Norway and the fjords are bucket list destinations for many walkers and lovers of the outdoors. On this walking holiday we will begin in Bergen, nicknamed “the heart of the fjords” and “the city between seven mountains” making it the perfect location to begin this holiday. We will head up the Fløyen and the Ulriken mountains for walks to enjoy fantastic scenery over Bergen. A trip to Norway would not be complete without riding the Flam Railway, described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, with vertiginous mountainsides, foaming waterfalls, passing through 20 tunnels, and offers many viewpoints. The Norwegian fjords are majestic and peaceful, we will cruise on the Naeroyfjord, the most beautiful and wildest arm of the Sognefjord. Our second base of this walking holiday is Stavanger, a perfect base for some of Norway’s most unique nature experiences. Preikestolen is picture postcard Norway, we will hike to this unique area of beauty, sitting above the stunning Lysefjord. On this walking holiday, we will come away appreciating Norway’s breathtaking natural landscapes.
Grade: Medium
Today we will fly to Norway, our first stop is Bergen, where we will 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 will gather to have a welcome drink and dinner to get to know our fellow travellers.
This morning we will have breakfast at the hotel and then walk to Fløibanen to take the cable car to the beginning of the walk. Todays walk is a popular route, we will have the perfect opportunity to take some great pictures of fantastic views and charming old wooden buildings. We will hike literally on top of Bergen and go off the beaten track through woods, past lakes, and on paths where we can hear the silence.
Above Mount Fløyen the guide will take us through untouched terrain, reaching some higher summits with amazing views of Bergen and the ocean surrounding it. The route will wind its way down from the mountain with twists and turns. On our way down we will have the perfect opportunity to relax on one of the many benches to witness the great view over the city or Bergen. As we get closer to the bottom, we will set our eyes upon the lovely Skansedammen lake.
After the walk is finished, we may wish to choose to not use the cable car on the way back from Fløyen and walk back to city, it would take about 1 hour, or we can use the Fløibanen just as we did in the morning.
Walk 6 km in total. Elevation approx. 250 m.
Today after breakfast, we will head to Bergen Train Station to begin our journey towards Myrdal for the spectacular Flam Railway. The Flam Railway is one of Norway’s major and most spectacular tourist attractions. On the 20 km-long train ride, you can see rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and mountain farms clinging dizzily to sheer slopes. The train makes a photo stop at the beautiful Kjosfossen waterfall.
Once in Flam, we will board a ferry and head to Gudvangen, through Nærøyfjord. It is no coincidence that Nærøyfjord is featured on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. A fjord cruise through this narrow and beautiful fjord will give you the memory of a lifetime!
When in Gudvangen, we will head to the Viking Valley, this is the setting for the town of Njardarheimr, bringing to life the real history and culture of the Viking age. Here we will learn about the Vikings, how they lived, worked and influenced the wider world.
We will end the day by transferring to Voss and taking the train back to Bergen.
Today we will 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 will enjoy spectacular scenery and mountain terrain 643 metres above the city streets. From the summit, we will enjoy magnificent views of Bergen and the surrounding area – the sea, the 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 will 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 5 h 30 m to go 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 will 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 make sure we have the camera at the ready.
We will enjoy breakfast in the hotel this morning and then transfer 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 will begin the walk with views looking across the beach and towards the North Sea. We will continue along the coast and make our way to the Tungenes Lighthouse, which is situated on the tip of the Stavanger Peninsula, 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 will continue on the coastal path around the peninsula towards a small bay before proceeding down the coast and returning to the start point. We will then transfer back to the hotel in Stavanger.
Walk 6.4 km in total. Elevation approx. 41 m.
For 2025, we will hike to Dalsnuten. A 3.8km round trip and 323m of elevation.
Today we will witness picture postcard Norway by hiking to Preikestolen. Preikestolen, was formed more than 10,000 years ago and is the most iconic natural landmark in Norway. From the top of the 604 metres high cliff that towers above the Lysefjord, we will find the most dramatic views that Fjord Norway has to offer.
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 will gather for a farewell dinner and share stories and photos from the week just gone.
Walk 8 km. Elevation approx. 500 metres
Today we bid farewell to the land of the Vikings and after breakfast, we will 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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