Wanderlust

Wow, what a beautiful place. I had the opportunity to stay in Bismo, Norway for an entire month which led to discovering nearby areas and working on a potato farm… yes, a potato farm. 

I participated in the WWOOF volunteer program and found myself staying in a charming, wooden cottage with surrounding views of snowy mountains. Bismo was one of the most peaceful places I have ever been.

The village is located along the river Otta in the Ottadalen Valley with a population of only about 600.  Bismo is a fantastic place for the great outdoors and a nice base for exploring: rafting, canyoning, horseback, camping, and an abundance of hiking trails. 

“It was a small round object sent around the planet, and it changed the course of human history.” – Steve Hendrix, Washington Post.” 

I always admired the potato and its diversity- chips, mashes, salads, fries, crisps, baked, stewed, roasted, etc. But working on this farm gave me a new perspective on how something so small and simple can be so extravagant. Saebjorn, the host and owner of the potato farm, showed me the ins and outs of the farming process; soil preparation, planting by tractor, storing, and machine peeling/chopping. The experience was worthwhile. 

One of my favorite memories of staying at the farm was the neighboring cows. Saebjorn gave me a tour and I was there just in time for birthing. I got to hold a newborn calf smothered in grossness and held him in my arms as I bottle-fed him. It was a dream come true (wish I had a photo of this moment)! Those who have known me since my childhood understand the love I had for baby cows (thanks to the movie “City Slickers”). It was the most precious moment; one I will hold onto forever. 

Some of my favorite must dos in the area:

-The Tverrfjellet Mountain Trail. This hike is a 4.4 mile out and back trail and is considered moderate; I agree with this, it was nice and challenging but not too heavy. On this trail, you will come across wonderful landscapes and magnificent views. The peak is located on the Kvaloya peninsula and is over 2,500 feet above sea level. Enjoy the peacefulness of solitude as the Falcons cruise by with grace.

-Saebjorn encouraged me to take his spare car and go on a road trip along the Geriranger Fjord via Mt. Dalsnibba and Eagle Road. Oh my, I’m so glad I did, and highly recommend visitors to rent a car and do the same. On this road trip, you will experience breathless views and several scenic nature spots including; Mount Dalsnibba, Lake Djupvatn, Geirangerfjord, and the Seven Sisters Waterfall. This route does have several inclines and hairpin bends, but drive slow and admire this unique experience.  

Route suggestion:

*Joker Geiranger, Maråkvegen 49, 6216 Geiranger, Norway
*Flydalsjuvet, Geiranger, Stranda 6216 Norway
*Photo stop at the gorge of Flydalsjuvet, spectacular panoramic view over Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord
*Geiranger Skywalk – Dalsnibba, Geiranger, Stranda 6216 Norway/enjoy the most spectacular fjord view from the Geiranger Skywalk on Mount Dalsnibba
*Djupvasshytta, 6216 Geiranger, Norway/ Photo stop at the mountain lake Djupvatn
*Ørnesvingen Viewpoint, Stranda NO, Fv63 27, 6210 Sylte, Norway/Experience the *Adventurous Eagle Road and enjoy the amazing view over the Geirangerfjord
*Joker Geiranger, Maråkvegen 49, 6216 Geiranger, Norway

-Another must-do, explore Lom National Park Village! Lom is surrounded by panoramic beauty and is the gateway to several hikes. 

One hike I enjoyed was the Læshøe trail, which is a challenging 7.7 mile loop hike with rewarding views starting almost instantly; elevation gain of 3,000 feet. The trail is well-marked and maintained. The climb is steep, but if you take your time and enjoy the beauty surrounding you, it’s not so bad. You can see the crystal clear river below you and peaks of all four neighboring national parks. By the time you’ve completed the loop, you’ve seen the entire lush valley around Lom. The long trek on the ridge of Læshøe is otherworldly. 

Don’t forget to check out the famous Lom Stave Church while visiting Lom. The Lom Stave Church is one of the biggest and most attractive stave churches in Norway. This majestic Romanesque-style church dates back to 1158-1159 (confirmed through dendrochronological research). This church is still the main hub and continues to be used. The history and architecture are very interesting and worth your time exploring. 

If you’re not much of an independent traveler, don’t worry, there are many travel guides and excursions available. Best time to visit is September-June.

ha det så lenge (until next time)!