Avdalen

[http://www.avdalen.no/avdalen/english.php Avdalen] is a small side valley of Utladalen in the municipality of Årdal in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the Utladalen Landscape Protection Area, which was established along with the adjacent Jotunheim National Park in 1980 and covers about 300 km².

The Årdal mountain touring club maintains a staffed lodge at the former [http://www.avdalen.no/avdalen/english.php Avdal farm] ("Avdalen gård") [ Avdal farm was first occupied in 16th century and was vacated in 1962.] , which is located in the Avdalen above the magnificent falls called the Avdalsfossen. The farm has undergone restoration, and currently provides meals as well as accommodation for tourists. It can be reached by a 2 km car ride from Øvre Årdal to Hjelle, followed by a 45 minute hike. The last part of the hike is very steep and illustrates the challenge of daily life for the former residents.

A blues concert is held at Avdalen each year in June; it has become increasingly popular.

External links

* [http://www.avdalen.no/avdalen/english.php The homepage of Avdalen gard. ]
* [http://english.dirnat.no/archive/images/01/65/NPmap051.jpgMap of the Utladalen Landscape Protection Area and the adjacent Jotunheim National Park. Avdalen is marked near the bottom. ]
* [http://www.fjellweb.com/sider/99Dyrhau.htm Picture of the Avdal Farm (Norwegian language)]

References and notes