Best Hikes in Norway - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo

Welcome to Oslo! Norway's rapidly growing capital is still considered a small city, helped by the fact that it's surrounded by mountains and sea. Not only is the city center made for walking, but the outlying neighborhoods—filled with charm and character—are easily accessible by public transportation. So jump on a tram, train, or bus and explore all of what Oslo has to offer.

For dinner, explore the city's historic center, which is abuzz with restaurants and cafés that stay cozy in winter and offer patio seating during summer months.

Day 2: Explore Oslo's Hidden Gems

The opportunities for culture in this city are endless. After breakfast, you'll meet a professional guide who will show you Oslo from a local's perspective. You can choose to tailor this three-hour excursion to your specific interests or defer to your guide and let his/her expertise inform the itinerary. Highlights include strolling famous Damstredet, a small street lined with wooden houses from the 1800's, and visiting the trendy Grünerløkka neighborhood and its eclectic food court Mathallen. A walk along the Akerselva River should not be missed as it's a central part of the history of Oslo.  

Oslo is also known for its museums. Some of these celebrate the macabre, expressionist works of Norweigan painter Edvard Munch, while others feature exhibits and artifacts from the Viking Age. There are even museums celebrating local music and ski history. Be sure to stop in at one and learn about the heritage of this fascinating country. 

Day 3: Oslo - Train to Stavanger

After breakfast, you'll walk to Oslo Station and board a train to Stavanger—the dynamic city on the southwestern tip of Norway. Although the journey is over seven hours long, it's filled with incredible scenery. So sit back, relax and watch the coastal landscapes of southern Norway glide past you.

In the evening you'll arrive in Stavanger and will have the chance to explore its narrow streets with white-washed wood houses offering charming restaurants and pubs before turning in for the night.

Day 4: Hike Kjerag

Rise and shine! Today, you'll set out on your hike with a local guide early in the morning to beat the crowds. This is a  challenging six-hour hike with 2,624 feet (800 meters) of elevation gain that ends at the famous Kjeragbolten: a massive boulder solidly wedged into the crevasse of the mountain. This is one of the most beautiful hikes in Scandinavia with stunning views of the mountains, fjords, and Norwegian countryside. 

Return to Stavanger in the late afternoon, where you can rest your legs and have dinner at one of the town's many restaurants.

Day 5: Stavanger - Hike Preikestolen

After breakfast, head to the ferry for your journey to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). This is a self-guided seasonal hike (May through October), and one of the most popular spots in the country. The trek takes about five hours roundtrip on hilly terrain, accounting for plenty of time enjoying (and photographing) the famous views from Pulpit Rock, which rises 1,981 feet (604 meters) above sea level. 

For an off-the-beaten-path and more challenging experience, join a guide to visit Pulpit Rock a different way, taking little-known forest trails that are off the tourist map. You'll cross a lake by canoe before hiking in near solitude to a viewpoint above Preikestolen that few people ever get to see. Then, you'll head to the plateau to enjoy the more classic scene. Stay overnight in a cabin near the base of the hike.

Day 6: Transfer to Odda

After breakfast, you'll have a five-hour bus ride to the mountain town of Odda, the best base for hiking Trolltunga or exploring the many glaciers, waterfalls, and fjords in nearby Folgefonna National Park. Check out great bars, urban coffee shops, and unique restaurants in and around Odda (we recommend the Floating Bear), and nearby Tjødnadalen, where you can experience organic dining at a working farm. 

Day 7: Hike Trolltunga - Bus to Oslo

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up for an epic 8-10 hour hike to Trolltunga from Skeggedal, 17 km outside of Odda. Work your way up the trail, ending with the Ferrata Himelstigen, or "Ladder to Heaven." Finakky, reach the famous "Troll's Tongue:" a smooth rock formation jutting out over Lake Ringedalsvatnet. The views are spectacular and among the most photographed in all of Norway. Once you're back at the trailhead, enjoy the evening in Odda before heading out for your overnight bus ride to Oslo. 

Day 8: Depart Oslo

It's time to say farewell to Norway! Enjoy your last few hours walking around Oslo's neighborhoods, relaxing in a café, or visiting local boutiques for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.