Norway Travel Forum

Hi everyone. My friend and I will be in Norway (primarily Oslo) for a few days at the end of June. We'd love the chance to get away to see either the Fjords or just to be able to go hiking somewhere in the mountains for a day, as time is limited. Unfortunately cost is also limited as we're students so trying to holiday on a shoestring. Is it possible to get the train/bus to somewhere relatively near to Oslo where we could do this? We're prepared to travel a maximum of 4 hours each way so long as we arrive at a decent hour to go hiking!
Thanks :-)

Hiking can be done almost everywhere around Oslo. The hiking areas have names ending with -marka, like Nordmarka, Østmarka etc. There are good bus connections to get out there. Just ask at the tourist office. As to fjords, apart from the Oslofjord itself, you need to travel to the west-coast of Norway to see the Fjords that Norway is famous for.

Given that you may travel 4 hrs out of oslo to reach a hiking area, you will have access to major wilderness areas of Hardangervidda, Skrim, Blefjell, Norefjell, Gudbrandsdalen (south), Gausdal Vestfjell, Valdres, Jotunheimen (south). The hiking possibilities are immense, and you can stay in a tent in the wilderness. On the cheap you can also fly, try Norwegian.no or SAS.no to get to the west coast cities near fjords on a cheap ticket. Oslo itself is located right on a fjord, but it is more like a pond, unexciting, you have to get south beyond the narrow straight at Drøbak to see and feel real sea. There is a bus service to Hvaler (tow. Sweden), Tønsberg/Tjøme and Sandefjord. There is a coastal trail along much of the coast in Vestfold county centering on Stavern(all these southwest of Oslo). On the real cheap, buy a metro ticket and get to Sognsvann or Frognerseteren stations on the Oslo metro net and start hiking. Cheap or expensive, the experiences don't have much to do with cost.
Happy hiking!
Saagar

Hello!
I agree with Saagar; if you want to see why the fjords are famous you need to leave the Oslo area. Bergen (or partly Stavanger) will be better for fjords (apart from northern Norway, but on a budget this is practically ruled out).
I suggest one of the most famous fjords combined with an excellent hike: the Aurland valley (check out www.aurlandsdalen.no). This hike can be approached by bus or train from Oslo. You need maps and hiking gear! You will need 2 days for this. Contact Oslo hiking club, www.dntoslo.no for info.

In Oslo, stick to Nordmarka, no problem using a full day, there are staffed huts where you can have a meal. Out of Oslo, Aurland Valley, lower part is the best, takes 5-6 hrs, Possible with bus transport, check website mentioned. Bus to A Valley or closeby takes more than 4 hrs. What of Finse with glacier ? Train, see website nsb.no

If you guys have the time I would recommend going to the western part of Norway!Last summer I traveled with a company who took us to all the special places in Norway such as: Oslo, Bergen,The Geiranger fjord, The Seven Sisters,The Nærøy fjord, Folgefonna glacier, Heddal stave church and all the hidden places. We traveled in a group of 8 people and it was cheap! It lasted for 4 days.Here is the link: http//www.nordic-experience.no