4
moderate to challenging

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 4 nights in 3 star hotels
  • 3 nights in chalet/pensions
Meals
  • 7 Dinners
  • 2 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1840GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: JNO

Norway Hiking Trip highlights

  • Summer walking in Norway
  • Hike by the Hardanger Glacier
  • Sognefjord, the longest Fjord in the World
  • Walking in the Flam Valley & riding the Flam Railway
  • Two nights at an historic Wilderness Hotel
  • Choice of different walks each day
  • Use trains & boats to get around Norway's fjords
  • 3-course dinner included each night

This trip is the ideal introduction into the magic of Norwegian hiking. You will walk from several centres using easy transportation on trains and boats in between. From Oslo or Bergen you travel by rail to some of the wildest, most spectacular, classic “picture postcard” settings within the realms of Norwegian mountain and fjordland.

Many people enjoy taking a leisurely cruise up the coast to see the beauty of Norway's fjords from below. But on this tour you can be looking down and walking amongst the highlands, a much more engaging experience. The specially crafted hiking route embraces the famous Hardangervidda area of western Norway where there is the potential for a heady mix of highland walking through the manifestations of the last Ice Age. The retreating glaciers once overwhelmed and moulded this landscape; gouging out the great coastal grooves which, with post glacial rising sea levels, have become the fjords. Of these, the beautiful Sognefjord is the longest and deepest in all of Norway, extending to the town of Flåm on a section called the Aurlandsfjord.

You can choose from a wide range of hikes on this trip to take in the highlands, which lead you right up onto the glaciers edge. It is even possible to go out onto the ice to take an excursion. We have also composed a selection of lusher walks down into the pastoral settings of the Flåm and Aurland Valleys. These are furnished with forests, farmsteads, cascades and churches.

All in all an unforgettable hiking experience in Norway, especially if the Nordic Gods favour you with good weather and that you read your notes carefully.

Countries:

Norway

Starting Point:

Geilo

Finishing Point:

Aurland

Itinerary

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Make your own way to Geilo. If you are arriving into Oslo or Bergen today, ensure that you arrive in the morning. The last train you can catch to Geilo departs mid afternoon. Accommodation: Our hotel is the perfect place to relax and is within walking distance from the centre, but on arrival at Geilo station, you may want a taxi and a transfer can be set up with the hotel for 75 NOK per person if you give them at least 24 hours notice. There is a cozy informal atmosphere. Facilities include restaurant, indoor swimming pool, sauna, tennis court, lounge, bar and pub. *We would recommend you to have an extra night in both Oslo or Bergen so that you can make the most of what these cities have to offer.

Meals:  D

Geilo is superbly located by the Hardanger Vidda Mountain Plateau, at 800m above sea level. This plateau is a good-weather objective, for which 3 of the walking options will require a taxi at around 350 - 500 NOK, depending on the day, at the start of the day. There are a challenging walk to climb Prestholtskarvet (1863m) in the Hallingskarvet; a less challenging walk up Skarvsenden; or there is a nice, moderate moorland walk which takes you back to Geilo. If you would like to avoid using a taxi, there is a long moorland walk to the fields of Vestreim with good views over to the Hallingskarvet. Alternatively, you could take an easy lakeside ramble, which requires no transport. Option 1: Ascent of Prestholtskarvet (1863m), 9 km / 6.2 miles, 4-6 h, challenging. Option 2: Prestholtrunden Route with an ascent of Skarvsenden (1705m) and descend to Prestholtseter, 6.5km / 4 miles, 3-4 h, challenging. Option 3: Prestholtseter- Tuftelia - Vestlia, 10.4 km / 6.4 miles, 3-4 h, moderate. *People tend to do Option 3 as an extension from Options 1&2, but it can be done on its own with a taxi transfer. Option 4: Walk around Ustedalsfjorden, 10.5 km / 6.5 miles, 2-3.5 h, easy. Option 5: Geilo - Geilohovda - Vestreim - Geilo with optional ascent of Snøhovda, 21 km / 13 miles, 6-7 h, moderate.

