Easy
A dramatic cliff outcrop at 765 metres above sea level near Ålvik, sometimes called Little Trolltunga. A protruding rock ledge juts out over a sheer drop with views straight down to Ålvik and across the Hardangerfjord. The name means the beak or nose of Vikedalen. The round trip from the parking area at Hedlerdalen is about 3.5 kilometres and takes roughly 90 minutes including time at the viewpoint. The trail passes the old Hedler farm.
The view looks straight down onto Ålvik, arguably the most classic company town in Norwegian industrial history. In 1905, Bjolvefossen A/S was incorporated to exploit the Bjolvo waterfalls for hydropower. The village had just 74 inhabitants in 1907. After sale to Elektrokemisk A/S in 1913, a hydroelectric plant was built and began producing calcium carbide. Every house in town was designed by a single architect, Nicolai Beer. The adjacent Sørfjorden arm was once called the world's most polluted fjord due to zinc smelting discharges from the Norwegian Zinc Company, operating from 1924 for roughly 60 years. The environmental remediation is considered a success story, but the industrial scars are part of the landscape below.
To reach the trailhead, exit RV7 just before Ålvik onto Damvegen, a steep gravel toll road. Drive about 3.5 kilometres up to Hedlerdalen parking. The trail is red-marked. Proper hiking shoes recommended as surfaces can be slippery. The cliff edge has no barriers and extreme caution is needed, especially with children.
The view looks straight down onto Ålvik, arguably the most classic company town in Norwegian industrial history. In 1905, Bjolvefossen A/S was incorporated to exploit the Bjolvo waterfalls for hydropower. The village had just 74 inhabitants in 1907. After sale to Elektrokemisk A/S in 1913, a hydroelectric plant was built and began producing calcium carbide. Every house in town was designed by a single architect, Nicolai Beer. The adjacent Sørfjorden arm was once called the world's most polluted fjord due to zinc smelting discharges from the Norwegian Zinc Company, operating from 1924 for roughly 60 years. The environmental remediation is considered a success story, but the industrial scars are part of the landscape below.
To reach the trailhead, exit RV7 just before Ålvik onto Damvegen, a steep gravel toll road. Drive about 3.5 kilometres up to Hedlerdalen parking. The trail is red-marked. Proper hiking shoes recommended as surfaces can be slippery. The cliff edge has no barriers and extreme caution is needed, especially with children.
