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Norway’s rugged, unspoiled landscape and striking geology have given it an enduring reputation as one of the most beautiful places in the world. What’s more, if you visit the more northerly regions during the height of summer, you’ll be rewarded with the world famous midnight sun: you’ll be so far from the equator that the sun won’t set for several weeks in summer. As well as being a unique experience in its own right, taking a holiday in non-stop daylight also gives you a sense of energy and wakefulness, helping you make the most of your holiday. Even in the south of Norway, night doesn’t really fall until around 11pm during late June, and the darkness persists for only around three hours before the foredawn is visible at around 1:30 or 2am. These brilliant daylight hours, combined with the magnificent landscape, make Norway perfect for family activity holidays. On Land Norway is beloved by hikers and campers. As well as offering a stunning backdrop, the public has right of access to almost the entirety of the Norwegian countryside. This means that as long as you clear up after yourself, you’re free to hike and camp wherever you please, and saltwater fishing doesn’t require a licence either. The lack of red tape offers an outdoor experience that’s a far cry from the tightly regulated designated campsites and swathes of impassable private land that plague many other destinations. One of the most famous and picturesque hiking routes in Norway is St. Olavsleden. These paths stretch for 350 miles from Selanger in Sweden, finishing in Trondheim, although if you only have a few days then it’s common practice to complete the final 85 miles of the route. This is still a hefty walk, so it’s a more suitable choice for your family activity holidays if your children are a little older. However if you manage to make the trip you’ll find stunning ruins, ancient carvings and picture postcard villages that make it well worth your time. At Sea Norway’s coastline is another famous feature of the country: its bays and fjords make it a staggering 100,000km long, putting it second only to the much larger Canada in terms of coastline length. Much of this elaborate coast can be explored on foot, but to really immerse yourself in it we’d suggest taking to the water itself. There are plenty of ways to do this, and spending the day on a small motorboat is a common pastime among Norwegians of all ages. If you’d prefer something a little more peaceful and close to the water, consider taking a kayak. The western fjords make for a lovely, calm paddle, but if you’re feeling confident and up for something more dramatic, try the fjords and islands of the Helgeland coast. The whole coastline is littered with islands of varying sizes, many of which are uninhabited. Family activity holidays are all about adventure, and finding an uninhabited island, pitching your tents and making that your base for a few days is an unforgettable summer experience. Animal lovers will also be pleased to know that there are a number of marine safaris offered, where you’ll be taken out to look for the various species of whale that are found in these waters. Family activity holidays in Norway rarely disappoint, and there are precious few places where you can be this close to nature and enjoy the beautiful setting so intimately. If you’re looking for an adventure holiday, look no further. Richard Edwards is the Managing Director of Summit & Blue, an adventure holiday company offering independently crafted family activity holidays to exciting destinations around the world, including France, Italy, Portugal, the USA and Canada. With unique itineraries and exciting activities like biking, hiking, white water rafting and canoeing, we create holidays for those looking for an experience a little more off the beaten track.
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