The nature in Northern Norway just became even more accessible

It’s no big secret that the Helgeland coastal region is one of Norway’s most beautiful areas.

With its rugged archipelago, majestic mountain formations, glaciers and caves, the landscape along the coast of Northern Norway is an essential experience for nature-lovers, hikers and absolute everyone who is fond of outdoor life.

Now, the plan is to make even more visitors aware of the natural gem that Helgeland truly is – including beyond the summer season.

Fly, hike and enjoy nature

In partnership with Widerøe Airline, Helgeland Reiseliv is now introducing the concept of Fly & Hike, whereby a number of direct flights from Oslo, Trondheim and Bodø to the four regional airports will make it easy to lace up your hiking boots and enjoy a long weekend amid spectacular surroundings – even after the summer season has become a faint memory.

Guro Larsen Brown, marketing director of Helgeland Reiseliv, tells us that interest among travel-loving tourists has undergone enormous growth for some time already.

“Active holidays have been on the rise as a travel trend for many years. Tourists nowadays are more interested in participating in their surroundings than previously, in addition to there being greater focus on an active lifestyle among many travellers, which is also reflected in their choice of holiday,” says Larsen Brown to Visit Norway, and adds:

“We observe that the number of visitors at the numerous mountain areas is increasing year after year. This includes yet another season with record-breaking visits expected at the famous mountain chain, De syv søstre, after an increase of about 40% from 2015 to 2016".

A hiking holiday with variation

The seven mountain peaks of De syv søstre are perhaps the best known among the iconic mountains of the Helgeland region – in close competition with the hole going clear through Torghatten Mountain.

The festival island of Træna, Svartisen glacier and the limestone cave called Grønnligrotta in Rana are among other popular attractions. However, there are alternative less travelled roads to take among more than 6,500 islands, islets and skerries.

Guro Larsen Brown has her personal favourites:

“I particularly like the contrast one experiences between hiking on the coast as compared with inlands parts of Helgeland, such as Okstindan and Øyfjellet mountains. One day, you can enjoy the ocean and islands, and the mountains that jet up from the sea ... while just an hour’s drive away, you can explore wilderness areas and infinite options for hiking, Via Ferrata and Sherpa-built trails and stone stairs. This all makes for an absolutely wonderful starting point for a hiking holiday full of variety.

As regards the best view, Larsen Brown singles out the architect-designed Rabothytta tourist lodge, which was opened in 2014.

“From Rabothytta, you get to experience unique architecture in combination with magnificent mountain landscapes and a view towards Northern Norway’s highest mountain, Oksskolten. In Mosjøen, Øyfjellet Mountain towers over the city and has become a lofty activity park, which provides a fantastic view of the city as well as the fjord and mountains,” she says to Visit Norway.

Undiscovered gems

Interest in experiencing the magic of Helgeland up close has, as already mentioned, increased. And there is little to indicate that the recently introduced Fly & Hike offering will do anything to slow down that trend.

However, Helgeland Reiseliv’s Guro Larsen Brown is not concerned that outdoor areas might get too crowded.

“Considering that Helgeland is in the envious position of being a vast geographic area with many magnificent mountain peaks, islands and nature-based experiences, visitors perceive our region as pristine and full of distinct and undiscovered gems.