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Ridderspranget
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Ridderspranget is a gorge in the
river Sjoa, and is well known in legend. The story teils of the knight
Sigvat of Kvie in Valdres, who in the 1300s stole a girl from the knight Iva
Gjaesling at Sandbu in Vaga. Iva was the most powerful man in Gudbrandsdalen
at that time, and he and Sigvat were enemies. |
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The girl was called Skarvangs-sole
("the Skarvang sun") because she was so beautiful. The girl loved Sigvat and
did not want to marry Iva. Sigvat rescued the girl, set fire to the Sandbu
farm, and then headed off up Sjodalen. Iva took up the chase with his men
and caught up with Sigvat at the river gorge. Sigvat took the girl up into
his arms and jumped the gorge. His page followed, but Sigvat turned and
pushed him down into the waterfall. Iva did not dare to follow whilst Sigvat
stood on the other side prepared to push everybody into the waterfall. The
Gorge has been called Ridderspranget "Riders Leap" from that day to this. |
Welcome to Sjodalen
Sjodalen is in
Langmorkje Crown Lands in the Vaga district. This mountain valley is
renowned for its distinctive countryside. Through the valley runs the river
Sjoa, which is permanently protected against development as a hydro-electric
power source. The melting snow gives the river a constant fast flow in the
summer. |
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Sjoa is a very
popular fishing river, which is also used for many types of water sports.
Beyond the
valley sides the pine forest dominates, in some places up to almost 1100
metres above sea level. Great pines, their branches covered with lichen,
denote virgin forest flourishing in unpolluted air. Sjodalen has also a rich
cultural history with, amongst other things, many old mountain farming commu
nities and trapping areas for moose and wild reindeer. The availability of
outdoor pursuits is varied and the valley is a central starting point for
walks in Jotunheimen and in the surrounding mountains. |
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