Bergen to Trondheim Outdoor Adventure -14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bergen

Welcome to Bergen! Situated on Norway's west coast, this small wharf city (one of the oldest port cities in Europe) is surrounded by ocean, mountains, and fjords, including Sognefjord, the country’s longest and deepest.

The cobblestoned streets are compact and walkable, so get out and explore Bergen's lively restaurants and nightlife, thanks in part to a young student population. 

Day 2: Explore Bergen with a Local

After breakfast at your hotel, meet up with a local resident for a custom private tour of Bergen. Your guide, who was born and raised in Bergen, will find the right tour for you based on your interests. Here are a few walk or hike ideas that past travelers have enjoyed:

• Walk through History (3 hours): This walk starts from the city center and travels through narrow streets up to the mountainside known as “Sandviksbatteriet” with spectacular views over the city. From here, the trail takes you to a small, hidden cabin rich in World War II history. During the walk, your local guide will offer local stories of Bergen's history and culture.

• Explore Bergen's Parks & Architecture (3 hours): This easy walking tour visits notable exteriors and city parks starting with the largest church in Bergen: St. Johannes. From there, you will walk through the botanic garden and onwards to Bergen`s largest and most beautiful park: Nygårdsparken. You'll then walk through the city's narrow streets lined with traditional Bryggen houses and eventually visit Nordnes, another great park. Your guide will share stories of life in Bergen, as well as offer lesser-known activity and restaurant recommendations not frequented by tourists. 

• Hike Mt. Sandviken (2.5 hours): This hike heads to Mt. Sandviken, one of the seven mountains surrounding Bergen, including a visit to Stoltzekliven—a local favorite consisting of 900 steps built by sherpas from Nepal. This trail is home to the steepest race in the world and features spectacular views from the top!

The rest of the day is yours to continue exploring the city on your own. If you get a 24-Hour Bergen Card, that will allow you free bus travel and free admittance to most museums (as well as other attractions), so take advantage!

Day 3: Train to Flam - Overnight in Solvorn

Today, after an early breakfast, you will leave Bergen via train to Myrdal. This is a small settlement connected to the rest of Norway only by train. From Mydral you will descent to the twisted tracks, in and out of the mountain towards Flåm. This section of the journey goes down one of world's steepest train lines on tracks, bringing you down to the fjord.

Once you arrive, you'll have the afternoon to explore this small village along the Sognefjord. You may want to set out on a nearby hiking trail, tour a local goat cheese farm, visit the Flam Railway Museum, or take a look at the Flåm church — constructed from wood in 1667.

Pick up a rental car in Flåm and take the drive along the fjord towards Solvorn and stay overnight. This charming little village is located on the western shore of the Lustrafjorden, the innermost part of the Sognefjorden. It sits just across the water (via ferry) from the village of Ornes, where the famous 12th-century Urnes Stave Church is located.

Stay overnight in Solvorn. Hotel options in the area include Walaker Hotel — the oldest family-run hotel in Norway, with over 370 years of history. Each night at 7:30pm, the hotel staff hosts a four-course gourmet feast, with wine, for its guests.

Day 4: Hiking in Molden

Today, after breakfast in Solvorn, you can drive about 30 minutes to hike the mountainous area overlooking the Lustrafjorden. Molden is the highest peak on the fjord and certainly has the finest views.  

This hiking trail (round-trip) is a moderate 5-mile (8.1 km) journey that gains about 2000 feet (610 km) of elevation to get to 3,600 feet (1,097 km) above sea level. From the top of Molden, you can look straight down to Lustrafjord, with its spectacular views toward Ornes on the other side, and Nes and Høyheimsvik to the east. Also, take note of Jotunheimen National Park's towering mountains in the distance.  Bring a Norwegian picnic and have lunch at the top of the trail.

When your hike is complete, you can drive back to Solvorn stopping in Marjifjøra for coffee and a snack. This tiny village offers more fjord views, especially towards the spectacular waterfall of Feigumfossen. If you're up for more walking, you can check out the waterfall by driving to Skjolden. Follow the "romantic road" along the southern shores of the fjord, and stop and park where the Feigeelva river meets the fjord. From here, you can walk up to the waterfall.

Day 5: Explore Jostedalsbreen National Park

After breakfast in Solvorn, it's time to head out for another day of outdoor activities in the area. This time it's Jostedalsbreen National Park, which is home to the largest glacier in Norway (and mainland Europe) and covers half the surface of the entire park. There are several arms of this glacier, which you can explore until your heart's content. 

