8 reasons why
we love norway
Rocky, rugged mountains, wild landscapes, turquoise lakes, friendly locals, spectacular fjords, roaring waterfalls, remote islands and charming villages. What’s not to love? Here are a few of our favorite things about magical, majestic Norway.
1. hiking trails
We love hiking in Norway - it is simply stunning. In the Jotunheimen, you’ll find rocky trails that wind through rugged terrain and take you up on ridges where you’re gazing at snowy peaks above and turquoise lakes below, like on the trek from Gjendesheim Hut to Memurubu Hut up and over Besseggeen Ridge. On the west coast, you’ll walk through lush forests and alongside deep fjords that offer dramatic and magnificent scenery, like in the Aurlandsdalen Valley. These parts of Norway feel untouched and are full of natural beauty.
2. the fjords, waterfalls & lakes
The fjords in Norway are massive and absolutely mesmerizing. Our itineraries on the west coast of Norway bring you on hikes and boat rides where you can admire these magnificent natural wonders, marveling at their untouched beauty like the Sognefjord and the Nærøyfjord. While trekking in the Jotunheimen, you’ll pass by turquoise and blue alpine lakes that sit nestled away in the high mountains. On the west coast and the land of the fjords, your hikes will take you past tall, dramatic, roaring waterfalls that don’t look real.
3. jotunheimen national park
Despite being Norway’s most popular national park with the highest peaks in Scandinavia, Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark ("Home of the Giants") feels off the beaten path. Spend your time traversing hut-to-hut through the park, then navigate your way to Bergen, on the west coast, via the country's longest and deepest fjord - the Sognefjord. With its rocky, rugged mountains, its wild landscapes, sparkling lakes, friendly locals, cozy mountain huts and spectacular fjords, this part of Norway is a must-see.
4. oslo & bergen
While Oslo is the smallest of the Scandinavian capitals, this city offers so much to see and do.
Staying in the heart of Olso, you’ll quickly find that the Green Capital is an incredibly walkable city. Bergen is one of the most charming & picturesque villages in all of Europe and one of our favorite places. Colorful and vibrant, there is a lot to do in this special town. While in both Oslo & Bergen, we’ll provide you with a list of recommended activities including walks around town, markets to visit, sites to see and food to try so that you really get a feel for the area.
5. oslo to FLÅm railway
One of the most gorgeous train rides in the world takes you from Oslo to Flåm across the rugged Hardangervidda plateau. You’ll see the terrain change before your eyes, becoming green & lush as you approach Norway’s west coast and the land of fjords. Riding on the world-famous section called the Flåmsbana, you’ll make your way to the end of the Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of the Sognefjord where the town of Flåm sits.
6. catamaran sail from flåm to bergen via the sognefjord
From Fjærland or from Flåm, our itineraries take you from the shores of the massive Sognefjord to the colorful, coastal town of Bergen. You’ll hop on a ferry and then a high-speed catamaran that takes you all the way to Bergen, zipping by remote fishing villages and around tiny islands, arriving to beautiful Bergen just in time for sunset. A true highlight and an epic way to wind down your adventure in Norway.
7. unique, BOUTIQUE LODGING
On all of our trips, we take care to select special, boutique accommodations that will allow you to have a unique experience and help you connect more deeply to the local culture and cuisine of the places you're visiting. For our Norway itineraries, our hotels are all run and operated locally and some of our favorite places to stay in the world - like 29/2 Aurland in Aurland, Fjærland Hotel in Fjærland, Amerikalinjen in Oslo, Hanseatic Hotel in Bergen and Skogadalsbøen in the Jotunheimen.
8. CUSTOM ITINERARIES
All of our self-guided & private guided itineraries are handcrafted & completely customizable to your preferred travel dates, budget, accommodation preferences and activity level. We’ll work with you to tailor your itinerary until it’s just right. For your trip in Norway, we'll provide you with everything you need to enjoy a local, authentic Pathways experience and the liberty to explore at your own pace - with or without a guide.
ready to start planning a trip?
Customize your trip here and we’ll be in touch within one business day to start building your itinerary. When you’re ready, we look forward to helping you plan an amazing trip.