Highlights
- Hike above the fjords of Trolltunga, Preikestolen, and Kjerag
- Climb the glacier in Folgefonna National Park
- Spot wild reindeer in Hardangervidda, Norway's largest national park
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Drive from Oslo to Odda - Spot Reindeer in Hardangervidda | Odda |
| Day 2 | Hike Trolltunga, the Troll's Tongue of Norway | Rosendal |
| Day 3 | Glacier Walk at Folgefonna National Park | Rosendal |
| Day 4 | Drive to Preikestolen - Sunset Hike to Preikestolen | Preikestolen |
| Day 5 | Climb Kjerag - Drive to Dalen | Dalen |
| Day 6 | Morning Hike in Dalen - Drive to Oslo | Oslo |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Oslo to Odda - Spot reindeer in Hardangervidda
Grab a cup of coffee or hot cocoa before you're picked up for a scenic five-hour drive towards the mountains. Along the way, stop at the Heddal Stave Church, which is the largest stave church or medieval Christian wooden church in Norway. The Heddal Stave Church was built in the 13th century and as you walk through its peaceful halls, ask about the legend of the troll who built this church.
Have a hearty lunch before continuing on to Haukliseter, one of Norway's most well-known DNT or public trekking cabins. There, you'll take a brief hike through Hardangervidda, Norway's largest national park, which is home to one of the biggest wild reindeer herds in the world. Keep an eye out for stone-age settlements in the area, as humans once followed the migration of reindeer to this mountain plateau thousands of years ago.
End the day in Odda, a charming fjord town. Settle in for the evening with a traditional Norwegian dinner and rest up for tomorrow's hike.
Day 2: Hike Trolltunga, the troll's tongue of Norway
Today's hike is the longest of the trip, so wake up early and set out to climb Trolltunga, which translates to "troll's tongue." This strange Ice Age glacial formation sits 3,600 feet (1,100 meters) above sea level and 2,300 feet (700 meters) above the crystal clear waters of Lake Ringedal.
This is a challenging hike that lasts 10 - 12 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy the fresh air and peaceful solitude of the mountains and fjord around you. Once you reach Trolltunga, you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labors as you take in the blue glacial waters below and verdant, ice-capped mountains all around. Touch the clouds as you touch the tip of the troll's tongue before heading back down to the land below.
After the hike, drive 1.5 hours to Rosendal, a beautiful town on the Hardanger Fjord, where you'll spend the next two nights.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Glacier walk at Folgefonna National Park
After breakfast, make your way up to Folgefonna National Park, where you will spend the day crossing the ice of Norway's third-largest glacier. A guide will show you how to walk as a rope team so you can experience the majestic feeling of traversing an 1,150-foot (350-meter) thick block of ice.
There's nothing like a snowball fight on a glacier, so perfect your snowball-making form and enjoy the thrill of being on Norway's ice. After this full-day walk, return to Rosendal, where you can decompress and rest up for tomorrow's hike.
Day 4: Drive to Preikestolen - Sunset hike to Preikestolen
Today begins with a six-hour drive to Preikestolen, which is also known as Pulpit Rock. Relax as you take in the coastal scenery of mountains, cliffs, and fjords of southwest Norway. Preikestolen is a flat-topped cliff perched 1,900 feet (604 meters) above the Lysefjord or "Light Fjord," which derives its name from the lightly-colored granite rocks along its sides.
Preikestolen is one of the most popular hikes in the world, so take in an unexpected and less-crowded view as you do this hike in the evening. This four-hour round-trip hike will take you to the edge of Preikestolen, where you can enjoy an evening meal and view of the sunset over this 10,000-year-old glacial landscape. Spend the night in nearby accommodations, where you can get familiar with the feeling of hygge or "coziness."
Day 5: Climb Kjerag - Drive to Dalen
Set out early to make a sunrise ferry to Lysebotn. This ferry will take you through Lysefjorden, where you can experience Preikestolen from below and feel the magic of the Ice Age waters of this fjord. Keep an eye out for the floating rock of Kjerag, which you can see on a clear day.
After the ferry ride, you will drive up to the trailhead of Mount Kjerag, which is situated 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) above the Lysefjord. Take in the expansive views of the Lysefjord as you hike and perhaps even venture to cross the Kjeragbolten or Kjerag Boulder, which is suspended in the mountain's crevasse. Kjerag is a popular destination for base jumpers, who want to scale the massive drop of Kjerag's northern cliffside, and you may meet some of these adrenaline seekers along the way.
After the hike, relax with an afternoon coffee or snack at a restaurant with panoramic views overlooking the fjord. Continue on to Dalen, which is two and a half hours away by car. Once in Dalen, you can reward yourself for all your hard work with a visit to a Norwegian sauna.
Day 6: Morning hike in Dalen - Drive to Oslo
Wake up to a lovely breakfast at the hotel, which you can follow up with an optional morning hike take in the spectacular views of Dalen's mountains and fjords. This is a chance to stretch your legs and breathe in the crisp Norwegian air before embarking on the four-hour drive back to Oslo.
Along the way, stop for lunch at a farm, where you can learn about local farming practices and perhaps even buy some homemade ice cream. Return to Oslo by the evening, where you can continue on your Norwegian journey or to your next destination.
Map
