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Hi,
I am heading to Norway in September of this year with my partner. I was after some general location advice. She is not as keen of a climber as I am so we will probably just be looking to do single day hikes and not yet sure where the best areas are to head to from Oslo where we will be arriving to and leaving from.
I will be researching the trip thoroughly before we leave and planning an itinerary.
We will have a car and can wild camp and want to see as much of the country as possible in the short time we have there. We are both reasonably fit and keen walkers.
Any tips on must see places?
We have 8 days in Norway.
Many thanks in advance,
Mark
I am heading to Norway in September of this year with my partner. I was after some general location advice. She is not as keen of a climber as I am so we will probably just be looking to do single day hikes and not yet sure where the best areas are to head to from Oslo where we will be arriving to and leaving from.
I will be researching the trip thoroughly before we leave and planning an itinerary.
We will have a car and can wild camp and want to see as much of the country as possible in the short time we have there. We are both reasonably fit and keen walkers.
Any tips on must see places?
We have 8 days in Norway.
Many thanks in advance,
Mark
In reply to dakidunn:
I'll watch with interest. I'm going for a week in June and am thinking of heading towards Bergen. Nothing else planned yet
I'll watch with interest. I'm going for a week in June and am thinking of heading towards Bergen. Nothing else planned yet
1
In reply to dakidunn:
I've climbed and hiked all over the Jotunheim and the two nicest walks we did were over Glittertind and back which took us two days, we bivied at the snow line the over and back round the next day (you'll need to be fit).
The other nice one we did was the one between the two lakes in Pier Gynt where one like is about a 1000 feet above the one below and you walk on the ridge the divides them. We took 2-3 days and caught the ferry back down the lake, you could do it in a day to include the best views and catch the ferry back from half way down the lake.
Apologies for my spelling and lack of names it was a few years ago now.
Have fun.
Toby
I've climbed and hiked all over the Jotunheim and the two nicest walks we did were over Glittertind and back which took us two days, we bivied at the snow line the over and back round the next day (you'll need to be fit).
The other nice one we did was the one between the two lakes in Pier Gynt where one like is about a 1000 feet above the one below and you walk on the ridge the divides them. We took 2-3 days and caught the ferry back down the lake, you could do it in a day to include the best views and catch the ferry back from half way down the lake.
Apologies for my spelling and lack of names it was a few years ago now.
Have fun.
Toby
1
In reply to dakidunn:
The big lake is called Gjende walking from Gjendesheim and we walked from the valley between Glittertind and Norway's highest peak (which I'd avoid as there are huge ropes of people being walked up by guides).
Very jealous.
Toby
The big lake is called Gjende walking from Gjendesheim and we walked from the valley between Glittertind and Norway's highest peak (which I'd avoid as there are huge ropes of people being walked up by guides).
Very jealous.
Toby
1
In reply to dakidunn:
This book is pricey http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walks-Scrambles-Norway-Anthony-Dyer/dp/1904466257 (I think it is out of print) but gives you hikes and easy climbs from one end of the country to the other. Depending on how keen you are, you could probably get quite some way North in two weeks if you hike during the day and then drove a few hours each evening.
Wild camping is a joy in Norway, at least where I've been because you have the every man's right to do it. I'm sure you wouldn't disrespect that right, but unfortunately some people do, so all the normal leave no traces stuff!
This book is pricey http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walks-Scrambles-Norway-Anthony-Dyer/dp/1904466257 (I think it is out of print) but gives you hikes and easy climbs from one end of the country to the other. Depending on how keen you are, you could probably get quite some way North in two weeks if you hike during the day and then drove a few hours each evening.
Wild camping is a joy in Norway, at least where I've been because you have the every man's right to do it. I'm sure you wouldn't disrespect that right, but unfortunately some people do, so all the normal leave no traces stuff!
