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HOME AT
FIRST'S
HARDANGERVIDDA NATIONAL PARK INN
near GEILO,
NORWAY
THE ACCOMMODATIONS:
The Hardanger Plateau National Park Inn traces its origin back
more than 250 years in the remote, beautiful landscape of Norways interior plateau.
Since 1935 the Halland family has operated the mountain hotel with a commitment to
traditional Norwegian hospitality and up-to-date lodgings and services. The inns 43
rooms are tastefully designed with modern Scandinavian dιcor: bright colors, lots of wood
in the architecture and furniture, clean, geometric shapes. All rooms have full bathrooms
(with Scandinavian showers. Rooms feature furnished balconies with mountain views.
Traditional Scandinavian smorgasbord breakfast and full sit-down suppers are included. The
large dining hall windows present a grand vista of Norwegian mountain scenery on the edge
of the Hardangervidda National Park. The inns modern bar and lounge invite social
interaction with other guests, and provide quiet relaxation after active days in the
National Park. A portion of the hotel is maintained in the traditional style of the
original mountain inn, like a living museum providing guests with a glimpse of the
regions past.
THE SETTING:
The inn is almost
3,000 above sea levelhigh for these northern latitudes where tree line is only
a few hundred feet above. The inn is located at the northeastern corner of the
Hardangervidda National Park, Norways largest national park. This rocky, mountainous
plateau is the rugged wilderness watershed between Norways west coast (at Bergen)
and its east coast (at Oslo). Once a landscape that saw few visitors, the Hardangervidda
has become an all-year playground for outdoorsy Norwegians.
SWING
BRIDGE ON THE HARDANGER PLATEAU
LOCATION:
The northeast corner of the Hardangervidda National Park is approximately
halfway across Norway on a line between Oslo and Bergen. About 15 miles north of the inn
is Geilo, the nearest town is Geilo, a regional center at the intersection of two valleys,
two major roads, and the Oslo-Bergen railway. Guests who do not wish to drive in Norway
can arrive in the region by train and be picked up at the Geilo station by the hotel
mini-bus.
STUNNING
SCENERY IN NORWAY'S HARDANGER REGION
Those coming by carapproximately 3.5 hours west-northwest of Oslo, and about 4 hours
east of Bergendrive through some of Norways most spectacular scenery on little
traveled roads. The inn is approximately 1 mile off a main route and easy to find.
Nevertheless, winter guests need to prepare for possible challenging driving conditions
brought on by sudden snowstorms. The hotels remote location makes it important that
it have a full quality restaurant. Guests can certainly plan to find lunch elsewhere
during the day, but there are few options for supper within 30 minutes of the hotel.
Fortunately the hotel provides a creative kitchen that produces an excellent selection of
fresh foods daily.
ACTIVITIES:
In the summer guests come to the Hardangervidda
National Park to hike, climb, fish, cycle, and raft. In the winter they come to
skicross-country on many miles of trails, and downhill on several nearby ski
mountains. Guests to the region find its raw beauty very impressive, and quite a contrast
to Norways better known coastal and fjord landscapes. In summer, active guests can
take guided hikes, go white-water rafting, fishing, or skiing. Less active guests can
explore the region by car or by private mini-bus with an English-speaking guide. Full day
and half-day excursions show off the geological majesty of the park and
beyondspectacular waterfalls, rushing wild rivers, dramatic sheer cliffs, and high,
rocky mountains capped with glaciers. There are even guided after-dark excursions to spot
moose. The Hardangervidda has a large number of moose, fox, and the largest wild reindeer
population in Europe.
GUIDED
DAY HIKE IN THE
HARDANGERVIDDA NATIONAL PARK

THE WELCOME: The host family
owners and managers at the Hardanger Plateau National Park Inn are proud of their region
and eager to show its beauty and traditions to visitors. They will pick-up and return
guests arriving at Geilo by train. They are happy to arrange guided tours and activities
for guests. The owners have traveled frequently to North America, speak English fluently,
and are avid collectors of antique American cars and trucks.
TRADITIONAL NORWEGIAN
HOSPITALITY AT
THE HARDANGERVIDDA NATIONAL PARK INN
THE OFFER: You can include a visit at the Hardangervidda
Plateau National Park Inn as part of a custom-designed Scandinavian trip built just for
you. Design your own travel itinerary or use Home at
Firsts "Best of Norway" design as a basis for
the Scandinavian trip of your dreams.
NOTE:
Our cooperating inn at Norway's Hardangervidda National Park is one of many
small, quality lodgings through Norway, Sweden,
and Denmark that participate in Home at Firsts Scandinavian travel program. With Home at Firsts
help, guests choose from among many locations to design a very personal Scandinavian
travel experience.
DISCOVER
THE TRADITIONS OF THE HARDANGER
IN A FAITHFULLY RESTORED SECTION OF THE INN.
AVAILABILITY: For current availability information, call Home at First at (800)
523-5842, or contact us by e-mail at: info@homeatfirst.com
More information
about Home at First's travel program to: SCANDINAVIA
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