Overview
Highlights
- Visit Ålesund, one of Norway's most beautiful cities.
- Visit Geiranger Fjord
- Travel up the Troll Road to reach the Troll Wall-our hiking destination for one day.
- Visit the remote village of Trandal, only accessible by boat.
- Beautiful vistas of dramatic fjords.
- Summit Slogen, one of the prominent Norwegian mountains.
- Stay overnight in a Norwegian DNT hut in the remote mountains.
On this tour within some of Norway's most beautiful terrain, we will explore the exceptionally beautiful mountain and fjord scenery in Romsdalen and Sunnmøre. This trip offers two of Norway's most famous highlights: Geiranger Fjord and The Troll Wall while also taking you off the beaten track to explore some of Norway's most special and stunning areas. You will enjoy this trip if you want to explore the deep beauty of Norway, visiting some of the top tourist highlights while also exploring the less-visited and remote areas of Norway only the locals know about. This trip is lodge-based, and we carry only day packs when hiking.
Every night we stay in authentic and traditional accommodations. You can look forward to staying in places such as the beautiful historic Hotel Union Øye and overnighting in a traditional Norwegian DNT cabin. The route's lowest point is the shore down by the fjord, and the highest point is the 1,564-metre-high mountain of Slogen. One of the most spectacular summits in the "Alps of Sunnmøre"!
The scenery along this hiking tour is magnificent, and if you want to experience the Norwegian mountain landscape at its absolute best, this is an excellent option. This tour starts in Oslo and ends in the city of Ålesund. This coastal city is a famous seaport, and it is widely known for its concentration of Art Nouveau architecture. Ålesund airport offers good connections (direct flights) to several foreign cities (KLM, among others, operates daily flights). Norwegian and SAS also operate several daily flights to Oslo.
If you have the time, we recommend that you plan an extra day in Oslo before or after the tour. Oslo is among Lonely Planet's top 10 cities on their Best in travel 2018 list.
Please let us know if you have any questions. You can contact us at hvitserk@norrona.com.
Physical level and risk
So that you can have a good experience, it is important that you choose a trip that suits your ability level. The scales for physical requirements and risk are general. Therefore, it is important that you read more about the difficulty of the specific trip under “Details”. This will help you to gain an understanding of the level required and the risks involved for each specific trip.
Read more about physical requirements and risk here.
Physical: 3
On these trips, some of the stages are demanding. On level 3 mountain hikes, there are often some long stages, and / or a demanding summit push where it can get cold. You must stand up to reach the goal, and have a good training basis and good health before departure. We sleep in tents and / or in cabins and hotels, but you do not have to have experience with tent life to participate. If the trip includes activities such as kayaking, cycling, climbing, glacier, skiing / mountaineering, it is an advantage to have experience with this activity. Read more about the grading on our trips here
Risk: 2
Activities / trips with low risk. There are usually few incidents, and they are usually of such a nature that they can be treated locally. Read more about the grading on our trips here
What's included
- All accommodations
- All meals
- Professional nature guide
- All transport within itinerary
See more of what's included under the "details" tab
Contact
Questions about the trip? Don't hesitate to contact our project leader below, or contact our office here.
Details
Difficulty
Level 3 out of 5. Please read more about our level of difficulty here. The hardest hike is the hike to Slogen; it can take up to 10 hours all together. The other days will be between 3-6 hours of hiking. You should expect to scramble on Slogen and the path is rocky and slippery if it rains. You should have hiking experience within similar conditions and have an open mind for challenging hiking when on Slogen. Come prepared to be challenged in the Norwegian terrain on some days of this tour, and on others simply sit back and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you!
What to bring?
Have a look at the full equipment list by clicking "Equipment list" in the menu above.
How to get there?
Oslo is where the trip starts, and offers good connections throughout the world. Åndalsnes where the trip starts is reachable by train from Oslo, book via www.vy.noe/en, the train that departs from Oslo at 08.02 AM. Ålesund is where the tour ends and the airport offers good connections (direct flights) to several foreign cities (KLM, among others, operates daily flights). Norwegian and SAS also operate several daily flights to Oslo.
Accommodation
We stay at what we think are the most unique and welcoming accommodations in the area. Some nights in modernly equipped cabins and other nights in high standard hotels. If you travel alone, you will share a same-sex twin room, but on some nights single rooms are possible, please let us know if you would like to pay extra for this. The single supplement is 4000 NOK for the whole trip. All meals are included as described in the day to day program.
Baggage
Due to limited space in the transportation, we ask that you bring one piece of luggage (we recommend a duffel bag, which is easier than a rolling bag to transport on this tour) with your clothes, toiletries and items necessary for when we are not hiking. We require you bring a day pack (hip belt strongly recommended) to use when hiking for food, water, cameras and layers.
