You will have heard of Norway for its fjords, and for the cruises that take guests between the jutting cliffs that kind the fjords, however there’s a entire lot extra to this Scandinavian nation than that.
Encompassing not solely the deep coastal fjords but in addition mountains, foothills, and glaciers, Norway has a complete host of issues to do for the extra outdoors-inclined. And the most effective methods to see this dramatic panorama is on foot, making mountain climbing in Norway is the easiest way to discover.
There’s nothing fairly like the sensation of pushing your self to climb additional for a view that’s even higher than the final time you stopped for a breather.
Add to that the rewarding feeling of getting labored for one thing as you sit there out of breath wanting throughout yet one more beautiful vista, and there’s little marvel as to why mountain climbing in Norway is among the nation’s hottest out of doors actions (alongside cross-country snowboarding).
The fantastic thing about mountain climbing in Norway is that it may be undertaken at virtually any age, younger to previous, as a result of there are as many various landscapes as there are ranges of potential.
Starting from light or mildly strenuous to powerful and downright dastardly, the hikes in Norway are among the finest on the earth, and listed here are only a few of them. Extra info on the beneath hikes could be discovered within the Norway journey information.
Finest Time to Hike in Norway
After a protracted, chilly winter, folks emerge to absorb the life awakening fjords, heading off to the countryside or one of many nation’s 44 nationwide parks to breathe within the outside air and really feel correctly near nature once more.
The Norway mountain climbing season runs from late spring (Might-June), when the character of Norway has risen from its winter sleep, till late summer season (early to mid-September).
Summer season is just not solely superb, however it’s additionally sensible: many hikes could be harmful and even inaccessible out of season, mountain roads are open once more, and the very lengthy hours of daylight right now of the 12 months imply extra time to embark on longer hikes with out the chance of being out after darkish.
Mountain climbing in Norway: 7 Unbelievable Hikes to Strive
Surløytenuten, Blefjell, Telemark
West of Oslo | 10km, 3-4 hours
Situated within the mountainous space of Blejfell, this hike is little-known however affords rewarding views for a lot much less of the trouble. Mountain landscapes typically contain, you recognize, having to trek to the realm with beautiful surroundings after which extra mountain climbing on prime of that, that means a giant strenuous stroll.
Nonetheless, this comparatively light stroll provides you the kind of terrain you’d anticipate at excessive altitudes with out having to truly make it there on foot.
Starting in a pine forest, this hike takes in variegated shades of panorama, together with bogs and low-lying vegetation, and affords peak views from the summit of Surløytenuten, itself 1,096m above sea stage.
Mountain climbing this route in summer season, particularly August, not solely means heat climate and delightful blue skies, however it additionally means with the ability to decide cloudberries as you amble by means of nature.
Dovrefjell
Central Norway | So long as you need (from 2 hours)
This space of Central Norway encompasses highlands which are a part of the Dovrefjell mountain vary, a wild area that gives mountain climbing in Norway that you may tailor to your personal skills and itineraries.
You’re equally at liberty to stroll for two hours as you might be for a couple of days, utilizing the mountain huts established all through the realm as lodging. The huts are naked, spartan shelters, however definitely higher than spending the evening exterior.
However arguably extra well-known than mountain climbing on this mountainous scrubland are the musk oxen that inhabit the realm. A visit to the 1,693 meter-square Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella Nationwide Park affords DIY musk-oxen-spotting and as such is a big draw to the area.
A surefire hike that nearly ensures a musk-ox spot, and takes in all points of Dovrefjell rolled into one, is the one-night trek from Kongsvold to the Reinheimen hut. It’s 16km every approach, and due to this size it’s reasonably troublesome, however it’s completely value it.
Hvaler, Østfold
South Norway | 5-8km, 2-3 hours
Simply two hours south of the Norwegian capital, this space affords a straightforward coastal stroll that gives up the intricately craggy shoreline of the Hvaler Archipeligo.
There’s something blissful about taking a gradual meander amidst the myriad islands and islets, swathes of blue sea and slender channels that make up this fascinating assortment of land-meets-sea.
A deal with for the eyes and never too onerous on the legs, a hike on the island of Vesterøy from Guttormsvauen to Kuvauen is an effective way to expertise this distinctive Norwegian panorama. It’s nice in all seasons, however very nice in summer season when a pit-stop on the seaside can present ample time for a picnic or barbecue.
The previous harbor at Kuvauen and the historic fishing huts situated there’s a fabulous little bit of human historical past that appears quaint and idyllic on the backdrop of a shimmering sea.
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Lysefjord
Southwest Norway | 8km, 2-4 hours
Although this is among the most-visited pure points of interest in Norway, you may definitely see why. The well-known 25 x 25-meter block of rock that hangs 600 meters over the crystalline floor of Lysefjord is one in all Norway’s best-known views.
It will probably get fairly busy right here, particularly on a transparent day, so likelihood is that this superb vista received’t be wholly yours, however given the singular great thing about this spot, you may forgive everyone for wanting to come back and see it.