The national park is famous for its wide variety of unique natural environments all within a short distance of each other. These range from valleys with lush vegetation to mountains and glacial landscapes. You can embark on several glacier hikes here, and it's also possible to rent kayaks for a tour of a glacial lake. 

From Jostedalsbreen National Park there's also easy access to Fjærland, a bucolic village on the shores of the Fjærlandsfjord. You can head to the village center, called Mundal, and visit the famous Hotel Mundal, an elegant wooden hotel dating back to 1891. Other noteworthy sites in Mundal include Norwegian Booktown, which consists of several second-hand bookshops, some with cafés, art galleries, and souvenir stores. 

Also not to miss is the Norwegian Glacier Museum, an award-winning architectural marvel situated at the head of the Fjærlandsfjord. This interactive museum is the leading center in Norway for scientific knowledge regarding glaciers and climate change. It features film screenings, ice sculptures, ice experiments, and many exhibitions detailing the science behind both man-made and natural climate change. There's even an educational playground for kids.

Day 6: Solvorn - Hike in Jotunheimen National Park

After breakfast, go will start your drive to Sognefjell mountain pass and into for a Jotunheimen National Park, 'Home of the Giants'. You will stop on-route for a day hike. Your private guide will determine the best option based on weather, snow conditions, and fitness levels. 

Jotunheimen is a largely undisturbed mountain area in Eastern Norway, covering an area of more than 2,100 miles. The mountain range is Norway’s most popular national park and includes the country’s two highest mountains Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind, as well as rivers, valleys, lakes, waterfalls, and more than 60 glaciers.

In fact, the area has the largest concentration of mountains (more than 275 summits) higher than 6,000 feet in Northern Europe and offers some of the most scenic hiking on the continent with short strolls and difficult treks. 

After your hike, you will continue your drive over the mountain pass and down to the village of Lom. Total drive time ca. 2.5 hours

If you want to relax in Lom, head for the village's beautiful rushing river and famous Stave church constructed in 1170. This delightful Norman-style design sits in the center of town near the water and is one of Norway's finest. Entry to the grounds, free of charge, is open all year-round. Make sure to come back at night and see the church when its lit in a wonderful glow. 

There's also a museum with a collection of 19th-century farm buildings and an old hut where St. Olav is said to have stayed. 

When you get to Lom, enjoy dinner in town. For a dinner treat, consider dining at Brimiland — one of Norway's best restaurants in a beautiful mountain setting near Lom.

Day 7: Lom - Geiranger - Åndalsnes

After breakfast in Lom at the famous Lom Bakeri, you'll travel to the scenic fjord-side town of Geiranger along the Geirangerfjord — the deep blue UNESCO-protected fjord surrounded by dramatic snow-covered mountains, waterfalls, and lush vegetation. In other words, keep your camera close! 

If the weather is good, you will go for a paddle in the fjord. Otherwise, you can explore Geiranger by foot with cafés, shops, and galleries for souvenirs. The town's restaurants and eateries take pride in creating fresh food with a local twist, like Geiranger Brewery partly located in a boathouse so you can enjoy more of those views

You'll continue by car on a 2.5-hour drive down the famous Trollstien road or 'Trolls Ladder'. This adrenaline-inducing zig-zag road, with 11 hairpin turns, is carved into the mountain and supported by stone walls. You can stop at two viewpoints that were designed by architects using steel, glass, rock, and stone. 

Arrive in Åndalsnes, the mountaineering base and scenic town located in the Romsdalen glacial valley. Enjoy dinner in town and stay overnight.

Day 8: Hike to Romsdalseggen

Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast this morning, because today you're embarking on a day-long hike to the famous Romsdalseggen ridge. 

Located in Romsdal, a county on the western edge of northern Norway, Romsdalseggen is right in the middle of the most stunning mountainous area in the country. It's renowned as the most beautiful hike in Norway, and for good reason. The views from the top of the surrounding mountain peaks and fertile green valley below are incredible.

The trailhead for this 10 km/six-mile hike is located a short bus ride from the town of Åndalsnes, in the Vengedalen Valley. It's a windy trail, and it ascends 970 meters overall. That said, the reward once you reach the top is incomparable to anything else on earth. Of course, you will have plenty of time for photos.