1
In reply to dakidunn:
If you've not come across it yet, the DNT is the national association responsible for maintaining hundreds of trails and huts across Norway. Membership is about £100 a year for a couple, but that gets you a good discount in many huts, and might make a multi-day hike a possibility. Obviously trails are free!
http://ut.no/ (English available from drop-down menu)
http://english.turistforeningen.no/
If you've not come across it yet, the DNT is the national association responsible for maintaining hundreds of trails and huts across Norway. Membership is about £100 a year for a couple, but that gets you a good discount in many huts, and might make a multi-day hike a possibility. Obviously trails are free!
http://ut.no/ (English available from drop-down menu)
http://english.turistforeningen.no/
1
In reply to dakidunn:
OK, this was my experience:-
Planned a 10 day self-supported trek through the Rondane in the first week of September a couple of years ago. Looked up the climate info for Otta, the nearest town and it said 10-17 degrees, perfect walking temps. Flew to Oslo then trained up to Otta. Planned to camp at the site a km or so upriver from the town to discover it was shut. However, a note on the shop window said to call a mobile if you needed accomodation, so we did and were able to stay in one of the cabins on an honesty basis (stay, clean up afterwards, leave £50 in the post box). Hiked up out of the valley to our first campsite and found it really quite cold in the evening. Woke up to find ice on the inside of the fly! I'd neglected to note that Otta is at 287m and we were at 1000 where it was a lot colder! Luckily our route took us past a village where I was able to buy a wooly hat and skigloves for an eye-watering £80. To cut a long story short my partner suffered knackered knees and we ended up staying in the very good huts from the 3rd night onwards and only walking 7/8 days. Came out of the mountains on our last night to discover the hut/youth hostel we'd planned to stay in was also shut and were forced to stay in Norway's first spa hotel. It was reasonable once we'd negotiated a room in the annexe. We were the only guests in the whole hotel! So, in a nutshell, as far as the walking goes September was a nice time to go - we were walking in trousers and base layer most days, but we did have a very wet day on day 3 and it was cold at height or if it was dull. It would appear that all the Norwegians go on holiday in august then everything shuts abruptly at the start of September, so find out if the places you need to go to are open! The Rondane are similar to the Lakes/snowdonia with bare rock above 1400m. Paths were well-marked with paint (like in the alps), yet the ground wasn't too steep to stop you going off path in many places (unlike the alps). The Rondvassbu hut was mental busy - easy access from the nearest road combined with being sat by a lovely lake at the bottom of all the main Rondane summits results in its 180 beds being full at weekends and often during the week. We did a dorm night then had to camp as it was full the next night. Camping was preferable! We would only see 10 people at most each day and were often the only people in the huts. Hut food was good. We didn't need to speak norwegian at all. some norwegians we befriended moved to the Breihimen near Jotunheimen for the walking as they said that was a great area- not as busy or extreme as the Jotunheimen. They live in Lom. what else do you want to know? The scenic train past the Troll wall was good.
OK, this was my experience:-
Planned a 10 day self-supported trek through the Rondane in the first week of September a couple of years ago. Looked up the climate info for Otta, the nearest town and it said 10-17 degrees, perfect walking temps. Flew to Oslo then trained up to Otta. Planned to camp at the site a km or so upriver from the town to discover it was shut. However, a note on the shop window said to call a mobile if you needed accomodation, so we did and were able to stay in one of the cabins on an honesty basis (stay, clean up afterwards, leave £50 in the post box). Hiked up out of the valley to our first campsite and found it really quite cold in the evening. Woke up to find ice on the inside of the fly! I'd neglected to note that Otta is at 287m and we were at 1000 where it was a lot colder! Luckily our route took us past a village where I was able to buy a wooly hat and skigloves for an eye-watering £80. To cut a long story short my partner suffered knackered knees and we ended up staying in the very good huts from the 3rd night onwards and only walking 7/8 days. Came out of the mountains on our last night to discover the hut/youth hostel we'd planned to stay in was also shut and were forced to stay in Norway's first spa hotel. It was reasonable once we'd negotiated a room in the annexe. We were the only guests in the whole hotel! So, in a nutshell, as far as the walking goes September was a nice time to go - we were walking in trousers and base layer most days, but we did have a very wet day on day 3 and it was cold at height or if it was dull. It would appear that all the Norwegians go on holiday in august then everything shuts abruptly at the start of September, so find out if the places you need to go to are open! The Rondane are similar to the Lakes/snowdonia with bare rock above 1400m. Paths were well-marked with paint (like in the alps), yet the ground wasn't too steep to stop you going off path in many places (unlike the alps). The Rondvassbu hut was mental busy - easy access from the nearest road combined with being sat by a lovely lake at the bottom of all the main Rondane summits results in its 180 beds being full at weekends and often during the week. We did a dorm night then had to camp as it was full the next night. Camping was preferable! We would only see 10 people at most each day and were often the only people in the huts. Hut food was good. We didn't need to speak norwegian at all. some norwegians we befriended moved to the Breihimen near Jotunheimen for the walking as they said that was a great area- not as busy or extreme as the Jotunheimen. They live in Lom. what else do you want to know? The scenic train past the Troll wall was good.
