Norwegian Fjords Hiking Challenge

Day 1: arrive in Oslo

Fly to Oslo and make your way to the central hotel (payable locally), either by the local train or airport coach service. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Norway's capital city, before meeting up for the escorted tour the following morning.

Day 2: begin the tour

Meet the tour guide and then travel for about 5 hours towards the mountains, enjoying the scenery on the way and meeting your fellow travellers. On the way you will stop at Hedal Stave Church, and have a look at the fascinating 850 year old building. The next stop of the day is a mountain cabin located around 1,000 metres above sea level called Haukeliseter. This is where you will do a short hike to check that all equipment is ready for the next day and then its onward to Odda and your accommodation for the night. Relax over dinner while the guide explains the schedule for the next few days on tour.

Day 3: hiking Trolltunga

People come from all over the world to experience the challenge of the Trolls Tongue, a spectacular mountain formation situated 1,100 metres above sea level, and 700 metres above the lake of Ringdal. This is a long trek of 10-12 hours roundtrip, but it is well worth it! After a short time at the top to enjoy the view and take photos, return to the fjords of Hardanger and spend the night at a local hotel. In case of bad weather there is the opportunity to swap day 2 and 3 in order to get the best weather conditions for this walk.

Day 4: glacier walk at Folgefonna

Today you travel up to Folgefonna and go for a full day walk (4-6 hours) on the glacier. Folgefonna is Norway’s third biggest glacier and is situated in Folgefonna National Park. Trekking on the glacier is not particularly difficult, but it is a truly magnificent experience walking roped to your companions on the 350m thick carpet of ice! During this trek, the pace is gentle, taking the time to enjoy the company and the beautiful scenery. The evening and night is spent at the local hotel in Rosendal.

Day 5: walk to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)

From Hardangerfjord the drive takes around 4 hours through the beautiful coastal scenery between Folgefonna and Preikestolen to a mountain lodge. The Preikestolen Lodge will be your base and accommodation for the night. During the day there are often many visitors to the plateau, so the hike to The Pulpit Rock will be taken in the evening. Then once most tourists have left this popular destination, you can enjoy the late sunshine and a meal. The trek takes 4-5 hours roundtrip. The next morning is an early start, so most guests head to bed early for a good night’s rest.

Day 6: hike Florli, the longest wooden stairway in the world

After an early breakfast, leave the lodge and catch the ferry, travelling along the beautiful Lysefjord. From the fjord you can see The Pulpit Rock from a completely different view high above. The ferry trip takes about 2 hours, arriving in Florli. This is a very small hamlet by the fjord, surrounded by mountains rising into the sky. From here you hike up the longest wooden stairway in the world – a staggering 4,444 steps up the mountain. The walk down follows a nice path to the fjord (total time trekking is about 5 hours), where you stay in a simple by cosy guesthouse in Florli. In the evening you have a nice dinner, while the hosts prepare a wood-fired hot tub to ease the muscles!

Day 7: Lysebotn and Mount Kjerag

The day starts by taking the morning ferry to Lysebotn, the innermost part of the Lysefjord in preparation for another well-known trekking destination, Mount Kjerag, situated about 1,000 metres above the Lysefjord. Have your cameras ready to capture the moment – no one will believe members of the group are brave enough to stand on Kjeragbolt! The roundtrip takes approximately 6 hours. After the trek head back by minibus to Oslo (journey time about 6-7 hours), arriving back in Oslo around 21.00-22.00. Say farewell to your group and make your way to your hotel.

Day 8: depart Oslo

Make your way to Oslo airport in time for your flight (payable locally), or extend your stay for a night or two in Norway’s capital city.