FAQ

A self-guided tour gives you the freedom to explore Norway at your own pace while we take care of all the practical arrangements. It's the perfect choice for independent travellers who enjoy hiking, cycling or skiing without the constraints of a guided group.

Our self-guided tours include carefully selected accommodation, daily luggage transfers (where applicable), route information, maps, and most meals, so you can simply focus on enjoying the journey. There's no need to organise transport, book hotels or plan each day's route – we've already done it for you.

How does a self-guided tour work?

Before your trip, you'll receive everything you need to travel with confidence, including:

• Detailed route descriptions
• Access to our travel app with digital maps, and GPX files
• Practical travel information
• A recommended packing list

Each day, you follow the suggested route at your own pace. Start when you like, stop for photos, enjoy a long lunch, or take a detour if something catches your interest. Your luggage is transferred to your next accommodation, allowing you to travel with just a daypack.

At the end of the day, you'll arrive at your accommodation where you can relax, enjoy a comfortable room, and in most cases, a delicious dinner before the next day's adventure.

Our self-guided tours are designed for people who enjoy exploring nature independently. Whether you're hiking, cycling or skiing, good preparation and realistic expectations are the key to a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Who are our tours suitable for?

We offer tours for a wide range of abilities, from relaxed family-friendly routes to more demanding mountain adventures.

Each tour includes a difficulty rating to help you choose an itinerary that matches your experience and fitness level. The ratings are based on an average level of fitness, but only you know what you're comfortable with.

Before booking, consider whether you are able to hike, cycle or ski for several consecutive days, sometimes in challenging terrain and changing weather conditions.

Travel with a companion

Although many people enjoy travelling independently, we strongly recommend that at least two people travel together whenever possible.

Having a companion makes the experience more enjoyable and provides extra support should an unexpected situation arise.

Weather and trail conditions

Norwegian weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains.

Even during summer, you may experience sunshine, heavy rain, strong winds or low temperatures on the same day. In winter, snow and wind can make skiing conditions more demanding.

Always check the local weather forecast before setting out and carry appropriate clothing and equipment for the conditions.

Norway is known for its beautiful but changeable weather. On our self-guided tours, you may experience several seasons in one day, so being prepared for changing conditions is an important part of enjoying your adventure.

Before your trip, you will receive a detailed packing list with recommendations for the clothing and equipment you need. The key to staying comfortable in Norway is to dress in layers and be prepared for sun, rain, wind and cooler temperatures.

What is the weather like in Norway?

The weather in Norway varies greatly depending on the season, location and landscape.

Coastal areas often have milder temperatures but can be affected by wind and rain. Mountain regions can experience much colder and more unpredictable conditions, even during summer. Northern Norway generally has cooler temperatures and longer winters compared to the south, while southern coastal areas usually have a milder climate.

No matter when you travel, temperatures can change quickly. A warm sunny morning can turn into a windy or rainy afternoon, especially in exposed mountain areas.

Comfortable accommodation is an important part of every self-guided tour. After a day of hiking, cycling or skiing, you'll have a welcoming place to relax, enjoy a good meal and recharge for the next stage of your journey.

What type of accommodation can I expect?

Norway does not have an official hotel star rating system, so accommodation standards may differ from what you may be used to in other countries. Room sizes can also be smaller than some international travellers expect.

We carefully choose accommodation based on comfort, location and character rather than star ratings. Depending on the tour, you'll stay in a combination of:

• Hotels
• Mountain lodges
• Traditional guesthouses
• Cabins
• Mountain huts

The accommodation is selected to fit each day's route, available services and the overall experience of the tour.

Private or shared facilities

Most tours include private rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

However, some routes pass through remote mountain or rural areas where accommodation options are limited. In these locations, you may occasionally stay in accommodation with shared bathrooms and toilets. If this applies to your tour, it will be clearly described in the tour information.

Good food is an important part of every self-guided adventure. Whether you're hiking, cycling or skiing, you'll need plenty of energy for the day ahead, and our tours are designed to make mealtimes as easy and enjoyable as possible.

What meals are included?

Most of our tours include:

• Breakfast each morning
• A self-packed lunch prepared from the breakfast buffet
• Dinner on days where restaurants or food shops are not available nearby

For our winter tours, you can also fill your thermos with tea or coffee before setting off for the day's skiing.

The meals included with your tour are listed on each individual tour page.

Breakfast and lunch

Breakfast is usually served as a generous buffet with a variety of hot and cold options.

Before leaving your accommodation, you'll prepare your own packed lunch from the breakfast buffet. This is a common tradition on multi-day hiking and skiing tours in Norway and allows you to enjoy lunch wherever you find the perfect viewpoint along the route. We suggest bringing a sitting pad for your lunch break.

Please note that snack bars, chocolate, nuts, and other personal snacks are not included in your lunch pack and must be brought with you. Not all hotels provide fruit for the breakfast buffet.  A Norwegian self-packed lunch usually consists of sandwiches.

