Latest news with #Hellesylt
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
The European village visited by thousands of tourists a day and loved by filmmakers - but could one day be destroyed by 'the world's tallest tsunami'
A picturesque village visited by thousands of tourists everyday and favoured as a backdrop by filmmakers could one day cease to exist. Set amid magnificent mountains and a beautiful fjord, it is no surprise that Hellesylt has become a popular destination for cruise ships. It has even featured in the Mission Impossible franchise in an adrenaline packed scene showing Tom Cruise riding a motorbike off a mountaintop and falling through the sky. But if tourists want to get a glimpse of the charming village, it is best to book travel now rather than later. According to National Geographic, Hellesylt is at risk of being flooded by one of the 'tallest tsunamis in history'. The nearby mountain Åkerneset has a 230-foot split down its front making it 'one of the most hazardous rock fractures in the world'. Growing by as much as three and a half inches per year due to erosion, the rock is at risk of collapsing into the fjord below and triggering one of the 'tallest tsunamis in history'. Reaching an estimated 338 feet, the massive wave would swallow schools, hospitals and around 10,000 homes in nearby fjord villages, including Hellesylt. It is not known when the rockslide-induced tsunami will take place but an early warning system is already in place. Lasers pointed at Åkernes will detect even the smallest of movements, notifying up to 10,000 residents in nearby fjord villages including Hellesylt when they should evacuate their homes. A new drainage system that pumps water out of the mountain has also been installed in an attempt to stabilise the cliffside. Scientists believe that climate change will only increase the rate of erosion on Åkernes as the rock cliff fills up with water from rainfall and melting permafrost. For now, Hellesylt is still open to travellers who can marvel at its UNESCO-listed fjord landscape. One TripAdvisor user described it as the 'absolute highlight of my trip to Norway'. Popular activities in and around the quaint village include tours of the fjords by boat or kayak. Many also visit the Hellesyltfossen waterfall - one of the most photographed natural features in the area. The Hellesyltfossen waterfall is one of the most photographed natural features in the area Another visitor took to TripAdvisor said: 'We visited Hellesylt on a cruise, and to be honest I can't really say much about it apart from the fact that it is a stunningly beautiful village, with an impressive waterfall crashing through the centre of it. 'Paths allow you to view it from above and below, and you can also visit the church. 'The views speak for themselves, and I would definitely go again!' For those seeking a more thrilling adventure, Hellesylt's jagged landscape is the perfect playground for extreme sports including e-biking through the mountains and white water kayaking.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
The European village visited by thousands of tourists a day and loved by filmmakers – but could one day cease to exist
THERE'S a village in Norway that could one day be completely destroyed - although thousands of people still visit every day. Hellesylt is surrounded by valleys and mountains - one of which, called Åkerneset. 4 4 However, it is already eroding and if it collapses, could destroy the village. Hellesylt, in the northernmost part of Western Norway, isvisited by thousands of tourists during the summer months and has even been used as a backdrop in a a Mission Impossible movie. But for anyone wanting to get a glimpse of the village that has been called "stunningly beautiful", it's best to go sooner rather than later. According to National Geographic, there's a big crack down Åkerneset which has been called one of the most 'hazardous rock fractures in the world'. Due to erosion, part of the mountain will eventually slide into the fjord below possibly triggering one of the "tallest tsunamis in history." Nearby villages are prepared with early warning systems and other measures to evacuate - there's also new drainage technology that may potentially stabilise the cliffside. Thankfully, the village is still deemed safe for tourism. As for what to see in and around Hellesylt, the village is very near the famous Geirangerfjorden - a UNESCO-listed fjord. Thousands of tourists go to see Geirangerfjorden every day during the summertime - and tend to go through Hellesylt to do so. Hellesylt itself has been described as a 'charming village' with most holidaymakers going there to explore Norway's natural beauty. 4 Popular activities in and around Hellesylt include boat tours or kayaking on the fjords or as well as visiting the Hellesyltfossen waterfall. One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: "An absolute highlight of my trip to Norway. Such a beautiful village, the waterfall is glorious. "If you want to walk to the top bridge, do take the left hand path (by the church) for a gentle climb." Hellesylt was also used as a film set for Mission Impossible when it replicated the Austrian Alps. In Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, the snowy Hellesylt in Norway transformed into Austria for a very dramatic scene on a train. It takes place on the Rauma Railway, with lead actor Tom Cruise parachuting on to the roof of the speeding train and then fighting with the villain of the film, Gabriel. You can travel the route used for filming which goes from Andalsnes on the Norwegian coast to the village of Dombås in the mountains. The journey takes an hour and 40 minutes, and costs around £20. One Sun Writer reveals what it was like spending a week on a cruise around Norway. 4
