Queen Sonja’s Panoramic Hiking Trail from Kinsarvik to Lofthus
Dronningstien, “The Queen’s Trail”, runs between the two villages of Kinsarvik and Lofthus in Hardanger. The trail climbs up to 1,100 meters, with the Sørfjord (an inner branch of the Hardangerfjord) on one side, and Hardangervidda National Park on the other. The Folgefonna Glacier glimmers in the distance.
The trail is known as the Queen’s route because it is one of the Norwegian Queen Sonja’s favourite hikes in Hardanger.
In 2018 the locals built a suspension bridge which the Queen herself opened. The bridge now connect two marvelous mountain areas and hiking trails, and forms the longest version of the route.
The trail has a rough start with almost 900m climb divided by 4km of gravel road and 4km mountain trail. From there it is 6km with stunning views of both fjord and mountains, crossing the large rivers "Opo" and "Skrikjo". After 14km you set course towards the fjord you've had a good look at the whole time, plummeting 750m in the last 3km.
The hike is varied, leading through forest, high mountain terrain, and fruit orchards. There are fantastic panoramas along the trail and a number of spectacular viewpoints.
