Norway. Lake Jølstravatnet

  From the early morning ride out of Veitastrond to a peaceful swim in Lake Jølstravatnet, the day unfolded with changing skies, local flavors, and a quiet evening hike to Dagsturhytta Fjellro. Along the way, we met kind locals, shared stories, and took in the shifting moods of Norway’s summer landscapes...

  After our unforgettable hike to Austerdalsbreen, we boarded the bus from Veitastrond with a new mission: to celebrate my 40th birthday in the most scenic and memorable way possible. Our route took us through Sogndal, where we planned a vital stop - to hunt down cake and some birthday tasties...

  We spent a few quiet hours in Sogndal while waiting for the next bus, strolling along the scenic embankment with wide views over the calm Sogndalsfjorden. The gentle sound of the water and the surrounding green hills made it a peaceful stop...

  One of the more curious sights was the statue of Gjest Baardsen, known as “Firkantfar” - a square-headed figure by artist Stig Eikaas, blending local folklore with a touch of surreal humor... 

   Sogndal didn’t disappoint. We strolled around town under a light drizzle, with thick clouds hanging low over the surrounding hills and the fjord. The moody sky and misty air gave everything a calm, atmospheric feel. Eventually, we found the perfect Napoleon cake, along with other snacks.From there, we hopped on another bus heading to Lunde Turiststasjon, with one goal in mind: a birthday dip in the cold, clear waters of Lake Jølstravatnet...

  When we arrived at Lunde, the lake welcomed us with a surprisingly sunny spell. From the bus stop, we first passed through a quiet cluster of traditional local farms, their wooden houses topped with thick grass roofs that seemed to blend into the green hills around them. It felt like walking through a postcard...

   We continued down a small path that led us gently toward the lake, until the shimmering blue of Jølstravatnet opened up before us...

  Farms close to the lake...

   As we reached the lake, the clouds began to lift, revealing a stretch of deep blue water glistening under the sun. Lake Jølstravatnet looked almost unreal—calm and vast, framed by soft green hills and distant mountain peaks. The sunlight danced on the rippling surface, and the fresh, crisp air carried the faint scent of summer grass and pine. It was one of those rare moments in Norway when the weather shifts and suddenly everything feels bright and open, as if the landscape itself is taking a deep breath...

  The winds had just begun to pick up, so we found a little sheltered spot on the beach, hiding behind a massive rock that stood firmly near the shoreline. It offered just enough protection from the breeze coming off the lake. I stripped down and plunged into the icy water—just like I’ve done on my birthdays over the last years, and wouldn’t miss it for anything...

  After the swim, we brewed hot tea, opened a can of Norwegian mackerel, and made sandwiches right there on the shore...

  The Napoleon cake from Sogndal added a perfect, creamy touch to our lakeside meal...

  But as is often the case in Norway, the weather shifted quickly. Before leaving, we took a moment to say goodbye to the lake, now slightly ruffled by the wind, its surface darkening under the thickening clouds...

  We packed our backpacks and headed to the road to try our luck hitchhiking...

  To our surprise, after only about 15 minutes, a minibus pulled over. Inside was an older man and a young boy returning from a football tournament in Sogndal—the boy had just played in it. They kindly gave us a lift to Skei, just 12 kilometers from Lunde... Once in Skei, we hiked up to the beautiful Dagsturhytta Fjellro. On the way, we passed through a quiet field dotted with wildflowers, their colors standing out brightly against the soft green hills.

   Then we got to Dagsturhytta Fjellro. Perched high above the lake, this cozy, modern hiking cabin is part of Norway’s network of day-trip huts, designed to encourage people to explore the outdoors...

  With its large glass front and simple wooden interior, the hut offers a quiet, warm space to rest while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the shimmering expanse of Jølstravatnet far below...

  Inside, a guestbook lay on the table, filled with notes from hikers who had come before us. It was the perfect shelter and a beautiful spot to continue the celebration, with nature all around and not a sound but the wind outside...

  We made dinner - boiled ravioli with cheese and spinach—paired with cold Norwegian beer (Frydenlund, of course). The scenery, the silence, the glowing clouds from the never-setting sun - it all added to the magic of the moment...

  It was June 23rd, the longest day of the year—Midsummer, or Jonsok as it’s called in Norway. Just like in Lithuania, this day is marked by bonfires that light up the hills and fjords, symbolizing purification and the power of light over darkness. As the evening deepened, we spotted small fires glowing all around the lake—on distant shores, near farms, and up on the hillsides. It was a quiet but powerful sight. Knowing these fires were part of a shared tradition, celebrated both here and back home in Lithuania, gave the night a warm sense of connection.

  Even deep into the night, Norway doesn’t sleep in late June. This photo was taken at 1:35 AM in Skei, under the soft glow of a white night. The sky never went fully dark—just a gentle twilight, reflecting on the calm surface of Lake Jølstravatnet, while distant lights traced the quiet villages below. It felt like time stood still in this serene, dreamlike moment...

  Next day, our plan was to reach legendary Geiranger—with two buses and a ferry ride ahead of us. Soon we’d be floating through one of the most dramatic fjords in the world, but that’s a story for the next post…