There is a saying here that Norwegians born with ski on their feet. I would adjust this saying like ‘Norwegians born with ski and hiking shoes on their feet’. Life in Norway is mainly consisting skiing, hiking and anything with nature. I always loved long walks but after moving in Norway, I discovered the hiker inside me. Maybe it is because every hike in Norway takes you to a stunning beautiful nature with breathtaking view. That is why I decided to share my favorite 10 hikes which make me fall in love with Norway.
1- Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen)
I think Preikestolen is in Norway top 10 or 15 to do list of every tourist. For Norwegians it is like walking on the street but it is a great hike for newbie hikers and stunning view with crystal blue waters of Lysefjord.
This giant glacial rock plateau is standing over 604m above Lysefjord and sees over 300K visitors/year. I would say it is relatively easy hike with stair like steps most of the way, no climbing required.
Quick notes
- Starting point: Mountain Lodge Preikestolen Fjellstue
- Duration: 4-6 hours (including picnic time on top)
- Trail Length: ~6 kilometers
- Hiking season: May-October
- Elevation: 350 meters
2- Kjeragbolten
What the hell with this rock stuck in the middle of two higher rocks above 1000m sea level so famous? The answer is not hidden in the rock itself, but crazy people who are standing on top of it.
In order to reach out the famous rock, it takes to hike up and down three hills that first one is probably the worst and difficult to climb with the chain-assisted ascents/descents and rock climbing, but other 2 are easier. I would say the hike is very technical and less scenic but quite good adventure that should not be missed after visiting Preikestolen.
The highlight of the hike is to stand on top of the rock without any safety gear especially to take the-picture! Believe me there is nothing holding you except that hanging rock. When the wind touches your body, your brain start remembering free falling from physics class. After Kjerag experience I had dreams of standing right on the edge of a bolder and hanging there. Now I know why mountain climbers put their life in danger! The adrenalin!
Quick notes
- Starting point: Øygardstølen by the road to Lysebotn.
- Duration: 6 hours
- Trail Length: 10km
- Hiking season: June- September
- Elevation: 1084meters
3- Besseggen
One of the best and most popular 1-day hike in Norway. When you are at half way, you will meet two high attitude lakes Gjende and Bessevatnet, have different colors, looks so amazing.
There are two starting points from Memurubu or Gjendesheim. Gjendesheim is the most scenic route as you walk down the ridge and get the best views along the trek. Memurubu is the most popular route because it is easier but you have to turn back to see the view all the time.
It is quite challenging and long (14km- one way) with some climbing, constant steep and descent trails. Luckily, every step you will want to stop and take photos which will allow you to control your breath 😊 On the way you will see the signs telling you that you should go back if you spend more than x amount of time to come to where you are.
The hike was nominated by National Geographic as one of the most thrilling hikes in the world in 2017.
Quick notes
- Starting point: Gjendesheim
- Duration: 6-9 hours
- Trail Length: 14 kilometers
- Elevation: 900 meters
- Hiking season: June- September
4- Reinebringen
I would say this is the hike ending with the most spectacular view. It is the view over the fishing villages of Reine, Sakrisøy and Hamnøy that attracts many tourist to visit Lofoten islands every year. To reach the viewpoint, you need to hike up about 1km to the vry top of Reinebringen.
The first three quarters of the trail consisting a total of 1566 stone stairs. There is also a part with muddy, rocky trail near the viewpoint. It is very easy hike, yet it is challenging if you want the camp on top of the mountain like we did.
Quick notes
- Starting point: Reine
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Trail Length: ~1 kilometers
- Elevation: 510 meters
- Hiking season: June- September
5- Gaustatoppen
The highest peak in southern Norway is Gaustatoppen with 1883 meters above sea level. It offers 360 views of a 6th of Norway. Crazy that you can see 60 000 square meters of the country from the top which is more than the size of Denmark. Crazy!
The trail is steady on rocky ground. On the way you will see small lakes, colorful nature. It has min requirement of fitness, any easy for any ages all. On the top there is a mountain café where you can get warm and have drinks and Norwegian favorite waffles.
