Himakana is known as “Little Trolltunga” due to its similarities with the famous Norwegian rock formation that juts out horizontally 3,600 ft (1,100 m) above sea level. The hike to Himakana is much more accessible at only about 2 hours roundtrip though, compared to 10-12 hours for Trolltunga.
From our initial anchorage at Vestre Bokn, we spent a night at nearby Josen, then moved to Hindaravagen beneath Himakana. Our first hike back in Norway reminded us of why we were so eager to return, and we are looking forward to many more.
Below are trip highlights from July 18th and 19th, 2020. Click any image for a larger view, or click the position to view the location on a map. And a live map of our current route and most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.
7/18/2020
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Spitfire
Position: 59°10.48’N, 5°23.81’E
One of Spitfire’s many favourite spots is the paper garbage basket in the salon. The basket sits adjacent to the diesel heater outflow and fills with warm air when we’re running the furnace.
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40 Amps
Position: 59°10.48’N, 5°23.82’E
After replacing the cylinder head, it’s wonderful to see that generator able to hold the load at 40 amps and beyond.
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7/19/2020
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Josen
Position: 59°10.46’N, 5°23.82’E
Early-morning view to the island of Josen as we depart the anchorage. We’d moved from Vestre Bokn yesterday for a change of scenery. Our plan in cruising Norway this time is to move the boat most days, but not necessarily very long distances. Yesterday’s “cruise” was only 1.8 miles.
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Boknafjord
Position: 59°10.19’N, 5°29.41’E
The ferry Stavangerfjord on the dock at Arsvagen on Vestre Bokn with the Boknafjord departing for Mortavika on Nordre Rennesoy. From there, it’s a half-hour drive to Stavanger. When launched in 2011, the 426-ft (129.9m) Boknafjord was the largest LPG-powered ferry in the world.
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Karsto Refinery
Position: 59°12.31’N, 5°34.04’E
The Karsto refinery to our north is connected via pipeline to about 30 oil and gas fields and is the largest of its kind in Europe.
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Trail
Position: 59°19.43’N, 5°48.06’E
A view to the trail we’ll be taking to Himakana as we approach the anchorage at Hindaravagen.
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Hindaravagen
Position: 59°20.74’N, 5°48.26’E
View of the anchorage at Hindaravagen (clockwise from top left corner is the view forward, aft, starboard, and port). The bay is exposed to the south, but we’re expecting only light winds from the north while we are here.
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Happiness is …
Position: 59°20.75’N, 5°48.27’E
… a warm engine room. Spitfire loves basking in the warm engine room once we’ve stopped after completing a trip.
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Dirona
Position: 59°20.71’N, 5°48.26’E
Moored at Hindaravagen below Himakana where we’ll hike today.
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Tender
Position: 59°20.81’N, 5°48.07’E
The tender moored at Hindaravag for our hike. Amazingly, this is our first time out in the tender for eight months. The last time was on October 31st when we visited Naarden in the Netherlands the before returning to Amsterdam.
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Chain
Position: 59°20.81’N, 5°48.08’E
Jennifer considering upgrading the anchor rode on Dirona.
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Trailhead
Position: 59°20.90’N, 5°48.73’E
At the Himakana trailhead for our first hike of the year. Given we’re more than halfway through 2020, that is most unusual for us.
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628 Feet
Position: 59°21.23’N, 5°48.78’E
The view at altitude 628 ft (191 m) along the Himakana trail looking southeast over a large farm to Nedstrandsfjorden.
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Trail Marks
Position: 59°21.48’N, 5°49.15’E
It’s hard to get lost on a trail in Norway. Despite the trail being well-worn and easy to follow, three red trail marks are visible in this picture.
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Boardwalk
Position: 59°21.49’N, 5°49.11’E
Jennifer loves boardwalks. Here we are passing through a boggy section along the Himakana trail.
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Himakana
Position: 59°21.49’N, 5°48.71’E
Himakana is a popular hike and several dozen people were already at the top taking in the spectacular scenery and rock formations.
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Lunch
Position: 59°21.52’N, 5°48.67’E
We found a nice secluded spot at Himakana with a great view for our first picnic lunch of the year. Dirona is visible at anchor in Hindaravagen 1170 ft (356 m) below us, slightly right of center.
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Little Trolltunga
Position: 59°21.49’N, 5°48.69’E
Himakana is known as “Little Trolltunga” due to its similarities with the famous Norwegian rock formation that juts out horizontally 3,600 ft (1,100 m) above sea level. The hike to Himakana is much more accessible at only 2.1km one-way to 1,170 ft (356 m) above sea level, whereas the hike to Trolltunga is 14.5km to an altitude of 4,020 ft (1,224m).
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Steep
Position: 59°21.46’N, 5°49.27’E
The trail to Himakana is beautifully built, but so steep that we were almost sliding in places as we descended.
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Puppy Transport
Position: 59°21.27’N, 5°48.85’E
We first saw this woman from the front, with her backpack not visible, and were a little surprised at the loud slobbering and grunting sounds she was making.
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Parking Lot
Position: 59°20.95’N, 5°47.99’E
The parking lot for Himakana was half-empty when we passed on our way up, but nearly full when returned back down.
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View to Himakana
Position: 59°20.75’N, 5°48.29’E
View to Himakana from the anchorage. The rock formations we hiked to are visible roughly at center in the top third of the picture. For our first hike of the year, it was a real winner.
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Click the travel log icon on the left to see these locations on a map, with the complete log of our cruise.
On the map page, clicking on a camera or text icon will display a picture and/or log entry for that location, and clicking on the smaller icons along the route will display latitude, longitude and other navigation data for that location. And a live map of our current route and most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps. |
Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures and taking us along on your wonderful journey. This is my daily highlight to see what you have been fixing and where you have gone to. I’m so happy to have found your site.
Thanks. We both appreciate your feedback.
I think I missed what happened to the rear main oil seal. Was it actually a leak from the head gasket? Or, is the original oil spray problem still there?
The rear main oil seal continues to leak but, for some reason it seems to leaking less now. It still needs to be changed but it’s not making nearly as much mess as it was before. I suspect we’ll be fine waiting for a slow time this winter when we feel like taking on the seal. It definitely still needs to be changed.