"THE VIKING TRAIL"

                       June-September 2008

A well tried expedition package called "The Viking Trail" will be offered to both military units and civilian groups in 2008. This expedition has been tried and tested since 1977 and organised by us the last 5 years.

The expedition has 4 phases:

1. Phase; Arrival at JSTC Evjemoen Evje;  briefing/equipment issue (if necessary) with one overnight stay for planning and preparation. 

2. Phase; Next morning the group will be transporten 100 kms further north along the Setesdal valley, and into the start point situated on the edge of the western part of the Setesdal mountain range. Transport will be by mini-bus. The ability, and wishes of the group dictate the route/distance taken; however, the standard length of this expedition is 4 days and 3 nights. Tents, or log cabins can be used, and own food should be taken. Food can be supplied to those groups that want to avoid taking their own.

The terrain is spectacular, and challenging, perfectly suited to all types of groups; Scout/DOE award groups wishing a perfect expedition area for their certificates or unit level military expeditions wanting a real Viking Challenge in a safe but challenging enviroment.

An instructor/guide can be provided for this phase if necessary. On the last day of the trekking phase, the group meet at a pre-arranged destination where we will be waiting with our resident Open canadian canoeing instructor/coach, and all the equipment necessary for an expedition lasting several days. A short periode of instruction, plus safety procedures will be given before setting off for a relaxing/pleasant easy paddle down the river Otra  to a local campsite. After a hot shower, and meal provided in the local cafèteria the group can spend a relaxing evening preparing for the next phase of the expedition.

3. Phase; This is a 60 kilometer paddle down the river Otra, and spectacular inland fjord Byglandsfjord. Groups have a choice of either wilderness camping along the way, (beaches/Islands) or utilising the local campsite and log cabins dotted along the main fjord. A period of 3 nights is spent on this phase which, ends just 10 kilomters from the centre. The group is then collected and taken back to Evjemoen where comfortable accommodation, hot showers/fresh bedlinen will be provided for the last phase.  

4. Phase; Short recovery/recreation periode (normaly 2 nights) where the group can experience a comfortable stay with full-board at the centre. A number of activities will be available ranging from WW rafting, Go carting mountainbiking, fishing, watersports, cultural activities or just relaxing in beautiful unspoilt surroundings. 

The expedition is a total of 10 nights; 1 night in situ Evjemoen-3 nights in the Setesdal mountains-1 night at changover location (normaly campsite with all facilities) 2 nights at Evjemoen.. This standard concept can be altered according to the wishes of the group.   

A total of 8 "The Viking Trail" expeditions will be offered during 2008. Dates;

1. 01 June 12 June

2. 13 June 24 June

3. 25 June 05 July                         Fully booked

4. 05 July 16 July                          Fully booked

5. 17 July 28 July         

6.  06 August 17 August   

7. 17 August 28 August

8. 29 August 08 September   

These dates are a rough guidline to help plan for your expedition; if, for some reason, your dates available do not match those here on this page please contact us for advice. We are flexible, and it may be possible to overlap expedition dates. 

Recreational facilities:

We have a fullsized football pitch-Sand Volleyball area and basketball court at Evjemoen. There are magnificant sandy beaches just 10 minutes paddle away in one of our open Canadian canoes and fishing from our 200 meter riverbank.  For the more active, we have the following activities;

Go-cart-Golf-Rafting-Riding-Mineral exploration-Mountain biking etc

Summer activities: Climbing-Abseiling-hill walking-mountaineering-Glacier touring-orienteering-kayak paddling-Canadian canoe paddling-Initiative tests-riding-dry ski training-Biathlon training-Golf-Go Cart track-Mineral exploration-fishing-beaches.

FAMILY HOLIDAY? 

We have room availability during the summer holidays for service families from the UK or Germany at very competitive rates. With the local beach only a short walk away, the centre is also an ideal place for a short family break. Why not try a 2 day Open canoeing expedition with all the familiy on the inland lake Ogge, which lies just 40 minutes drive from Evjemoen. Ideal for short expeditions and wilderness camping. 

We have all the equipment you need plus maps plus possibilites to hire a local guide if neccesary.

Winter: X-country skiing-Telemark skiing-Biathlon-Ski touring-Ice fishing-Skating-Ice climbing-Winter mountaineering-winter expeditions-ski orienteering

Ice climbing  

Ski touring

X-country ski training/racing

The Heroes of Telemark Expedition

    Hardanger vidda Norway

Most people will have heard about this incredible story through the Kirk Douglas film made in the mid sixties. This feature film from Hollywood, which was shown in all major cinemas, and on TV bears no resemblance to what actually happened 61 years ago in Telemark Norway. This expedition will give you a real chance to find out what really happened, and experience at first hand the hardship and incredible bravery, which those Norwegian saboteurs experienced and showed in delaying, and eventually destroying Hitler’s hopes of producing the world’s first atomic bomb. This is the only expedition of its kind available today in Europe combining WW2s most famous sabotage action and a tour through some of the most spectacular mountain terrain on the Hardanger vidda southern Norway. 

