Hiking Excursions
Hiking Excursions (west coast of Norway) – along the fjords on Norway’s west coast, the mountains attract all the attention. If you want to experience them at their very best, you have to put your boots on and get out there. There are a multitude of paths throughout the region. There are few places in the world that have such varied scenery in one region. You can climb mountains right by the coast or mountains that rise straight up from the narrow fjords, or join a safe walk on the blue ice of one of several glacier arms. Some of the best hikes in Norway include:
- The Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) — located on the Lysefjord in Ryfylke not far from Stavanger, is one of Norway’s biggest tourist attractions. More than 100,000 people hike up to the breathtaking mountain plateau every year. Visitors can combine a hike to the Pulpit Rock with a boat trip on the Lysefjord to make it an extra special experience. The hike is about six km (four miles) and takes around four hours there and back.
- Mount Kjerag soars majestically over the Lysefjord in Ryfylke. With a perpendicular fall of 1,000 meters, the wild Kjerag plateau towers innermost in the Lysefjord. Most people are content to enjoy the view across the Lysefjord from the plateau, but the highlight for some is capturing the moment they stand on the Kjerag Boulder – a round block of stone wedged in a crack in the mountain. Mount Kjerag has also become a popular destination for mountain climbers and base jumpers. The hike is about 10 km. (6 miles) and takes around five to six hours there and back.
- Troll’s Tongue (Trolltunga), one of Norway’s most spectacular hikes is located in Hardanger. The hike is around 20 km. (12 miles) and takes 8 to 10 hours there and back. The difference in altitude is around 800 meters. It is possible to walk out on the Troll’s Tongue ledge but be careful. The hike to Trolltunga is in a high mountain area with no mobile phone reception. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear, and bring a map, compass and food and drink. Contact the tourist information in Odda for information and a map.The hike starts in Skjeggedal and there are lots of attractions along the route, including the Ringedal Dam, potholes and the Troll’s Tongue itself. Those who are feeling adventurous can also take the via ferrata climbing route to the Troll’s Tongue with a guide from OpplevOdda.
Take the hike up to Bakkanosi and enjoy the view to Nærøyfjord 1,300 meters below. It will be easy to see why it is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The road up Jordalen is partly through a steep tunnel where glimpses of the gorge below will take your breath away. And when you have wandered through the thriving cultural landscape of Slettedalen, there is nothing wrong in staying a few steps back from the edge of the precipitous cliff down to the fjord
- Hurrungane is the birthplace of alpine mountain sports in Norway. Here in Western Jotunheimen you are just a stone’s throw from the inner parts of the Sognefjord. This is where you will find the huge contrasts, from the fresh green water of the world’s deepest fjord, to fairytale views from one of the many alpine peaks 2,000 meters above. One of them, Fannaråken (2068 meter) has Norway’s highest Mountain Association cabin. A day of hiking in this area is a memory for life. From Hurrungane, with the help of a guide, you can conquer “Storen”, Norway’s third highest mountain.
The tour outfits that offer guided hiking tours of these and other regions of Norway include: www.actin.no; www.apenfjord.no; www.contrastadventure.no; https://eikesdal.no/wild ; www.hardangerfjord.com; www.heritageadventures.no; www.melkevoll.no; www.norway-adventures.com; www.opplevodda.com; www.theshepherd.no; and Alden Hiking Trails (stiftinga@jensbua.no).