Welcome to Wild Norway
Yes, Norway has legendary fjords and fairytale-style villages (we see you Elsa and Anna) – the scenery is simply beautiful in a way that’s rarely equalled. It’s also serene in another sense – as a playground for thrill seekers. Vertical cliffs, icy plunge pools, and dramatic landscapes. So whether you’re into technical hiking or BASE jumping we’ve got experiences across the country – with danger ratings so you know whether to call your mom before you try it. Just in case.
When you’re done, check out Cerca’s article on the things you must eat while in Norway.
Let’s go.
Adventure travel in Norway arguably began with the Vikings, who weren’t just raiders but also epic navigators. They explored by sea, sailing longships across the North Atlantic to Iceland, Greenland, and even North America. These voyages were high-risk, high-reward undertakings that laid the cultural groundwork for Norway’s deep connection to the sea and nature.
1. BASE Jumping at Kjerag
Danger Level: 10
Location: Lysefjord, Rogaland
Straight up: this is not for beginners. Kjerag is one of the world’s most iconic BASE jumping sites. You hike 2.5 hours to the 1,000-meter-high cliff and then launch yourself into the abyss. No guide, no rope, just your parachute and your nerves.
Safety tip: Only experienced BASE jumpers should attempt this. Norway has strict seasonal windows and you must register with local authorities. (Usually May to September.)
Cultural plug: If you’re not ready to jump, hike to Kjeragbolten—a boulder wedged between two cliffs—and watch the jumpers while you picnic.
By the 19th century, Norway’s dramatic landscape started drawing European artists, scientists, and climbers, inspired by Romanticism’s obsession with the sublime. Explorers like William Cecil Slingsby, a British climber, helped popularize mountaineering in the Jotunheimen and Romsdalen regions. Slingsby’s 1876 ascent of Store Skagastølstind marked a turning point — he called Norway “the playground of Europe.”
2. Ice Climbing in Rjukan
Danger Level: 8
Location: Telemark County
Rjukan is a frozen waterfall mecca. From December to March, you can climb over 150 routes of varying difficulty. Ice axes, crampons, and nerves of steel required.
Solo traveler tip: Sign up with a certified guide like Rjukan Adventure or Hvitserk. It’s not only safer, but way more fun to learn technique with locals.
Pro move: Check out Vemork, the former heavy water plant turned WWII museum, to get a deeper cultural context.
With the development of trains, steamships, and iconic tourist hotels like Hotel Union Øye, Norway began marketing itself to wealthy travelers as a destination for health, hiking, and fjord scenery. This era gave rise to marked trails, guided tours, and a growing national appreciation for friluftsliv — the Norwegian concept of “open-air living.”
3. Downhill Longboarding the Trollstigen Pass
Danger Level: 9
Location: Rauma, Møre og Romsdal
Hairpin turns. Sheer drops. One of Europe’s most scenic (and sketchy) roads. Longboarding down Trollstigen is bucket-list material for speed demons. There are spectacular views along the way, but this is not a ride for beginners.
Safety tip: Wear full protective gear and scout the road beforehand. Best done early morning before traffic hits.
Sustainability note: Norway limits car traffic here in summer, which helps reduce impact – status update here. Respect the seasonal road closures.
Norwegian explorers like Roald Amundsen helped define the heroic age of polar exploration. His success in reaching the South Pole in 1911 further bolstered Norway’s global rep as a country of fearless, rugged adventurers. His training in Norway’s glaciers and mountains laid the blueprint for modern expedition techniques.
4. Arctic Surfing in Unstad
Danger Level: 5
Location: Lofoten Islands
Yes, you read that right. Surfing above the Arctic Circle is a thing. Unstad Beach offers legit cold-water waves with a dramatic mountain backdrop. Wetsuits mandatory.
Solo traveler tip: Book a lesson or a surf camp through Unstad Arctic Surf—they’ll set you up with gear, hot cocoa, and good vibes.
For a less intense version, Lofoton Beach Camp has 3 hour beginner surf lessons through October each fall, with gear rentals included. Plus a cafe that specializes in tacos for afterwards. Western Lofoton – near Kvalvika Beach.
Pro tip: Go in autumn for more consistent swell. Plus, you might catch the Northern Lights.
After WWII, Norway invested in outdoor recreation infrastructure — ski resorts, national parks, and public hiking cabins (the DNT hut system). By the late 20th century, Norway saw a boom in niche adventure sports: ice climbing, BASE jumping, paragliding, kayaking, and Arctic surfing.
