Norway and its fjords rank high on the bucket lists of outdoor enthusiasts. Embarking on this solo group walking holiday, we kick off in Bergen, aptly nicknamed ‘the heart of the fjords’ and ‘the city between seven mountains’, setting the perfect tone for our adventure. Ascending Fløyen and Ulriken mountains, we soak in the fantastic scenery overlooking Bergen. No Norwegian journey is complete without experiencing the Flam Railway, renowned as one of the world’s most beautiful train rides, showcasing vertiginous mountainsides, cascading waterfalls, and a passage through 20 tunnels, offering numerous scenic viewpoints. Cruising the majestic and serene Naeroyfjord, an arm of the stunning Sognefjord, further enriches our journey. Transitioning to Stavanger, our second base, we delve into some of Norway’s most unique natural wonders. The iconic Preikestolen, a picture-postcard attraction, awaits our hike above the breathtaking Lysefjord. This walking holiday promises a deep appreciation for Norway’s awe-inspiring natural landscapes.
Grade: Medium
Today we fly to Norway! Our first stop is Bergen, where we transfer to the hotel. Surrounded by mountains and fjords, Bergen is Norway’s second largest city, yet it offers small town charm with its colourful wooden buildings, narrow cobbled streets and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bryggen, a Hanseatic wharf, which is a glorious remnant from when Bergen was a key centre for trade between Norway and Europe.
This evening we gather to have a welcome drink and dinner to get to know our fellow travellers.
Following breakfast at the hotel, we venture to Fløibanen, where a cable car ride ushers us to the start of our journey. Today’s trek offers a beloved path, ripe with opportunities to capture stunning vistas and quaint wooden structures in photos. As we traverse atop Bergen, we stray from the usual routes, immersing ourselves in serene woodlands, alongside tranquil lakes, and along pathways where the profound silence speaks volumes.
High above Mount Fløyen, our guide leads us through pristine landscapes, ascending to lofty summits boasting unparalleled panoramas of Bergen and its encircling ocean. The trail meanders downward with graceful twists and turns, offering ample opportunities to pause and admire the city’s grandeur from strategically placed benches. Drawing nearer to the base, our gaze is captivated by the picturesque beauty of Skansedammen lake, a serene punctuation to our mountain descent.
Once our trek concludes, we have the option to forego the cable car descent from Fløyen and instead opt for a leisurely walk back to the city, which would take approximately 1 hour. Alternatively, we can choose to utilise the Fløibanen for a return journey, mirroring our morning ascent.
Walk 6 km in total. Elevation approx. 250 m.
Following breakfast, we make our way to Bergen Train Station to embark on an unforgettable journey to Myrdal aboard the iconic Flam Railway. Renowned as one of Norway’s premier tourist attractions, this 20 km-long train voyage showcases a mesmerizing panorama of rivers slicing through rugged ravines, cascading waterfalls, snow-dusted peaks, and precarious mountain farms perched on sheer cliffs. Our scenic ride includes a captivating photo stop at the breathtaking Kjosfossen waterfall.
Once in Flam, we board a ferry and head to Gudvangen, through Nærøyfjord. It’s no surprise that Nærøyfjord is featured on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. A fjord cruise through this narrow and beautiful fjord is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
When in Gudvangen, we head to the Viking Valley – the setting for the town of Njardarheimr, bringing to life the real history and culture of the Viking age. Here we learn about the Vikings – how they lived, worked and influenced the wider world.
We end the day by transferring to Voss and taking the train back to Bergen.
Today we head to the Ulriken cable car station. From the cable car and the plateau, there are amazing views of the city surrounded by mountains, fjords, lakes and coastal landscapes. The ‘Highland in the middle of the city’, Ulriken stands as a unique landmark, tourist attraction and recreational area in Bergen.
The Ulriken, the highest of Bergen’s seven mountains, is a popular trip for both locals and visitors. On this walk, we enjoy spectacular scenery and mountain terrain 643 metres above the city streets. From the summit, we soak up magnificent views of Bergen and the surrounding area – the sea, islands, fjords and mountains.
Walk 5,3 km. Elevation approx. 30 m from the top after cable car (uneven terrain up and down, walking boots are a must).
After breakfast, we head to the port in Bergen and take the beautiful sea route between Bergen and Stavanger with Fjord Line which runs daily from Bergen to Stavanger, through exceptional natural beauty. The ferry takes five and a half hours from Bergen to Stavanger.
The ship sails in inshore waters for the entire voyage, so we’re never far from natural landscapes or landmarks. When sailing from Bergen, we see the Askøybroen (Askøy Bridge) and Sotrabrua (Sotra Bridge), two gigantic suspension bridges that connect the mainland to the two Hordaland islands. Be prepared for Karmsund Bru (Karmsund Bridge) too. This bridge, connecting Karmøy and Haugesund, illustrates what is so wonderful and unique about voyages in Western Norway. It’s not possible to get a closer mix of nature and man-made structure. Karmsund Bridge’s characteristic arch makes it popular with photographers, so have your camera ready!
We enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring over to the Randaberg region, not far from Stavanger, for a beautiful walk which will feature beaches, coastlines and lighthouses, while looking out for birds. We then begin the walk with views looking across the beach and towards the North Sea. We continue along the coast and make our way to the Tungenes Lighthouse, situated on the tip of the Stavanger Peninsula. It was first lit in 1828 and was the main light marking the entrance to the Byfjorden – the main fjord leading to the important city of Stavanger. The lighthouse is no longer in use but is now used as a fine arts centre and lighthouse/maritime museum. We continue on the coastal path around the peninsula towards a small bay before proceeding down the coast and returning to the start point. We then transfer back to the hotel in Stavanger.
Walk 6.4 km in total. Elevation approx. 41 m.
Today, we marvel at the iconic beauty of Norway as we embark on a hike to Preikestolen. This stunning natural wonder, formed over 10,000 years ago, stands as the epitome of Norway’s picturesque landscapes. Perched atop the 604-meter-high cliff overlooking the Lysefjord, we’re treated to unparalleled vistas, unveiling the sheer majesty of Fjord Norway.
The hike to Preikestolen is of moderate difficulty. In total, the 8-kilometer hike takes about 4-5 hours (round trip). The trail, which has significant shifts in terrain, includes swampland, forests, and stone stairways built by Nepalese sherpas.
This evening we gather for a farewell dinner and share stories and photos from the week.
Walk 8 km. Elevation approx. 500 metres
Today we bid farewell to the land of the Vikings and after breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight home.
Frequently Asked Questions
From Bergen Airport to the hotel, the transfer is roughly 25 minutes depending on traffic.
From the hotel in Stavanger to the airport, the transfer is roughly 30 minutes depending on traffic.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.
You will be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear for this walking holiday. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort. Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
We suggest a Group Collection to cover transfer drivers, and hotel staff of €20.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate percentage on.
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.
Your passport must be:
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
If you are travelling to Norway and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
Compulsory vaccinations: None.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.
General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.
In Norway, they use the Norwegian Krone.
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