The expedition can be booked through Woodlore Ltd (Ray Mears) www.raymears.com

For British, or Nato military units wanting the opportunity to experience this expedition take direct contact with us here in Norway. 

This is a Level 3 expedition which enables military units to apply for financial help from the relevant authorities. 

         Photo Brian Desmond Hardanger vidda 2004 

Recce for first Heroes of Telemark expedition February 2004

GENERAL INFORMATION JOINT SERVICES TRAINING CENTRE

Even though the facilities at Evjemoen are primarily used for outdoor pursuits and expeditions (service personel) the center will also be available for other groups such as; sports clubs, scouts, companies, universities/colleges/ Schools etc. 

The area is ideally situated in relation to service personel stationed in both Germany and the UK (on an all-year round basis for summer and winter activities. Units can, if they wish to book accommodation on an ad-hoc basis at short/long term notice. If you wish to use the accommodation on a time-share basis, securing accommodation for your unit every year then contact Destination Setesdal for more details. 

Sporting facilities are also available onsite. Full size football pitch-Gymnasium-Basketball court-Tennis court .There is also a large modern cinema seating several  hundred for multi-purpose use. 

Dining facilities are just 40 meters from the acc in a large modern mess hall. Lecture facilities are also available as are sporting and recreational activities onsite. 

SPECIAL NOTICE

 Try Evjemoen as your base for x-country ski training

"To all British Military Ski team officers from Germany or the UK"  (plus civilian ski clubs from the UK)

Destination Setesdal has accommodation available  for British military/civilian  teams in Evje southern Norway this winter. Superb Biathlon facilities and excellent ski terrain.

Address: Destination Setesdal AS Evjemoen 4735 Evje

Telefon: kontor 37927040 Mobil 90140857 faks: 37927041

Email: briandes@frisurf.no

We are open 24 hours a day 

HOW TO GET TO NORWAY

Twoferry companies; DFDS Seaways; Newcastle-Stavanger Color Line; Hirtsals-Kristiansand have reliable services all year round to Norway. Destination Setesdal is able to help those traveling obtain special group rates.

Ryanair also ply their trade between London Stansted and Oslo Sandefjord. (Torp)  It takes just over 3 hours to drive the pleasant coastal/mountain  route to Evje. Hire car is also available at Sandefjord. Air tickets can be purchased for as little  as  £ 10 return. 

HAMBURG EXPRESS 

Stationed in Germany? Why not take a long weekend trip to our Adventure training centre in Evje. The Hamburg Express bus leaves the center of Hamburg 3 days a week at 1630 hrs. Taking the Hamburg bus on a Thursday; you will arrive in good time at Hirtsals in Denmark to be transported over the Skaggerak to Kristiansand in Norway. Arrival at Kristiansand Friday morning 0700 hrs. We can arrange collection at the ferry terminal in Kristiansand for your group if necessary and have you with us within 1 hour! Use the whole weekend, Friday Saturday and Sunday for sightseeing and recreational activities in one of the most beautiful areas in southern Norway.

Departure from Evje 1700 hrs Monday, and be back in Hamburg by Tuesday 0745 hrs. Tempted?

The tour is ideal for small groups wanting something different. Go to; www.nor-way.no for more information reference travel, and/or ring Destination Setesdal A/S  for availablity and room prices etc.

Ring, or send an email for further details ref prices about our summer activity weekend in Norway.

THE HISTORY OF THE INFANT KING 

There was a civil war in Norway. Faction pitted itself against faction in a battle for the throne. One faction was called the birkebeiners. They were the underdogs, often in such dire need that they had nothing but the bark of the birch-trees as footwear. The word birkebeiner, birch-leg, has come to mean a man strong in adversity, never daunted by trials and hardship.  The birkebeiners had gained ascendancy over great parts of the country, but the rival faction, the baglers, prevailed in the East of Norway.

After the birkebeiner chieftain Haakon died on New Years Day in 1204, the baglers saw a dangerous rival pretender in his son Haakon Haakonsson, who was born in 1204, a few weeks after his fathers death. His life was at stake, and the birkebeiners wanted to bring him to safety in Trondheim. On Christmas Day in 1205 the party came to a small farm at Lillehammer, where they stayed in hiding over Christmas. They found it too risky to follow the route up the Gudbrandsdal valley, so they cut across the mountains to the neighbour valley in east, Østerdalen. Due to bad weather and difficult snow conditions the two best skiers, Torstein Skevla and Skjervald Skrukka had to go ahead with the two-year-old prince.  "On this trip they suffered alot from the cold, snow and wind". Behind this incredible and moving account of the saga lies a deed of valour and strength with an appeal to skiers of all ages and nations. The 3,5 kilo pack carried by the present day birkebeiners symbolizes the prince, who later became king Haakon. He eventually ended the civil war, and under him Norway became stronger with the countries heyday coming during the middle ages.  The birkebeiner expedition made history.