There was not an exact match for the language you toggled to. You have been redirected to the nearest matching page within this section.
Scandic Hotels – in all major cities from north to south
Nordic Choice Hotels – a different hotel company
Thon Hotels – with fantastic breakfast
Hostelling International – the door to Norway
Radisson Blu Hotels – discover your favourite destinations
Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia
AutoEurope – always a smooth car rental experience
Vy express – travel with bus throughout Norway
DFDS – Europe’s leading ferry operator 2012-2020
Rent-A-Wreck – the smart car rental alternative
Arctic Campers – Norway’s camper van rental
NOR-WAY Bussekspress – travel green with express busses
Vy – it should be easy to travel green
Hurtigruten – "The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage"
Authentic Scandinavia – exciting Norway tours
Up Norway – tailored journeys
Norrøna Hvitserk – expeditions and adventure holidays
Fjord Tours – experience Norway in a nutshell® with one ticket
50 Degrees North – unforgettable tailor-made and small group tours to Norway
Discover Norway – skiing, biking and hiking tours in Norway
Norwegian Holidays – low-price package holidays with Norwegian. Flight, hotel and rental car
DanCenter – your specialist in holiday homes in Norway
Norgesbooking – book your perfect cabin stay in Norway
{{title}} {{:price}} - {{!preprice}} Price: {{?}} {{preprice}} {{/}} {{price}} {{:postprice}}{{postprice}}{{/}} {{?:pricing}} - {{pricing}} {{/pricing}}
Linn Larsson
For the next five hours, we will be walking a slippery slope. Linn Larsson, certified glacier guide at Jostedalen Breførarlag, is about to hand out gear for a much-awaited hike on nature’s own giant ice cubes. Our eager group consists of twelve people from China, The United States, France, Italy, and Norway.
In the sharp morning sunlight, the mighty Nigardsbreen, an arm of mainland Europe’s largest glacier Jostadalsbreen, seems more impressive than any world-famous building. “Your safety”, says Linn and smiles, “will be the most important today. So listen carefully.”
Linn’s prime task will be to lead us safely up the steep instep of the glacier and then back down again five hours later. Our ice axes make us look tough, and we can’t help feeling proud.
A long solid safety rope ties our group together, fastened to outfits that look like a curious mix of leather belts and underwear.
Linn and a colleague carefully check that everyone wears warm, windproof clothes, before she patiently answers our numerous questions as we slowly begin the walk up the glacier front.
The 27-year-old has three years experience with glacier hiking. Every morning the guiding company sends up to ten professionals to test the routes on the ice before they start the tours.
“Ready for a photo session?” Linn grabs our cameras and smartphones one by one to help us capture the moment. As soon as we’re back on firm ground again, loads of icy photos are posted on social media for Chinese, Russians, Americans and the rest of the world to admire.
In the area around the glaciers Nigardsbreen and Jostedalsbreen, you can join several glacier walks that are both less and more demanding and time-consuming than ours.
Read more about Norwegian glaciers.
Jorid Rajala, The Norwegian Trekking Association
The useful T signs are regularly maintained and repainted by voluntary members like Jorid Rajala so that you can keep on hiking safely and find your way back to your base before it gets too dark.
Read more about hiking in Norway.
Marius Haugaløkken, Jotunheimen
“Sustainability is our nerve”, says Marius Haugaløkken. Since 2011 he has run the staffed lodge Gjendesheim, which is situated at the natural entrance to the eastern part of the Jotunheimen mountains, very close to the famous Besseggen hike.
Gjendesheim has a seven-seated electric vehicle they use to pick up guests, and they recently installed a new charging station for private electric cars. The fresh food at the restaurant comes mainly from local manufacturers. “It may be a bit more expensive, and more laborious to get hold of, but it’s worth it”, says Haugaløkken – who has also stopped selling bottled water. “Our tap water is the purest thing you can bring on your mountain hike.”
Gjendesheim, which celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2018, is The Norwegian Trekking Association’s most frequently visited lodge. Gjendesheim also cooperates with other lodges in the area on a so-called Besseggen patrol project, where a qualified person helps hikers in the mountains to return safely at the end of the day. “Our goal has been successful in avoiding dangerous situations where tourists get too cold or are unsure about the path”, Haugaløkken explains.
It is easy to get to Gjendesheim by public transport, with daily bus connections from Oslo, Fagernes, Gol, and Otta during the summer season.
Trine Lyrek, Trasti & Trine
Return to hike another day
Norway is an incredible place to explore, with untamed mythical landscapes, mountains, valleys, and fjords. Before you enter the outdoors, get familiar with the nine simple rules of the Norwegian mountain code to help you stay safe.
1. Plan your trip and inform others about the route you have selected.
2. Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
3. Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings.
4. Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.
5. Bring the necessary equipment so you can help yourself and others.
6. Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
7. Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
8. Don’t be ashamed to turn around.
9. Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.
After an adventurous ride with eager dogs in the snow-covered forests around the northern city of Alta, Trine and her team also serve local, award-winning, organic food. “Whether it’s breakfast, lunch in the mountains or seven dishes in the restaurant, we know each ingredient’s origins”, Trine says enthusiastically. As a bonus, their summer cafe and bakery have become meeting places for the local community in the small town. “All this is very important to us”, adds Trine, whose company is certificated by Norwegian Ecotourism.