Don’t want to spoil it but there is also a railway to top and down so if anyone feels tired or cold, there is a shortcut 😊
Quick notes
- Starting point: Stavsro parking
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Trail Length: ~4.3 kilometers
- Elevation: 710 meters
- Hiking season: June- September
6- Brufjell
Somehow this place stays under shadow of other hiking spots but when I saw the picture of the caves, I immediately put it in my top 10 to do list in Norway. The horizontal caves at Brufjell were created during the Ice Age some 20.000 years ago when the sea level was higher. Now it is 20m above the sea level.
There are two paths can be followed depending on the challenge you want. One is about 1.5kt to Brufjell and on the way (0.6km) you will pass the beautiful Sandvika beach. This is the medium level hiking. The other one 0.8km long but more challenging as it is all up hill. Both paths crossing over on top. However, in order to see the potholes (Brufjellhålene), you need to climb down rocky walk with a steep drop using bolts and cables to the mountain – it is only 300m but toughest one. Don’t be tourist and put on good hiking shoes 😊
Quick notes
- Starting point: Roligheten parking – ~2km walking to starting point
- Duration: 3 hours (2 ways)
- Trail Length: ~1.5km
- Hiking season: April-October
7- Fykan stairs
The 1129 stairs are taking you to the top of the mountain Glomfjellet with a wonderful view of the lake and the fjord. It is steep but in the end you are climbing up 300m up the mountain wall. The stair steps are marked every 100 steps, so this can be a nice motivating factor upwards.
There is a small mountain restaurant open every Thursday during summer – Rallarbrakka. I was wondering how challenging carrying all the equipment and food to the up for the owner but learned that people hiking up are also helping. Small but meaningful contribution from all 😊
Quick notes
- Starting point: Fykanvatnet lake between the Fykan Tunnel and the Svartistunnel in Glomfjord
- Duration: 2 hours (2 ways)
- Trail Length: 10km there and back
- Hiking season: May- September
8- Trolltunga
Any hiking list would not be complete without Trolltunga. So, even I haven’t done it yet, it is on my list so as here. This is the troll’s tongue that everyone has to see!
The hike is a total of 27km long, 1100m above sea level with an ascent of 900 meters, and takes an average of 10-12 hours to complete. The first km is the most difficult and after that the trail levels off more. As everyone living in Norway knows weather can change rapidly so in 12 hours you can expect and be prepared for 4 seasons at the same time with sun, rain, cloud, snow.
Quick notes
- Starting point: Skjeggedal car park
- Duration: 10-12hr
- Trail Length: 28km
- Hiking season: June- September
- Elevation: 900 meters
9- Vidden trail
This is one another hikes I haven’t done yet but it is a classic. In order to be a ‘Bergenser’ or ‘Bergen patriot’ this trail is a must to do 😊 The Vidden trail starts on top of the mountain Ulriken and ends up the funicular base on Mount Floyen or in Bergen city center.
It is long but not very difficult trail with uneven mountain rocky terrain. The Vidden trail offers stunning views towards Bergen and fjords. Just bear in mind that it can be wet and windy.
Quick notes
- Starting point: Mt Ulriken or Fløyen
- Duration: 4-6hr
- Trail Length: 13km (if you climb up to Ulriken by cable car)
- Hiking season: All year
- Elevation: 643 metres – 300 metres
10- Keipane, Geirangerfjord
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geirangerfjord has a number of terrific hiking options but by far the most spectacular, ultra-ambitions as well as the most challenging, is the hike up to the summit of Keipane. Therefore, i choose Keipane as last but not least hiking route to enjoy awesome views of the surrounding mountains as well as the breathtaking panorama over Geirangerfjord all along the trail.
Quick notes
- Starting point: Homlong
- Duration: 10hr round trip
- Trail Length: 19km (out and back)
- Hiking season: May-September
- Elevation: 1499m
https://unsplash.com/photos/zSRqJsMcrAc