Day 9 Around Hardanger

Spin around the local areas of Jondal, Kvam and Granvin using the Hardanger Tourist Route as a rough guide. Spotted an interesting looking gravel road off the 550 and followed it to Maele and back, then carried on heading for Jondal where we saw a sign for 'Summerski centre', so we followed that and ended up at 1200m on the edge of the glacier apparently. There were loads of people up there skiing & snowboarding and the 1100m long ski lift up the hill was full. It was about 12 miles from the ferry quay and a right sneaky little road (toll) and well worth a ride up & down if you find yourself around there. After that, ferry from Jondal and onto Norheimsund and then a small detour up the 7 towards Bergen to have a look at the Steindalsfossen - this is the waterfall you can walk behind. We were wet anyhow from the rain, but it was dry as a bone behind the falls strangely enough.
Getting on now so time to head back towards Lofthus. We're passing Kvanndal and the ferry is in so we shoot onto it thinking its the Kinsarvik boat, but it's not it's only going to Utne so it's a bit of a drag back to Odda on the 550 from Utne and then up the 13again to Lofthus and the hostel.

Stone Cross at viewpoint on 550

Gravel road to Maele

Viewpoint on Maele gravel road

Another alfresco dining experience sheltering from the rain in Jondal

Road up to summer ski centre

Road up to summer ski centre

Road up to summer ski centre

Summer skiing 12 miles from Jondal!!

Rain doesnt seem to bother theses guys.

In front of the Steindlfossen

Behind the Steindalfossen

Saw alot of farmers inspecting their cherry crops - maybe the wet weather is causing them a problem with the spraying schedule. Fruits of all sorts are the main crops round here with lots of stalls by the roadside operating with an honesty box.



Todays track