Hiking in Norway – The ultimate outdoor holiday
Dreaming of hiking through Norway’s unforgettable scenery of fjords, mountains and forests? Get our tips for a hiking holiday to remember – from the best hikes of Southern and Western Norway to how to offer your kids a hiking adventure in the Scandinavian nature paradise.
Norway is famous the world over for its excellent hiking terrain – and with good reason! The country’s varied nature offers a wide range of hikes – from short, family-friendly outings to multi-day strenuous mountain hikes where you do not see anyone else for days.
Norway has a well-developed system of hiking routes which, like ski slopes, are colour-marked for difficulty. This makes it easy to choose a path that suits your skills and condition – and no matter which you choose, you can expect unforgettable nature experiences along the way!
Foto: Visit Ryfylke
You can find an extensive catalogue of hiking trails at the website of the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT).
Tips for hiking in Norway
When hiking in Norway, make sure to always prepare well – especially if you are setting out on a long or challenging hike in rough terrain.
Check the local recommendations for equipment and provisions – and always pay attention to the local signage and, most importantly weather forecasts.
Also make sure to always bring a map and a compass, if you set out on longer hikes – Norway is a large country and there are areas with no mobile phone coverage!
You can find more tips for safe hiking in Norway here.
And always remember: Hiking is never about rushing to your destination! Our best tip of all is to allow yourself the time to enjoy the hike, take in all your surroundings – and let Norway’s extraordinary calm settle over you.
Hiking in Norway with children
Hiking can be a fun family activity, as every twist and turn of the hiking paths brings new things to look at and talk about. You can usually find child-friendly hiking paths in most popular hiking areas, including Norway’s national parks – and even the Preikestolen hike can be accomplished with children.
Foto: Rais Foto
Always remember to keep in mind the safety and comfort of your children. Check beforehand whether the path you are planning to hike is family-friendly, make sure to dress your children in appropriate clothing – especially if they are in a stroller, as they will get much colder than you during the hike.
We also recommend making the trip fun and interesting – and not least, bringing a lot of snacks along the way to keep up the motivation and energy for the youngest hikers.
You can find more tips for hiking with children here.
Top 5 hikes in Norway
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With a country that is practically perfect hiking terrain everywhere, it is hard to pick out 5 top hikes – but here are some of the most popular and famous hikes of the Scandinavian hiker’s paradise that you can do in a few hours or a day:
- Preikestolen
- Trolltunga
- Kjeragbolten
- Besseggen
- Aurlandsdalen
You can find more tips for excellent hiking trails here.
Mountain and fjord hiking in Norway
If you visit Bergen, the seven surrounding mountain tops beckon to be explored (and if you wish for a less challenging hike, take the funicular to Fløyen or the cable car to Ulriken and start your hikes at the top). And just a short drive from the city, you can even go glacier hiking in the Folgefonna National Park!
Within a short distance from Bergen, you can explore the spectacular scenery along the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord that offers a wonderful combination of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and snug villages nestled at the banks of the fjords.
Foto: Falkeblikk AS
And a bit further south, east of Stavanger, the stunning Lysefjord is home to a number of spectacular hikes, from Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten to a hike up the world’s longest wooden staircase, Flørli 4444. And if you are aiming for an untraditional hike that will make for fun holiday photo memories, head for the unusual rock formation Trollpikken southeast of Stavanger.
Hiking in Southern Norway
While Southern Norway does not have the impressive fjords of the west, the hiking terrain here is no less spectacular. The area along the coast of Southern Norway offers gorgeous changing scenery of rocky archipelago and sandy beaches, interspersed with cosy white-painted coastal villages and lighthouses with stunning views over the sea.
A little further north, the impressive Telemark region awaits with endless forests, idyllic lakes, the famous Telemark Canal – and of course the spectacular Gaustatoppen. In clear weather, you can see a sixth of Norway from the top of the beautiful mountain – and if your legs get tired, you can take the railway inside the mountain on your way down.
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Let Fjord Line bring you to your Norwegian hiking adventure
No matter where you are planning to let your hiking boots take you, Fjord Line brings you safely and comfortably to Norway.
Find our current offers on car, motorhome and caravan packages to Kristiansand, Stavanger or Bergen here.