Stunning photography that shows off the true natural wonder of the Norwegian mountains.
Breathe it in! Hiking in the mountains is one of the most Norwegian activities you can do, whether you live here or are just visiting. The country isn't short of mountains, with hiking trails criss-crossing the country from north to south, east to west.
Less than half an hour's drive from the Geirangerfjord is this remarkable mountain road leading to the Dalsnibba viewpoint. The road is only open during the summer months, but there's still plenty of snow for most of the time it's open.
Hemsedal is home to one of Norway's most famous ski resorts, but it's also a top hiking destination in the summer. The “Topp 20” program encourages keen walkers to tackle one of twenty recommended mountain hikes. Peaks range in difficulty and in height from 804m to 1920m. The town itself is more than 600m above sea level, so there is a hike for everyone at Hemsedal.
Besseggen in the Jotunheimen mountain range is one of Norway's most popular mountain hikes. Most people takes the boat from Gjendesheim to Memurubu to start the trek, which takes 5-7 hours.
Trolltunga provides photographers with one of the most iconic images of Norway, standing on a rock ledge 700 meters above lake Ringedalsvatnet. The hike to get there is challenging but rewarding.
Another alternative image from Trolltunga. The view across the Skjeggedal valley is simply breathtaking. Hikers typically spend the night in Odda before starting out early.
The coastline around Ålesund is almost as well-known as the town itself. The seemingly endless chain of ragged mountains known locally as the ‘Sunnmøre Alps' attract keen hikers from all around Norway.
Federico Bottos / Unsplash
The scenery of the Lofoten islands isn't just great to look at, it's also great to explore on foot. The hiking trails can also be much quieter than others in Norway, unless you're visiting at the very height of summer.
While almost all photographs of Norway show lovely blue skies, the reality is the weather on a hiking trip can be challenging, especially high up in remote areas. This picture shows a hiker in Hareid in the Sunnmøre region.
Stryn is the region south of Geiranger and largely ignored by mass tourism despite its intriguing mix of fjords and mountains. Much of the region falls within the Jostedalsbreen National Park, home to continental Europe's largest glacier.
“We were on a shoot for a snowboard travel movie in Folgefonna. It was mid June. The terrain is usually quite flat in that area so it was hard to find good natural terrain to shoot. Nonetheless riders like Toni Kerkelä never seem to get stressed in these situations and always find a spot that works. Snowboarding is about being out there and making the most out of it no matter with which circumstances you have to battle.”
On the Strynfjellet mountain. Cabins are a common sight throughout the Norwegian mountains. Some are private, others belong to the country's trekking association (DNT) and can be used by members.
You don't have to travel into the wilderness to enjoy the mountain life. Bergen is known for its seven peaks, which help to lend the city a unique character. Take the funicular railway or cable car and within minutes you'll be in a different world.
Bardu's Polar Park is the world's northernmost wildlife park, where you can meet the country's famous predators such as wolves, brown bears and lynx, living within a vast natural environment.
Picking berries and wild mushrooms is a common hobby among Norwegians. Just be sure you know what you're picking!
Birdwatching is another common activity. The fjords and mountains of Norway are home to a huge variety of birdlife.
Another iconic hike is the one to Preikestolen, or the Pulpit Rock. After the enjoyable hike there, visitors must make the decision if they are brave enough to dangle their legs off the ledge or not…
Andras Toth / Unsplash
Nigardsbreen is an arm of the large Jostedalsbreen glacier. It is named after the farm it crushed as it advanced more than 4km from 1700 and 1748.
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