1
In reply to Toerag:
Thank you very much. I had heard things wound down at the end of September but it is good to know that happens earlier. I had hoped to go way up North but we just don't have time so I think South & Central will be our best bet. As we want to see as much as poss I think we'll try to do a boat trip, probably only get three days walking and try to book digs in advance if possible. I assume mountain huts are 1st come 1st served if they're even open? Once again, thanks for taking the time to write what you did. M
Thank you very much. I had heard things wound down at the end of September but it is good to know that happens earlier. I had hoped to go way up North but we just don't have time so I think South & Central will be our best bet. As we want to see as much as poss I think we'll try to do a boat trip, probably only get three days walking and try to book digs in advance if possible. I assume mountain huts are 1st come 1st served if they're even open? Once again, thanks for taking the time to write what you did. M
In reply to annak:
Many thanks Anna, I had seen the DNT site and think we have to go and stay in a hut at least once or twice. Just one question, is it easy to get topo maps there? I think we have narrowed our choice to one or two of the National Parks and wanted to get some maps. Thanks again, M
Many thanks Anna, I had seen the DNT site and think we have to go and stay in a hut at least once or twice. Just one question, is it easy to get topo maps there? I think we have narrowed our choice to one or two of the National Parks and wanted to get some maps. Thanks again, M
In reply to Toby_W and OP:
This is the besseggen ridge walk. It's probably one of the best walks I've done anywhere in the world and the scenery is fantastic! https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=besseggen+ridge&espv=2&biw=1920&a...
> The other nice one we did was the one between the two lakes in Pier Gynt where one like is about a 1000 feet above the one below and you walk on the ridge the divides them. We took 2-3 days and caught the ferry back down the lake, you could do it in a day to include the best views and catch the ferry back from half way down the lake.
This is the besseggen ridge walk. It's probably one of the best walks I've done anywhere in the world and the scenery is fantastic! https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=besseggen+ridge&espv=2&biw=1920&a...
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In reply to TobyA:
Toby thanks for that. I just got a new lightweight tent for the trip so hopefully we will get some wild camping done. I bought the Cicerone walking guide and also the Norway South Rother Walking guide. Only £20 for the pair so thought they might be a good source to decide where we are heading before we go but I think we'll take your suggestion on Gjende as it looks spectacular so thank you for the tip. M
Toby thanks for that. I just got a new lightweight tent for the trip so hopefully we will get some wild camping done. I bought the Cicerone walking guide and also the Norway South Rother Walking guide. Only £20 for the pair so thought they might be a good source to decide where we are heading before we go but I think we'll take your suggestion on Gjende as it looks spectacular so thank you for the tip. M
In reply to dakidunn:
We had a trip to Jotunheimen a few years back, at the end of August, into the first few days of September. It was supposed to be a climbing trip but turned into walking after heavy snow.
Things were definitely winding down, and many of the 'tourist' places were shut. But the DNT huts were open. Unstaffed huts stay open all year, staffed huts in the popular areas until at least the end of September, might even be October. We did a short (3 day) hut to hut tour, I can't remember if we booked ahead, but the huts were nowhere near full.
We had a trip to Jotunheimen a few years back, at the end of August, into the first few days of September. It was supposed to be a climbing trip but turned into walking after heavy snow.
