Norway Walking & Hiking
- Walk and boat among Norway's incredible pristine fjords
- Idyllic treks across fertile valleys dotted with wildflowers, farms and waterfalls
- Get to know historic Balestrand, an inviting artist village
- Guided excursion on sparkling Nigardsbreen Glacier
- Urnes Stave Church, built in the 12th century
Mountains, Glaciers & Fjords
Mountains and beaches. Both can be beautiful. Every continent has them. But fjords - now there’s originality. And Norway is endowed with an enviable collection. Carved by glaciers, dramatic slopes, soaring cliffs. Be humbled by towering formations on either side as your ferry navigates the waters of Sognefjord, Norway’s deepest fjord. It’s the perfect reward after the vigorous hikes along the shores through the serene valleys, quiet villages and dense pine forests. Norway welcomes you with happy people, beautiful scenery and a gloriously unique perspective.
Day 1 Idyllic treks across fertile valleys dotted with wildflowers, farms and waterfalls 
Ascend into the mountains by cable car from Voss, Norway’s adventure capital The jingling of cow bells accompanies your walk along the Hangur Mountain foothills.
Day 2 Amble and boat among Norway's incredible pristine fjords Begin the day with a hearty hike above the valley floor, then lunch at a local farm Ferry through spectacular Nærøyfjord, Europe’s narrowest fjord and a World Heritage site - this is quintessential Norway!
Days 3-4 Guided excursion on sapphire-blue Nigardsbreen Glacier - get ready to don ice-climbing gear Behold Urnes Stave Church, a World Heritage site built in the 12th century From the charming waterfront community of Fjærland, a steep hike leads to a fantastic vista of Jostedalen Glacier. Browse a multitude of secondhand bookshops in old restored barns, boathouses and roadside farms in the "Book Town" of Fjærland.
Days 5-6 Get to know historic Balestrand, an inviting artist village with two burial mounds from the Viking age Which sounds better: a challenging and rewarding hike to the foot of Flatbreen Glacier or a ramble through peaceful Mundal Valley to a magnificent waterfall? The world-famous Norwegian Glacier Museum is a must-see If you’re feeling brave, indulge in a post-hike dip in the crisp waters of glacier-fed Sognefjord, Norway’s longest fjord.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
The landscape of Norway is probably the most beautiful I have ever seen. This trip really captured the essence of the geography as well as Norway's culture. From the hikes to the ferry rides through the fjords, the beauty of Norway was always present. Both of our leaders were great. They were part Mother ("don't forget to hydrate"), part Doctor (bandaging blistered feet), great leaders, but most of all, our friends. I definitely would be more than happy to see them again on another Backroads trip.- Swansea, IL
My specialty is customer and employee satisfaction, and I can tell you - the leaders were absolutely incredible. They are the main reason why I will return to Backroads for years to come . . . you can't teach people the incredible leadership and management skills that they have - that is something innate - and they exceeded my every expectation and dealt with every small detail with seamless leadership - WOW . . . it doesn't get better than that!Teik Francis - Delaware, OH
Our leaders were fantastic at supporting us in our first hiking trip. Since we were always at the back, one of them was with us, and I found the going got easier as I listened to Norwegian lore or looked at wildflowers, etc. while puffing uphill. We became confident in our ability to climb so that by the last day, we walked the 1320 feet with greater ease. They gave instruction in both walking and breathing techniques, which made the trip a lot of fun.- Alexandria, VA
Casual Inns
Stalheim Hotel
Stalheim (1 night) With stunning views of Norway’s highest waterfall and the Nærøyfjord Valley, this historic hotel has its own folk museum.
Walaker Hotel
Solvorn (2 nights) This small family-built inn, dating back more than 300 years, offers charming guest rooms and a lovely setting along the Sognefjord.
Hotel Mundal
Fjærland (1 night) This simple country hotel, steeped in history, provides a wonderful base from which to explore the glorious surroundings.
Kviknes
Balestrand (1 night) Admire panoramic views of one of the world’s longest fjords from the rambling verandas of this Swiss-style inn, operating since 1752.
Czech Republic & Austria Walking & Hiking
Prague to Salzburg: Baroque Treasures & Austrian Peaks
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
This Trip Is Rated Level 2-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 4.3 miles
- 400 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Level 3 1 Route Option Available
- 7.3 miles
- 730 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Guided Glacier Hike 3 hours
- 150 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 4.8, 6.9 miles
- 970 - 1340 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 6.3, 7.1 miles
- 1300 - 1600 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Conclusion of Trip
Terrain Description
Forested alpine trails, glacial tracks, mountain meadow paths.More Recommended Trips
Other Trips
For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Norway tour experts. See our award-winning Europe At Large walking tours and hiking tours, Europe At Large biking tours and Europe At Large multisport tours.
