The Best Hikes in Norway

Ledges above fjords

Three of the Norwegian hikes end at a rock formation high above water. Trolltunga in Hardanger is a ledge jutting out above Lake Ringedalsvatnet, about 20 km return from the P3 car park, and the wait for a photo on it often reaches 30 minutes. Kjeragbolten is a boulder wedged between two cliffs above Lysefjord, with a drop of about 1,000 metres under it. Preikestolen, on the same fjord, is a flat granite cliff 604 metres above the water, reached in about 4 km each way over stone steps and boulders.

Ridges

Besseggen in Jotunheimen and Romsdalseggen above Åndalsnes are ridge walks done one way. Both have exposed sections where hands are needed, and Romsdalseggen secures its scrambles with chains. Besseggen climbs the ridge above two lakes of different colours. Hesten on Senja is shorter, about three hours round trip from Fjordgård, with a scramble to a summit that looks straight across at the peak of Segla.

Lofoten

The two Lofoten hikes are short and steep. Reinebringen is a staircase of nearly 2,000 stone steps built by Sherpas, which most people climb in one to two hours for the view over the red houses of Reine. Kvalvika Beach is reached only on foot, over a pass from the road near Fredvang in about an hour; people camp on the sand, and a side trail climbs to Ryten.

Buses and ferries

Several routes depend on transport that has to be arranged. Trolltunga has a shuttle between the P2 and P3 car parks with a last bus at 7 PM, and parking at P3 is booked well in advance. The usual way to walk Besseggen is to take the ferry from Gjendesheim to Memurubu and walk back, and the ferry is booked ahead. A morning bus runs from Åndalsnes to the Romsdalseggen trailhead in Venjesdalen.