The first thing you notice at Helleren is the scale. The two small wooden houses look almost insignificant beneath the enormous slab of rock above them.
Helleren sits on the eastern side of Jøssingfjord in Rogaland, Norway.
The site is easy to reach by car, with a free parking area only a few minutes' walk from the houses. There is no entrance fee, making it one of the simplest historic stops to include when driving the Norwegian Scenic Route between Flekkefjord and Stavanger.
People have been using this natural shelter for thousands of years. Archaeological discoveries show that the overhang provided protection long before the two timber houses were built in the 1800s. They have found traces indicating human activity under Helleren for more than 6000 years.
The buildings remained occupied until the early twentieth century and have since been preserved as part of Norway's cultural heritage. Looking at them, it's easy to understand why this location was chosen. Instead of clearing land or constructing large buildings, people worked with the landscape they already had. The rock itself became the roof.
Sadly, you can no longer enter the houses. After years of heavy visitor traffic, the interiors were closed to help preserve them. You can still walk around the buildings and see them from only a few metres away, but if you're expecting a museum with furnished rooms, you'll leave wanting more. The value of Helleren comes from seeing how the houses relate to the cliff rather than what is inside them.
Jøssingfjord deserves as much attention as Helleren itself. The steep rock walls surrounding the narrow fjord create an unusual landscape that feels quite different from the wider fjords found elsewhere in Norway.
There are roads that simply take you from one place to another. Then there are roads that make you want to stop every few minutes. Gamle Strynefjellsvegen or "The Old Strynefjell Road" is definitely one of those places.
The road is about 27 kilometres long and reaches over 1,100 metres above sea level. Stone guardrails, mountain lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and snowfields shape the landscape.
Our journey started from Grotli and soon we were facing some exciting challenges. You definitely need to feel comfortable driving narrow gravel sections and sharp bends. Passing other vehicles sometimes takes patience. Driving slowly and staying alert makes it manageable.
We were greeted by a soft sunset glow on the mountains. What a sight!
Without a schedule, we had time to explore. After years of travelling, I've found this to be the most rewarding way to experience a place. Instead of rushing from one attraction to the next, simply choose a destination and stay awhile. Wander, take in the scenery, and let the landscape set the pace. It gives you time to connect with your surroundings and truly recharge.
After a while we decided to pack our bags and head up a nearby mountain. It felt like a perfect spot to set up our tent and enjoy the views from even higher altitudes.
The climb was rewarding from the very beginning. Up close, we noticed details that disappear from the road below. As we gained elevation, the landscape opened up, revealing wider views with every step.
Reaching the summit area was one of the highlights. The panoramic views over glaciers, lakes and winding roads were worth every step.
Luckily, the clouds stayed away, and we never got any rain during our time up there.
The final day
We packed up our camp and began making our way back down the mountain. Since it was still early, we took a short detour to a nearby lake formed by melting snow.
Refreshed and full of endorphins, the descent felt shorter than expected.
Suddenly, we felt sad to leave this place. That feeling often comes when you get to know a place more closely.
While travelling in Norway, we try to stay mindful of leaving space for others and not overstaying in popular spots. Even when moving on, we could have searched for another nearby stop, but it felt right to continue the journey and free up space for others, especially since parking options in the area are limited.
We continued our journey west towards Videsæter. Along the way, we kept stopping at viewpoints and could not just drive past them.
Many others were also out enjoying the glacial waters, and the lake showed an even deeper turquoise colour than before.
And I am sure there are many other remarkable stops you can make along this road. If you plan to visit, make sure to tag us on Instagram @kaisartravels - would love to see your photos of this amazing old road!
If you enjoy slow travel, hiking, photography, and quiet nights in nature, this road deserves a spot on your Norway itinerary.
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Almost two years ago I quit my daily job and started moving toward the life I actually want to live. These past years have been full of change and learning. I can honestly say it was the best decision I have ever made. I feel a sense of freedom I did not have before, and I recognize myself more clearly now being a creative happy person.
After I quit, my husband and I travelled to many different countries across three continents. The places were all different, but they shared something in common. Amazing nature, peace, and quiet, where you could actually hear your own thoughts.
That feeling started to pull me in more and more. It felt right, like something I wanted more of. Now I feel ready to take this blog in a more focused direction. From here on, I wish to share stories on slower travel and quieter places in nature. Places that are more remote, less visited, and where you can actually slow down and take in what is around you.
The blog will start to look more like a travel diary. Mostly photo-based posts from these places, with my own notes from the road. When I have them, I will also include YouTube videos that fit this style of travel (Kaisar Travel Youtube Channel).
If you have been following the blog before, nothing disappears. The older posts will stay as they are. They are part of the path that led here and still contain a good amount of travel advice.
This is just a clearer direction now. Slower travel. Quiet places. More time in nature.
Fresh travel content on Instagram @kaisartravels
Hinni Canyon sits in Võru County in southeastern Estonia. It is a short forest trail that leads you into a narrow sandstone valley surrounded by dense trees.
Water shaped this canyon over a long period. Sandstone walls stand on both sides of the trail. Tree roots cross the edges. Moss spreads across rocks and fallen wood. A small stream runs through the bottom of the valley and shifts with recent rain.
