Trip to Sognefjorden

Part two - Sognefjorden and Sognedal



A beautiful extension of the second largest fjord in the world it is surrounded by the Jotunheimen Mountains and intercedes with the Jotunheimen National Park. In earlier times the fjord was the easiest way to head from Skolden at the opening of the Sognefjord all the way to Bergen. Fishermen and merchants traversed this beautiful landscape monthly to transport foreign goods as well as Norway's famous Cod fish to the inner realms of the picturesque country. Sognefjord, located in southwestern part of Norway is the world’s longest fjord. This deep fjord lies in the heart of the Norwegian fjord country and extends more than 200 km (120 miles) inland. The region where this deep fjord meets the glaciers and Norway’s highest mountains is considered one of the world's most beautiful travel destinations.













The fjord reaches a maximum depth of 1,308 m below sea level. The greatest depths are found some way inland: near its mouth, the bottom rises abruptly to a sill about 100m below sea level. The average width of the main branch of the Sognefjord is about three miles. Cliffs surrounding the fjord rise almost sheer from the water to heights of 1000 m and more.



NærøyfjordBoats connect settlements along the fjord and its sidearms. Towns on the fjord and its branches include Balestrand, Gudvangen and Flåm. Gudvangen is situated on Nærøyfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord particularly noted for its unspoilt nature and dramatic scenery ([1]), and only 300 m across at its narrowest point. From Flåm, the famous Flåmsbana railway climbs 864m up to Myrdal in only 20km - the steepest unassisted railway climb in the world.

Sogndal



  • Population -6700
  • County - Sogn og Fjordarne
































".....What a wonderful village Sogndal is!
We studied the views from different points, but they are everywhere gentle and picturesque, creating a superb contrast to the snow-capped mountain on the far side of the fjord.

The river, which runs through the valley, with its beautiful waterfalls and small groups of islands, gives the picture a wonderful effect. The waterfront looks like a market town with rows of houses...." Bishop J. Neumann, 1823

Sogndal is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. Sogndalsfjøra, which is the center of Sogndal municipality, has 3075 inhabitants (2006).

There are several ways to visit Sogndal. By airplane, by bus and by boat. Sogn og Fjordane university college is located in Sogndal. The Norwegian dialect spoken in Sogndal is called sognamål



Famous people from Sogndal include footballer Eirik Bakke and singers Tone Damli Aaberge and Olav Stedje. The local football team, Sogndal IL, plays in the Adeccoligaen, the second tier of Norwegian football.
The Norwegian black metal band Windir orginated in Sogndal. The list should without doubt also include the very infamous radiohost Kent Fimreite from the international radiochannel Hallo Sogn - broadcasting worldwide over the internet.



Next, to the highest mountains of Scandinavia, back to north by Jotumheim.
(part one) (part three) (part four)
For more info.