TRONDHEIM, NORWAY

This excursion takes us along the shores of the Trondheimsfjord – at 126 kilometres (80 miles), the third longest in Norway. Travelling through the suburbs, we later reach Gaulosen, a branch of the main fjord, before following the Orkdalsfjord to the village of Orkanger.

This excursion takes us along the shores of the Trondheimsfjord – at 126 kilometres (80 miles), the third longest in Norway. Travelling through the suburbs, we later reach Gaulosen, a branch of the main fjord, before following the Orkdalsfjord to the village of Orkanger. Driving through we pass Bårdshaug Mansion, rich in traditions, which is today run as a hotel. Heading up river we arrive in Fannrem, where we will board a train on the narrow gauged Thamshavn Railway – opened as a ‘vintage railway’ in 1983, the carriages date back to 1908. Originally the line was built to transport ore from the copper mines at Løkken, but right from the opening of the railroad there has also been passenger traffic, lasting up to 1963 when buses took over. During World War II, several sabotage attempts were made on the line (which has always been privately owned). All the locomotives were destroyed and today we find memorials in commemoration of the dramatic events that took place. Arriving at Løkken Station we change transport, boarding a coach for the short drive up to the old mine where there was extensive activity from 1654 to 1987. The next part of the tour is on foot. The one kilometre (three quarters of a mile) route takes us through narrow corridors and large rooms. We will learn about bygone battles with heat, smoke and ore, experience the quietness within, hear the dripping of water, smell the stench of sulphur and admire a colour spectrum that one could hardly believe to be true. Following this interesting visit, we continue by coach down the valley to Svorkmo, past Svork Lake and through farmlands before joining the main road between Oslo and Trondheim which will see us back to the pier.

There is quite a lot of walking during this tour, approximately 20 minutes in the old mine. There are three steps to board the train, and two flights of steps and several single steps inside the mine. We do not recommend the tour for passengers with limited mobility and wheelchairs can not be accommodated.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2008 NORWAY CRUISES