Getting to and from your tour is an important part of planning your holiday. Transport arrangements vary between our tours, so please refer to the individual tour page for detailed travel information, meeting points and transfer times.

Airport transfers

Many of our self-guided cross-country ski tours include scheduled transfers to and from Oslo Airport (OSL).

These transfers operate at fixed times, so we recommend booking flights that match the published transfer schedule.

Ferries and boats

Many of our cycling and hiking tours explore Norway's spectacular fjords and coastline, where travelling by boat is part of the experience.

You may encounter several types of vessels:

• Car ferries – large ferries that transport vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
• Express boats – fast passenger boats that also carry bicycles on many routes.
• Chartered boats – boat transport we have booked to accommodate guests on our tours.

If you're travelling as a pedestrian or cyclist, car ferries are generally free of charge, and no ticket is required.

One of the great advantages of our self-guided tours is our luggage transfer service (inlcuded on most point-to-point tours), allowing you to travel with only a small daypack while your main luggage is transported to your next accommodation. 

Your tour includes the transfer of one piece of luggage per person between overnight accommodations, so you can enjoy the journey without carrying heavy bags.

What should I carry during the day?

You'll only need a small backpack or bike pannier containing the items you'll need during the day, such as:

• Lunch, snacks, water
• Extra clothing and rain gear
• Valuables
• Personal medication and other essentials
• Powerbank as travel app uses a lot of battery power from your phone

If you're travelling with an e-bike, remember to pack your battery charger in your daypack.

Luggage collection

Unless otherwise stated in your itinerary, please leave your luggage in the designated collection area at your accommodation by 09:30.

If your luggage is not ready by the specified collection time, we cannot guarantee that it will be transferred that day, and additional transport costs may apply.

In most cases, your luggage will arrive at your next accommodation around 15:00.

Luggage limits

To ensure efficient handling, please follow these guidelines:

• Maximum one piece of luggage per person
• Maximum weight: 20 kg
• Clearly label your bag with your name and mobile phone number 

A luggage tag is included in your welcome information at your first accommodation.

One of the things many guests ask us before their trip is: What is it like to cycle in traffic in Norway?

The good news is that we design our cycling routes to avoid busy roads whenever possible. Most of our tours follow quiet country roads and scenic backroads, allowing you to enjoy Norway's spectacular landscapes with relatively little traffic.

Some road sections cannot be avoided

In certain areas, it is not possible to avoid main roads completely. These sections are usually short and are included only when there is no practical alternative.

When cycling on busier roads, we recommend following a few simple safety guidelines:

• Ride in single file whenever traffic increases.
• Allow faster vehicles to pass whenever it is safe to do so.
• Stay alert and be considerate of other road users.
• Always wear a cycling helmet and a high-visibility vest.

Good communication within your group and predictable riding make the experience safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Tunnels

Some routes include road tunnels. Whenever applicable, this is clearly described in the individual tour description.

Where possible, we suggest alternative routes that avoid tunnels. However, in some parts of Norway there are no alternative roads, and cycling through a tunnel is necessary.

If your tour includes several tunnels, we strongly recommend bringing a headlamp or bike light, even during summer, to improve your visibility.

Best time of day to ride

Traffic is generally lighter in the early morning, making this a pleasant time to start your day's ride, especially in popular tourist areas.

Bike rental is available for most of our self-guided cycling tours and can be added when booking your holiday. We offer high-quality touring bikes and e-bikes, carefully selected for comfort, reliability and long-distance cycling in Norway.

What bikes do you offer?

Most tours offer a choice between:

• Touring bikes – ideal for multi-day cycling holidays on paved roads and gravel roads.
• E-bikes – perfect if you'd like extra assistance on climbs or prefer a more relaxed ride.

Please note that bike rental is not included in the tour price and must be booked as an optional extra.

What should I expect from a rental bike?

Our rental bikes are professionally maintained and serviced regularly throughout the season. As they are used by different cyclists each week, they may not feel exactly like your own bike, but we do our best to match the bike to your height and riding preferences.

All rental bikes are equipped with flat pedals.

Ski rental is available for most of our self-guided cross-country ski tours. We offer classic cross-country skis (Nordic skis) only. Skate skis are not available.

All rental skis are fitted with NNN classic bindings. If you plan to bring your own ski boots, please make sure they are compatible with the NNN binding system.

Should I bring my own skis?

If you already own a pair of cross-country skis that you're comfortable using, we recommend bringing them.

Snow conditions in Norway can change quickly, from fresh powder and dry snow to icy or wet tracks. Skis that you're familiar with, and that are suited to different snow conditions, can make your trip both more enjoyable and more efficient.

Check your equipment before you leave

Before starting your ski tour, carefully inspect your rental equipment. Check that:

• The bindings function properly.
• The skis are in good condition.
• The length and stiffness are suitable for you.

Once you leave the rental location, it may be difficult or impossible to exchange the equipment, so it's important to report any issues before you set off.