The hike begins from a carpark at close by Preikestolhytta and takes roughly 1-2 hours one option to the majestic Preikestolen itself – so well-known that additionally it is identified by its English title: Pulpit Rock.
Keipen, Geirangerfjord
Central Norway | 8-10 hours
UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord is a vacation spot in itself, a heritage web site that may be a testomony to the quintessential panorama of Norway: the fjords. Just about vertical mountainsides, craggy mountain climbing grounds and the nonetheless waters of the fjords themselves make for a dramatic vista from any vantage level.
Waterfalls resembling Friaren (“the Suitor”), Brudesløret (“the Bridal Veil”) and the well-known De syv søstrene (“the Seven Sisters”) tumble down like sheets of mist down the sheer faces of the fjords.
There’s additionally the must-see winding mountain highway Trollstigen (“troll highway”), which can be an alternate option to get to the Geirangerfjorden space. With such sights, it’s simply accessible and tourist-friendly mountain climbing in Norway expertise.
While there are brief walks to Løsta and Vesteråsfjellet that provide up stunning views, the perfect place to correctly take within the full majesty of Geirangerfjord, while avoiding crowds, is from the summit of Keipen.
Scrambling up the steep aspect of this towering 1,379 meters-above-sea-level pinnacle is a job for summer season and undoubtedly not for learners; the journey from close by Geiranger (after which the fjord is called) will take you a complete day there-and-back, however the unimaginable view is more likely to be yours to take pleasure in in your personal firm and a tremendous reward for the onerous climb.
Mount Skåla, Stryn
Central Norway | 3.7km, 7-8 hours
One other mountain climb is finest undertaken in summer season, the summit of Skåla affords views of the fjord, glacier, and mountains stretching beneath. From the village of Loen on the shore of the fjord it’s an exceedingly sharp ascent, constantly upwards the entire approach, with the highest of Skåla sitting at a lofty 1,848 meters.
Due to the extreme and the steep nature of the climb, that is beneficial for “Consultants” solely, although many learners and intermediates embark on this hike.
The truth is, with an excellent man-made path all the way in which to the highest, so long as you’re match – and offered you begin early – it could be a superb purpose for anyone trying to problem themselves. It’s round 5 hours up, and from two to a few down, although for inexperienced hikers it may well take longer.
Yearly there’s a race from Loen to the highest of the mountain known as Skåla Opp. This takes place on 18th August this 12 months. Simply fascinated about strolling up Skåla is tiring, not to mention the considered racing up.
Trolltunga
Western Norway | 27km, 12 hours
Till 2010, the quantity of people that had been mountain climbing this now-famous trial was lower than 800 per 12 months; in 2016 the quantity of people that hiked this route was 80,000. Evidently, it’s some of the, if not the most, well-known hike in all of Norway.
It’s named after the rock formation which is the halfway level of this round hike, a platform sharply jutting out of the aspect of the hillside that apparently resembles a troll’s tongue (therefore the title).
The cliff overlooks Ringedalsvatnet, a lake within the Hardanger area, with Folgefonna glacier group seen within the distance.
Regardless of being so well-known, it’s not precisely a straightforward hike from the village of Skjeggedal to Trolltunga and again, taking round 12 hours. Nonetheless, an alternate route opened in 2017, eliminating the steep climb from the carpark as much as Måglitopp plateau.
Nonetheless the brand new automotive park atop the plateau has area for under 30 automobiles and opens from 7am in the course of the mountain climbing season, so get there early for those who want to keep away from some of the grueling moments of this hike. The Trolltunga path is open from roughly 15 June to fifteen September.
It’s also attainable to rearrange multi-day treks across the fjord and space of Trolltunga, giving you a chance to get away from the crowds and see the well-known fjord from various vantage factors.
By taking one in all these treks, you’ll even be afforded night and early morning hours on the well-known vantage level. This method is among the High 100 Journey Adventures on the earth.
Mountain climbing in Norway
To say modestly, this can be a small sampling of the mountain climbing choices you’ll discover out there to you in Norway. We put collectively a sampling of newbie to superior hikes to provide you a spot to begin when planning your journey.
It’s little question the most well-liked hikes, like Trolltunga, are those that might ship you to Norway. Don’t be afraid to take a look at another choices as properly, there isn’t a scarcity of epic landscapes and surroundings to discover on this nation.
| Really helpful Excursions | ||
| Cruise the Norwegian Fjords in Depth Tromsø to Bergen 11 days Small Expedition Ship |
Norwegian Fjords & Arctic Discovery Bergen to Longyearbyen 15 days Small Expedition Ship |
Scottish Islands & Norwegian Fjords Edinburgh to Tromsø 14 days Small Expedition Ship |
| Examine Worth | Examine Worth | Examine Worth |
Extra on Norway:
- 35 Epic Norway Photos to Encourage Your Subsequent Journey
- Visiting Nordkapp Norway
- Sensible Norway Cruise Information
- Issues to Do in Tromsø, Norway
- 10 Causes to Take a Norway Fjords Cruise with G Adventures
- Final Information to Trondheim, Norway
Did you want this story? Share it!
2.1K shares
- Share
- Tweet
- Pin
