Landscapes in Europe
Certainly not for the faint of heart. One might say that clambering over sheer mountain faces for a strenuous 3-hour hike to reach a tiny boulder wedge between the rocks is fool-hearted enough. But to gain the courage to scoot onto the 5.3 m rock perched over a 984 m drop to the stunning Lysefjord below is a true test of courage. Not to mention it is undoubtably the most memorable photo-op in Norway. Although geographically close to the more famous Preikestolen, this hike is in a league unto itself. Prone to weather variations for sun to rain to snow in a matter of minutes, good preparation is paramount.
The wild and wonderful Lofoten archipelago, off the north-west coast of Norway, is an absolute treat for any hiker wishing to get away from it all. Stunning natural scenery, quaint fishing towns and spectacular bird watching all await the intrepid traveller seeking solace above the Arctic Circle. While 24 hours of daylight greet the summer visitor, winters can be a little extreme when it comes to weather. Getting there could be half the fun. There may just be no other better way to reach the islands than by the iconic Hurtigruten ship - although little ferries and planes make the trip too.
Road 55 runs between Lom and Høyager and is 248 km long. The 108 km long section which runs across Sognefjellet (knows as Sognefjellsvegen) is declared National Scenic Routes. The scenery is of course amazing and there are plenty of hairpin bends, but what sets this route apart from the other National Scenic Routes is the elevation. It traverses the alpine plateau of Sognefjellet and passes several glaciers and the highest peaks of Scandinavia. The highest elevation on the route is 1,434 m, but you can take a detour to Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Center, which will bring you up to 1850 m (where you can touch snow).
Another National Scenic Routes is the country road 5627 (on Google Maps the number is Fv243?). It's about 50 km long and runs from Lærdal to Aurlandsvangen across the Aurlandsfjellet. The views from the barren mountain plateau on Aurlandsfjord 600 m down is even more spectacular. Do we need to mention that there are plenty of hairpin bends. The traffic is just tourists because the route was replaced by the 24.5 km long Lærdal Tunnel - the world's longest road tunnel.
There are many beautiful road trips in Norway and National Scenic Routes 63 is among the absolute best. It's about 100 kilometers long and runs between Åndalsnes and Stryn via Valldal and Geiranger. The route passes amazing alpine landscape, several waterfalls, including Gudbrandsjuvet, and one of Norway's most famous fjords, Geirangerfjord. Four of the most iconic serpentine roads (including Trollstigen and Ørnesvingen) are also part of the route. No wonder why the route has been nicknamed the Golden Route.
The northernmost point on mainland Norway is also the northernmost point in continental Europe, so it's therefore a popular destination for (long) road trips. The parking lot at North Cape visitor center is normally filled with motorcycles, auto campers and everything in between. However, the true "northernmost point" is actually located a bit to the east and can only be reached by hiking in rocky terrain 18 km (return). So most people are happy to reach the visitor center and the big globe at Nordkapp and turn around to go south.
This place illustrates well why Norway is the king of fjords. After a couple of hours of scenic hiking, you finally reach the flat slab of rock that hangs dramatically with a 604 m sheer drop to the fjord below. Besides giving you a good dose of vertigo, it also offers a great view over neighbouring peaks and Lysefjord with its vertical walls to all sides. If you're lucky, you will even see the mad BASE jumpers throw themselves over the edge only with a parachute on their back.
Norway in general, and Geirangerfjord in particular, boasts some of Europe’s most beautiful waterfalls. Some of them are almost too easy to access – all you have to do to see them is stop your car and open your window. Others, like the Seven Sisters, require a boat trip and (for the best possible view) a steep hike. According to legend, the Seven Sisters – seven streams, each forming its own waterfall – were seven girls, dancing playfully down the side of the mountain. Across the fjord stands the much more powerful Suitor, who – not surprisingly – was a man seeking to court the sisters. Be that as it may, these waterfalls are worth almost any effort to get close to them – the fleeting view provided from ferries and cruise ships is not enough to really appreciate the beauty and raw power of them, so try a sea kayak instead!
The white sand beach at Ramberg is long with crystal clear water. A campground is taking up some of the space at the front, but there is a parking lot with toilets on the side. The rolling waves attract arctic surfers. Ramberg Beach is very close to Flakstad, which has a fine red wooden church.
Svartisen (meaning "The Black Ice" in Norwegian) is the collective term for two glaciers located in the Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park. One of the outlet glaciers, Engenbreen, can even be seen from the road Fv17. However, it's possible to get up close by taking a seasonal boat across Holand Fjord and hike up to the ice cap (about 60 min one way).