Scandinavian Discovery - Geiranger 21/7

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Wednesday 21st July

Geiranger, Norway


Geiranger is spectacular, it is a beautiful setting one of the most magnificent in western Norway, the fjord hemmed in by sheer rock walls interspersed with waterfalls, ferries and cruise ships bobbing about on the blue waters below. This is very much a tourist centre and therefore all facilities are geared towards this. The Fjordland Museum is worth a visit opposite our Hotel, open late every evening.


Maihaugen – Folk Museum

The largest of its type anywhere in northern Europe. Incredibly, the whole collection represents the lifetime's work of one man Anders Sandvig. The Maighaugen contains around 140 relocated buildings, moved here from all over the region, including a 17th C. presbytery, a 13th C. stave church fro Garmo, a thick log storehouse and smokehouses, summer grazing huts and various workshops.

Kvam a modest town, that witnessed some of the worst fighting of World War II. Once the Germans had occupied Norway's main towns, they set about expanding their control of the main roads and railways. At Kvam they met resistance from a force of Norwegian and British soldiers, who delayed the German progress despite being poorly equipped – the captain in charge of the British anti-tank guns had to borrow a bicycle to patrol his defences. The Battle for the Gudbrandsdal lasted for 2 weeks ( April 14-30 1940).

Lom has been a trading and transport centre for centuries, benefiting – in a modest sort of way – from the farms in the surrounding valleys. Lom's 18th C. heyday is recalled by it stave church, an enormous structure perched above the river. The original church was built here in about 1200, but has been remodelled and enlarged after the Reformation.

The Journey

Morning visit to te Olympic Park then Maihaugen (1hr 30 mins) all walking self guided tour with guides in each of the buildings, departing at 11.30 for the journey through to Kvam for lunch (self service) followed by a stop at Kvam church. Afternoon stop is in Lom, before making our way over the mountains to and then the drive down the valley into Geiranger. Our hotel this evening, The Union

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