Norway travel advice

Britt Elton from our supplier Discover Norway offers her Norway travel advice:
“Biking in the fjord landscape, you see spectacular waterfalls, green-blue fjords and high mountains covered with snow, changing side on the fjords with local ferries - which cyclists like! Rallarvegen is Norway’s most popular cycling route, from arctic mountain nature across the Hardangervidda National Park to the verdant Flåmsdalen valley – which has a lot of waterfalls – and the wild west coast.

You ride from the highest point (1,222m) down to zero! In northern Norway in summer, the sun never goes down! So you have light both day and night to see towering mountains, ocean vistas and thousands of islands. The landscape along the coast is easy to cycle - the highest points are often the bridges you pass over!”

Laura Greenman from our supplier Magnetic North has something to say about the very air itself in her Norway travel advice: “One part of Norwegian life which influences many of our trips is the idea of Friluftsliv. Translated literally as 'free air life', Friluftsliv is about enjoying nature and the outdoors in a simple and uncomplicated way. It is not about conquering a mountain peak or going to any extremes of nature, but rather enjoying the outdoors and reaping the benefits of nature to our own well-being.”

Strict safety rules apply against the threat from polar bears on Spitsbergen. In recent years, visitors have been killed and others injured in attacks. If travelling beyond the main town Longyearbyen, travellers must be armed with – and proficient in using - a high-powered rifle. If camping, alarms must be set-up – and tested - around tents to warn of any approaching bear. Thankfully, your holiday company and tour leader or guide will take care of all of this! Always check weather forecasts and information on other local conditions (e.g. crevasses on glaciers) before setting out cross country – hikers and skiers have died after ignoring advice in popular hiking areas. Conditions can become treacherous almost any time of the year apart from July and August. And even in high summer, be aware of the risk of avalanches, particularly in high areas like Jotunheimen. Your tour leader should stay up to date. Never venture onto a glacier without proper equipment and experience, and always consult locals on current conditions. And of course, even better, go with an experienced guide.