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Norway 2007: The Coast Route |
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Thursday 14th June: Bjørlia - Steinkjer (153 km) |
Where are the fish?
Between Hoylandet and Namsos we followed the beautiful Namsen, one of Norway's best Salmon rivers.
Fishing has always been important in Norway and currently it is the world's second largest exporter of fish.
Over-fishing, particularly of herring and cod, depleted fish stocks with the result that nowadays there is a system of strict quotas and licences.
Aquaculture is important, with more than 3000 fish farms scattered along the coast.
Namsen, one of Norway's best salmon rivers
Karen's diary:
It was 10 degrees inside the hut this morning and only 5 degrees outside but the sky was blue and the sun shone. As we continued south on Route 17, we realised how fortunate we were to have stopped where we did. All the other campgrounds in the area were closed. Soon we reached the top of a plateau and had easy riding between lakes and small crags. As we descended gradually, the river flats got wider and there was a lot of farming, mainly cereals. Many farmers were cutting hay.
To avoid the busy town of Namsos we crossed to the other side of the Namsen River and used the 'fishing' road. The Namsen is supposedly one of Norway's best salmon-fishing rivers; there were fishing lodges and camps everywhere. After Namsos the riverbanks closed in again and the country became steep and rocky. As we approached the city of Steinkjer (population 20,000) the traffic got heavier. We were passed by a large number of heavy trucks and a surprising number of tractors. There wasn't a bike lane, so it was exciting. Just before Steinkjer cyclists (and tractors) are diverted off the motorway and onto the 'old' road, a narrow, steep road that cuts diagonally down a big escarpment. It avoided the town centre and took us almost directly to a supermarket and the campground.