To give you a deeper understanding of our cycling and walking holidays in Europe, we like to introduce you to our new On Track feature. Today is the first in a series of quick Q&A’s on a specific trip in our offer. We conducted this inaugural Q&A with resident guide John who was in Norway earlier this month where he hiked the routes of our The Fjordland walking trip. We describe this Norway hiking trip as

"A wide-ranging introduction to trekking in Norway, featuring a range of walks of different standards, in differential scenery".

Get a better understanding of The Fjordland walking trip and what you may expect of walking in Norway via the below questions and answers.

#1  What is special about hiking in Norway?

I think you could say there is a frontier, wild feeling to hiking in Norway. The scenery can be bleak and beautiful in places with expansive vistas over distant lakes. There are tracks of forest and then you find the fjords with the most dramatic scenery imaginable.

#2  To what other region in the world can you compare the Norwegian landscape?

Norway has aspects that are similar to Sweden of course, but it can also be similar to parts of Scotland and Iceland. There are moderate fells and glacial features. Norway has the same geology to parts of the Scottish Highlands and let’s face it, similar weather - southern Norway is on quite the same latitude as Northern Scotland.

#3  What is the weather like when I go walking in Norway?

Norwegian weather is frontal and fickle, it can do anything at these latitudes, there is great trekking here but you should be prepared with your clothing (good shells and layering) and have a positive attitude. The weather changes all the time. All being well, there should be enough walks of different standards in our package to enable you to cope with the vagaries of weather, as well as other things to do!

The walking remains dramatic in all different types of weather.
 

#4  Will we encounter other walkers on this trip?

It depends whether it is the weekend and where you are. On most of the walks in my week in July, I have seen between 5 and 12 people, it isn't a lot. Maybe on the more tourist oriented routes like from Myrdal to Flam you would see a few dozen, but mostly on bikes.

Most Norwegians have good English and although it is worth having a phrase book, generally the people speak our English language very freely... like the Dutch or Danes.
 

#5  Where can I stop for a drink or a snack?

On the walks, there are few places where you can buy refreshments and some of the huts are unmanned. There are a couple of cafes on a couple of the routes. These are quite charming; one is for example in an old farm and another used to be a railwayman's house. A lot of the emphasis when walking in Norway is on the self-reliant experience. This means, make sure you have stocked up on snacks and filled your flask before you head out each morning. Our route notes will explain more in depth.

#6  What 3 items should I pack for a Norway hiking trip?

• Walking poles... a great help on snow patches and long steep descents. 
• Shell clothing including gaiters... you need to be waterproof as much as possible
• Duty free... save yourself a fortune on drinks.
   

We hope this information has indeed answered some of the questions you may have had. If you have other queries, please get in touch with John and the Walkers' Britain team via phone or email.

Did you like this Q&A and would you like to get similar details of one of our other active Europe holidays? We’d be happy for you to tell us about your suggestions.

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