By Stuart Whatley
“I want to create a picture of Eidfjord in which the sum total of the village’s attractions are seen as being greater than their component parts,” he says.
He has every reason to be optimistic. There must be few other places that can boast having their country’s largest waterfall, northern Europe’s largest mountain plateau, one of Norway’s largest glaciers, the magnificent Hardangerfjord, Viking graves, summer boat trips, a museum, an art gallery, a salmon river, superb glacial landscapes, a large hydro-electric power plant, a dam, an internationally-known nature centre, an historic church, a mountain farm, a strong cultural profile and superb accommodation of all types.
Of particular interest to lovers of cruisers is that an NOK11 million ($1.6 million) quay is under construction and will be ready for receiving the Queen Mary 11, the world’s largest cruise ship, in the summer of 2005. Tourist cruise traffic is one area of considerable growth potential in Eidfjord.
Because of these numerous attractions, Eidfjord already receives substantial tourist traffic during the summer months. Currently, most foreign tourists come from Germany, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, with smaller numbers coming from the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain and France.
Eidfjord’s tourist market comprises both groups and individuals, with the former visiting one or more of the local attractions, and the latter enjoying the fjord, mountains (of up to 1,900 metres) or just relaxing. John Tonheim sees all types of tourist activities in Eidfjord as having potential for substantial growth, and the target markets for incoming tourism as being unlimited.
AMERICANS
National Geographic Traveler recently voted the Norwegian fjords as the most attractive tourist destination anywhere in the world. Its survey took into consideration the quality of the environment, social and cultural integrity, and aesthetic appeal, both natural and human-made.
Americans living in busy cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Seattle or Chicago will love the peace and tranquillity in Eidfjord, while those who are used to high mountains, rivers and lakes will find much to keep them occupied. Those looking to get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life will find what they are looking for in Eidfjord in Norway’s fjord region.
SOUVENIRS
You will find a variety of quality souvenirs and gifts in Eidfjord that are made by local people. Ljos & Stakje is a longstanding manufacturer of highest quality candles in Eidfjord. The company sells its candles, along with ceramics, textiles and other souvenirs, from a shop in the centre of the village. Trebua makes local wooden applied art, souvenirs and gifts, and has a small museum of fiddles. Fjord Sylv Design sells silver items made by the local designer, Olav Ingjerd.
FISHING
Eidfjord is keen to promote itself as an area attractive to sea, river and lake fishermen. It offers numerous types of fish for the fishing enthusiast, including salmon and trout. Fishing with a rod in the fjord is free, but you need a fishing card in order to fish in rivers and lakes. Among the places to fish in Eidfjord are the Eio and Bjoreio rivers. The most common types of fish are salmon and trout.
OUTDOOR LIFE
Eidfjord has enormous opportunities for outdoor activities of all types, with considerable development potential for water-based activities on the Hardangerfjord. On the Hardangervidda mountain plateau are both marked and unmarked trails suitable for all types of walkers, with accommodation in the form of serviced and non-serviced mountain huts close at hand. Hardangervidda covers an area of 10,000 square kilometres, of which 3,400 square kilometres are designated as a national park. Included in the park is the Hardangerjøkulen glacier at around 1,850 metres above sea level, 600 metres or so higher than the average height of Hardangervidda. Mountains around Eidfjord range in height from 900 metres to 1,650 metres. Onen, the highest mountain surrounding the village, has a small glacier on its north-east face.
A short distance from Eidfjord are the Vøringfossen (182 metres high) and Valurfossen (272 metres high) waterfalls, which are among Norway’s most visited natural attractions.