Things were definitely winding down, and many of the 'tourist' places were shut. But the DNT huts were open. Unstaffed huts stay open all year, staffed huts in the popular areas until at least the end of September, might even be October. We did a short (3 day) hut to hut tour, I can't remember if we booked ahead, but the huts were nowhere near full.
1
In reply to dakidunn:
Sorry to highjack this thread but I'm flying into Kiruna and picking up a car to play between Lofoten and Tromso for about 10 days in July. Can anyone recommend 2-3 day mountain walking around this area maybe with some scrambling, not actually necessary to do scrambling.
D
Sorry to highjack this thread but I'm flying into Kiruna and picking up a car to play between Lofoten and Tromso for about 10 days in July. Can anyone recommend 2-3 day mountain walking around this area maybe with some scrambling, not actually necessary to do scrambling.
D
In reply to philipivan:
Thanks Philip. That looks just the ticket. Where did you start from, was it via boat?
Thanks Philip. That looks just the ticket. Where did you start from, was it via boat?
In reply to Dauphin:
If you are going to Tromso, then this http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.php?id=51119 http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.php?id=51118 It's just scrambling, didn't feel the need for a rope at all, but it's bloody brilliant.
If you are going to Tromso, then this http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.php?id=51119 http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.php?id=51118 It's just scrambling, didn't feel the need for a rope at all, but it's bloody brilliant.
1
In reply to dakidunn:
No you can get to the start by car or local bus. Long ridge walk to a campsite and lodge then you can get the boat back or continue for another day along the ridge then back.
No you can get to the start by car or local bus. Long ridge walk to a campsite and lodge then you can get the boat back or continue for another day along the ridge then back.
1
In reply to dakidunn: Take a bottle or two of your favourite tipple in my case whiskey.
1
In reply to Simon Caldwell:
Actually some of the DNT huts in the Jotunheim and other places close at the end of the season but its normally in October. You need a key to get into them even when they are officially open. You can get a key (standard for all huts) from one of the DNT shops in the main towns (like Oslo or Bergen). Many DNT tourist shops in the mountains will be closed in September. It would be a bit of a downer if you walked into a DNT hut out of season hoping it would be open. It wont. you need the key! You might be able to get it sent to you when you become a member. at the end of the season food in the huts might not be plentiful or much choice. The huts are often re-stocked when the snow comes with a snow scouter. It really depends on the volume of people during the summer. You can often check on ut.no or contact the hut warden to ask about this. It might better to ask DNT central about this as some of the hut wardens might not communicate so well in english. I have never been to a hut at the end of the season that was empty. lacking in choice yes but not empty. One had run out of coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A local Norwegian saw my desperation and gave me some
STØLSHEIMEN, BERGSDALEN OG VOSSEFJELLENE (http://ut.no/omrade/4.1266/) is a nice place to go. Not to challenging terrain, good camping opportunities and fishing with really nice DNT huts.
The Jotunheim is also very nice http://www.scandinavianmountains.com/
SKARVEHEIMEN (http://ut.no/tur/2.8208/) I have heard is very good.
Maps have markedly improved over the last few years and can be bought in many shops, even in the smallest of towns. Don't be rushed into buying the old State maps that are hanging about gaining dust in old strange shops hunt around a bit and find the new type. Much much better Most book shops have them / sports shops.
September is a lovely time of year to visit but the mountains can start to be covered in snow and it will get cold at night. You can have lovely weather or just terrible. Saying that last year we climbed in the mountains into September. Warm days, cold nights, beautiful colours. It will be quiet.
