbers, and the 21-meter-high climbing wall of the Norsk Tindesenter is the highest in Norway. But there are also some easier climbing routes and walls, as well as a bouldering cave for beginners and children. The 60 different climbing routes have different levels of difficulty for all ages and ability levels.
In addition, the building, which is reminiscent of a large sail, houses a museum in which the history of mountaineering is presented with many original exhibits. The exhibition is designed to be lively. So you can experience what it is like to hang in a small tent in the middle of the steep wall ... or how about the experience of a parachute jump? All of this is possible in the Tindesenteret. In the cafe or the restaurant with a fantastic view of the fjord, you can simply relax and review your experiences.
In addition, the Tindesenter is the starting point for the spectacular climbing experience Romsdalsstigen Via Ferrata .
The Romsdalsstigen can be hiked on 2 different routes: Introveggen (beginner's wall) - it fits the vast majority, and Vestveggen (west wall) for experienced mountaineers. The right equipment can be borrowed; also geguidete tours are available.
Feel the wind in your hair and the tingling in your stomach
when you enjoy the unique view and are intoxicated by the success of your climbing adventure!
In the video the
Beginner wall ....
... and the west wall for the professionals.
Awesome, isn't it?
Romsdalseggen
Åndalsnes, driving time from the apartment: approx. 8 minutes
The impressive Romsdalseggen mountain range attracts visitors with an incomparable view of the fantastic mountain landscape of the Romsdalen region. When the weather is nice, you can even see the Atlantic! Depending on the route, the 10 to 12 km long hike takes about 8 hours and is not for the "normal" walker. Depending on the degree of difficulty of the three different routes, it is recommended for good, experienced hikers or mountaineers who are in the appropriate condition. Not suitable for children under 10 years, as there are quite a few difficult passages to overcome.
You should also leave fear of heights at home, because at the highest points you are about 1300 m above sea level, and next to unpaved footpaths, the rocks fall straight down to 1000 m!
All routes are marked. Some difficult passages are secured with steel stairs that blend harmoniously into the landscape.
The "Romsdalseggen" mountain hike is now considered the most beautiful in Norway and attracts many thousands of mountain enthusiasts from all over the world every summer.
There is much more information HERE.
Season: around July 1st - September 30th
Romsdal stairs & Rampestrekken
Åndalsnes, driving time from the apartment: approx. 8 minutes
The Romsdalstreppe and the new lookout ramp Treken have catapulted the shortest possible time to the top of the most popular attractions. The well-developed hiking trail that leads up to the Rampestreken lookout point offers numerous spectacular views.
The tour is a mountain hike, which is easy to manage for people with normal training. However, it has some very steep passages; sturdy shoes are an absolute must!
The view from the narrow platform built high above the mountainside is just fantastic. One looks down to Åndalsnes, into the Romsdal and across the entire Romsdalsfjord.
Only people with an extreme fear of heights may not really be able to enjoy this breathtaking view ...
If you have a "normal" average level of fitness, you should plan around two to two and a half hours to get to the ramp and back. Untrained people need at least an hour more. The tour all the way up to Nesakla takes about another half hour.
Rauma Railway
Åndalsnes, driving time from the apartment: approx. 8 minutes
If you have a "normal" average level of fitness, you should plan around two to two and a half hours to get to the ramp and back. Untrained people need at least an hour more. The tour all the way up to Nesakla takes about another half hour.
A ride on the Rauma Railway is a unique opportunity to experience some of Norway's most spectacular landscapes up close. The train takes you from the wonderful fjords to the wild mountains in just one hour and 40 minutes. All you have to do is lean back, look through the large windows and enjoy the journey through a landscape that leads through wild splendor and impressive contrasts.
If you have a "normal" average level of fitness, you should plan around two to two and a half hours to get to the ramp and back. Untrained people need at least an hour more. The tour all the way up to Nesakla takes about another half hour.
If you have a "normal" average level of fitness, you should plan around two to two and a half hours to get to the ramp and back. Untrained people need at least an hour more. The tour all the way up to Nesakla takes about another half hour.
Rauma Railway
Åndalsnes, driving time from the apartment: approx. 8 minutes
Voted Europe's most beautiful train journey by Lonely Planet!
