Adventures and cultural attractions in the mountains around the Sognefjord
    
From the coast on, the Sognefjord in Norway stretches 200 km up country. The Sognefjord is the worlds longest fjord. The Lusterfjord makes up the innermost part of Sognefjorden. Here you can enjoy the magnificent view of the high and mighty peaks of Hurrungane in western Jotunheimen, with 24 of them more than 2000 m above sea level. Mountaineering has a long tradition here. Our hikes follow good tracks in a lush green landscape, with waterfalls, lonely farmsteads and summer farms up in the mountains.
The hike to Feigumfossen, one of the highest waterfalls in Norway, is an attraction itself. Out of the many attractions we shall visit, Urnes Stave Church, the oldest stave church in Norway, is listed the UNESCO's Heritage List of international cultural treasures.
We shall be staying at Nes Gård, in the heart of the district, close to Lusterfjorden. Nes Gård is an excellent starting point for hikes in the mountains or on the glaciers, and can accommodate 15-20 guests. The farmhouses are in a traditional style from the 1850s, and have only been renovated recently. Nes Gård grows apples, pears, plums and morello cherries.
Daily hikes take 3 to 5 hours, thus giving you the possibility of visiting some of the cultural attractions in the district. A guide will take care of the party, with a maximum of 14 members. Transport to the point of departure with a minibus.

Trip 1 A  18th - 23th july and 10th - 15th august 2010

Day 1:  Arrival. Dinner. Information about the weeks programme.
Day 2:  Hike to Molden, 1116 m above sea level. 3-4 hours. Molden Mountain is situated on a peninsula,
           out in the Lusterfjord, providing a  fantastic view over the fjord. We will follow a nice track through
           luxuriant scenery. In the afternoon we will visit Gaupne Church, dating 
           back to the 17th century. It's rather an unusual church, decorated with rose paintings.
Day 3:  Vigdal – Navarsete. 5 hours. The hike passes the mountain farm Vigdalstøl and the top 
           Fivlenosi, 1200 m above sea level. Wonderful view of the Jostedal Glacier. Down through the 
           green valley of Engedalen. Transport back to Nes Gård.
Day 4:  Jostedal Glacier – The valley of Krundalen. 3 hours. The most frequently visited attraction
           in the district is Nigardsbreen, a part of the Jostedal Glacier, the largest glacier on the 
           European continent. Crossing Nigardsvatnet by boat we can get right up to the glacier. After 
           an easy guided hike a little way up the glacier, we finish the day by walking up Krundalen valley to 
           Bergsetbreen. This glacier drops sheer down the mountain face, an awesome sight.
           On the way back we call in at Breheimsenteret, a National Park Visitor’s Centre,
           which provides you with an insight into several thousand years of natural and cultural history of
           the glacier.
Day 5:  Hike around Feigumfossen Waterfall, 4 hours. This is one of the largest waterfalls in 
           Norway with a vertical drop of 218 m. The walk to the waterfall is in itself a thrill. We 
           follow a track up the hillside. At the top you will find another beautiful waterfall.
           In the afternoon we move on in our minibus to Urnes Stave Church, Norway’s 
           oldest stavechurch. Finally, we take the ferry across Lusterfjord back to Nes Gård to 
           enjoy our final dinner.
Day 6:  Departure after breakfast

Trip 1 B 27th july - 1th august 2010

Day 1:  Arrival. Dinner and information
Day 2:  Farm of Fuglested – 4 hrs 
           From Fortun up to the farm of Fuglesteg, high in the mountain with a fantastic view. On our way back 
           we will stop at a local bunad (national costume) exhibit.
Day 3:  Mørkrisdalen – 4 to 5 hrs 
           Hiking through the lush valley of Mørkrisdalen, the only of the larger waterways on the westcoast that 
           run untouched from mountain to the fjord.
Day 4:  Harastølen – Stordalen – Nes – 4 to 5 hrs 
           After a steep ascent from Luster, we reach the sanatorium of Harastølen. After a short stay with 
           information about the history of the sanatarium we hike on to Stordalen and back to Nes Farm.
Day 5:  Veitastrond – Austerdalsbreen – 4 to 5 hrs 
           We start of with a short car-trip through Hafslo, along the Veitastrond lake. Hike up towards Austerdals 
           glacier through magnificent mountain country. In the evening we enjoy a wonderful last-night-feast.
Day 6:  Departure