Norway…the land of fjords, Vikings, epic hiking trails, the midnight sun, and those glorious Northern Lights. Visit charming coastal cities, cruise the fjords, and put one foot in front of another on some of the best hiking trails in the world. Here are 8 amazing experiences to have in Norway.

In our opinion, there is no better way to experience Norway than from a hiking trail. Ranging from easy, family-friendly hikes to full day hikes, there is something here for everyone.

In southern Norway, hike to iconic Pulpit Rock, test your nerve and stand on top of Kjeragbolten, and pose for photos on Trolltunga. Up north, go hiking in the Lofoten Islands and hike Reinebringen, Munken, Ryten, and more. Or, go off-the-beaten path and hike on Senja and the Vesteralen Islands.

Man perched on rock at Trolltunga, Norway
Trolltunga
Man standing on rock on Kjeragbolten hike, Norway
Kjeragbolten
Two hikers hiking Segla on the island of Senja, Norway
Hiking Segla on the island of Senja
Man standing on edge at Ryten on the Lofoten Islands, Norway
Ryten on the Lofoten Islands

Road Trip through Norway

Driving through Norway is different than many other countries. Here, you drive on narrow, two-lane roads and cruise across fjords on car ferries. It seems like there is another gorgeous view around every bend.

Road on the Lofoten Islands
Road trippin’ the Lofoten Islands should be on everyone’s bucketlist.

Norway really keeps things interesting by throwing in some amazing short stretches of road. Here are some great spots to add to your Norwegian road trip.

Laerdalstunnelen. This is the world’s longest tunnel at 24.5 km (15.2 miles) in length. There are even roundabouts inside of the tunnel.

The Atlantic Road.  Touted as one of the most beautiful road trips in the world, this short but incredibly scenic drive takes you over eight bridges that connect a series of islands near the Atlantic coast.

Trollstigen. Also called the Troll’s Ladder, this winding road is one of the most photographed roads in Norway.

One of the craziest roads in the world, found in Trollstigen, Norway
One of the craziest roads in the world is found in Trollstigen, Norway.

Aurlandsvegen Snow Road. This high mountain road is only open during the summer months. It closes in winter because it receives an enormous amount of snow. Come here early in the summer to see the walls of snow lining the sides of the road.

Stalheimskleiva.  Located near Gudvangen, this is one of the steepest roads in Europe, featuring tight, hairpin turns and beautiful views of Naeroyfjord.

Lysevegen Road.  Located just outside of Lysebotn, this very steep road features 27 hairpin turns and an average gradient of 9.4%.

Enjoy the View over some of the Most Beautiful Towns in Norway

Norway is dotted with picturesque coastal towns that are a joy to wander and explore. To make your visit even better, you can hike, walk, or ride a cable car to a viewpoint that offers stunning views over several of these towns.

Aerial view of the town of Bergen, Norway
The town of Bergen

In Bergen, take the Floibanen funicular for one of the best views of the city. In the Lofoten Islands, look out over Reine from the top of Reinebringen and peer down at Svolvaer from Svolvaer Floya. Alesund is a picture-perfect town and it’s just a short walk up to a gorgeous viewpoint. And one of the best things to do in Tromso is to ride the Fjellheisen cable car for panoramic views of the city.

The picturesque city of Alesund, Norway
The picturesque city of Alesund
Tromso, Norway
Tromso

Count how many trolls you can find

Norwegians are fascinated with trolls. You can find these mythical creatures everywhere…on the roadside, on street signs, in souvenir shops, and on city streets. They are fun to take photos with, especially if you are traveling with kids.

Senjatrollet on the island of Senja in northern Norway
Senjatrollet on the island of Senja in northern Norway

Cruise or Kayak the Fjords

The fjords are what make Norway so uniquely beautiful. A fjord is a U-shaped valley that was formed by a glacier and is now filled with water. If you are road tripping through Norway, most likely you cross several fjords on car ferries.

If you go on the Norway in a Nutshell tour, you will cruise Naeroyfjord, one of the narrowest and most scenic fjords in Norway.

The quaint town of Naeroyfjord, Norway
The quaint town of Naeroyfjord

Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO-protected fjord and another spectacular place to visit in Norway. Rent kayaks in the town of Geiranger, explore the fjord, and if you are lucky, you might even get up close with a dolphin!

Fjord in Geirangerfjord, Norway
So many breathtaking fjords everywhere you look
Kayaking in Geirangerfjord fjord, Norway
Kayaking in Norway’s fjords is an unforgettable experience.

Explore the Fishing Villages in the Lofoten Islands

Scattered across the Lofoten Islands are charming fishing villages. In these small coastal towns, red and white fishing cabins line the rocky shore, creating the iconic village scenes of the Lofoten Islands.

Some of the most popular fishing villages to visit in the Lofoten Islands are Reine and Nusfjord.

Reine, Norway
Reine, Norway doesn’t get any better than this.

Visitors to the Lofoten Islands have the option to stay in a fishing cabin. Called a “rorbu,” these cabins have been refurbished into small, cozy apartments and they are one of the most unique accommodations in Norway.

Go on an Arctic Adventure in Svalbard

Journey north to Svalbard, an island where there are more polar bears than people. Offering activities year round, you can see the northern lights and the midnight sun, kayak in front of a glacier, go snowmobiling and dog sledding, hike to the top of a mountain peak, and go on multi-day arctic expeditions. Search for arctic wildlife like walrus, polar bears, and reindeer, explore the tiny town of Longyearbyen, and tour Pyramiden, an arctic ghost town.

Glacier Kayaking in Svalbard, Norway
Glacier Kayaking in Svalbard, Norway
View across Adventfjord to Longyearbyen, Norway
View across Adventfjord to Longyearbyen

Go Rock Climbing

When you think of Norway, rock climbing may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But one of our best experiences in Norway was climbing Svolvaergeita in the Lofoten Islands.

Located near the town of Svolvaer, this pinnacle of rock, also called “The Goat,” is a popular rock climbing destination. From the top of the rock, you get a spectacular view across the islands, and if you are a little bit crazy, you can jump from one horn to the other. Do you dare?

How to do this: If you are an experienced rock climber and have your own gear, you can do this on your own. Otherwise, consider hiring a guide. We used Northern Alpine Guides and had a fantastic experience. If you are new to rock climbing and have a good sense of adventure and a good head for heights, you can climb Svolvaergeita.

Rock climbing "The Goat" near Svolvaer, Norway
Rock climbing “The Goat” near Svolvaer.

About the Earth Trekkers

Julie, Tim, Tyler, and Kara share a passion for travel, adventure, and living life to the fullest. In 2014 and 2015 they spent 13 months traveling around the world. Even though they now own a home and the kids are in school, they still manage to fill their lives with travel and adventure. Their mission, through their website Earth Trekkers, is to inspire others to go outside of their comfort zones and realize their dreams of faraway places.

Earth Trekkers
The Earth Trekkers!

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