![\"Authentic](\"http:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/2_troll_7864-Copier.jpg\")
<\/a>Authentic Norwegian troll.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n Folklore, you say? Not really. So much so that this little people of the shadows permeates the oral and written traditions of the Norwegians. The next time you go hiking in the dark forests of Norway, be on the lookout at dusk, because you might not be alone! In a country half the size of France and 14 times smaller in population, nature is everywhere, majestic and sometimes impressive. All you have to do is close your eyes to hear the wind in the trees, the birds chirping, the roar of a waterfall or the creak of a troll on the move, as long as you let your imagination run wild... You can even take one home as a souvenir, as the shops sell their ugly gnome faces cackling with their grotesque noses in all shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n Kjosfossen and the Huldra<\/strong> Fl\u00e5m's wooden church was built in 1667.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n Despite the kitschy souvenir shops and the Japanese photographing everything and anything, the charm of this town is very real. We came here on the Fl\u00e5msbana, a train that winds between Myrdal (on the Oslo-Bergen railway line) and Fl\u00e5m, 865 metres below.<\/p>\n The Myrdal train arrives at Fl\u00e5m station, at the end of the Aurland fjord. It is the only train in the world, on conventional rails, to cover such a steep gradient: 865 m in 20 km.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n This route takes in some of the wildest and most beautiful scenery in Norway. For twenty kilometres, you can see rivers cutting their way through narrow ravines, waterfalls cascading down snow-capped mountainsides, mountain farms clinging to steep slopes and, above all, the impressive, foam-bubbling Kjosfossen waterfall, where the train stops for a photographic and musical break.<\/p>\n The Kjosfossen waterfall is one of Norway's most visited natural wonders. Water from Lake Reinungavatnet falls a total of 225m over a length of 700m.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n Far away on the rocks, a young woman in a red dress attempts to seduce travellers with a song of pure beauty and a poetic, lascivious dance. A fleeting evocation of Huldra<\/em> Scandinavian legends. The Huldra<\/em> (a word derived from a Norwegian root meaning \"covered\", \"hidden\") is a beautiful young woman with blonde hair but a cow's tail in Norway and a fox's tail in Sweden. Her sole aim is to marry a human. To achieve this, she disguises herself as a shepherdess and tries to charm a single man. She may also present herself to him completely naked at night in the forest, hence the meaning of their name. If he rejects her, the Huldra<\/em> and in some stories she becomes hideous. If he accepts her as she is, they marry and she becomes an exemplary wife. Afterwards, if her husband treats her well, she will lose her tail, but if he treats her badly, she will make him lose his mind and brand him.<\/p>\n Around Aurlandfjord<\/strong> From the mountain, you have a fantastic view of Aurlandsfjord and the surrounding mountains.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n From the fjord, you can admire the high, dripping cliffs, the waterfalls that tumble down the dizzying peaks, and the little red fishermen's cottages set flush against the water. At the bend in the river, you'll come across goats climbing to drink from the fjord, fishermen teasing sea trout or a group of kayakers practising their skills. The cliffs, which seem to have just risen out of the water, tower above us.<\/p>\n The granite cliffs plunge into the dark waters of Aurlandfjord.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n Surrounded by these masses of granite, the water appears almost black. As soon as the boat stops its engine, you are enveloped in a profound silence. A setting of pure beauty not to be missed.<\/p>\n For the excursion, we are accompanied by Gry Lie, a farmer who is part of the Sakte organisation (see practical guide) and who also offers guided walks in the region. She takes us on a mountain hike to Hovdungo, above Aurlandfjord. The 780 metre ascent began in a light drizzle. Fortunately, it didn't last long and we were able to take full advantage of the magnificent views and the scent of wet earth and pine trees. As we rounded a bend in the road, the surrounding mist parted to make way for an imposing landscape.<\/p>\n At the bend in the path, the vegetation cuts a swath through the fjord.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n At the top of the mountain, the path runs along the ridge, giving us a bird's eye view of the fjord whose waters are an intense midnight blue. It's July. Yet patches of snow glistening in the sun still cover the peaks. The pines at the start of the climb have given way to lower vegetation of small willows, crowberry that is still green and small bushes of barely ripe raspberries. \"\u00a0Willows did not exist at this altitude until fifteen years ago.<\/em>, says Gry. This is the result of climate change. The weather is getting warmer<\/em> \". In places, the ground is strewn with thick moss where cottongrass and arctic berries grow.<\/p>\n At the top, our efforts are rewarded by the panoramic view. A magical moment! Our eyes are lost in the dark waters of the fjord, surrounded by green and grey walls.<\/p>\n You don't want to be afraid of heights!<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n The light is intense. Even more so under the white clouds that the wind scatters between the snow-capped peaks. We arrive at Gry's chalet. His \"\u00a0hytte<\/em>\u00a0\".<\/p>\n The hytte is to the Norwegians what the cabin is to the Canadians: a small cottage with varying degrees of facilities.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n Almost all Norwegians have one or two hytte<\/em> They spend their weekends and holidays in isolated, rustic wooden chalets. Apparently they love solitude! A stream, lined with white astilbe, provides the water. Gry Lie welcomes us warmly to his chalet for a meal prepared with local produce (all organic). On the menu: goat's sausage, smoked pork and lamb ham, goat's cheese. After the pleasure of the eyes, the pleasure of the taste buds!<\/p>\n Getting there<\/strong> Accommodation<\/strong> Fl\u00e5m Oppleving: rental of flats with single rooms. http:\/\/www.flamoppleving.no\/<\/a><\/p>\n Visit the fjords<\/strong> Hiking<\/strong> Sakte Association Norway Tourist Office<\/strong> Fl\u00e5m Tourist Office<\/strong> To get to the Fjords region, there are six daily flights between Paris and Bergen with SAS - Scandinavian Airlines.
