Norway Natural Wonders Hiking Tour

This classic adventure offers a perfectly paced exploration of Norway's most spectacular landscapes, seamlessly covering 1,400 miles over 11 days. Guided by expert local leaders, you will journey from cosmopolitan Oslo and historic Bergen to the dramatic Geirangerfjord and the remote, jagged peaks of the Arctic Lofoten Islands, creating a deeply immersive Scandinavian experience.

Legacy of Experience: Since 1969, MT Sobek has pioneered award-winning global adventures, earning proud recognition as the Best Adventure Travel Company by Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards.

Expertly Crafted Logistics: Our itinerary covers 1,400 miles in a single trip, connecting diverse regions using a seamless combination of scenic cruises, overnight rail, and internal flights.

Authentic Arctic Lodging: Sleep like a local with two nights spent in traditional, renovated over-water fishermen's cabins at Eliassen Rorbuer in the picturesque village of Hamnoy.

Cultural Immersion: Connect deeply with regional heritage through exclusive encounters, including learning from a local farmer in Eikesdalen and taking a guided exploration of the Lofotr Viking Museum.

We designed this adventure to take advantage of the beautiful Norwegian summer from June through August, when the landscapes are fully accessible and the trails come alive. The weather in this high-latitude region is famously changeable, bringing a mix of bright sun, rain, and coastal winds that make every departure unique and spectacular.

June: June brings maximum daylight with up to 20 hours of sun in southern Oslo and non-stop daylight in northern Norway, allowing endless time to take in the dramatic coastal vistas.

July: July delivers peak summer warmth and good trail conditions, perfect for witnessing the roaring waterfalls of Geirangerfjord and soaking up the vibrant urban ambiance of Oslo and Bergen.

August: August offers pleasant summer temperatures and generally more stable weather conditions, ideal for high-altitude hikes in Trollheimen and coastal exploration in the Lofoten Islands.

Our Activity Level 3 rating reflects a moderate hiking adventure that requires steady endurance for consecutive active days. The cumulative fatigue from moving across varied terrain, combined with rapidly changing coastal weather, establishes the moderate challenge of this itinerary.

Daily Trail Duration: Expect to hike an average of 3 to 4 hours per day, with specific days extending to 4 to 5 hours as you climb to mountain plateaus or explore rugged ranges.

Elevation Changes: Most days feature moderate elevation gains and losses of 500 to 1,000 feet, though the most demanding hike involves a 1,500-foot vertical gain.

Sustained Distance: Daily distances range typically between 2 and 4 miles, with the longest single trek covering a sustained 9 miles above Bergen.

Varied Terrain: Trails are often single track navigating uneven terrain, rocky mountain paths, and a unique section featuring large stone steps on Day 4. In the event of rain, trails can also be muddy or slippery.

Once your reservation with MT Sobek is finalized, we'll notify you of your trip's status. After your departure is confirmed to operate, flights and travel arrangements may be purchased. While we can often confirm departures in advance, some decisions may be finalized closer to final payment. We strongly advise checking directly with your Adventure Coordinator before purchasing any non-refundable air arrangements. For expert assistance with your flight plans, we recommend reaching out to Exito Travel at 800-655-4053 or via email at [email protected].

We recommend finalizing your travel plans in close coordination with your Adventure Coordinator. To ensure a seamless start, please review your Final Details document, sent approximately three weeks prior to departure, for the most up-to-date schedule.

Arrival: Plan to arrive at Oslo Airport (OSL) no later than 11:00 am on Day 1 in time to meet our representative for the group transfer at noon, or join the group in the hotel lobby at 2:00 pm for your first orientation.

Departure: Schedule your departing flight from Oslo Airport (OSL) for the morning of Day 12 - one day after the trip has ended. Because flights returning from the Lofoten Islands on Day 11 occasionally arrive in the evening and face weather-related delays, we advise spending that final night at an Oslo airport hotel.

Upon claiming your luggage and clearing customs on Day 1, an MT Sobek representative will meet you outside the arrivals customs area at 12:00 pm noon at Oslo Airport (OSL). From there, you will join an included 30- to 40-minute transfer to our group hotel. At 2:00 pm, you will gather in the hotel lobby to meet your expert guide and fellow travelers for a brief trip orientation before heading out for a stroll through downtown Oslo. Specific meet-up details and emergency contacts will be confirmed in your Final Details.

If you choose to arrive in Oslo early, we highly recommend booking extra nights directly at our group hotel, Hotel Oslo Guldsmeden . When checking in, let the hotel know that you are traveling with the MT Sobek tour group so they can do their best to keep you in the same room for the entire stay. Check in time is 3:00 pm. We strongly advise that you do not book a non-refundable rate, as hotels are always subject to change.

If you arrive prior to Day 1, you can easily take the airport express train to the hotel on your own. For a post-trip stay at the end of Day 11, we recommend booking a room at an airport property such as the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel or the Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport Hotel West .

No, MT Sobek does not arrange private airport transfers for this itinerary. If you arrive outside the scheduled group window, you will need to make your way to the hotel independently. The airport express train is very simple to navigate, departs every 10 minutes, and costs approximately $25 per person, which is significantly more economical than local taxis or Uber rides that typically cost between $100 and $120 one way. If you choose to take the airport express train, be sure to take the train route that runs to Drammen, getting off at the Nationaltheatret Station and follow the signs to exit towards Henrik Ibsens gate/Parkveien. You’ll walk another 10 minutes from there to the Hotel Oslo Gulsmeden at Parkveien 78, or use a rideshare app service. It takes about a half hour in total on this route to get to your hotel. Tickets can be purchased with credit cards at kiosks in the airport arrivals hall and signs are in English.

