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Trondheim
The last big city before the wild north is a lively university town with a
famous cathedral, Nidaros Domkirke. West of Trondheim is the Bymarka with
excellent hiking and skiing. Nearby Hell attracts visitors just because of
its name which actually means prosperity.
Tromsø
The 'Gateway to the Arctic' is beautifully set amidst snow covered
mountains. It has more pubs per person than anywhere else in the country.
The town's museum provides an insight into Sami culture. It's a good base
for hiking in the summer and for skiing in the winter.
National Parks
The Jotunheimen is Norway's best known national park with many of the
country's highest mountains and loads of glaciers. There are excellent
hiking trails through spectacular scenery. The Rondane is one of the drier
mountain areas with a dense network of trails and huts for hikers. The
Hardangervidda, a huge and at times bleak alpine plateau, covers much of
central southern Norway. It's good for hiking and cross country skiing and
home to Europe's largest herd of reindeer. Dovrefjell is one of the most
accessible of the parks and the Sylene Mountains east of Trondheim have easy
walking in rolling hills.
 Finnmark
This is the far north where the Sami people live. These reindeer herders
have their own culture and ethnic identity. Many live a nomadic life where
little has changed for centuries, although the snow scooter has really
caught on. Karasjok and Kautokeino are the two most important Sami towns.
Svalbard
Over six hundred kilometres north of the mainland, this Arctic archipelago
is for those who crave and can cope with extremes. The only town of any size
in is Longyearbyen with a population of around 1200. It's a place of polar
bears, ice floes, seals, walrus, and beautiful, cold wilderness. To do more
than look you need Arctic survival skills.
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The
Pulpit Rock is one of the most famous sights in Norway. It is located in
the cliffs above Lysefjorden. The most beautiful Fiord in the country. There
are two ways to see the Pulpit Rock. By boat or climb it.
The fjord region between Stavanger and Ålesund is as wild and dramatic as
you've been led to believe, yet still accessible due to good roads and
public transport. Even though there are lots of summer visitors, it can
still feel empty and peaceful. You could spend the whole summer just
exploring this area so long as you don't mind getting wet.