Insurance
You need a travel and health insurance, which also includes transportation back to your country. Remember to bring your insurance card/information.
Languages
The guide will speak English.
Changes may occur
We reserve the right to make changes to the program, and the price. The day to day program is indicative, and changes may occur. Please have a look at our terms and conditions.
What's included?
- Professional local knowledge nature guide
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner (as described in the day to day program).
- All local transport
- All activites during the trip
Not included in the price:
- International and domestic flights (our program starts in Åndalsnes and ends in Ålesund)
- Transport to Åndalsnes from Ålesund - to get to Åndalsnes, book train tickets on www.vy.no/en
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Snacks
Day by Day
day
1
Towards the fjords
We meet at Åndalsnes Train Station at 01.30 PM. Please have a snack with you for our hike upon arrival, as we will not have dinner until after our hiking adventure. After the hike, our van for the week picks us up, and we drive towards tonight's accommodation. In the evening we go through our expectations for the week and through our gear. We enjoy a 3-course dinner together in the evening.
To get to Åndalsnes, book train tickets at www.vy.no/en and the train that departs at 08.02 AM from Oslo Central Station. It is also possible to come to Åndalsnes a day earlier.
day
2
Hike the Trollswall
After a healthy breakfast, we drive up the famous switchback turns of Trollstigen, have your camera ready!
On the top of Trollstigen, in this high mountain plateau, we will start our hike towards the top of the Troll Wall. The terrain is hilly with a rocky trail that takes us up the valley, but we have a gradual incline all the way to our destination. This is an intermediate hike, but the last part up to the top of the Trolls Wall consists of scree fields, and you need to be comfortable hiking in rocky terrain. After our summit, we hike back down and drive towards our home for the next two nights in Valldal.
day
3
Kayaking the fjords
After breakfast, we go outside our hotel and get into our kayaking gear. We spend a few hours on the beautiful Norddal fjord, which is on the UNESCO's World Heritage list, for the fjord area in the western region in Norway. Upon some searching, we will pull off the water to enjoy a nice lunch out of the fjord together. After lunch we paddle back to Valldal. The afternoon is free, but for those who want to explore some more, they can join the guide for a small afternoon hike. In the evening we enjoy a traditional dinner together before going to rest our bodies for the next days adventure.
day
4
Geirangerfjord
Today we will explore the famous UNESCO World Heritage Fjord: Geirangerfjord! We eat our breakfast, then we jump into the van and drive towards Geiranger. We will spend a few hours exploring the village center at the base of this incredible fjord before we hike to a beautiful waterfall after lunch. The hike is steep, and although it is only 1.5 km to the waterfall, we will take our time and enjoy the view as we make our way up. Sherpas have built steps all the way to the top of the waterfall. After the hike, we travel by ferry to Hellesylt and drive to our next accommodation, the historic hotel Union Øye. The old hotel has a long history, and it has been a favorite venue for royalties, writers, climbers, and lovers for generations. A stay at this hotel will be like being transported back in time and will give us a unique experience to get to know the area and its history. We have a nice three-course dinner at the hotel and spend the night here.
day
5
Hiking to Slogen and Patchellhytta
We enjoy a delicious breakfast at Hotel Union Øye. Nice and fed we drive a short distance to the foot of Slogen (1,564 meters), the highest point of our trip. This mountain has often been mentioned as a favorite among the visitors of Hjørundfjord. We start to hike towards the Norwegian Trekking Associations cabin, Patchellhytta. If the weather is nice, and we are not too tired, we make our way up to the top of Slogen the very same day. With its pyramid-shaped summit, the mountain is a magnificent sight, and there is a fantastic view from the top across great swathes of Sunnmøre. The trek from Patchellhytta, to the summit, and back again will take us about 3-4 hours depending on the weather conditions.
day
6
To the worlds most friendly swing!
We enjoy a simple breakfast prepared by us at the DNT-cabin. In case yesterday's weather did not allow us to climb Slogen, we will start the day by scrambling the spectacular 1,564 meters. We will return from the mountain and down to the fjords. We take the ferry to roadless village Trandal, where you can find a very special swing in a tree just over the water... In the evening we relax our tired legs and eat dinner together by the fjord in one of Norway's' most friendly local accommodations.
day
7
Back to Ålesund
We enjoy our breakfast with the views of the fjord. After a few more tries on the swing, we will take the boat back to Ålesund. In Ålesund we embark on an optional small hike within the city, to get the best view of the town. Some of you would probably like a shower, and we have the opportunity to do this at the hotel before summing up our travels with a delicious farewell dinner in the city.
day
8
Goodbye in Ålesund
We eat breakfast together at the hotel, and maybe you will have some time to look around in Ålesund. It is always sad to say goodbye to new friends, but we hope that you have time to do some reflection on the bus trip back to the Ålesund airport.