The sound of eager and expectant dogs fills the air. They are standing at the ready in front of the sleds…
Go to: A taste of dog sledding / Trasti og TrineThe sound of eager and expectant dogs fills the air. They are standing at the ready in front of the sleds…
Solbjørg Kvålshaugen, Fondsbu
Yes, Norwegians pride in local food goes all the way into the mountains.
Solbjørg Kvålshaugen has run the place Fondsbu in the southern part of the Jotunheimen mountains for more than ten years. Fondsbu has always been known for its passion for fresh ingredients. Typical highlights of their three- or four-course meals are lamb, veal and reindeer from local producers, and trout from the nearby lake Bygdin.
“Here at Fondsbu we prepare our own food with love and respect for our guests”, promises Kvålshaugen, who has given us glimpses of the busy country life at Fondsbu through the popular Norwegian TV documentary series “Mountain people”.
Mads Mørch, Oslo
"Our aim is to become the first alpine resort with a CO2 neutral operation”, Mads Mørch, the snow manager at Oslo Skimore, says.
"Despite a recent heavy extension of the resort, we don’t consume more energy than we did back in 2002. In 2012, Oslo Skimore was a pioneer in terms of electrification when we introduced the country’s first electric snowmobile.”
New snow cannons are supposed to be more energy effective than the ones they have replaced.
"Finally, we never stop encouraging our steadily increasing number of skiers, as well as our employees, to use public transport. All in all, we are certified as an Eco-Lighthouse”, Mads informs us, before he plunges down the hill on his own freshly prepared snow surface.
Geir Maan, Whale Safari Andenes
“My crew and I use all of our experience to approach the whales without disturbing them in their natural environment”, says Geir Maan, captain of one of the ships that take the largest number of curious travellers on Norway’s ever-popular all-year-round whale safaris. And what a sight! These kings and queens of the ocean weigh up to nearly 60 tonnes.
For a start, whale safari companies in Norway work according to guidelines created by The International Whaling Commission and The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
Moreover, most companies have their own strict locally adapted methods to respect the animals and the environment. “For Whale Safari Andenes, it means measures like ongoing work to reduce noise and pollution, and keeping a respectful distance to the whales no matter the situation”, says Captain Maan, before he heads out towards the open ocean with a new group of excited passengers in the wild and beautiful islands of Vesterålen, Northern Norway.
Read more about wildlife safaris in Norway.
THE ORIGINAL AND LEADING SINCE 1988 The best encounter with the whale, in its right element from December to…
Go to: Arctic winter whale safari, Hvalsafari AndenesTHE ORIGINAL AND LEADING SINCE 1988 The best encounter with the whale, in its right element from December to…
Respect is key
Norwegians have a long tradition of respect for nature, animals, and local people. This passion applies to both sustainability and safety, and is in many cases determined by law.
Share it
As a traveller you are invited to share the passion and enthusiasm for sustainability and safety.
At your service
Your hosts and guides are constantly trained to take emphasize sustainability and safety all through your journey.
Sustainable destinations
An increasing number of Norwegian destinations are officially certified as sustainable, and even more destinations are working purposefully to obtain the label.
Energy reduction
Most hotels and other places to stay have an ongoing commitment to reduce energy consumption and cooperate on safety and sustainability with fellow activity providers.
Sustainable tourism
The number of travellers to Norway are on the increase, and so is the local awareness of how to receive them whilst still preserving the nature and local culture.
Safety first
Safety in the mountains, the wilderness and other areas is important because the seasons and weather conditions in Norway change so quickly.
It is easy to find environmentally certified hotels in Norway. And did you know that these hotels follow even stricter requirements than the law demands?
Travel is all about feeling good. Discover how you can explore Norway with a cleaner conscience by visiting sustainable destinations, eating delicious local food, and participating in Instagram-friendly green adventures.
Go electric – by train, on super silent sightseeing boats, or in an Instagram-friendly vehicle. Go healthy – eat local food from enthusiastic farmers. Go greener – and discover the wonderful people and places in Norway that give the little extra and make you feel great.
A capital without crowds, with one foot in the fjord and one in the forest.
Oslo is officially The European Green Capital of 2019. Three people living the green dream in Oslo have handpicked ten examples of the city’s numerous nature-based discoveries.
Electric bikes and cars are getting increasingly popular in Norway, electric cruise ferries are launched, and other means of e-transport enable you to literally electrify most of your trip.
From her house, author Kirsten Winge can walk right into the middle of the deep, quiet forests of Hedmark to harvest the best from nature.
Discover autumn’s golden colours – the green way. Escape the big crowds and the hustle and bustle, and enjoy our country as the landscape get painted in red, yellow, and orange.
Greener, cleaner – and more authentic. Visit a sustainable destination on your next adventure! Here, they are taking extra good care of the environment, their unique culture, the local community and last but not least – you!
Enjoy Norway to the fullest, but be careful while you do so. Stay safe wherever you are, whether that is in the mountains, on the sea, or on the road.
Take part in numerous outdoor activities in stunning nature! Norway is a natural playground and a world-class destination for adventurous travellers.
You may climb them, marvel at them – even ski on them in the middle of summer. But you will not fail to feel the massive, untameable power inherent in the glaciers.
Planning your trip will help you get what you want and find the experiences you wish for.
Back to top