Top 11 places with less people, more space

Trainer Lasse Tufte loves nature based activities, but ideally without the hordes of visitors that tend to gather around the most well-known tourist attractions. His thing is calisthenics, which is a kind of training without gear, using your own body weight as resistance instead.

He is also the founder of the training parks Tufteparkene, which consist of more than a hundred free outdoor training spots equipped with uncomplicated apparatuses. His four books (Calisthenics volume 1 and 2, and Tren sammen (Training together) volume 1 and 2) are national bestsellers.

Lasse’s main focus on his many travels around Norway is to inspire people to spend more time in nature. His tips for less crowded spots, where you can go practically undisturbed, are where he feels at home. Sometimes these suggestions are alternative paths just a few minutes off the beaten track, in places where you can collect experiences and take photos from a fresh perspective.

Where: A quiet spot by the Hjørundfjord, with fewer tourist buses than in the rest of Fjord Norway.

Why: “For sure one of Norway's most beautiful, but lesser visited fjords, with alpine mountains and charming towns surrounding the fjord on all sides. Taking a picture here will look like a work of art from any angle. The Hjørundfjord is also good for exploring different activities, like SUP, as shown in the short film clip.”

 

Håndstående i Hjørundfjorden 🏔 📹 Video: @msarmadawy

A post shared by Lasse Tufte (@lassetufte) on Sep 3, 2017 at 11:02am PDT

 

Rondane; Stor haug med Stein 🏔 📷 Foto: @thekusk

A post shared by Lasse Tufte (@lassetufte) on Aug 29, 2017 at 11:17am PDT

Where: If you are in the Geirangerfjord area, go your own way.

Why: “The Geirangerfjord is probably the most famous fjord in Norway, visited by huge numbers of tourists each year. Yet few people know about the hiking possibilities there, which are more accessible than you may think. There are also plenty of short trips available that suit most people. In a few hours of walking you can reach Laushornet, which rewards you with a rare panoramic view of the Geirangerfjord.”

 

Laushornet (1413 moh.) 🏔 👉🏻 Turen på Snap: ETFUT 👈🏻 I dag gikk turen til Storsæterfossen & Laushornet. Sistnevnte ligger i enden av den bratteste bakken i manns minne. På toppen er gevinsten panorama utsikt over Geirangerfjorden og stort sett alle de omkringliggende dalene. Sjekk ut fossen på Snapchat, den var ganske tøff 😏👌🏻

A post shared by Lasse Tufte (@lassetufte) on Aug 18, 2017 at 10:36am PDT

Trollveggen fra Romsdalshornet 🏔 📷 Foto: @thekusk

A post shared by Lasse Tufte (@lassetufte) on Aug 12, 2017 at 11:13pm PDT

Where: A beautiful place by the Norangsfjord, in the area of Ålesund and Sunnmøre.

Why: “The many ferries operating on the Norwegians fjords make it easy to travel between the small towns. Even if you miss the ferry and have to wait for the next one, you always have the spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and the possibility to go for a swim – jump off the ferry-port, like I do here!”

 

Perfekt dag ved Hjørundfjorden 👌🏻 📷 Foto: @kylemeyr

A post shared by Lasse Tufte (@lassetufte) on Jun 19, 2017 at 10:04am PDT

Where: In the immediate outskirts of Norway’s capital, Oslo.

Why: “Even in the busy capital of Oslo, you have the luxury of exploring forests and numerous lakes just a short trip by public transport from the city centre. In the huge forests of Nordmarka and Østmarka there are a network of well maintained paths where you can go biking, hiking or jogging, or why not try SUP (stand up paddling) on one of the small lakes, with few or no other people in sight.”

Endelig SUP sesong igjen ☀️ 📷 Foto: @fotobakken

A post shared by Lasse Tufte (@lassetufte) on Jun 15, 2017 at 4:26am PDT

Where: A hidden hike by Norway's second most visited fjord, the Nærøyfjord.

Why: “With a spectacular view over the famous Nærøyfjord, and only a short drive from the equally recognised base-jumping site of Gudvangen in Aurland, Rimstigen is a lesser known hiking opportunity. Ask the locals where to find this spot at the end of a small road. A steep and winding path takes you to the top of the mountain, where you will discover a beautiful, hidden valley.”

 

Rimstigen, 725 moh. 🏔 👉🏻 Turen på Snapchat: ETFUT 👈🏻 Jeg hadde egentlig lagt fra meg planen om en tur i dag, så dro til Voss for å kjøpe litt utstyr. Men så ble det halvfint vær allikevel, så bestemte meg for å løpe Rimstigen. Turen starter fra Bakka, 5 km fra Gudvangen. Rimstigen er en eneste skikkelig lang og bratt motbakke fra start til slutt. Hele veien går man faktisk ved siden av Tuftefossen. Stien ble betydelig oppgradert av Sherpaer i 2009, så det er gode forhold hele veien. Hele veien har man flott utsikt over Nærøyfjorden, Norges nest mest besøkte fjord. Turen er ikke så lang, men anbefaler den på det sterkeste ☺️

A post shared by Lasse Tufte (@lassetufte) on Jun 6, 2017 at 11:43am PDT

Where: An uncommon rocky landscape in Telemark.

Why: “Telemark has some striking rock formations associated with entertaining fairy tales of how they were created by trolls. Easily accessible, you can usually walk to Gygrestolen within a few hours, depending on your exact location in the region. This area is little known and rarely visited by others than the locals who will be happy to give advice, or even guide you. Some enthusiasts also go climbing on these formations.”

 

Avstanden er hoppbar...

A post shared by Lasse Tufte (@lassetufte) on Mar 27, 2017 at 1:00pm PDT

Where: A lesser known path by the Briksdalsbreen glacier in Stryn.

Why: “Thousands of tourists visit the Briksdalsbreen glacier every year, but very few consider the hiking opportunities in the area. Halfway on the way to the glacier, you can choose to turn right into the woods and hike up to Kattanakken. This is a steep hike, but it is worth it all the way up to the top. Get a spectacular view of Norway’s largest glacier Jostedalsbreen, the Briksdalsbreen glacier and the surrounding mountains, with the added bonus of avoiding the crowds.”

 

Earlybird på 👉🏻 @toppturweekend 👈🏻

A post shared by Lasse Tufte (@lassetufte) on Mar 26, 2017 at 11:50am PDT

Where: The adventurous parts of Finnemarka in Buskerud, close the city of Drammen.

Why: “There is no need to travel far to be adventurous in Norway. You are always close to a wood and small peaks with nice views, for your eyes only. Climbing trees are not just for kids, it is fun for everyone and if we stop doing it, we will slowly lose the ability. I encourage everybody to make use of the woods, lakes and mountains in a playful, adventurous and sustainable way.”

 

Treetop Handstand 2016 ☀️ 📷 Foto: @kylemeyr

A post shared by Lasse Tufte (@lassetufte) on Jul 20, 2016 at 11:19am PDT

Where: Norway’s second largest island (after Hinnøya) in Troms county in Northern Norway.

Why: “Stroll along sandy beaches, go hiking in forests, visit fishing villages, and observe an unusual biological diversity both outdoors and at the restaurant table. On the huge island of Senja you will find nearly all the spice of life that Norway has to offer, just without the crowds that tend to stand in your way when you want to take that special photo.”