Adventure Tourism in Norway
Norway is a natural playground and a world-class destination for adventurous travellers. Hike, bike, and paddle, go skiing and fishing, and take part in numerous other activities in stunning nature all over the country.
Hiking
Discover why the locals can’t get enough of nature! Our most scenic landscapes are often best enjoyed on foot. Go hiking in Norway and discover why the locals can’t get enough of nature. Our most scenic landscapes are definitely best enjoyed on foot.
Find your path
Late spring in Norway: Rays of sunlight are finally showering the landscape, forcing the snow in the mountains to a silent retreat, and waking the flowers after their winter sleep. Enter the start of the hiking season. After a long winter, people of all age groups and social backgrounds head outdoors and go trekking in the mountains, along the coast, or in the forests. And you are more than welcome to join us in what we call friluftsliv – our unashamed love for the outdoors.
The varied scenery, from popular marked trails and tourist attractions to wild and untamed mythical landscapes, has earned Norway a well-deserved reputation as a major hiking destination in Europe. A few examples of classic (and challenging!) hiking routes are Preikestolen, Trolltunga, Galdhøpiggen, Besseggen, and Romsdalseggen.
These iconic hikes are visited by people from all over the world, and tend to be a bit crowded during weekends from mid-June to the end of July. However, if you hit the trails during weekdays you will probably meet fewer people and get more space for yourself. Or you can take the trip when the landscape get painted in red, yellow, and orange during late summer and autumn. At this time, you can enjoy the scenic surroundings practically undisturbed.
Cycling
Ride through quaint villages and magnificent nature – or check out some cool bike parks and mountain biking trails. Cycling in Norway equals gentle rides through quaint villages and magnificent nature – but also tough mountain biking trails and big events like the Arctic Race.
High mountains, steep downhills, and rough terrain – at first sight, Norway may seem like a cycling destination reserved for hard-core road cycling or mountain and downhill biking. And sure, if you want a challenge on two wheels, we can help you with that.
On the other hand, there’s a lot more to Norway than hair-raising peaks. Thanks to a remarkably varied topography, even the more inexperienced couch cyclists among us can find suitable routes. It is a wonderful way to get closer to nature, discover hidden gems in the countryside, and perhaps even experience an extra amount of goodwill from the locals.
Fishing
Countless lakes and rivers and an extensive coastline mean outstanding chances of a great catch! Fishing in Norway is a way to embrace the local lifestyle. Countless lakes and rivers and an extensive coastline means outstanding opportunities to catch a big one.
Where no-one would believe that someone could live is the title of a Norwegian documentary series that has been one of the most popular tv shows of the last decade. That may sound a bit odd, but keep in mind that a surprising number of Norwegians still live in rural areas, near steep hills connected to the fjords, in the forest or close to large rivers.
The fact that most parts of the country are inhabited and largely accessible opens up a myriad of possibilities for fishing adventures in Norway, both for freshwater and deep sea fishing. Inland, for example in Hemsedal and Gjøvik, you will find some of the finest spots for freshwater fishing in general and fly fishing in particular. Thousands of lakes, rivers and streams are waiting to be explored for wild trout, salmon, grayling, pike, powan and arctic char, to name a few common species.
Skiing
Glide silently through a snow-capped forest, zip down a world-class piste, or find your very own powder paradise in the mountains. Skiing like a Norwegian can be deeply rooted in traditions and rituals. Or you can forget all about that and just focus on the adrenaline surging drops and big jumps.
Coming to Norway, you will probably be told the history of legendary Norwegian Sondre Norheim, the inventor of the world’s first relatively stable ski binding and often credited as the pioneer of modern skiing.
However, the world of skiing has moved on since the mid 19th century (thank goodness!), and skiing in Norway today could just as well be about snowboarding or twin tip terrain park action – or even snowkiting.
At the high mountain ski resorts the season lasts from autumn through spring, and – if based at a glacier – some are even open through the summer. Whilst there are cross-country tracks and alpine resorts all over the country, the largest and most popular destinations are located in the mountains in central and eastern Norway. In addition to lifts, slopes and trails, these will offer accommodation, good foods and nightlife.
Wildlife experiences
Bring your camera and take your best shot at whales, moose, rare birds, and even the shaggy survivor from the past – the musk ox!
WILDLIFE SAFARIS
Wildlife safaris in Norway will bring you eye to eye with a myriad of unique creatures in their natural habitat. Join a safari and get close to animals like whales, king crabs, or even the shaggy survivor from the last glacial epoch – the musk ox.
Into the wild
As Lonely Planet puts it, Norway is the last refuge for some of Europe’s most intriguing wildlife. In the pre-internet days some tourists hoped they would be able to see polar bears walking the streets. As a matter of fact, they can only be spotted in Svalbard, but you may stumble upon moose, reindeer, or a white-tailed eagle’s nest on your own trips into the Norwegian wilderness.
If you prefer an organized trip, you could join a wildlife safari. These animal safaris will bring you near creatures such as whales, the long-haired musk oxen, or the king crabs near the Russian border. Several protected islands are excellent destinations for birdwatchers, like the Vega archipelago in Northern Norway or Runde in the west.
Birdwatching
SUSTAINABLE BIRD SPOTTING ANYTIME
Vast landscapes of unspoilt and quiet nature and few or no disturbing crowds make Norway ideal for birdwatching. The author of A Birdwatcher’s Guide to Norway shares his favourite spots, and songs.
Birdwatching is big in Norway, and whilst the activity elsewhere sometimes causes parking problems, the roomy Norwegian wilderness inside and outside of the national parks is never overpopulated. Sometimes it’s just you, and the birds.
Of the world’s about 9,000 bird species, around 300 have their natural habitat in Norway, and an additional number of around 200 rarer bird types are found at certain places and times of the year.
“Birdwatching and outdoor games on your phone like Pokémon GO has much of the same driving force, that appeals to the explorer”, says Bjørn Olav Tveit, author of A Birdwatcher’s Guide to Norway.
“The joy of birdwatching is to explore nature that you would normally miss. The more you delve into this hobby, the more you discover”, he says. “To locate and find a rare specimen is like catching a really big trout. It’s all about tactics, knowledge, and endurance.”
MEET THE NORWEGIAN MOOSE
The lush Norwegian forests are home to many animals, and the moose is the largest of them all. Find out where you can go on a moose safari or which animal parks to visit to get a kiss from the king of the forest.
Have you ever been to “moose country”, or seen one of the world’s largest moose sculptures? You can do both in Norway!
It’s safe to say that the king of the forest is a special part of our wildlife. Chances are you’ll find several items with a moose on them if you visit a tourist shop. And if you embark on a road trip that takes you through the municipality Stor-Elvdal, you’ll get to see one of the world’s largest moose statues.
The silver moose stands in the Bjørå rest area along the road Riksvei 3, about 110 kilometres north of the city Elverum in Eastern Norway. It was built to wake up sleepy drivers and draw attention to the moose living in the area.