\nWe chose to set down our suitcases in Fl\u00e5m, a village nestling at the end of a fold in Aurlandfjord, an arm of Sognefjord, Norway's longest fjord. A stopover on the famous \"Norway in a nutshell\" tourist circuit, this tiny village receives more than 500,000 tourists every year.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>
\nAn obligatory stopover for English and German travellers exploring the Norwegian fjords at the end of the 19th century, the Fl\u00e5m region is peaceful and full of things to discover. There are two options for visitors: go hiking on the paths overlooking Aurlandfjord, or take a boat and sail on its waters. Friendly tip: do both.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>
\nBy train: the Fl\u00e5msbana<\/strong>
\nLocated in the heart of Western Norway, Fl\u00e5m is easily accessible by car, coach, boat and train. Fl\u00e5m railway station is in the centre of Fl\u00e5m, and it's easy to get to Bergen or Oslo from there. The Fl\u00e5m train runs eight to ten times a day in summer (May to October), and four times a day in winter. At Myrdal, the Fl\u00e5m line connects with most trains on the Oslo-Bergen line. An engineering feat, this line has a steep gradient (the gradient is 55\/1000 on almost 80 % of the line) and is the steepest in the world to operate without a cable. It climbs to an altitude of 864 metres over 20 km and passes through 20 tunnels. The line operates all year round, with 10 departures a day in summer.<\/p>\n
\nThe Fretheim Hotel<\/strong> is located in the centre of Fl\u00e5m, very close to Fl\u00e5m railway station. It was once home to many of the English lords who came to fish in the Fl\u00e5m river. Dating back to 1870, this hotel offers an authentic traditional atmosphere. Today it is a renowned modern tourist hotel. With spectacular views over the fjord. 118 comfortable rooms, suites and a large gourmet restaurant.
\nFretheim Hotel
\n5743 Fl\u00e5m, Postboks 63
\nPhone: +47 57 63 63 00
\n<\/strong>mail@fretheim-hotel.no<\/a>
\nhttp:\/\/www.fretheim-hotel.no\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nNatural treasures of the country and symbols of Norway, the fjords are ancient valleys formed during the Ice Age. Carved and hollowed out by glaciers, these deep valleys are bordered by rugged, steep terrain. The Western Fjords are one of the best-preserved Unesco World Heritage sites, with two Norwegian fjords on its famous list: Geirangerfjord and Naer\u00d8yfjord, one of the arms of Sognefjord. This is undoubtedly the most spectacular arm. It is also the narrowest fjord in the world: at one point it is just 250 metres wide, with mountains towering 1,800 metres above its tranquil waters.<\/p>\n
\n4-hour walk - Hovdunga http:\/\/www.sakte.no\/dagstur-stolsbesok-til-hovdungo-789-moh?lang=en<\/a>
\nContact Gry Lie li_gardstun@hotmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.sakte.no\/om-oss?lang=en<\/a>
\nSakte means slowly. It's a brand that offers products and services that are authentic and true to the N\u00e6r\u00f8yfjord World Heritage Site. When you buy Sakte products, you're making a contribution to the sustainability of the region's inhabitants, the environment and nature.<\/p>\n
\nInnovation Norway, 22 rue de Marignan, BP 497, 75366 Paris cedex 08. Tel: 01 53 23 00 50.
\nwww.visitnorway.fr<\/a><\/p>\n
\nwww.visitflam.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\nwww.flysas.fr<\/a><\/p>\n