Top 11 experiences for adrenaline junkies
Heart racing. Palms sweaty. Legs shaking.
It’s now or never!
Go for it!
Nothing can compare to the exhilarating feeling afterwards. You did it!
You feel awake, alert and alive. According to the science, you’ll also feel more connected to the people you’re with.
Action-packed activities like surfing, bungee jumping, and rafting are guaranteed to get your heart racing. It's nerve-wracking, yet totally awesome at the same time. Why is that?
When you are about to embark on an activity that challenges you, your body produces lots of adrenaline before and during the activity and dopamine afterwards. This makes you feel great. For some, it’s even a natural high that can be addictive.
Scientists have also discovered that fear is similar to being in love or attracted to someone. When you overcome fear, the experience fills you with positive emotions and love hormones.
When you go on an action-packed adventure with people you care about, the experience will give your relationship a boost and strengthen your bond. These activities are also perfect when you want to impress your date. Or perhaps you want to show off to your kids?
Go on an active holiday in Norway and combine epic outdoor activities with rare nature experiences. Are you up for the challenge?
Here are 11 tips for thrilling activities that can boost your relationship and give you a memorable feel good moment.
1. Rafting
Did you know that Norway is blessed with some of the world's best rafting rivers? A few of the most famous are Sjoa, Driva, Trysilelva, and the rivers in Evje and Voss, better known as “the adrenaline capital” of Norway. Let the forces of nature carry you through river rapids, narrow gorges and rushing waterfalls.
There are plenty of guided rafting tours to choose from, so do check out what's on offer and pick one that suits you (and your nerves).
2. Ziplines
Fly through the air secured by a zipline. Just pick your preferred setting – city, forest, fjord, or mountain – and take off!
The longest zipline in Norway is located in the picturesque village of Flåm. With its 1,381 metres, it's also the longest in the whole of Scandinavia. Enjoy the view – at 100 kilometres per hour.
In Oslo, you can try the Kollenvsvevet zipline by the Holmenkollen ski jump. Find out how it feels to be a ski jumper at the top of the jump tower!
3. Canyoning, caving, and bungee jumping
For those who are not familiar with the concept of canyoning, here’s a quick summary: dressed in a wetsuit, helmet and life jacket, you jump off rocks, swim in caves, glide down natural water slides and go abseiling down mountainsides and waterfalls. Hardly for delicate souls, but the rest of you are guaranteed an exciting experience with a huge butterflies-in-the-stomach effect.
If you want to explore more marvellous rock formations, you can go caving, aka spelunking or potholing, where guided tours take you deep inside narrow caves.
Have you ever tried bungee jumping? In Norway, you can do it over a fjord, a waterfall or a valley.
4. Mountain biking
Experience high mountains, deep forests, and open countryside on two wheels. Norway is a true cycling paradise with varied terrain and a myriad of trails and cool bike parks.
Nowadays, several skiing resorts are transformed into bike parks every summer. The lift system will whiz you and your bike up to the top, where you have numerous trails to choose from. A few examples of top-rated MTB destinations are Trysil, Hallingdal, Lyngenfjord and Hafjell. Just be sure to wear a helmet, and do remember to follow the rules for sharing a trail in nature.
You’ll find bikes to rent all over the country, so there is no need to bring your own.
5. Climbing
Climbing is a diverse sport in Norway with rock climbing, ice climbing, sports climbing, bouldering and scrambling, and more. Whatever tickles your fancy, you’ll get a wonderful mix of excitement and contact with nature.
From north to south, you can find guided climbing tours, courses and routes for all levels. A great starting point for climbing adventures is the town of Åndalsnes, known as "the capital of mountaineering". Visit the Norwegian Tindesenter, which is equipped with one of the highest indoor climbing walls in the country and where you can learn more about the history of mountaineering. Bergen is home to Vestveggen, the largest indoor climbing centre in the Nordics, perfect for a rainy day!
You can also head to one of the country's many climbing parks. Test your balance and try different obstacles among the treetops. Many climbing parks have ziplines, cable cars, and jumping towers too.
6. Via ferrata
Ready to rock? Via ferrata, 'iron way' in Italian, is a form of rock climbing where you are securely attached to a wire. New via ferrata routes are steadily being opened across the country. At the time of writing, there are around twenty, including in Valdres, Hardanger, Loen, Åndalsnes, and Hemsedal.
Their length, height, and difficulty level vary a great deal, so you can easily find one for you even if you have no previous climbing experience. Regardless of your route, you can look forward to some jaw-dropping views!
7. Summer skiing
Imagine skiing down long, gentle slopes with a heavenly view of the fjord and mountains – dressed in a t-shirt. That's right, in Norway you can enjoy the magic of winter in the middle of summer at Stryn Summer Ski Center, Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Center, and the FONNA Glacier Ski Resort in Hardanger. The latter two have several slopes of varying difficulty as well as snow parks with fun rails and jumps. FONNA Glacier Ski Resort also offers guided glacier hikes.
Opening hours in summer depend on snow and weather conditions. Keep an eye on the snow reports before you head off, and have a plan B in case you get unlucky with the weather.
8. RIB safaris
Sturdy, stable RIB boats are perfect for fast fun at sea. Just sit back and enjoy the fjords, the midnight sun, white-tailed eagles or killer whales. No matter where your journey takes you, be prepared for a riveting ride!
Bonseye operate electric RIB boat tours in Hellesylt in Fjord Norway and you can find safaris throughout the country.
9. Diving
You can also find a wealth of extraordinary nature experiences underwater. Study life below the surface in Saltstraumen, the world's strongest tidal current, in Northern Norway, in the fjords of Fjord Norway, or in the archipelago in Southern Norway. Get up close to rare fish species, lobster and king crab. There are also opportunities to explore shipwrecks and the mysteries they’ve left behind. In Lindesnes, you can even have a fine dining experience among sea creatures in the world's largest underwater restaurant, Under.
All along the coast, diving centres offer courses and guided dives. Thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the temperature is a lot higher than you’d expect at this latitude.
10. Surfing, windsurfing and water kiting
Surfing consists of equal parts patience, timing, and training. Few things compare to the feeling of riding a wave after a long wait in the water. The first time you catch the wave instead of the wave catching you is pure bliss.
Norway's interest in surfing, windsurfing and water kiting is growing, and several locations offer superb surf conditions and waves that are worthy contenders to Bali and Hawaii: From Larvik in the south, via Jæren and Stadtlandet in the west, to Lofoten in the north.
Many Norwegian surfing schools offer packages that include accommodation, lessons, boards, and all the necessary equipment.
11. Wind tunnels
Fly like a bird! A wind tunnel is the perfect activity for groups of friends and families. Get the unique experience of flying in secure surroundings and experience the excitement and a sense of achievement. This is an activity that is suitable for everyone, but in most places, children must be over 5 years old.
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