Kongevegen: Vindhellvegen - Fjords And Mountains

I guess not so many who visited Borgund Stavkirke know about old road, called Vindhellvegen. I saw the group of turists that came by bus and stopped at the parking near the church. They walked around the temple, took some pictures and went back to the bus. They left this place, looking for other norway’s attractions. Vindhellvegen lies about 20 minutes of walk from this parking lot. And in my opinion this is the place you must see when you are in this area. But probably only the locals and those who read about it in internet know this place. Even if there is a big info board about Kongevegen and other one about Vindhellvegen standing on the parking near Borgund Stavkirke. This is weird but I experienced it myself. I was here in June. I saw both boards but I didn’t read them. I only took pictures and looked at them when I back home. And then I started to search in internet for any info about magnificent King’s Road. From that day, Kongevegen and specially Vindhellvegen was on the top of my list to visit.

After first day of walking and exploring King’s Road, I spend another night in the car. This was frost night and my sleeping bag and blanket didn’t help me much. I get up very, very early and waited for dusk making some night photographs.

When I couldn’t wait more, I left my car at parking lot on Borgund Stavkirke Museum and went about 300 meters to the trail. There was a wide road with short grass and impressive stones placed on side. Slope was gently on the beginning. I passed the place, where started other trails. One directed on the summit in the neighborhood. Soon, I reached the point where I headed and I could see this amazing view I knew before only from the pictures. The old road, going down with four extraordinary serpents that was built between steep mountains. This was breathtaking picture.

The first road was built here in 1793 and the slope was 1:4. In 1842-1843 they made new road, giving it shapes we can see today. Slope lowered to 1:5. Part of old road is still visible on the side. About 30 years after this road was out of use because of new road along the river (road 630).

Vindhellvegen is a short trail and after passing magnificent serpents, soon, I went down to the road 630 and parking lot, where I spend last night. I could go to my car by asphalt but I knew that route. I drove it several times a day ago. I decided then to take alternative trail. Sverrestigen, called after king Sverre, who travelled through the valley in 1177, was the main road until 1793 when they built Vindhellvegen. The trail leads around the mountain through the forest and ends by Borgund Stavkirke.