Equipment List
Take a good look at this list, and make sure you bring everything you need. We encourage you to use what you have for this trip, and purchase items if you're missing something important on the list below. We have divided the gear list into three categories:
- Required: If you do not own this gear, you must acquire it for your trip.
- Recommended: Gear we suggest to be comfortable, but it is not imperative.
- Optional: Fun, additional luxuries.
Layering is extremely important in a variable climate like Norway. This list will guide you through the essentials. Remember the Norwegian saying "There is no bad weather, only bad gear", and prepare appropriately for any weather. You can read about the weather where you're traveling here.
Please contact us at hvitserk@norrona.com if you have any questions and check out our gear page to learn more.
We always recommend wool in the Norwegian Mountains, but if you already have synthetic layers and don't want to buy new ones, synthetic is okay.
Required:
|
BASE LAYER |
Wool long-sleeved top and bottom. |
| MID-LAYER |
A medium thickness wool or fleece top. |
|
INSULATED JACKET |
A warm jacket for breaks and before after hiking. We recommend a puffy jacket with down or synthetic. Something equivalant in warmth is also okay. |
|
WATERPROOF SHELL PANTS |
We strongly recommend having a water proof layer for your legs in case the weather is cold and rainy. You will enjoy the hiking more when warm and comfortable. |
|
SHELL / RAIN JACKET |
Gore-Tex or similar is mandatory. Extrememly important in Norwegian climate. The jacket must be waterproof, have a hood, and make sure you don’t get wet even if it rains all day. We recommend jackets with pit zips for ventilation. |
| HIKING PANTS |
Hiking pants comfortable for all day wear. Should fit your long underwear beneathe and fit under your rain shell pants if you choose to bring some. Zip off into shorts or an additional pair of shorts is option. |
| HIKING SHIRT |
Bring 1-2 shirts for daily hiking. |
| GLOVES / MITTENS |
1 thin pair of gloves to protect your hands. 1 pair of over mittens for additional warmth. |
|
HATS |
1 sun hat, 1 warm hat. |
|
HIKING SOCKS |
2-4 pairs, we recommend wool, above the ankle, in your preferred thickness. If your footwear is not waterproof consider a gortex sock option. |
|
HIKING SHOES |
Bring footwear you know fits you and is comfortable. Trails can be wet and rocky. We recommend waterproof hiking boots. |
|
BACKPACK |
Daypack for warm layers, food, snacks, water and needed items. 20-40 liters. |
|
BED LINER |
Bring a sleeping liner or lightweight sack to use in the accommodation for one night. |
|
SUNGLASSES |
UV rated, we recommend a strap to keep them in place and so they don't get lost. |
|
SUNSCREEN / CHAPSTICK |
Make sure the Chapstick has UV rated sunscreen in it. |
|
WATER BOTTLE / CAMELBACK |
2 liter capacity. |
|
TOILETRIES |
Personal basics: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, etc... |
|
PERSONAL MEDICATIONS |
Make sure you bring any personal meds you need on your trip, and ensure the Hvitserk office is updated on your allergies or needs. |
Recommended:
|
WOOL UNDERWEAR |
We highly recommend bringing wool underwear and bra for hiking. No cotton. |
| SCARF OR BUFF |
A layer to protect your neck or face. |
|
THERMOS |
We recommend a thermos for hot drinks to have with you all day. |
| SWIMWEAR |
A bathing suit and small towel if you would like to swim, hot tub or sauna depending on your trip. |
|
TREKKING POLES |
Most guests prefer hiking with poles. Helps with challenging terrain and to maintain energy over long days. |
| HEADLAMP |
Important item to always have in your pack. Emergency back up and useful for long days. |
| FIRST AID KIT |
If you have certain hiking aids specific to you: i.e. blister care or ibuprofen, etc... |
|
CAMERA |
Its important to be present while hiking, but also a great joy to bring some snapshots home with you for memory lane. |
|
CASUAL CLOTHES |
A reminder to bring a set of clothes for transfers, relaxing in the evenings, and non-hiking time. An extra, dry pair of shoes is recommended for after and before hiking. |
Optional:
|
ANTIBAC |
If you need it for the bathroom or lunch. |
|
WET WIPE OR TOILET PAPER |
If you have a bathroom emergency while hiking. We use "pack it in pack it out" ethics, so you will need to carry out your used items and throw them away later. |
|
EAR PLUGS |
If youre a light sleeper. |
|
JOURNAL |
In order to take notes and write about the trip. |
|
SNACKS |
Chocolate, nuts or energy bars if there is something particular you enjoy eating. You will have the opportunity to buy snacks on your trip. |
|
SLEEPING MASK |
To cover your eyes when sleeping in 24 hour light. You can aslo use your buff. |
Bed linens and towels are included all nights except one night, in which you need to bring a sleeping bag liner.
