Text by Steve Casimiro
Molde
A Fjord Norway hub, Molde is a five-minute town: Kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and skiing are all five minutes away. The Rica Hotel is Molde’s most modern accommodation (doubles from $220;
rica-hotels.com). DID Adventure, Didrick Ose’s company, guides custom trips that include biking, sea kayaking, climbing, and more (from $400 a day;
didadventure.no).
Ålesund
Spread over seven islands, the town is a great launchpad for boat trips. Outfitter 62 Nord arranges coastal excursions in souped-up Zodiacs (two hours, $115) or helicopter tours (30 minutes, $590;
62.no). Ålesund is also at the heart of Norway’s freeride mountain bike scene, with trails beginning outside of town and spreading to the nearby Sunnmøre Alps. Shop Sykkel Spesialisten rents top-of-the-line mountain bikes and provides beta ($25 a day;
sykkelspesialisten.com). Thon Hotel’s bright, comfortable rooms are a two-minute walk from the main ferry terminal, where most day trips begin and end (doubles from $230;
thonhotels.com).
Geirangerfjord
Arguably the most beautiful fjord in Norway (and the most popular with cruise ships), this area offers spectacular hiking and kayaking. For boat shuttles to the best hikes, and a guide if you like, check out Geiranger Fjordservice AS (prices vary by trip;
geirangerfjord.no). Hotel Union is the primary game in town for lodging and food (doubles from $265;
hotel-union.no).
Tromsø
The gateway to Norway’s Arctic, Tromsø is a must for those who crave wilderness, big walls, long hikes, and untracked ski descents. Rica Ishavshotel is within walking distance of several outfitters (doubles from $305;
rica.no). Lyngsfjord Adventure, Roar Nyheim’s company, leads hikes, glacier walks, and more but specializes in Sami cultural trips (
lyngsfjord.com). You won’t want to leave the kennels with the dogsled puppies, but Tromsø Villmarkssenter can guide technical climbing, sea kayaking, and glacier walks (
villmarkssenter.no). Lyngen Lodge, at the foot of the Lyngen Alps, is a cushy base for trips farther north, or if the season’s right, Norway’s best backcountry skiing (doubles from $300;
lyngenlodge.com).