Meals:  B,D

Take a morning train to Finse; a place first popularized by British aristocrats before the railways arrived. Both Scott and Shackleton trained here for Antarctica. Today, there are three possible walks directly from your hotel depending upon the weather. In good weather, strong walkers may like to attempt the ascent of Sankt Pal (1700m), a dramatic small peak and viewpoint. Then you can undertake a walk across the moorland towards the ice of the Hardanger Glacier for a picnic. Or perhaps in poor weather, you can do a return walk along the old railway workers' track that connects Finse with Myrdal. Option 1: Trek to Sankt Pal (1694m), 13 km / 8 miles, 4-5 h, challenging. Option 2: Walk to the Fagernut along the Rallarvegen, 20 km / 12.5 miles, 5 h, easy/moderate. Option 3: Trek to Blåisen (1591m) and return to Finse, 11.5 km /7.1 miles, 4 h, moderate. Accommodation: Stay for 2 nights at a cosy chalet-style hotel with spectacular views. The hotel is a short walk from the train station. At 1222m, the hotel started as a shelter for the occupants of snowbound trains (now an increasingly rare event). Over the years this cabin has been through many upgrades. Converting it into an extraordinary hotel with the emphasis on outdoor activities within a superb landscape. Rooms are basic but comfortable and often with great views. There is a dining hall, an Edwardian-era library and a coffee shop. There is a little pub in the basement, which opens at weekends and has become a bit of a museum with railway memorabilia. You could also choose to make use of the relaxation centre with a sauna area.

Meals:  B,D

On your second day in Finse, choose another walk option, as per Day 3 description. If the weather is good, you could also make use of the option to do a local guided crampon walk up on to the glacier. *Details on booking the glacier walk are provided in your route notes. Note that you should call at least a day in advance to check the status of the walk, as it does not necessarily run everyday and not in poor weather. The walk begins from the hotel/station area and the cost paid locally is: approx 1100 NOK. Equipment is provided, but note that your boots will need to be reasonably stiff to take a crampon. Itineraries and availability will depend on the weather conditions.

Meals:  B,L,D

This is a classic walk! Hand in your luggage at Myrdal for a local train transfer down to Flåm station (150 NOK per bag approx, paid locally). The walk down to Flåm is beautiful, following the lush valley route, through woods and pastures, always with the sounds of rushing waters. Eventually drop down to the Aurlandsfjord, a branch off Sognefjord. Accommodation: A cosy basic pension which is located next to the Aurlandsfjord, only 400m from the famous Flåm railway. The pension is not too ‘flamboyant’ while it has an informal atmosphere. There is a room with an open fireplace, TV-lounge and a large garden. The rooms are the most basic of this holiday, but are warm and simple en-suites.

Meals:  B,L,D

A short bus ride or ferry journey takes you to Aurland for two nights, giving you plenty of time to walk round this beautiful area or take a cruise to Gundavangen in the Nærøyfjord. There are some little circular walks you can do as described below. You could also choose to walk up the breathtaking Aurlandsdalen Valley, using a local bus at the start and end of the walk. In some ways this place is lost in time. From a hotel at Østerbø you can only follow a mule track into the higher pastures, enjoying the sights and sounds of this landscape: looking down into the gorge, passing great waterfalls. Another walk via a spectacular waterfall takes you on a massive ascent to a mountain called Prestevarden which has a magnificent view over the bend of the Aurlandsfjord. Options of walks over the next two days could include: Option 1: To Skjerdal with return via Bell farm, 13 km / 8 miles, 2 h, easy/moderate. Option 2: Østerbø - Vassbygdi, 16.6 km / 10.3 miles, 6 h, challenging. Option 3: Prest Summit (1363m), 22.5 km / 14 miles, 6-8 h challenging. Accommodation: Your hotel occupies some of the oldest buildings in Aurland, and is close to the stunning fjord. It is spacious with fine rooms, there are a bar and a restaurant.

