Fjords, waterfalls and hiking in Norway

The Geography Department took a group of thirty Second- and Third-Year students on the trip of a lifetime to Norway during half term, to explore the fjords and mountains of the south-west region.  

After an early start, the group arrived in Bergen and stopped off to visit the Steindalfossun waterfall on the way to their cabins. This waterfall has a 50m drop, and students were able to walk behind the waterfall and admire a beautiful view of Norheimsund and the entire Steinsdalen valley. After arriving at the accommodation, everyone enjoyed a traditional Norwegian curry before getting an early night ahead of the following day’s activities. 

Day two was much more active – and a lot wetter – as all students enjoyed kayaking in the nearby fjord in the morning, luckily with zero capsizing. The group then hiked 360m up the valley, seeing four waterfalls in 4km during the afternoon.  

The next day, the planned snowshoeing activity was unfortunately cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, but the guides delivered a fantastic hike to see Folgefonna, Norway’s third largest glacier, set in a stunning national park area. 

Day four featured a tour of the old hydroelectric power plant in Tyssedal, part of the Norwegian Museum of Hydropower and Industry, before a 400m ascent of the Tyssedal Via Ferrata.  

The last evening consisted of the Norway Awards, where the group celebrated the ‘Friendliest Friends’, ‘Vikingest Viking’, ‘MVPs’ and ‘Overall cabin winners’. 

After packing up on the final day, students enjoyed the sights of Bergen, with some free time before catching the flight home. 

Second Year student Caspar said, “The Norway trip was very exciting and was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The scenery was beautiful, and I loved the hike on day two as the waterfalls we walked past were breath-taking. Even though it was raining, everyone was smiling and enjoying it. On day four we went climbing and I nominated myself for the top group, even though I am a bit scared of heights; however, the view and the experience made up for it. The teachers on the trip were funny as well as kind. It was an amazing trip.”