Hardangervidda offers enormous opportunities for fishing enthusiasts. For bird enthusiasts, Hardangervidda can offer more than 120 species, while mammals include lemmings, reindeer, snowy owl, arctic foxes and rabbits. Also to be found are several species of Arctic flora. Hardanger Nature Centre, on the road towards Hardangervidda, gives a comprehensive introduction to the wide range of flora and fauna to be found on the mountain plateau. It also focuses on the interaction in nature and human activities. It also has the “super-videograph”, a modern, panoramic cinema, established in co-operation with the Norwegian film director, Ivo Caprino. Here you are shown a spectacular aerial journey over Hardangervidda, past fjords, mountains, steep gorges, glaciers and waterfalls. The Nature Centre also includes a quality restaurant, which uses locally produced ingredients, and a souvenir shop.
A small skiing area is located at Sysendalen, ten minutes or so by car from the village centre. Sysendalen has prepared cross-country pistes of up to 25 kilometres in length, as well as downhill pistes passing mountain plateaus and a lake.
“Flat Earth” is the name of a small company operating adventure holidays and an “Eidfjord experience”. It offers guided walks on Hardangervidda, glacier hiking, canoeing, mountain climbing, cycling and other exciting activities.
ACCOMMODATION
The range of accommodation in Eidfjord is considerable from the un-serviced mountain huts and camping sites, to friendly guest houses (pensjonats) and to international standards hotels. The accommodation also ranges from the traditional, such as the Vik pensjonat serving superb traditional Norwegian food, to the modern, such as the Quality Hotel Vøringfoss.
CULTURE
Eidfjord has a rich cultural heritage, dating back to Viking Times. At Hæreid, just above the village centre, is the largest area of Viking graves in western Norway. The 350 Iron Age graves date from 400-1000 AD, and are a vital part of Eidfjord’s heritage. Some artefacts from the early Iron Age have also been discovered.
The village’s old church dates from 1309. According to legend, the powerful and domineering Rich Ragna built the church in the hope that her sins would be forgiven.
The famous Kjeåsen mountain farm rests like an eagle’s nest on a mountain ledge 600 metres above the Simafjord. There is a steep footpath up to the farm, as well as vehicle access.
Måbodalen Kulturlandskapmuseum is a small museum set amidst spectacular mountain scenery. It displays road building traditions from the 16th Century, and has 21 information boards covering the immediate area.
More details on these and other attractions in Eidfjord can be obtained from the village’s tourist information centre.
FOOD
Norwegians are proud of their wholesome and nutritional food! You can choose from fresh Norwegian prawns, reindeer meat, brown cheese and cloudberries. Some locally produced foods can be found in Eidfjord. Try “rømmegrot”, which is a type of porridge made with milk, yoghurt and cream – very warming on a cold winter’s day!
WHY NOT COME IN THE SPRING OR FALL?
Is there an undiscovered secret in Eidfjord? Local people will tell you that the spring and fall are great times to visit the village. In the spring, fruit trees become covered in blossom, and many wildflowers appear from the earth that has been undisturbed for generations. In the fall, the weather is still mild, and the yellows, browns and gold of autumn leaves turn the Hardangervidda into a kaleidoscope of colour. Nature may be settling down for its winter rest, but Eidfjord continues to offer much to those who wish to explore it during the fall.
CONTACTS
Eidfjord Utvikling – John Tonheim. E-mail: john@eidfjordutvikling.no
Eidfjord tourist information centre – Simadalsveien 2, N-5783 Eidfjord, Norway. Telephone: +47 53673400. Fax: +47 53673401. Internet: www.eidfjordinfo.com
Ljos & Stakje – Telephone: +47 53664570. E-mail: ljos@eidfjord.online.no
Trebua – Telephone: +47 53665130
Fjord Syly Design – Telephone: +47 53674000. Fax: +47 53674101. E-mail: eidfjord@c2i.net
Hardangervidda Nature Centre – Telephone: +47 53665900. Fax: +47 53665984. Internet: www.hardangervidda.org
Flat Earth – Internet: www.subsegment.no E-mail: jane.friis@subsegment.com
Vik Pensjonat – Telephone: +47 53665162. Fax: +47 53665151.
Quality Hotel Vøringfoss – Telephone: +47 53674100 Internet: www.eidfjord-hardanger.no