Actually some of the DNT huts in the Jotunheim and other places close at the end of the season but its normally in October. You need a key to get into them even when they are officially open. You can get a key (standard for all huts) from one of the DNT shops in the main towns (like Oslo or Bergen). Many DNT tourist shops in the mountains will be closed in September. It would be a bit of a downer if you walked into a DNT hut out of season hoping it would be open. It wont. you need the key! You might be able to get it sent to you when you become a member. at the end of the season food in the huts might not be plentiful or much choice. The huts are often re-stocked when the snow comes with a snow scouter. It really depends on the volume of people during the summer. You can often check on ut.no or contact the hut warden to ask about this. It might better to ask DNT central about this as some of the hut wardens might not communicate so well in english. I have never been to a hut at the end of the season that was empty. lacking in choice yes but not empty. One had run out of coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A local Norwegian saw my desperation and gave me some
STØLSHEIMEN, BERGSDALEN OG VOSSEFJELLENE (http://ut.no/omrade/4.1266/) is a nice place to go. Not to challenging terrain, good camping opportunities and fishing with really nice DNT huts.
The Jotunheim is also very nice http://www.scandinavianmountains.com/
SKARVEHEIMEN (http://ut.no/tur/2.8208/) I have heard is very good.
Maps have markedly improved over the last few years and can be bought in many shops, even in the smallest of towns. Don't be rushed into buying the old State maps that are hanging about gaining dust in old strange shops hunt around a bit and find the new type. Much much better Most book shops have them / sports shops.
September is a lovely time of year to visit but the mountains can start to be covered in snow and it will get cold at night. You can have lovely weather or just terrible. Saying that last year we climbed in the mountains into September. Warm days, cold nights, beautiful colours. It will be quiet.
2
In reply to Valdres Fjellguider:
Isn't that what I said?!
I forgot to mention the keys You can also borrow them from staffed huts. Details at http://english.turistforeningen.no/index.php?fo_id=3610
> Actually some of the DNT huts in the Jotunheim and other places close at the end of the season but its normally in October.
Isn't that what I said?!
> You need a key to get into them even when they are officially open. You can get a key (standard for all huts) from one of the DNT shops in the main towns (like Oslo or Bergen).
I forgot to mention the keys You can also borrow them from staffed huts. Details at http://english.turistforeningen.no/index.php?fo_id=3610
In reply to Simon Caldwell:
Hi again,
My point was to correct this line in your post
Not all unstaffed (self-service) DNT huts are open all year. It would be advisable out with the seasons to check if the hut your heading to has not been sealed for the winter.
http://www2.turistforeningen.no/files/DNT-Oslo/Aapningstider/Aapningstider%...
I am not sure why some are sealed and some are not. Some staffed tourist huts have out of season unstaffed annex or extra huts (like a winter room), but you need to contact the hut owner to find out if its open or not.
On one occasion in September I reached a hut in the Jotunheim in poor weather to find it locked. No problems I thought I have the DNT key But they had sealed the hut for winter and changed the lock to another type
Hi again,
My point was to correct this line in your post
> Unstaffed huts stay open all year,
Not all unstaffed (self-service) DNT huts are open all year. It would be advisable out with the seasons to check if the hut your heading to has not been sealed for the winter.
http://www2.turistforeningen.no/files/DNT-Oslo/Aapningstider/Aapningstider%...
I am not sure why some are sealed and some are not. Some staffed tourist huts have out of season unstaffed annex or extra huts (like a winter room), but you need to contact the hut owner to find out if its open or not.
On one occasion in September I reached a hut in the Jotunheim in poor weather to find it locked. No problems I thought I have the DNT key But they had sealed the hut for winter and changed the lock to another type
Post edited at 14:17
In reply to dakidunn:
You cannot go wrong with the Jotunheimen /Hurringane region as someone has already suggested. I wouldn't personally like to drive much further than that from Oslo. Some walks start at three to four thousand feet so you are high up to begin with. A fair amount of literature on it....and blogs.
You cannot go wrong with the Jotunheimen /Hurringane region as someone has already suggested. I wouldn't personally like to drive much further than that from Oslo. Some walks start at three to four thousand feet so you are high up to begin with. A fair amount of literature on it....and blogs.
1
1
In reply to Valdres Fjellguider:
Thanks for the correction - I was under the impression that unstaffed huts stayed open!
Thanks for the correction - I was under the impression that unstaffed huts stayed open!