This is a moderate hiking adventure that requires a comfortable fitness level for consecutive days of trail walking. You should feel prepared to spend an average of 3 to 4 hours on foot daily, covering distances that typically range between 2 and 4 miles over uneven terrain.

Daily Trail Pacing: Hikes generally last 3 to 4 hours per day on average, though the longest trek to Rundemanen high above Bergen requires 4 to 5 hours.

Elevation Change: Daily elevation gains and losses are typically a modest 500 to 1,000 feet, providing a rewarding workout without excessive steepness.

Footing and Terrain: You will navigate a variety of single-track mountain trails, rocky paths, and a scenic route on Day 4 that features large stone steps leading up to the Storsaeterfossen Waterfall viewpoint.

Back-to-Back Active Days: Because you’ll hike almost every day across the 11-day itinerary with no full rest days, building a consistent physical base prior to departure ensures your muscles recover quickly.

This itinerary showcases an incredibly charming variety of classic Scandinavian accommodations, ranging from stylish boutique properties and modern 4-star hotels to rustic, local lodging. In general, rooms and beds may be smaller than you are accustomed to in the US, and single rooms are routinely smaller than double rooms. Additionally, twin rooms in Norway frequently feature two single-sized beds situated right next to each other—often sharing a single bedframe—and these beds cannot be moved apart.

On Night 8, you will sleep in a small, cozy compartment on an overnight train that accommodates up to two adults on two 29.5-inch-wide berths outfitted with high-quality mattresses, quilts, and pillows. While these compartments do not have private showers or toilets, shared restrooms are located at each end of the train car. Occasionally, the sleeper car is omitted by the railroad without notice. In that case, the group will seamlessly pivot to take the train from Oppdal to Trondheim followed by an evening flight to Bodo, where you will overnight in a comfortable waterfront hotel. Guests who have paid a single supplement will receive a private train compartment or a private hotel room.

On Nights 9 and 10, you will stay over the water in the spectacular Lofoten Islands at Eliassen Rorbuer, which is housed in beautifully renovated historic fishermen's cottages on Hamnoy Island. These bright cabins feature free Wi-Fi, a comfortable common lounge, a shared kitchen area, and kitchenettes equipped with microwaves and tea and coffee making facilities. Some layouts include bunk beds. These cabins are a mix of one- and two-bedroom configurations; guests staying in a two-bedroom cottage will share a bathroom facility with their cabin companions. Walk-in single room inventory is limited to a maximum of four slots per trip, and while we always strive to secure separate one-bedroom cabins with private bathrooms, we cannot guarantee private baths for everyone due to the historic, boutique nature of the property. In the rare event that guests do share one bath in a two-bedroom cabin, you will always be with members of your MTS group (not with non-MTS guests).

Yes, we can accommodate many common restrictions like vegetarian and vegan diets on this trip with advance notice. Gluten-free diets can typically be accommodated as well, but total elimination of cross-contamination cannot be guaranteed.

Let us know about your dietary restrictions and food allergies as soon as possible, so we can coordinate with guides, hotels, and restaurants. Please also list these on your Participant Information Form.

Yes, a limited number of single rooms are available on this trip. About a third of our travelers go solo, and single room inventory often books up quickly! You can find more information on solo traveler options here .

Standard laundry service is available at most of the overnight hotels along the route. However, because your stays in each location are relatively short and turnaround times can take up to 24 hours, we highly recommend planning to hand-wash a few smaller items. Bringing a travel clothesline and a small packet of laundry detergent will make it simple to wash quick-drying synthetic clothing in your room.

Many travelers expect Norway’s climate to be bitterly cold, and given the country's high latitude, it’s easy to see why. The Arctic Circle cuts directly through the country about halfway up, and while Oslo sits in the south, it shares a latitude with Anchorage, Alaska. Farther north, Hammerfest claims the title of the world’s most northerly city. Yet, despite these northern coordinates, the climate along the Norwegian coast is remarkably milder than you might expect—even in the depths of winter—thanks to the welcoming, warming effects of the Gulf Stream.

In the southern regions, summer typically stretches from early May to late August, though nature keeps us flexible—in an unusual year, peak summer warmth might only arrive for a brief week in late June. You will enjoy incredible daylight during June and July, with around 20 hours of sun in Oslo. If you travel north, you'll experience the extraordinary midnight sun, which shines continuously for nearly two months during this magical season. Summer days rarely climb past 80°F and comfortably cool down into the 50s to 60s°F.

Even in the far north, summer temperatures remain very pleasant. However, because your routes track close to the stunning west coast, the maritime weather can be wet and changeable. We always emphasize bringing reliable waterproof clothing. Should you encounter a damp stretch on the trail, remember a wise, classic Norwegian saying: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

June: Average temperatures from 52 to 68°F, while northern Leknes in the Lofoten Islands averages 47 to 54°F.

July: Trail conditions reach their warmest point with comfortable averages of 55 to 72°F in Oslo and 51 to 59°F in Leknes.

August: Ambient temperatures remain steady, averaging 54 to 68°F in Oslo and 50 to 58°F in Leknes.

Yes, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance can help cover trip cancellations or interruptions, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, travel delays, and other unexpected situations. We offer travel insurance with Arch RoamRight and will be happy to provide you with a quote. Please see our Travel Resources page for more information.

Formal restroom facilities are available at hotels, restaurants, and occasional visitor centers or museum sites, but they are generally unavailable along the wilder mountain trails. When nature calls in the outdoors, your expert guides will advise you on proper Leave No Trace practices, helping you answer the call safely, responsibly, and with complete privacy while preserving the pristine Norwegian ecosystem.