Hinni Canyon does not offer wide views or long hiking routes. It works as a short stop in Võru County. You come here for the experience of moving through a narrow natural space, not for distance or elevation gain.
It has been years since we visited China, and in between, traveling there became somewhat complicated. Looking back now, we are in awe of our photos from Shanghai - it felt like a city of contrasts, where ancient temples stand beside futuristic skyscrapers and quiet gardens hide behind busy streets. Spending New Year’s Eve there, high above the skyline, gave us a perspective on a city that never stops evolving. Can't help but wishing to travel there once again some day.
We were in Shanghai for New Year’s Eve, a time when the city usually doesn’t have traditional fireworks because of rules that limit or ban fireworks in China. It was unbelievable to witness that noone would ignore this ban. At midnight the sky remained calm.
At midnight, thousands of balloons were released from the ceiling of that hollow atrium, falling gently around us as champagne glasses clinked. It felt surreal - like the hotel had created its own kind of light and movement inside this magnificent tower.
The Bund and Pudong
One of the most famous places in Shanghai is The Bund, a waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River. Historic buildings with golden-hued facades tell stories of Shanghai’s past, while across the water, the futuristic towers of Pudong showcase the city’s rapid growth.
Lined with historic buildings in European architectural styles, it offers a striking contrast to the modern skyscrapers of Pudong across the river.
The Pudong - it is one of the most iconic views of Shanghai and the Bund itself is well worth visiting. Its wide promenade invites long walks, offering ever-changing views of the river and skyline.
It is especially striking when it gets dark.
Nanjing Road
Strolling along Nanjing Road, we felt the city’s buzz.
Cavalleria Eroica is a bronze sculpture by the French artist Arman, placed in front of the Shanghai Exhibition Centre on Nanjing Road.
The piece dates from 1987 and shows a cluster of galloping horses made with Arman's well known accumulation technique. It stands outdoors near the main entrance and has become a visible landmark on one of the city’s busiest streets. You can reach it easily from the Nanjing Xi Lu metro stop, and it is free to view at any time.
Yuyuan Garden
Yuyuan Garden, also known as Yu Garden, brought calm with its classical architecture and ponds.
Hidden behind white walls and traditional curved roofs, the garden opens into a carefully designed world of rock formations, wooden pavilions, koi-filled ponds, and zigzag bridges. Built during the Ming Dynasty, it reflects the precision and symbolism of classical Chinese garden design. Each window frames a different scene, each corridor reveals a new composition.
Shanghai Tower
Going up Shanghai Tower gives you perspective on the city’s scale.
One of the tallest buildings in the world, it rises high above the financial district of Lujiazui.
The Huangpu River curves below, and familiar landmarks suddenly look small. If you are short on time, even walking around the base of the tower offers impressive angles for photos, especially when the surrounding skyscrapers reflect the changing light.
Oriental Pearl Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower stands out immediately with its pink spheres and futuristic design.
It feels bold and slightly playful compared to the glass towers around it. You can visit the observation decks for sweeping views, but even from the ground the structure makes a strong impression. From across the river at the Bund, it becomes one of the defining elements of Shanghai’s skyline, especially after dark when it lights up and dominates the scene.
The French Concession
The French Concession has a different rhythm from the financial district. Tree-lined streets replace wide boulevards, and low-rise buildings create a more intimate atmosphere.
Former villas, small boutiques, and cozy cafés give the area a slower pace. It feels less vertical and more residential. Walking here without a fixed plan works best. Turn into side streets, notice balconies and hidden courtyards, and observe how quickly Shanghai’s mood can shift within just a few blocks.
Thai Gallery in Jing'an Park
Restaurant Thai Gallery sits inside Jing’an Park right beside the water, offering a calm pause from the surrounding streets.
Food markets
Shanghai’s food stayed with us long after the trip. Soup dumplings filled with hot broth, sweet and sour pork with crisp edges, and fresh seafood prepared on the spot created some of our strongest memories.
M50 Art District
For art lovers, M50 Art District revealed the city’s creative side. Former industrial buildings now house galleries and studios, and you can walk from one exhibition space to another within minutes. The atmosphere feels raw and experimental, a contrast to the polished skyscrapers nearby.
Jing’an and Jade Buddha Temple
Jing’an Buddhist Temple sits in the heart of Shanghai. Originally built in the 3rd century and rebuilt several times over the centuries, it now stands restored with golden roofs and red walls that contrast sharply with the modern buildings around it. The renovation involved roughly 500,000 sheets of gold foil on the pagoda and roof structures.
The temple complex feels contained and timeless, even though traffic and high-rises surround it. Walking through its courtyards feels like stepping briefly into another era within the same city.
Tips that helped us
- Take the metro - fast, cheap, and easy, but at peak hours can get quite busy. If that happens you start to hear these kind of high pitch sounds from people which is how they let you know they want to pass and get off the train.
- Also taxi is quite affordable.
- Carry some cash for street vendors. Although most places accepted card payment.
- Avoid peak times; Shanghai gets crowded on holidays. But if you are there for the holidays, I can assure it will be magical.
- Look where you step - dog poop on the ground is quite common, although in the touristic areas they try to keep it clean.
If you enjoyed this post, share your thoughts in the comments below or connect with us on Instagram @kaisartravels. We would love to hear about your own experiences in Shanghai or answer any questions you might have.
