Måbødalen, Heritage valley in Eidfjord, Norway
Måbødalen is a wide valley stretching about seven kilometers from Øvre Eidfjord to the Sysendalen gorge at the western edge of Hardangervidda plateau. The Bjoreio River runs through this roughly 800-meter-wide valley, creating a striking landscape that includes the Vøringfossen waterfall dropping along the road.
The first road through the valley was completed in 1928, connecting eastern and western Norway for the first time with three tunnels and three bridges. A modern highway replaced this original route in 1986, though the older path still exists for walkers and cyclists.
The valley has served as a passageway for travelers moving between eastern and western regions for generations. Today it remains a place where people experience the landscape and understand the geography of the plateau region.
The modern road offers straightforward driving with good views, while the original trail provides a quieter walking or cycling option. Both routes allow different ways to experience the water and landscape at your own pace.
The Fossli Hotel sits high on the mountain and houses a Zimmermann piano where composer Edvard Grieg composed Norwegian Folk Songs in 1896. Visitors can discover this historical instrument at this surprising location overlooking the valley.
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