1. Hiking amongst the fjords, mountains and waterfalls
Nothing gets you as close to nature as a hike. Guaranteed Instagram-friendly moments will not be in short supply either. Whichever fjord you decide to visit, there are unique tours you can do on foot. The Norwegian Trekking Association ensures that many hiking trails in Norway are well-marked. Ask for suggestions at the local hotel or tourist information centre. Some places also offer organised hiking packages.
One of the most beautiful tours takes you around scenic Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, which features in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Here, you will get so close to waterfalls and whitewater that you can top up your water bottle with fresh, clean water along the way. On foot, you can get close to the wildlife too. Maybe you’ll get to see seals and eagles? You may even see orcas if you’re lucky enough too. You will find hiking packages which include a packed lunch, two nights at the historic Fretheim Hotel, three-course dinner and refreshments when you arrive back after a wonderful day out.
You can choose between hikes of varying difficulty. If you choose a challenging hike, you should make sure you are physically fit and be aware that you will be tackling challenging terrain. Medium hikes pass through gentler terrain, but you should still ideally be reasonably fit to do these hikes too. They vary from the seven-hour hike through Aurlandsdal to one- or two-hour hikes to the waterfall at Turlifossen.
On a fjord safari, you can combine a ride on a RIB-boat on Nærøyfjord, UNESCO’s world heritage fjord, with a hike up to a traditional Norwegian mountain farm. You will be served lunch made from locally sourced produce and prepared in the traditional way. Read more about fjord safaris.
2. Preikestolen in Lysefjord
Towering no less than 604 metres up from the mighty Lysefjord is the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) mountain plateau. This natural wonder can be enjoyed from the water, on a fjord cruise, or you can head up the mountain on foot.
Preikestolen is one of Norway's best known tourist destinations. The mountain plateau became even more famous after it was used in a spectacular action scene in the 2018 Tom Cruise movie "Mission: Impossible - Fallout”.
Next to the North Cape Plateau, Preikestolen is the most famous mountain plateau in Norway. The mountain plateau itself covers an area of around 25 x 25 metres and offers fantastic vistas across Lysefjord and the surrounding mountains.
From start to finish, the climb up to Preikestolen is around 350 metres. The well-marked path was recently upgraded by Nepalese sherpas, but sections of the route still pass through rough terrain. The round trip takes from four hours upwards for those who are accustomed to walking through rough terrain. For less experienced hikers, families and those looking to take the hike at a slower pace, you should allow about six hours for the round trip.
If you start early in the morning, you will escape the worst of the tourist rush. In the summer, it can be a good idea to start the hike at about 4pm in the afternoon, when most tourists have finished their hike. If you bring your swimwear, you can take a swim in one of the bathing lakes along the trail.
Access to the trails is free, but parking costs apply. The money goes towards maintaining the trail. Hotel guests staying at Preikestolen Fjellstue can park free of charge.
3. Flåm Railway — An unforgettable train journey
The Flåm Railway has been voted the one of the world’s most beautiful train journey by Lonely Planet Traveller, and National Geographic Traveler Magazine lists the Flåm Railway amongst its top ten train journeys in Europe. And not without good reason either! This little railway starts in Flåm, a village at the end of Aurlandsfjord, and ends at Myrdal station, no less than 867 metres above sea level.
The train winds its way up the railway line, mostly at a gradient of 5.5 percent. The scenery is truly spectacular, and one can only imagine how dramatic it must have been when the navvies put their lives at stake in order to build the line all those years ago. Keep your camera ready along the way, because you will see many cascading waterfalls, cliffs and stunning viewpoints all along the line.
The tour will stop at one of these viewpoints. You can also walk or cycle up and/or down the valley of Flåmsdalen. You can book a package which includes a one-way ticket and bike transport here. The trip is also very pleasant on foot. The trail is open in summer and autumn, and you can stop next to four beautiful waterfalls on your way. At the terminus of Myrdal Station, you can take the Bergen Line west to Bergen or east to Oslo.
4. Bike ride from mountain to fjord
If you travel by bike, you can get close to nature and stop wherever and whenever you want. On your bike, you can travel all the way from the high mountains of the Hardangervidda mountain plateau right down to the bottom of the fjord in Flåm. A walk along the famous Rallar Road takes you through a rugged mountain landscape, with views stretching across the never-ending plateau, and lush valleys and fjords which break up the mountainous landscape.
You can for example start at Norway's highest railway station at Finse. From here, the tour runs along the car-free Rallar Road and on to Myrdal Station. You then steer your bike down steep slopes as you head for Flåm or try the Flåm Zipline as part of your decent. Stop at the idyllic Rallarrosa Cheese Farm, and taste the goat’s cheese made from milk sourced from the goats which graze around the farm. From here, it is a pleasant cycle downhill past many impressive waterfalls and tumbling rapids.
If you’re looking for a readymade package trip on the Rallar Road, including accommodation at the historic Fretheim Hotel in Flåm on the shores of Aurlandsfjord, you will find more information here.
5. Winter adventures on skis and snowshoes
It was not without good reason that Walt Disney used the winter wonderland of Western Norway as a backdrop in the animated musical fantasy film "Frozen". Here, you can experience an enchanting wonderland of frost and snow in both winter and early spring. In combination with ice-free fjords, you will see sights you will never forget.
There are many opportunities for those who enjoy skiing, whether they prefer alpine slopes, exciting mountaineering trips or cross-country skiing for those who enjoy taking in nature at a more gentle pace. The most dramatic landscapes can be found in the Sunnmøre Alps around Hjørundfjord. There are many possibilities here if you are looking to head for the high mountains.
From Flåm, you can try out the concept of ‘Ski and Fjord’. This package offers you a two-day ski pass for the alpine slopes at Myrkdalen Ski Centre. The slopes offer every level of difficulty from beginner to advanced, off-piste skiing, family trails, terrain parks and skicross trails. The package also includes two nights’ accommodation at the historic Fretheim Hotel.
If you would rather not have skis strapped to your feet, a snowshoe hike through the snow is an excellent alternative. Snowshoes have been used in Norway for more than 1,000 years, and are part of Norwegian culture. Just like skiing.
A hike on snowshoes through a tranquil white landscape will get you close to the wildlife. Try snowshoeing in the mountains around Aurlandsfjord. A knowledgeable guide will take you to stunning views across to the fjord and little Underdal. Showshoe hikes are suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit - even those who have never tried showshoeing before.