Norway

Bordered by Sweden, Finland and Russia, Norway is one of the most northerly countries in Europe; almost a third of its elongated landmass lies within the Arctic Circle and remains ice-covered for much of the year. In Norway adventure travel is second nature to visitors and residents: opportunities for outdoor activities in Norway are everywhere!

The country’s entire west coast is exposed to the North Atlantic Ocean, where hundreds of fjords indent the coastline, creating its distinctive, jagged shape.

Norway is home to beautiful cities and timber-clad towns, with Bergen, Tromso and Oslo (the capital), some of the better known. Deep within the Arctic Circle lays the Svalbard archipelago, a land dominated by mountains and magnificent glaciers.

With some of Europe’s wildest landscapes, Norway adventure travel journeys offer inexhaustible opportunities for adventure. The country’s diverse landscapes support prolific wildlife, including elk, brown bear, reindeer and thousands of migratory birds. North of the mainland, Svalbard’s arctic wilderness is home to the polar bear.

The country experiences four distinct seasons – just beware when planning outdoor activities in Norway it becomes increasingly cold the further north you travel. The long, bright summer days (June to August) can reach up to 30C around Oslo and in the south-east, but from September, autumn temperatures begin dropping below 10C across the country.

By winter, much of the country is snow-clad; if you’re starting Norway adventure travel holidays after September you need to consider carefully the temperature. Inland in the north it can reach lows of -40C and it remains cold until late March, whereas coastal areas stay comparatively mild. Spring (May to June) in Norway is spectacular, with trees and flowers blossoming and melt waters swelling the rivers.

From late November to mid-February, Norway’s star-filled polar nights and Northern Lights can be experienced north of the Arctic Circle – tours that take in these spectacles are some of the more popular outdoor activities in Norway. In contrast, between mid-April and late August, the midnight-sun remains permanently above the horizon.

In Norway adventure travel suits more extreme and arctic tastes: If you’re coming to Norway to experience the Arctic wilderness, head towards Svalbard, starting your journey from Longyearbyen and exploring the island of Spitsbergen. Or, if you’re looking for outdoor activities in Norway which are less challenging but equally impressive, northern Norway (Tromso) offers trekking and cycling with stunning mountain backdrops and breath-taking seascapes.

To pack in a big range of activities in a more forgiving environment, western Norway (Bergen) is an excellent choice.

Norway’s spectacular landscapes attract thousands of hikers and climbers. The national parks have an excellent network of mountain trails and cabins, although many are not open until late June. Journey between outdoor activities in Norway across the country’s epic network of fjords. Unsurprisingly, fishing is also hugely popular, particularly between June and September (although be aware that fishing licences are required).