Norway’s jaw-dropping landscape is ripe for adventure. Glide along the Troll Trail; join Sami reindeer herders on an epic winter migration across Arctic Spitsbergen; and get to know Bergen’s fascinating architecture.
Visit in the summer for verdant mountains and a variety of outdoor activities or between September and March to chase the Northern Lights. Be sure to shake your head at hvalbiff, whale meat, on the menu, though, as Norway goes against international advice on commercial whaling.
Tourists consider renting a car one of the best ways to enjoy all that Norway has to offer. Renting an economy class car in Bergen airport will cost about 18 euros per day, in Gardermoen Airport Oslo - about 19 euros per day.
Dog Sledding
When you take part in a dog sled tour, you’ll enjoy a thrilling winter adventure and have the chance to connect with these loving animals. The tours require plentiful snow cover, so it’s best to go during the winter months of January, March, and April. You’ll be able to take part in multi-day trips from Alta, Karasjok, and Kirkenes.
You’ll be in the driver’s seat of a sled pulled by a team of Alaska malamutes or huskies and take in the dramatic landscape of the Norwegian Arctic. The huskies love to run, so they’re happy and excited as they propel the sled with their wagging tails.
Dog sledding tours are operated by guides who will educate you on the local wildlife and culture. They’ll also teach you how to interact with the sled dogs and handle them safely. There is a certain amount of skill required, and you’ll need to learn how to countersteer the sled. This will keep the sled on course, even when the dogs are curious and want to follow their noses.
In addition to being an exhilarating experience, dog sledding is an extremely popular activity in Norway. This is largely because of how environmentally friendly it is. You’ll be limiting your carbon footprint by not using a motor to get around, and you’ll also be helping the local economy.
Dog sledding tours are a great activity to do with friends and family. You can experience the thrill together while learning about the cultural heritage of Norway. You can also make it a truly special occasion by booking a dog sledding and Northern Lights tour together. This will be an unforgettable experience that you won’t forget anytime soon.
Ice Fishing
Norway’s stunningly rugged landscape offers endless adventure opportunities, whether you want to kayak in fjords under the midnight sun or spot Arctic wildlife on a safari. But this spectacular wilderness also offers a chance to experience the culture of one of Europe’s happiest nations, where open-air living and warm hospitality are at the heart of the Norwegian way of life.
The sharply contrasting seasons in Norway make for a year-round playground of thrilling outdoor adventures. Summer brings endless sunshine for fjord exploration and escapes to log cabins in the pristine countryside; while winter brings deep snows and a sense of serene isolation as you dog-sled or trek through untouched landscapes, perhaps under the dazzling Northern Lights.
If you’re seeking a thrill that will put your fishing skills to the test, why not try your hand at ice fishing in Norway? This popular activity is possible throughout the country, thanks to thousands of frozen lakes that are a fisherman’s paradise during the wintertime.
Join a local guide for this unique activity and learn how to drill holes in the ice to land some fresh cod. Then, head back to basecamp with your catch and learn how to cook it up in true Norwegian style.
There’s nothing quite like a group of friends on the ice, laughing and teasing each other while trying to land some fish and sharing a meal in good company. This exciting experience is available in Kirkenes from January to April, and includes transportation on a snowmobile, fishing gear and a snack.
This small-group tour is a wonderful option for those wanting to experience the Nordic cultures in a short amount of time, as you explore the winter wonderland of Tromso and spend an overnight at a snow hotel in Kirkenes on your journey up to the North Cape. You’ll see the dazzling display of the Northern Lights, enjoy activities such as dog sledding and ice fishing, and immerse yourself in Scandinavian culture in the process.
Snowmobiling
With snowy mountains, frozen lakes and magical Northern Lights, Norway is an ideal place for an exciting snowmobile expedition. On a snowmobile tour you will explore a vast wilderness, and you can choose between driving or being a passenger, depending on your skills and experience.
Children can also join a snowmobile safari, as they can pace on small snowmobiles, as long as they are five years old. This is a great family activity to do on your holiday in Norway, and it can be done as part of a larger tour that includes other activities such as dog-sledding or ice fishing.
As the weather in Norway gets colder, animals go into hibernation and the landscape is covered in white, creating a stunning sight. A snowmobile tour offers the chance to experience the vast fjords and high mountain peaks of the Lyngen Alps at their most beautiful.
On a guided snowmobile tour, you will get instruction on how to operate your snowmobile, and you will be provided with a thermal suit, helmet and boots. This ensures that you will be comfortable while on your adventure, as well as warm and safe.
For those looking for a more exhilarating experience, you can join an extreme snowmobile adventure that goes above the Arctic Circle. On this tour, you will travel on a huge plateau called Finnmarksvidda, where you will be immersed in the stunning Arctic wilderness and have an unforgettable experience.
Another option is to join a snowmobile tour that takes you to the famous Ice Dome, a large building that looks like an igloo from the outside. Inside you will find an ice bar, an ice theatre and an ice hotel, with themes that range from local Sami culture to the spectacular Northern Lights conveyed through beautiful lighting and amazing ice sculptures.
If you are planning on joining a snowmobile adventure in Norway, we recommend that you bring along a valid driver’s license. You will also need to pack some winter clothes, such as a warm fleece, and a pair of good quality snow boots. We always recommend a pair from Helly Hansen, which is a Norwegian brand and makes some excellent snow boots for cold environments.
Northern Lights
Witnessing the Northern Lights is something that is often on people’s bucket lists, and there are few better places to see it than Norway. The ethereal dance of green, purple and pink trails that engulf the night sky are the result of electrically charged particles drawn from the sun entering Earth’s atmosphere. The result is truly spectacular and makes you wonder at the magic of it all.
The Northern Lights are most commonly seen over the Arctic Circle, and while it is possible to see them in Oslo, it’s best to travel north of the city for the proper experience. You can book a trip to Tromso and Bodo, or opt for a more remote location in the Arctic Circle, such as Alta. The most important thing is that the skies are clear and free of clouds. If you’re interested in seeing the Northern Lights, we recommend booking your adventure for September to April, as these are the months with the longest nights and a higher chance of seeing them.
The capital of the Arctic, Tromso is widely regarded as one of the best locations in Norway to see the Northern Lights. It’s also home to plenty of exemplary restaurants and bars so you can enjoy dinner under the aurora borealis before heading out on a tour to hunt for the lights.
It’s possible to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in Tromso itself, but to have an optimal viewing experience you’ll need to get away from the light pollution. We recommend booking a hotel in Alta or, if you’re feeling very adventurous, head out to a husky farm just outside of the city to maximise your chances of seeing a display.
Due to an increase in solar activity, there were some spectacular displays of the Northern Lights across Norway this week. Many of The Local’s readers sent us their pictures of the incredible phenomenon and they are truly breathtaking.