Norway's Fjord Country

Mighty glaciers carved Norway's epic landscapes and the grand-scale majesty is evident everywhere, from snow-capped peaks to roaring waterfalls and deep blue fjords. The fjords here are legendary, and we've chosen three of the most spectacular—Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord, and ethereal Nærøyfjord—for our hiking and cultural journey. Using an ingenious mixture of ferry, railway, funicular, and private boat rides, we hike across high passes, through lush orchards, into deep forests, along the fjords, and even on the ice of a glacier, if conditions are right. In between hikes, we explore villages, taste the wares at a family-run goat farm, and enjoy a private musical performance in a historic setting. Our accommodations are charming hotels right at water's edge.

Itinerary

Days 1-3
Bergen / Sognefjord / Flåm 
From charming Bergen, a funicular carries us up Mt. Fløyen for a panoramic hike, and we ferry to the town of Flåm through Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway. Our chartered RIB boat takes us through UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord to see the glacial carving of the world's narrowest fjord (too narrow for big cruise ships!). We'll hike to a family-run goat farm for a delicious homemade lunch.

Days 4-7
Hardangerfjord / Ulvik / Lofthus 
After a ride up the mountain on the historic Flåm Railway, we hike through green farmlands down to our hotel in Ulvik, nestled along Hardangerfjord. This has been orchard country since medieval times, so we'll enjoy lunch and cider tasting at an apple farm, then ferry right to our waterside hotel in Lofthus, where we visit the cottage of composer Edvard Grieg. One of our hikes brings us to a breathtaking viewpoint where we can gaze down into the vastness of Hardangerfjord. Our Lofthus hotel offers rowboats for a evening paddle in the fjord.

Days 8-11
Utne / Folgefonna Glacier / Bergen 
We hike along the Kinso River past waterfalls, then drive up to the Folgefonna Glacier, the third largest in Norway, for a fantastic day of glacier walking (weather dependent, no experience necessary). Views from atop the glacier extend over magnificent Hardangerfjord and, on a clear day, out to the North Sea. Depart on Day 11 via Bergen.