Before starting with my report I would like to remind you that this is not a mountain expedition report, rather it consists of my observations and feelings about the nature of Norway along with some trekking routes that we followed with my fellow erasmus comrades: Davide Palmiotti, Lotti Krahe, Joseph Ramber, Sandra Dorfer, Valentin Barzal, Duru Bektaş, Marek Sarvaš, Šimon Sedláček, Anna Bräutigam.
Before coming to the end of our exchange semester in Helsinki, Valentin and I contemplated a 10 day long trip to see Norway’s amazing natural beauties and spend some time above the Arctic circle.
We reached the city of Santa Claus -Rovaniemi-with a train ride of approximately 10 hours between Finland’s dense forests. During the summer time, the farther north you go the longer the daytime you start to get. After passing the Arctic circle at Rovaniemi, the sun never sets for the whole summer. This is a really big difference that we never experience at the 36°- 42° northern parallels of Turkey. Since you have the sun over you all the time, starting time for trekkings is not an issue. We rented out a car from Rovaniemi to start with the trekking to the northernmost point of continental Europe except some shitty islands:). It took us 2 days to reach Nordkapp with a one day stop at the greatest lake in the country of lakes(Inari). After reaching the NordKapp(Northernmost Point of Europe). We had a 2 day long road trip to maybe the most spectacular part of Norway, LOFOTEN. We met with the other car on the way and settled down to the cheapest accommodation that we could find in Lofoten. After wandering around Norway’s spectacular Fjords, we headed back to Rovaniemi over Sweden.
Here is a brief comparison between a trekking experience above the northern circle with a mountain hike in Anti-Taurus mountains. When you move further to the North you start to get the same impression as if you are going higher in a mountain. Weather is getting colder, vegetation depreciates significantly, weather conditions start to be more volatile. On the other hand, drought is not a problem for sure for any of the Scandinavian countries. It’s almost impossible to find somewhere dry even during summer above the arctic circle. During our ride through Finland the only things around us were pine forests and sometimes mooses and reindeers. Very surprisingly as it is in the mountains, after some point around the Finland-Norway border, all trees disappear and then you find yourself in a wet slab desert and a very green grass between those stone surfaces. It is also very common to still see snow over slabs at this time of the year. One other remark, probably because of the fact that we were in Norway, I always had the trust that if something happens here we will be able to get help even at the remote parts of the country which is not the case most of the times when we are in the middle of Anti-Taurus in Turkey.
Nord Kapp
To give an overview, there are two northernmost points in Norway. One of them is the touristic one which you can reach by car and take a photo with a relatively ugly statue. However there is a point further north which you can reach after a 3-hour-long hike. You are losing 300 meters of elevation until the sea level and gaining it on the way back. While the hiking area is very open to wind, you also need to walk over quicksands from time to time. There is a parking spot at the beginning of the trek and the route is very well marked with cairns. Waterproof boots and soft shells are strongly advised.
Reinebringen in Lofoten
This one is basically an outdoor staircase in which you gain approx. 500 meters of altitude. We parked our car in the parking spot at Moskenes and then walked to the beginning of the path in 15 minutes. At the beginning it’s written at which stair you are in but as you move forward, it starts to lose its meaning to be honest. As we were in the middle of the path, Norway’s volatile weather greeted us with the most powerful rain that you can imagine.(same feeling when you open the water in the shower). There were no dry points on our bodies as it should be in a proper body ablution:d. Trekking starts at the altitude of 0 meters and ends at the top of the Fjord, namely Reinebringen with a breathtaking view.
Kvalvika Beach
Again, you can find a parking spot close to the beginning of the trek.This took us for 5 hours approximately. Trek goes through Kvalvika Beach. Here you get the chance to swim in the ice cold Northern Atlantic Ocean, which I couldn’t dare, but Valentin is obsessed with ice bathing and he also encouraged Marek and Joseph. They did a quick round.
After that you are gaining an elevation of 750 meters to the peak of the fjord next to Kvalvika. Then the path is canalizing you back to the starting point. At the last part for 2 kilometers you need to go through a swamp as well. It is strongly advised to have waterproof boots for any trekking path in Norway. There are some parts where you need to go over wet slab surfaces. Luckily, you can find chains attached to the rock so you feel comfortable on the route almost always. Also the swamp part of the trek is partially paved with wooden plates which is really nice to walk on.
Here you can find the link to the trek:
https://tr.wikiloc.com/gezi-yuruyus-rotalari/ryten-kvalvika-beach-lofoten-140373701
Huts for accommodation:
A very nice aspect of Scandinavian countries is that there are free shelters in the wilderness of Scandinavia. You can check how to use them and locations of the huts via those links:
https://www.gone71.com/shelters-in-the-north/
https://vindskyddskartan.se/en/
The free hut we stayed in Sweden.
Thanks for reading :’)
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