#1 Mads Nordsveen Saw This Xxtremely Rare White Baby Reindeer While Hiking In Norway
"The scenery in Norway is unlike anywhere else," Lisa Stentvedt, the woman behind Fjords & Beaches, a travel blog dedicated to everyone who refuses to stop exploring, told Bored Panda.
"The fjord landscape in the west is especially spectacular, with its massive mountains, deep fjords, and small villages scattered along the hillsides giving you insight into how people have lived in these regions for centuries."
Lisa, who has also released Moon Norway, a travel guide consisting of the country's best hikes, road trips, and scenic fjords, said that another thing that makes her homeland stand out is the accessibility of nature.
"From any town or even major city you can find yourself surrounded by nature and silence in just 30 minutes," she pointed out.
"You can reach the mountains surrounding Bergen by just walking from anywhere in the city center, and the woodlands surrounding Oslo are at the end of the subway line! Additionally, with the country's 'right to roam' law, you are free to hike and camp practically anywhere (with some exceptions). It’s a nature lover’s dream!"
Lisa's mentioned 'right to roam' (or Allemannsretten) is a traditional right from distant times. Since 1957, it has also been enshrined in the country's Outdoor Recreation Act.
The right ensures that everyone can experience nature, even in big, privately owned areas, meaning that you may put up a tent or sleep under the stars anywhere in the countryside, forests, or mountains, as long as you stay at least 150 meters away from the nearest inhabited house or cabin. This rule even applies to vans, mobile homes, and caravans.
If travelers want to stay for more than two nights in the same place, they must ask the landowner's permission, except in the mountains or very remote areas. There are a few more details you need to know about before packing your bags, but it provides an immense opportunity for fostering a deeper connection with nature.
"As a Norwegian, I would say we are a little closed off and not the easiest to get through to," Lisa said about the locals.
"In general, we tend to keep to ourselves and prefer not to inconvenience other people. For example, we would rather lean over a table to grab the salt than ask someone to pass it, and we never sit next to a stranger on the bus if we can help it."
However, she reassured us that once you head out and reach out, you'll find that Norwegians are more than happy to help with directions and recommendations, or answer any questions you may have for them.
The fact that around 90% of them speak English also helps a ton! "We take pride in this and most of us are excited at the chance to show it off. We just might not make eye contact until you speak directly to us."