In reply to dakidunn:
Right, I think we have narrowed it down to spending a couple to three days in Hardangervidda and then Jotunheimen National Park. If it were up to me, I'd camp the entire trip, but my girlfriend will want to stay in huts/accommodation some of the time. A boat trip and a mountain bike day to finish the trip will be perfect. Not enough time to head much further North. Thank you for all the advice.
Right, I think we have narrowed it down to spending a couple to three days in Hardangervidda and then Jotunheimen National Park. If it were up to me, I'd camp the entire trip, but my girlfriend will want to stay in huts/accommodation some of the time. A boat trip and a mountain bike day to finish the trip will be perfect. Not enough time to head much further North. Thank you for all the advice.
In reply to dakidunn:
My missus has done hardangervidda - will ask her for advice for there for you.
My missus has done hardangervidda - will ask her for advice for there for you.
1
In reply to dakidunn:
Good, but ambitious plan as there will be some driving involved to do hiking in both Hardangervidda and Jotunheimen within a week. Here are some suggestions though
- the western part of Hardangervidda is more beautiful than the eastern. Drive to Kinsarvik, leave your car there and hike to Stavali, Torehytten, scramble Hårteigen for nice views, then Tyssevassbu, visit Trolltunga, head towards Tyssedal and return to Kinsarvik by bus. 3-4 days.
- head north to Flåm. Take a boat trip on Nærøyfjorden (on the UNESCO world heritage list). Visit Undredal. Go to Aurland and hike in Aurlandsdalen (from Østerbø to Vassbygdi takes about 3-5 hours). In Aurland there is also sport climbing at Loven (routes from F6c and upwards).
- continue north towards Lærdal. Choose between a 25 km tunnel or Aurlandsfjellet. The latter is on the list of national tourist roads and is recommended. http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en
- now you have to choose your starting point in Jotunheimen. Some options are Fondsbu, Gjendesheim, Turtagrø, Leirvassbu, Spiterstulen.
- for the last three continue north. Possible detours are Jostedalen and Tungestølen (my favorite) close to the Jostedalsbreen glacier. Several interesting day hikes are possible from these remote and wild valleys. A trip to Solvorn (nice village) is worth considering on your way across Sognefjellet (national tourist road) towards Turtgrø, Leirvassbu and Spiterstulen.
- in Jotunheimen there are numerous possibilities ...
Online maps are available at http://ut.no/kart/
johnbb
Oslo
Good, but ambitious plan as there will be some driving involved to do hiking in both Hardangervidda and Jotunheimen within a week. Here are some suggestions though
- the western part of Hardangervidda is more beautiful than the eastern. Drive to Kinsarvik, leave your car there and hike to Stavali, Torehytten, scramble Hårteigen for nice views, then Tyssevassbu, visit Trolltunga, head towards Tyssedal and return to Kinsarvik by bus. 3-4 days.
- head north to Flåm. Take a boat trip on Nærøyfjorden (on the UNESCO world heritage list). Visit Undredal. Go to Aurland and hike in Aurlandsdalen (from Østerbø to Vassbygdi takes about 3-5 hours). In Aurland there is also sport climbing at Loven (routes from F6c and upwards).
- continue north towards Lærdal. Choose between a 25 km tunnel or Aurlandsfjellet. The latter is on the list of national tourist roads and is recommended. http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en
- now you have to choose your starting point in Jotunheimen. Some options are Fondsbu, Gjendesheim, Turtagrø, Leirvassbu, Spiterstulen.
- for the last three continue north. Possible detours are Jostedalen and Tungestølen (my favorite) close to the Jostedalsbreen glacier. Several interesting day hikes are possible from these remote and wild valleys. A trip to Solvorn (nice village) is worth considering on your way across Sognefjellet (national tourist road) towards Turtgrø, Leirvassbu and Spiterstulen.
- in Jotunheimen there are numerous possibilities ...
Online maps are available at http://ut.no/kart/
johnbb
Oslo
1
In reply to johnbb:
Thanks John, that's very kind of you. Great info. Lots to digest, time for the maps. Thanks again, much appreciated, M
Thanks John, that's very kind of you. Great info. Lots to digest, time for the maps. Thanks again, much appreciated, M
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