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An unforgettable trip to Bergen: Experience the beauty of Norway
Are you ready for an adventure in beautiful Norway? As an enthusiastic beginner hiker, I was ready to explore new horizons, and the choice fell on Bergen. After receiving several tips and doing thorough research, I became increasingly excited to soon be hiking through the magnificent Norwegian fjords. Join me on my journey to the heart of Norway and get inspired to go on an adventure yourself!
Smart packing and smooth travelling to sunny Bergen
As usual, packing clothes suitable for the weather was essential, and we were prepared for rain showers. However, upon arrival, we were greeted with brilliant sunshine. Fortunately, we had packed both sunscreen and refillable water bottles. Travelling to Bergen was very smooth. Despite Norway's proximity to Sweden, we chose to fly as it only took 1 hour and 15 minutes. Travelling by bus or car would have taken over 10 hours. Bergen was a cosy little city that was easy to explore on foot. Moreover, the bus tickets were reasonably priced, making getting around easy.
An exciting hike on Fløyen: From the funicular to the viewpoints
On our first day in Bergen, we took the funicular up to Fløyen, located in the municipality of Bergen, which has a peak of 399 metres above sea level. We started the day early, at 10 am on a Friday, to avoid crowds. The journey was smooth and took only six minutes, but you can also walk all the way up.
Up on Fløyen, there are several hiking trails to explore, and we followed some of the recommendations we found on fløyen.no. However, we deviated from the exact route and used Google Maps to find our way to different places.
Our walk started at Skomakerdiket, where we took a lap around the lake before continuing to Revurtjern. Here, there were plenty of blueberries to pick and enjoy. A bit further ahead, we found a viewpoint with a fantastic view. Our next stop was Brushytten Cabin, where there was a kiosk and toilets, which was perfect for a break before continuing our hike.
The road to the next viewpoint was steep, but the effort was worth it as we had a coffee and enjoyed the spectacular view of the city. After this, we trudged on to the top of Fløyen, Rundemanen. You could continue the walk along Vidden, a long and popular local route. When descending, we made a detour to Blåmanen, where we had another coffee break.
Our walk took about 3 hours and 30 minutes, including breaks, but the time can vary depending on how fast you walk and how many breaks you take.
A kayaking adventure in Øygarden: Sea creatures, mussels and Norwegian delicacies
On our second day, we booked a kayak trip through getyourguide.com to Øygarden. A tip is to book a little in advance! Although it was a bit expensive, it felt worth it, considering we got return transport, lunch and professional guidance. As we had never kayaked before, we felt confident with the support we received.
The kayak trip was organised by fjordexpedition.no, and we were given all the necessary equipment on-site. Before we got into the kayak, the guide went through important safety aspects and basic paddling techniques. We shared a tandem kayak, which was the easiest option for beginners. The person sitting in the back handled the steering with foot pedals, but both still had to paddle together.
The guide told us that, thanks to the sunny and windless day, we might see seals or dolphins. Unfortunately, we didn't see any, but we could admire lots of mussels, shells, and oysters along the rocks. We paddled on to remote places not usually accessible by boat; some areas were so hidden that you had to swim or paddle your way there. One of these places resembled the Blue Lagoon—absolutely amazing!
When the tour was over, the guide helped us out of the water, and we were served a typical Norwegian fish soup. For dessert, we were served waffles with brown cheese, sour cream, and strawberry jam, a real Norwegian delicacy.
Memories for life and plans for the next adventure: Norway and beyond
This trip to Bergen was unbeatable and will always be a memory for life. I am already looking forward to the next adventure and starting to think about our next destination. We were fortunate with the weather, especially since many locals claimed that Bergen is the rainiest city in Norway. We also got a lot of new tips and inspiration, and the next time we travel to Norway, we plan to head north to discover new parts of this beautiful country.