5. Hike Besseggen Ridge
Danger Level: 4
Location: Jotunheimen National Park
This knife-edge trail offers insane views of turquoise Gjende Lake on one side and dark Bessvatnet on the other. It’s a favorite among Norwegians and a rite of passage for mountain lovers.
Duration: 6-8 hours
Safety tip: Wear proper hiking boots and bring layers and rain gear—weather flips fast in the high country.
Cultural plug: Jotunheimen translates to “Home of the Giants,” and it’s steeped in Norse mythology.
6. Whitewater Rafting the Sjoa River
Danger Level: 6
Location: Heidal Valley, Innlandet
Norway’s whitewater darling, the Sjoa River has class III to V rapids slicing through gorges and open farmland. The rush is real.
Best season: May to September
Solo traveler tip: Plenty of rafting companies offer day trips with gear, guides, and optional cliff jumps.
Responsible travel note: Choose certified operators who practice river conservation and support local communities.
7. Via Ferrata in Loen
Danger Level: 7
Location: Loen, Nordfjord
Clip into steel cables and climb vertical rock faces with 700 meters of exposure beneath your boots. The view over the fjord? Unreal.
In 2019 Norway’s toughest via ferrata route – with a difficultly level of F – opened in Loen. For those mythology (or Marvel) fans it is appropriately named Ragnarok.
What makes it epic: You end the climb at the Skylift, where you can grab a drink and soak in the view.
Safety tip: Use a guide service if it’s your first time—they provide the gear and know the weather patterns.
Solo traveler bonus: Easy to join small group climbs and meet fellow adrenaline nerds.
8. Glacier Hiking on Folgefonna
Danger Level: 5
Location: Folgefonna National Park
Strap on crampons and trek across ancient blue ice, complete with crevasses, meltwater tunnels, and epic ridgeline views.
Season: June through September
Safety tip: Never go without a guide—glaciers shift constantly and have hidden dangers.
Sustainability tip: Pick a guide company committed to Leave No Trace and climate advocacy. Folgefonni Breførarlag is a solid choice.
Today, towns like Voss and Tromsø are global hubs for adventure sports, and the country’s environmental policies and protected landscapes make it one of the best places for sustainable adventure travel.
9. Paragliding Over Voss
Danger Level: 6
Location: Voss, Vestland
This town is basically Norway’s extreme sports HQ. Tandem paragliding over fjords and farms? Absolutely. Voss hosts an annual Extreme Sports Week, too.
Solo traveler tip: Tandem flights don’t require experience (even for under 18s), and instructors are certified. Check out Voss Paragliderklubb for booking.
Insider tip: Hit the VossVind wind tunnel first to get a feel for the air.
10. Cliff Diving at Hellesylt
Danger Level: 7
Location: Near Geirangerfjord
Hellesylt is home to some of Norway’s wildest natural pools and cliffs. You can dive from 5m, 10m, or (if you’re mental) 20m heights into icy fjord-fed water.
Mission Impossible? Hellesylt was the site of one of the biggest stunts in the Mission Impossible franchise (featured in Dead Reckoning Pt 1) where Tom Cruise pulled of a motorcycle jump off the 1246 meter cliff into a BASE jump.
Safety tip: Only jump at designated spots with known water depths. Never alone.
Solo traveler note: Bring a buddy or link up with other travelers—safety in numbers when cliff diving.
Final Tips for Adrenaline Travelers in Norway
Insurance: Get adventure-specific travel insurance that covers extreme sports. Many don’t.
Weather: Norway’s weather can change in 10 minutes. Always check local forecasts before heading out.
Wildlife: Moose, reindeer, and even polar bears in the north – you don’t want to mess with them.
Gear: Rent locally when possible—less to carry, and it supports small businesses.
Solo? Norway is solo-traveler friendly, but always let someone know your plan.
One Last Thing
Norway is magic. But it’s wild magic. Whether you’re carving icy waterfalls or skimming over fjords, respect the landscape and pack for all kinds of weather – it is notoriously changeable. In the winter, assume your plans will be altered by weather making roads impassable or excursions too dangers – so plan extra days as a buffer. But the upside of winter is that you might be lucky enough to catch the Northern Lights after a day of adventure. That’s the universe saying, “You did it right.”
Safe falling.
– Team Cerca