Meals:  B,D

Another day to enjoy the walks of the area (see descriptions on Day 6). Otherwise we recommend the fjord cruise to Gundavangen in the Nærøyfjord. Part of the Sognefjord, it has been described by National Geographic magazine as the most beautiful destination in the world. *There are two boats that offer the fjord cruise, including a quiet electric ship. Cruises can be booked online or at Flåm (from 625 NOK). You will need to go back to Flåm to board, although the older ferry will stop in Aurland.

Meals:  B,D

Depart from Aurland to Oslo or Bergen. Bus or taxi to Flam and then catch the scenic Myrdal-Flam train. This is a private trainline claimed to be the steepest “normal gauge” railway in the World. You should get beautiful views back to Sognefjord and around. At Myrdal, join a mainline train back to Oslo or Bergen and then a local train to the airport for late afternoon or evening flights. Although we would recommend you to have an extra night in both Oslo or Bergen so that you can make the most of what these cities have to offer.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts, 2 packed lunches, 7 dinners
  • 4 nights accommodation in 3* hotels & 3 nights in chalet/pensions on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
  • Luggage transfer day 6
  • Information pack including route notes, maps (1 pack per room booked)
  • Emergency hotline
  • GPX files

  • 5 packed lunches, all beverages
  • Flights to/from Oslo and train tickets
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, internet and phone calls
  • Boat, taxi & train transfers required during the trip
  • Tickets for optional cruise to Aurland
  • Luggage transfers day 3 & 5
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday

Suitability

moderate to challenging

4

We grade this tour as moderate (grade 3), with some challenging options; anyone used to hill walking with a daily height gain/loss of up to 3,300 feet (1000 metres) should find the tour within their capability. Most days are a lot easier than this. There are usually walking options and experienced walkers can of course extend their range if they want to. There may be a chance to do an optional glacier walk from the hotel in Finse, which will require a local payment of 600 NOK minimum. Although items like crampons are supplied, if you want to do this guided trip, you should at least make sure that your walking boots are stiff enough to be compatible with articulated walking crampons. This option is subject to availability and weather conditions. Day Stages: The duration of walking per day varies. You will have to attend to a morning train (or a ferry transfer) on some days to get you to the next hotel; these are normally under an hour’s journey. So you have to fit in the walking with this. However, you will normally be able to spend up to 6 hours happily walking per day in most cases. This tour is not suitable for solo travellers.

Departure dates

Daily from 1 Jul to 23 Sep

Notes

NB:
This trip is not suitable for solo travellers. Please contact our team for alternative tour suggestions.
Note:
Please note that minor changes to your 2024 itinerary may apply..

Priceper person from

£1840GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementGBP£590
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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Due to the northerly latitudes, our hotel in Finse is only open for a short summer season. It then prepares for the winter ski season. Many of the higher trails on this hiking tour in Norway are covered in snow apart from during the 3 summer months.

Although it varies year to year, some of the higher walks on The Fjordland trip always have some snowfields throughout the year. Early in the season there can be more residual snow around. You do not have to choose the higher walking options, we have prepared a choice of hikes for you on each day.

One bag transfer, on day 6, is included. On the other days (3 & 5) you will need to travel with your own bags. Or optionally arrange for a local train transfer for your bag on day 5.

No; boat, train and taxi transfers are not included. We advise pre-booking essential trains from Oslo or Bergen before your departure. Ferry tickets for an optional 'mini cruise' can be booked locally, as can train/boat/taxi transfers during the trip.

Generally not, most of the people tend to hang around the hotels and cafes. Some of the walking on this holiday in Norway can be lonely and remote, so you should be prepared.

All accommodation is independently run. The chalet hotels are characterful, offering comfortable rooms. Only in Flam are you in a more basic pension, a bit like a French Gite but this pension in Norway still has ensuite rooms.

Norway is expensive, hence we have negotiated evening meals each night of your stay, so you get a better deal. Some of you might warm to the idea of bringing duty free drinks.

Norway Hiking Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.