Norway is inherently beautiful. Craggy mountains, swathes of rich green forest and glistening fjords all add to its aesthetic makeup, ensuring it remains of one Scandinavia’s much-loved destinations for adventurers and luxury seekers alike. Here are just three of Norway’s most striking assets to add to your itinerary.
TROLLTUNGA
Having spent the majority of its existence as a lesser-known tourist attraction untouched by the masses, but for a lucky few, Trolltunga was catapulted into stardom almost overnight. Appearing on glossy TV commercials inviting people to experience the wonders of the Fjord lands and gracing the front pages of the world’s biggest travel publications, Trolltunga is now undoubtedly Norway’s poster child and truly one of nature’s most inspiring feats. To reach the dizzying heights of the troll’s tongue, hikers are required to be on two feet for the best part of 5-6 hours. And although the terrain is rough and ready, the path plateaus after an initially steep ascent through the treeline of the mountains. From here, hikers can soak up spectacular views of the azure blue inlets beneath them, as the hiking trail hugs the edge of the cliffs until the very final ascent. Jutting out 600 metres above land, the rock itself is a fascinating spectacle, producing heart in mouth moments as eager hikers imprudently run to its edge with no regards for safety, ready to dangle their limbs from up high. For an adrenaline-fuelled adventure, grab the hiking boots – the troll’s tongue awaits.
Image Source: Backpacking with Bacon
KJERAGBOLTEN
Otherwise known as the boulder between two cliffs, Kjeragbolten is another spectacle to get the heart racing. The boulder can be reached without climbing equipment, making it a popular bucket list item for those passing through and tourists visiting nearby Stavanger. Much like Trolltunga, you can expect to wait for up to an hour to snap that all-important picture, but the views far surpass any frustrations at the need to queue. The boulder found its home during the last glacial period in 50,000 B.C. when the fjords flooded due to global warming and has been perched there ever since. Keep your eyes peeled, as at 984 metres high the boulder is a popular spot for base jumpers performing death-defying leaps. Stay in nearby Lysebotn, a traditional Norwegian village only accessible by boat.
Image Source: Flickr
SVALBARD
For lovers of awe-inspiring landscapes, breath-taking scenery and sub-zero temperatures, far-flung Svalbard is a place of great mystery and allure, serving as a natural triumph in its own right. Located thousands of miles north of the Norwegian mainland, this isolated archipelago is one of the most northerly inhabited places on earth, with just over 3,000 people residing amid its untouched lands. Polar bears, reindeer and polar foxes are just a few of the animals you can expect to see in the wild on your travels, making it a nature lover’s dream. Between November and February, the island enters ‘the polar night’ – a period of darkness during which the northern lights can be seen illuminating the sky both day and night. As the only place on the planet to experience such a phenomenon, Svalbard is hails as one of the must-see places in your lifetime. Sledge with huskies, go ice fishing, polar bear watch or take a boat trip – whatever you do, take the time to relax and unwind away from the city in one of the most remote corners of the earth.
