Norway’s dramatic scenery and extensive wilderness areas offer scope for a variety of exciting activities.
HikingIn Norway, hikers are well catered for. The Norwegian Mountain Touring Association (DNT) (tel: 2282 2800; website:
www.turistforeningen.no) offers guided trips, and maintains more than 400 mountain huts, both staffed and unstaffed. Membership can be bought at a DNT office, a hut or at tourist offices. The DNT also sells maps, and provides information. Glaciers are another attraction for outdoor enthusiasts.
The largest mainland glacier in Europe is at
Jostedalsbreen, near Stryn. Daily glacier walks are organized in summer in the company of experienced guides. It is important to remember never to venture onto a glacier without an experienced guide. For information about organized glacier walks, contact the glacier center at Jostedalsbreen (tel: 5787 7200; website:
www.fjordinfo.no or www.jostedalsbre.no)
or consult the following for glacier tours (tel: 5787 6800; website:
www.bre.no).
WintersportsNorway claims to be the birthplace of skiing. The country has about 30,000km (18,750 miles) of marked ski trails, winding their way through unspoiled scenery. Both cross-country and downhill skiing are available from November until the end of May. Although skiing is at its best just before Easter, when the days are getting longer, it is possible to ski for long hours in the winter, since many of the tracks are illuminated. In summer, it is possible to go skiing in several parts of Norway. For further information about summer skiing, contact Stryn Sommerskisenter (tel: 5787 4040;
website:
www.strynefjellet.com).
OtherHorse riding holidays are becoming more popular. There are riding schools and clubs throughout the country with horses for hire and instruction provided. Also a number of hotels keep horses. Despite its often mountainous terrain, Norway is a popular destination for cycling holidays. Many old roads have been made into cycling routes. For further information, contact Sykkelturisme i Norge, SND, PO Box 3132 Handelstorget, N3706, Skien (fax: 3352 9955; website:
www.bike-norway.com). Fishing is popular on Norway’s many inland waters and surrounding sea. There are over 100 salmon rivers flowing into the fjords, where reasonably priced sport is offered. A national fishing license is necessary, obtainable from post offices. A permit is required for freshwater fishing.
Oslo (Bogstad links), Stokke (between Tønsberg and Sandefjord) and Meland (36km/22 miles north of Bergen in the fjord landscape by the Herdlafjord) all have 18-hole golf courses; there are shorter courses in Bergen, Hamar, Kristiansund, Sarpsborg and Trondheim. Altogether, Norway has 39 18-hole golf courses. Most clubs are open to visitors. The Norwegian Golf Federation can provide further information (tel: 2273 6620; website:
www.golfforbundet.no). A number of resort hotels have their own tennis courts. A number of hotels, campsites and chalets have boats for use by visitors on the coast and inland waters. Hotels and campsites located near stretches of water often hire out equipment for windsurfing or water-skiing and offer instruction. Norway’s coast and inland waters are ideal for bathing in warm months. There are several specially designated beaches for naturists.
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