![\"Bergen](\"https:\/\/www.alananna.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Railway-Map.jpg\")
<\/a>The first stop was Voss, Norway’s self-proclaimed adventure sports capital and some 1 hour and 15 minutes into the rail crossing. We had a hostel booked for a couple of nights and intended to explore the town and its surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Train to Voss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We easily negotiated the tram into Bergen and boarded a train slightly earlier than we had planned. The train itself was spotless and comfortable with plenty of legroom. Once in motion it was incredibly quiet and smooth too. The perfect, relaxing way to travel and watch the scenery as we went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As well as passing through some of the world’s greatest scenery the train passes through 182 tunnels en route to Oslo. This first part of the journey seems to be about 50% tunnel. Despite this, once out of the city, the bits that weren’t tunnelled were indeed very scenic. We passed along steep-sided valleys, impressive bridges, small hamlets and raging rivers. The sun sparkled on the waters of lakes as we sped past, heading inland through alpine scenery. We caught glimpses of snow on the mountain tops too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nIt was a lovely journey and over too soon as we pulled into a busy station at Voss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Voss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Voss is a tourist town, on the side of Lake Vangsvatnet. It’s a Ski destination in winter and a watersports haven come summer. The last few days had seen its population of 15.000 more than double with the influx of 20,000 people for the Voss Cup, an annual football competition. [Those figures were provided by the owner of the hostel so I can’t vouch for their accuracy, but she obviously knew more about it than we did!] This event was coming to an end as we arrived, but it was clear it had been a busy time. We checked the maps and walked the \u00bd mile or so to the Voss Hostel in the baking sun! The earlier train and our efficiency meant that we were too early for check-in so we left our luggage with them and sat out on the terrace overlooking the lake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Quite a few people were in swimming, SUPing, kayaking and generally enjoying the good weather. We were soon able to check in and sort ourselves out. The Hostel was nice. It was clean, comfortable and had everything we needed. The view from the bedroom window was pretty special too. It overlooked the lake towards the snow-capped mountains beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nWe wandered into town, had a look around and had pizza for dinner. There were purple and pink lupins everywhere and plenty of people taking photos of them too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nWe didn’t get up to much else today as the heat was a little overwhelming so after a busy few days and lots of travelling it was good to chill by the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exploring the Hills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I can’t chill for too long though, so after a decent night’s sleep I was up at 4 am and off for a ‘run’ in the hills. I had my target set on the summit of Hangur at 818m above sea level. This was the top of the ski resort where the large gondola from Voss goes. I set off into the quiet streets of Voss and then headed up towards the Folk Museum. There was no one around (it was 4:30am I suppose). The air was cool and still and the sun was already shining. The track up to the Folk Museum was steep so I jogged slowly along, stopping to take a photo here and there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nAfter the Folk Museum, the steep path became VERY steep and coupled with rocks, roots and its twisty nature the amount of running happening was minimal. It was now a power hike through the woods with occasional glimpses of the lake below and the towering pylons of the Gondola above. It was fairly cool at this time of day but the sweat was pouring off me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nI reached a building I could see from the bottom. I had naively assumed this must be part of the restaurant and ski resort at the top of the hill. How wrong I was. The mountain simply rounded off and reduced in gradient somewhat and I still had a long way to go. On I went, ever upwards and slightly around the mountain before finally leaving the trees behind and looping around towards the summit. Here the summit restaurant dominated. It was much larger than I expected and had several other ski lifts coming into it as well as the large gondola from Voss. There were pockets of snow up here and views out across the mountains in all directions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n