A ride on the Rauma Railway is a unique opportunity to experience some of Norway's most spectacular landscapes up close. The train takes you from the wonderful fjords to the wild mountains in just one hour and 40 minutes. All you have to do is lean back, look through the large windows and enjoy the journey through a landscape that leads through wild splendor and impressive contrasts.
The railway line was put into operation in 1924 after 12 years of construction and more than 14 million man-hours. On its 114-kilometer stretch from Dombås to Åndalsnes, the Rauma Railway crosses 38 bridges to cope with the difference in altitude (Åndalsnes 0 meters above sea level - Dombås 659 meters above sea level), including one of Norway's most famous bridges, the Kylling bru . You can often see them on calendar sheets or postcards.
During the Second World War , the route was used for military and gold transports. In 1940 the Norwegian gold reserves were brought from Oslo to the sea and from there to the United States and Great Britain . Attempts by the German troops to make the route unusable by blowing bridges when retreating from Norway in 1944 failed.
Fortunately - because to this day the Raumabahn is one of the most beautiful train routes in Europe.
Incidentally, with the Rauma-railway you have a direct train connection to Oslo. So if you arrive by plane you can travel to Åndalsnes directly from the airport - the train station is only one floor below the arrival hall. And vice versa, of course.
A great way to start your vacation relaxed and with spectacular views!
Rødven stave church
Rødven, driving time from the apartment: about 30 minutes
Rødven Stave Church is one of 27 surviving stave churches - out of a total of over 2000. Many stave churches disappeared after the outbreak of the plague in the 14th century and during the Reformation. Around 1650 there were still around 270 stave churches, and in the following 100 years another 100 of these structures disappeared. Stave churches are among the most important examples of medieval timber architecture in Europe. The decoration of the churches is a fascinating mix of Christian and pagan symbols from the Viking Age.
They all have something in common: the corner masts (“rods”) and a framework with wall planks resting on sleepers. These walls are also called stave walls - hence the name stave church.
Rødven Stave Church was built around 1200. However, excavations in 1962 indicate that there was a much older building on the same site. This is also proven by the remains of a Viking longhouse in the adjacent cemetery.
The church has a north and a south portal, the latter made of interlaced semi-columns with archivolts and leaf tendril carvings. The interior of the church was painted in the 17th and 18th centuries. The church has a life-size Gothic crucifix from the second half of the 13th century, which probably originally came from the chancel opening (triumphal arch) and has since been called the triumphal cross.
A centuries-old cemetery surrounds the venerable wooden building, the oldest graves are children's graves from the 17th century.
This church is definitely worth a visit - in the summer season it is open to tourists from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.; there are also guided tours.
Geirangerfjord
Geiranger, travel time from the apartment: approx. 2 hours
Ferry Linge - Eidsdal
The 15 km long spectacular fjord impresses with wild nature, steep rock faces and almost vertical waterfalls, including the world-famous Seven Sisters.
Formed during the Ice Age around 2.5 million years ago, the Geirangerfjord is one of the most famous fjords in Norway and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
On the steep slopes of the fjord you can still see some now abandoned farms, some at dizzying heights. Some of the farms and alpine huts, which have now been partially restored, were previously only accessible via ladders. Nevertheless, farming was worthwhile in this area back then, as the mild climate with (in summer) almost 24 hours of sunshine on the fjord meant that even southern fruits such as apricots could be harvested.
Today the farms are among the most important cultural and historical sites in the region.
What to do in Geiranger? First you drive over the Adlerkehren (11 hairpin bends) into the valley and stop at the viewing platform. Would you like to go on a kayak or boat tour? Or hiking to one of the old mountain farms?
In the Fjordsenter you can experience up close the history of the Geirangerfjord, its creation, the difficult lives of the farmers and, in a film, the fjord as it changes through the seasons. You can also buy regional culinary delicacies there, such as muleberry jam.
It's also worth taking a trip to the 1500 m high Dalsnibba peak, past the Flydals Gorge, which offers a great view of the fjord.
My recommendation: A full day trip from Isfjorden via the Trollstigen and the Valldal to Geiranger, ferry to Hellesylt and from there back to Åndalsnes.