At the ridge, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the Romsdal mountains, with the Trollveggen wall, Romsdalshorn, and Vengetindene being the most distinctive peaks. You can also see out to other iconic mountains like Kongen, Dronninga, and the Trolltindane ridge. Beyond that, the view extends to the town of Molde and the Norwegian Sea. Far down below, the Rauma River snakes through the valley, with the Rauma Railway tracks running beside it. 

Hike to Romsdalseggen ridge: 5-8 hours, 10.3 km

Day 9: Aursjøveien - Øksendalsøra

Today, after breakfast, you will take the scenic drive from Åndalsnes to Øksendalen, along Aursjøveien road. Although Trollstigen (driven on day 7) is more known, Ausjøveien drive goes through tougher terrain, with many majestic waterfalls along the way. You will take a walk up to Mardalsfossen, the waterfall shown in the picture. Also a trip to Aurstaupet. This is a popular place for base jumping, and if you dare go near the edge you will see why.  You will end your day driving down Litjdalen, with towering mountains on both sides.

The village of Øksendal is located along the Sunndalsfjorden at the northern end of the Øksendalen valley. The village sits about 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) northwest of the municipal centre of Sunndalsøra. The 6-kilometer (3.7 mi) long Øksendal Tunnel connects this village to the rest of Sunndal Municipality.

Øksendalsøra was the administrative centre of the old Øksendal Municipality that existed from 1854 until 1960. Øksendal Church is located in the village and it is the church for the Øksendal parish, covering the northwestern part of Sunndal Municipality.

Day 10: Drive to Innerdalen

After breakfast, you'll make the short drive to Innderdalen, where you will be spending the next two days hiking. This valley is named Norwayæ's most beautiful valley!

Innerdalen has frequently been called Norway's most beautiful mountain valley. Drive the RV 70 road between Sunndalsøra and Tingvoll, turn off at Ålvundeid and head in to Nedal. Park your car and enjoy the hour it takes you to stroll the four kilometres in to the heart of the Innerdalen valley.

The valley resembles a cathedral, dominated by the 1,394 metre Dalatårnet, which towers over the valley like a natural spire. A crystal clear lake sparkles on the valley floor and streams and small rivers cascade down from the glaciers above. A network of marked paths takes you out of the valley and into the mountains, where Renndølsetra summer pasture farm lies ready to welcome you with traditional fare and farm animals, the smell of firewood heating the pots and pans on the stove, a seat at the long table and a bed in the old timbered-walled farmhouse.

From the parking area to the summer farm, Renndølssetra is about an hour hike. This cozy summer farm where you'll have dinner and research tomorrow's hike to Innerdalstårnet. 

Spend a peaceful night at the farm and check out those stars!

Day 11: Hike to Innerdalstårnet

Today after breakfast, you will climb the majestic mountain of Innerdalen, called Innerdalstårnet, with a private guide. The top of the mountain sits at 4763 feet above sea level, and the steep hike will reward you with a stunning view over Trollheimen. 

The trip starts from the farm and the heads to Giklingvatnet Lake before you start the last climb to the summit. This is challenging terrain but climbing experience is not necessary.

After the hike, return to the car and drive to the town of Oppdal for a nice relaxing dinner.

Day 12: River Rafting and Trondheim

Today, after breakfast in Oppdal, give your legs a rest and focus on the arms. You'll take a guided river rafting trip along the Driva River, which is well known by Norwegian water enthusiasts. 

After the fun river experience, jump on a relaxing two-hour train ride to Trondheim — Norway's third largest city! Have dinner in town and stay overnight.

Day 13: Explore Trondheim

Today, you'll have time to explore Norway's third largest city by foot, or by renting one of the red-painted bicycles at bike racks scattered around the city.

Trondheim is scenic with beautiful parks and cultural sights, including the slightly out-of-kilter antique wooden houses. Walk across the historic Old Town Bridge—a 17th-century iron structure—for photographs. Visit the impressive Nidarosdomen Cathedral, built over the grave of St. Olav, the King of Norway in the 11th century. Head to popular museums including the National Museum of Decorative Arts, the Trondheim Museum of Art, the Archbishop’s Palace Museum, and the Rockheim, Norway’s national museum of popular music.

The intimate city center is also great for shopping with independent boutiques, along with local dining establishments, including pubs, cafés, and restaurants—many that serve locally-brewed beer.

Day 14: Depart Norway

After breakfast, head to the airport and catch your departing flight. Although it's time to say goodbye to Norway, the memories from your trip will surely stay with you forever!