I do love a good kayak trip, which is what drew me to this one in Norway, getting to kayak and hike in some of the most beautiful fjords in the world. With the added bonus that you can do all this in a long weekend so it’s a perfect way to holiday if you are short on time or can’t take much time off work. Oh and EVERYTHING from the moment you land till the moment you leave Bergen is taken care of. No logistical mess to deal with. Kayaking and hiking in the fjords in Norway was the perfect weekend adventure.
Company used: Much Better Adventures
- Season: April-September
- Fly to: Bergen
- Duration: 3 days (for the excursion)
- Distances: 25km kayaking, 1 day hiking from sea level to 3,500ft above sea level (approx 10hours of walking)
- Difficulty: You don’t need any kayak experience but should have some experience hiking and be reasonably fit.
- What’s included: Airport transfers, 1 night in a hostel, 2 nights camping. All camping and kayaking equipment including sleeping bags. All meals except dinner on first night.
- Tips: Bring waterproof layers, even if the forecast says no rain. We are in northern Europe and the forecast isn’t always correct.
- Highlights: Kayaking in Norway, in one of the worlds most beautiful fjords. Experience the midnight sun.
Day 1 – Friday.
Make your way to Bergen in Norway
You start your weekend adventure by catching a flight to Bergen on Friday ready to start early on Saturday. I got the evening flight not wanting to take time off work but I actually regret not taking the day off to catch an earlier flight and get some time to explore Bergen itself. I hear its beautiful and pictures I have seen confirm that. Being the photo obsessive that I am I’m gutted I skipped it. Its easy to say I will go back but in reality there are so many other places I want to visit it may not happen for a while. So in short, if you can take some extra time off work then do it!
The transfer will pick you up from the airport in the evening to drive you to Voss for the night. Flight delays are standard on certain airlines which I will not name as you most likely know who I’m talking about so if you get the evening flight then be prepared to not arrive in Voss till around 2am. Our tour operators were sympathetic to our struggle and let us start a little later on Saturday so we could get some much needed sleep.
Day 2 – Saturday
Kayaking in the fjords in Norway begins
Wake up in beautiful Norway. I was up early so popped outside to have a wander and was mesmerised by the beauty and how fresh it felt compared to London city air. Breakfast was standard buffet style with a Norwegian twist, think smoked fish and Skyr. Just a note, Skyr is actually from Iceland.
You then get driven to your start point, either Undredal or Gudvangen depending on the wind direction. We started at Undredal.
After meeting your BFF’s for the next few days (I think there were 9 of us in total) you start preparing for the awesome adventure ahead. Guess what? All your gear for 3 days must now fit in your kayak. I was truly baffled when we were told this, and slightly sceptical. Change of clothes, personal effects, and split between us all the camping gear and food (and 10 bottles of wine).
What did I learn on this trip?
You can squeeze a hell of a lot into a kayak. You are given dry bags to put your things in and you can leave your main bag and anything you have packed just in case but realise you don’t actually need in their offices to collect at the end.
After taking selfies sitting in your kayak on land because you are so excited and think its a great shot with the backdrop, not realising that these photos are awful and pale in comparison to what is to come, you set off.
The journey
If you are familiar with kayak usage you are cruising, if it’s new to you then don’t worry it’s easy and very soon you are also cruising. The first leg of the journey takes you through the breathtaking Naeroyfjord. It’s even said by some to be one of the world’s most beautiful fjords. We started our journey here to avoid headwind. Well, the wind changed direction. Man, it was hard work. I didn’t mind so much, whenever I have to do something that is physically tough I just think about what a good workout it is. Natures gym. This was an arms, back and abs workout.
Every so often a cruise ship would come along with all the tourists so you had to keep an eye out so you could move out of its way. That’s not a vessel you want to play chicken with.
You kayak as a group but being the independent woman that I am I often strayed. I enjoyed the feeling of being so small and insignificant in my kayak in this grand setting. When I was kayak socialising I’d get to know my fellow adventurers a bit better whilst the guide would tell us interesting facts about where we were.
Then we camp
After about 5 hours of kayaking in the fjords, we arrived at our campsite. Where we camp is not preplanned, there are a few spots to camp and you kayak along till you spot a space that isn’t occupied. After setting up camp and changing into dry clothes we set up the bonfire and tucked into dinner which is prepared for you.
After staying up to see the midnight sun (and of course, take pictures) it’s off to bed. Oh wait, I forgot my sleeping pills. Kind of important when you suffer from insomnia and you are camping when there are only a few hours of darkness a night. It’s actually a funny story, I had some good sleeping pills at home, but
Day 3 – Sunday
Hiking up the fjords.
Wake up, have barbecued breakfast, use the absolute worst long drop I have ever experienced in my life (no jokes, it was toxic) then head off for the hike.
This day was one of those days which really taught me about the importance of good outdoor clothing. I had forgotten my hiking boots, so I wore trainers. Big mistake. It was raining (weather prediction was sun) and there were many boggy areas. My feet were soaked after the first 10 mins. I would then spend the rest of my trip with wet shoes. No biggy, as I say, character building.
So we trekked through a valley and up a mountain. Landscape going from lush green to rocks to snow. Once we were nearing the summit we realised how foggy and cloudy it was. We were debating whether to head back down or go that extra bit. If the visibility is poor then what is there to see at the summit? Another group then walks past, having come from the summit. Apparently, you couldn’t see a thing. Well,
Day 4 – Monday
The final fjords kayak in Norway
Wake up, pack up, jump in the water for a dip like one brave soul did (not me) then go kayaking off in the fjords of Norway towards Undredal. The sun came out for us for this bit, and there was no wind! It was significantly easier kayaking with no wind. This part of the journey takes you through Aurlandsfjord. Passing quaint villages, mini waterfalls and even some seal spotting. After about 4 hours, you reach the finish point. You have a bit of time for obligatory group photos and hot drinks. There is even a shower in the nearby petrol station you can use before being transferred back to the airport in Bergen for your afternoon flight home.
Day 5 -Tuesday
Back to work
“Aren’t you tired?” Is the question most people would ask me. Actually no, so much was packed into a few days so it felt like I’d had way more time off than just a long weekend. I’m already thinking about returning to Norway, and which adventure I will have next…..I slept in a snow cave next.
If you fancy a kayaking holiday, I highly recommend doing it in the fjords
4 comments
I can’t believe how much you fit in the tiny kayak!
Me too! I didn’t believe them when they said it was possible haha
This looks such fun , especially yoga everywhere ..lit by the midnight sun or up a mountain in the snow – this blog is way better than any travel guide Iv read Zoe – All the useful tips and down to earth comments – STUNNING photos of the Fiords .
Thank you so much, it was such a fun trip, one of my favorites!