Our crew will welcome you on board at Stavanger harbour, at the entrance to Høgsfjord. Boarding takes place at 7 pm. Over the subsequent dinner together in the cosy saloon, you’ll quickly find your feet on board the Eye of the Wind, feel at home right from the start and soon get to know your fellow passengers.
Our sailing area: The archipelagos and fjords along Norway’s south-west coast
North of Stavanger, we discover the rugged coastline of Western Norway: the landscape, criss-crossed by bays and inlets, offers holiday and sailing experiences in the heart of an unspoilt region. The majestic fjords and the extensive archipelago, which lies off the coast like a giant, naturally formed breakwater, appear both awe-inspiring and secluded here. A unique sailing area that unfolds like a fascinating labyrinth of water, rocks and forests. Aboard the Eye of the Wind, we aim to venture into this deep, soothing blue, into this surprisingly gentle, unique world of thousands of islands, steep mountain slopes and narrow shores.
Gradually, we set course for the Bømlafjord, which later merges into the Hardangerfjord. The coastline draws nearer in slow motion, and the rocky shore becomes increasingly steep. Whilst just a short while ago we were cruising through the archipelago in the open sea, just a few nautical miles further on we suddenly find ourselves facing an almost alpine landscape. We are surrounded by granite formations sculpted by glaciers; the scenery is more reminiscent of a tranquil mountain lake than the ocean. The fact that a landscape can change so dramatically over just a few miles is a particularly rare spectacle, and not just for geologists. The weather, too, often changes several times a day. ‘It’s more like April here than anywhere else,’ say the inhabitants of Fjordaland.
A selection of possible stopovers offering the chance to go ashore:
- Espevær: At the time of the great herring runs in the mid-18th century, 20,000 people lived on this archipelago island – today there are fewer than 200. In this peaceful paradise, we find a natural anchorage in the sheltered lagoon.
- Sunndal: From Sunndal, a walk of around 1½ hours takes you along a stream to the lake at Bondhusbreen, the best-known glacier tongue on the western side of the Folgefonna Glacier. The walk is rewarded with a sense of wonder, tranquillity and a breathtaking view of a landscape that no artist could capture more beautifully on canvas. On the route back to Sunndal lies Furebergfossen, Norway’s fifth-largest waterfall, which roars down from the mountain ahead of us into the fjord.
- Rosendal: This small harbour town and holiday resort is set amidst scenery reminiscent of the Alps. It is well worth visiting the Alte Baronie, which comprises a castle and a landscaped park.
- Kvalvåg on the island of Stolmen: A picture-perfect bay – a miniature fjord, so to speak – surrounded by woodland and rocky cliffs. In the past, the timber and lobster trades flourished in this area.
According to the itinerary, arrival in Bergen is scheduled for Thursday evening (May 20) or Friday morning (May 21). This gives you a full day to explore the city’s sights without having to book an extra night at a hotel.
