Top 10 Hiking Trails in Norway, Norway

On the southern part of the island of Tromoy, only 10 minutes from Arendal town by car, bus or boat, there is a beautiful area called Hove. This recreation area is part of a protected moraine that lies along the southern coast. The whole area has been adapted for walks with resting places along the shore. There is a beach and kiosk at Hove camping during the summer season, and several kilometres of smooth rocks. Sundays between September and May, there is a lunch buffet at Hovestua in Hove camp from 12 to 18.  The paths are many and stretches from Hove to Alve, along Spornes beach, consisting of boulders and rocks, and sand when the sea permits. The area is used for hiking both summer and winter, and is suitable for everyone, children and adults. The trip from Hove camping to Alve and back is about 12 kms, and the network of paths allows both short and long trails. Maps for sale at Arendal tourist office, Hove camp, and Bjellandstrand Gard. Parking for instance at Hove camping and Hove camp. Bus no 3 to Tromoy ost leaves Arendal every hour during the day, Monday-Saturday.

Program day by day Meeting point: Bardola Hoyfjellshotel, N 3580 GEILO Thursday: Arrival in Geilo Transfer to Geilo and check-in at Bardola Hotel. Dinner. Join the group coming from Hallingdal in the hotel. The guide will inform about the program. Friday: Train to Finse – hike across Hallingskarvet, 5,5 – 6,5 hrs The program starts with the train from Geilo to Finse. Hiking from Finse up and across St.Paul (1.690m), and then to the DNT-lodge Geiterygghytta, and follow the old road to the west end of tunnel. Good paths, but it can be snow some parts. Pick-up by hotel bus to osterbo Fjellstove for 2 nights. Dinner Saturday: Aurlandsdalen – upper part, 3-4 hrs From osterbo we take the local bus back to the west entrance of tunnel, and hike above the road tunnel and get down to the lodge Steinbergdalen. The last part will also have some uphill before we descend to osterbo Fjellstove. Possible to go back by bus from Steinbergdalen. Dinner. Sunday: Aurlandsdalen – lower part, 6-7 hrs The most spectacular hiking part will be the narrow valley from osterbo to Vassbygdi. You are practically alone in the nature. Local bus brings us to Aurland Fjord Hotel. Dinner. Monday: Basic tour ends after breakfast. (Alternative to include the train return to Geilo)

Activities Worth seeing Events Accomondation Transport Eat and drink Useful information Jotunheimen> National tourist routes> Sognefjell Explore the region Click the map to visit the regions Select region Sognefjell - Across the roof of Norway In majestic surroundings, high in the mountains past blue ice, jagged peaks and emerald lakes, the Sognefjell Road runs between Sognefjord, the world’s longest fjord, and the Gudbrandsdal valley. The Sognefjell Road was designated Norway’s first tourist route in 1997 and has just been upgraded to a National tourist route in 2003. The Sognefjell Road has carried traffic since time immemorial. Fish and salt from the west and butter, hides, iron and tar from the east were carried by people on their shoulders or on horseback. The cairns helped travellers find the way in all kinds of weather. The Sognefjell Road gives you access to Jotunheimen National Park, with Galdhopiggen, Norway’s highest mountain, and several of the other of the highest peaks in Norway, and to Jostedalsbreen, Norway’s largest glacier. Here your can poke about on your own among soaring peaks, take a tour over glaciers and mountain tops with experienced guides, and go skiing all year round. The route between the inland valley, high mountains and fjord offers breathtaking contrasts in climate and topography and a variety of plant and animal life, from lower elevations with farms, pine forests and the conditions for human settlement to the alpine terrain approx. 1,000 metres above sea level. Up here you’ll find bare rock with clear traces of the last Ice Age, with grass, moss, lichen interspersed with juniper and willow. Here you’ll also find hardy polar plants such as arctic buttercup, with mountain birch here and there. Wild as well as tame reindeer live on Sognefjell, and down towards the valleys there are moose and deer. In the high mountains, eagles and rough-legged buzzards thrive. In eastern regions there may be bears, lynx and wolverines, though they are few and very shy. For more informaton on the touristroutes

Raudmelen (972m) Raudmelen is a mountain which towers 972m over the centre of Balestrand. A hiking trail goes up the mountainside from Balestrand to the top of Raudmelen. This is a demanding hike. From the top you have fantastic views over the Sognefjord, both out towards Stolsheimen and in towards Fjaerland and Leikanger. Start: Start by Belehalli sports hall, at the same place as the starting point for the nature trail. Take the red route to Raudmelen. The first part goes along the marked nature trail, but soon turns off upwards. After following the relatively steep path up through the woods it is nice to take a break at Orrabenken (370m) where you get a wonderful view over Balestrand centre and the Sognefjord. From Orrabenken follow the path on upwards. The blue route turns off towards Balastolen and Fjaerestedstolen and the red route continues up towards Raudmelen. At Burasi (575m), another fine resting place, you get a marvellous view over Sognefjord and Esefjella. The path goes on up and along the ridge towards the top with wonderful views on both sides. On one side you see down over the green slopes to Balestrand and on the other dramatic rocky mountainsides towards Esedalen. At the top you are rewarded with fantastic views over the Sognefjord. This is a demanding hike and takes approx. 6 hours. Good advice: Get a map from the tourist office. Be sure to take plenty of water as there is no drinking water on this route. Getting there: From Balestrand quay/tourist office walk up Laerergata and on to Kreklingevegen until you get to Belehalli sports hall. The roads are signposted with white nature trail signs. To reach Balestrand take the express bus from Oslo, Bergen or Trondheim or express boat from Bergen. If you come by car from Oslo take the E16 and route 55. From Bergen or Trondheim take the E39 and route 55.

Undoubtley, one of the world's most beautiful hikes! Enjoy hours with breathtaking scenery in a fantastic alpine environment, with balcony view to many of the most famous mountain peaks in Norway. Magnificent 365 degrees view from top of the ridge. Easy access from Åndalsnes in Norway. Daily bus service to the start point in Summer, departing every morning from Åndalsnes Train Station. Season Ultimo June - Ultimo September.

The hike starts with the parkinglot in Festvag. Walk 100 m in direction Henningsvaer, take a turn to the right and follow the trail. It`s steep, but the view is amazing.

Nature Trail - Kreklingen The trail starts from Belehalli sports hall in Balestrand and goes on to Sandstolen or Skasheim. This is an easy trail with an ascent of 90 - 250m. The first part goes along a nature trail marked with notices giving information about the plants and animals in the area. Further along the trail you get some very fine views over Balestrand. The trail is marked with yellow markings and signposted towards Granlia and Skasheim. From Granlia you can either follow the yellow markings further to Sandstolen (shorter route) or Skasheim (longer route). The trail consists of stone/gravel/grass and is approx 50 - 60cm wide. It can be used for off road cycling. The walk takes between 2 and 4 hours depending on which route you choose and your own condition. Getting there: From Balestrand quay/tourist office walk up Laerergata and on to Kreklingevegen until you get to Belehalli sports hall. The roads are signposted with white nature trail signs. To reach Balestrand take the express bus from Oslo, Bergen or Trondheim or express boat from Bergen. If you come by car from Oslo take the E16 and route 55. From Bergen or Trondheim take the E39 and route 55. For more information contact Balestrand.