16.9.2024: Glomfjord - Spilderdalen Bodø - Å
Today, we have time enough for a short walk in the morning. after a 2 hours´ drive we should be in Bodø at 3 p.m. to get our reserved place on the ferry to Moskenes on the Lofot islands.
We drive into the Spilderdalen the valley to the left of the Spilderhesten, which so nicely was enlightened in yesterday´s evening sun.
Back in the valley there is a water power plant with a gravel road leading to it; nothing more however, no path leading off from there.
Spilderdalsvatnet, the upper of the two lakes, with the mountain range containing the Spilderhesten as the first and the Nonstinden and Middagstinden to the backside.
On the drive back we find a narrow path leading to the lower lake, the Spildervatnet.
Spildervatnet. As in so many other places, holiday huts of some norwegian people.
Spildervatnet. The grvel beach is suited to walk on.
So, we walk along the lake. ...
...
... till its head. No way around due to lack of a suited bridge over its influx.
The Spilderhesten ridge.
Spildervatnet and the Spilderhesten ridge.
Spildervatnet and Spilderhesten ridge.
Spildervatnet and Spilderhesten ridge.
Spildervatnet and holiday huts.
Spildervatnet
We started the drive along the coastal road heading for Bodø.
The bridge to the island of Sandhornøya.
View to the south near the bridge to the island of Sandhornøya.
Short rest at the bridge over the Kjellingstraumen.
Kjellingstraumenbrua.
Autumn colours near the Kjellingstraumen bridge.
Faster than expected, we reach the lake Valnesvatnet with its outflow ...
... to the Valnesforsen, a waterfall of 80 m height, which nearly cannot be seen from above.
Valnesvatnet
Valnesvatnet
On a huge bridge, we finally cross the Saltstraumen, a bottleneck in the fjord system, between the Saltfjord (near Bodø) and the Skjerstadfjorden, which reaches dozens of kilometres into the land till the town of Rognan. Due to the rich influx of water from rivers into the Skjerstadfjord upside and the strong und hugh tidal range, a fast water current is built on the narrow constriction, up to 40 km/h fast and with vortexes down to 4 metres (also see Wikipedia).
We stop at the carpark behind the bridge and walk down to the water to wonder at the strong vortex.
Tiny side cove.
View to the south to the mountains of the Børvasstinden and Åselitinden (both higher than 1.100 m)
Frequently, we see roofs covered with soil and grass.
The Godøystraumen situated a bit more to Bodø is so shallow, that there is no current visible.
Godøystraumen
After a pause at a gas station and an hour of waiting time we entered the ferry from Bodø to Moskenes, which is now starting.
View fron the ferry boat.
Bodø
Bodø
Bodø
Last buildings of Bodø
Last buildings of Bodø. The passage now takes 3 1/4 hours to the Lofot islands, which of course we reach at darkness.