Walking the Fjords

Most Inspirational Moment

There are too many to really mention but the two stand out moments were getting to the top of the mountain on the first day and looking down over the Fjord. The sun was shining and the water was an incredible turquoise. Our group had laughed and bonded all the way up the mountain and there was a huge sense of achievement at the top. The second was on the last day at the waterfall. We'd all spent an amazing week with each other and there was a poignancy that it was our last day together. The waterfall was magnificent and the scenery breathtaking- it was my favourite hike and it was sad that it was the last.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anders was a really fantastic group leader. He was knowledgable, kind, funny and you knew you were safe with him. He went above and beyond to spend time with the group, flex the schedule to take is to the bakers for cinnamon buns and overall look after us. He never pushed anyone to their limit and took time to understand the individual needs of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You do have to have a base level of fitness for this trip to really enjoy it. Some of the ascents would be tricky in the rain and the terrain is full of rocks so you also need to be steady on your feet. That said in out group there were 4 people over 70 who managed just fine and had a great time!

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip highlight for us was the glacier walk as we had not done one before, my partner only wished it was longer as it was such a fun experience to do. The photos on the Exodus website truly do not represent how stunning this country is with some extremely memorable hikes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Anders was a very good guide. He held an evening briefing every night before dinner. He used the briefing to get feedback about the hike of the day and if there were any problems. He then covered the details for the next hike,providing information about departure time, distance, terrain, weather and hike time length. The briefing allowed guests to ask questions and get sound advice on clothing, equipment and food/water to bring and on the last day offered an shorter route alternative during the hike for some of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We would recommend the glacier walk option in the itinerary if you have not done one before. There was a lot of boulders on some walks and so we would recommend bringing walking poles if you use them.

Suggestions

We were very lucky with the group, 14 of us from all corners of the world, a wide variation in ages with a good mix of solo and couples. Not forgetting our guide and wonderful owner of Nes Gard Farm, Anders. The group provided a-lot of laughter and fun along the way which proved extremely entertaining at times. We haven’t laughed as much as this in a very long time! Great first trip back with Exodus after Covid. The connection flight between Uk - Amsterdam and Norway outward and return was a little too tight for comfort and some running and panic did take place otherwise a very memorable holiday! Our baggage got lost coming home but hopefully still at Amsterdam and will be returned home to us very soon which was also not great but at least we got home! Thank you from Han and Lucy.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed the optional glacier walk - we had a very charming and supportive Nepalese guide. Really outstanding. It was a great experience to get up close with glacier ice and experience the beautiful blue colour. The first day on the Jostedalsbreen National Park was stunning - we were walking on snow in August!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anders is the owner of NES Gard as well as the guide for most days. He certainly runs the trip along his own principles rather than as you would expect an Exodus trip to pan out. He is quite intolerant of slower walkers to the point of making them sit out or turn back unsupervised on a walk as the pace is holding back the elite walkers. In my opinion if you want to run a group for mountaineers, you need to specify at the point of booking and only accept bookings from qualified people. I paid 3k as did others so we were entitled to full participation of the walks on offer. There was a walk in the Mykkersdal valley which is very dark and gets no sunlight and in addition on this day it had rained all night and all day so the rocks were very slippery and there were lots of boggy patches. So at lunch in a clearing, Anders picked people out to turn back as they could not keep pace. I wAnted to continue but was told to turn back. There were 4 ladies and one very concerned man who was also a doctor, accompanied our group. The terrain was very tricky. Unfortunately we seemed to take a wrong path as the markings were not obvious and we got some way before realising this route was not correct. We carried on a bit further as we thought it might come out at the carpark but then decided to turn back. Meanwhile the elite group had got back to the bus to find we had not returned so Anders set out to find us. There was no phone signal in the valley so our messages had not been received and if anyone had had an accident, we had no way of contacting anyone. Also Anders did not carry a satellite phone for emergencies. This really was not an acceptable regard to the health and safety of the clients and Anders should not have split up the group. Usually Exodus guides stop frequently for catching up and normally take the opportunity to tell clients something about the history or geography of the area but Anders didn’t seem to have any such information to share. I did not learn anything about the history or mythology of Norway from Anders or the geology

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t go on the trip unless you are A frequent hill or mountain Walker or walk on uneven terrain at a fast pace. You might come home feeling you failed to keep up. The terrain really is very uneven and you might have to scramble over rocks on your front occasionally . That said, the scenery is stunning!

Suggestions

NES Gard is a beautiful location but is situated quite a way from any shops or other villages. You cannot buy wine in a supermarket but can purchase beer or cider there. You will have to pay NES Gard drinks prices of £10 - £12 for a small glass of wine or a beer or £13 for a G&T with your evening meal.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several: Bergen, the scenery on journeys by mini-bus and ferry, Nes Gard farm guesthouse and the view from our room, the overall views of mountains, waterfalls and glaciers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lukas's passion for his country shone out and enthused us at the same time. He adjusted the programme sensibly to cope with the variable weather we experienced.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had sun and rain, so be prepared. It was also a little wetter underfoot than some other trips we've been on. Definitely not sandal country.

Suggestions

Stunning scenery at every turn.

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in the fjords.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lucas was great - very friendly and keen for everyone to have a good time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a lunch box and water bottle if you are keen to cut down on your plastic use. It was rather disappointing that despite Exodus's pledges on reducing plastic, one of the very first things that happened on this trip was everyone being given plastic bags and bottles to make day 1 lunch. Ask for a detailed briefing at the beginning of the week. Take your swimming gear - this is not on the trip notes. The guest house has a small pier with sun lounges and steps for swimming if you are lucky with the weather.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day was different offering a wide variety of treks on different terrains, seeing an amazing variety of landscapes - you really get a real taste of what Norway has to offer trekkers. We scrambled over rocks to get quite close to the mouth of a glacier, peaked Mt Molden above the clouds, walked through the dreamy green valley (still a few ups - not all flat!) and even trekked through a bit of snow in the mountains. We also had a few ferry rides too so we got to experience the fjords close up (a couple of us even took a dip in the 'refreshing' fjord back at the guest house). A well paced tour - not too quick, not too slow and great bunch of travellers to share this experience with.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Einar was a brilliant and v natural leader. He knew the area extremely well and took great care of the group, his passion for his country always shining through. Led an excellent pace that suited everybody and encouraged a v supportive environment where everyone helped each other.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure your fitness level is suitable for this grade of holiday (Exodus training guides are a great starting point). You are trekking every day with many upward slopes (you get the great views tho!). There are options given for some days e.g. you don't have to scramble over all the rocks at the glacier if you don't want to etc. The pace of the days are good and it's a supportive walking environment (not all of it is up slopes). Take waterproof boots - we walked over boggy ground and through streams - and ankle support is advised as you will walk on quite a lot of uneven ground. But above all - enjoy every moment! It's a spectacular place to trek in and you cram a lot in the five days of trekking. Walking poles are useful too for those not blessed with a natural sense of balance!

Suggestions

The varied weather added to the amazing experience from the moodiness of the cloudy days to the glorious colours seen on the bright sunny ones. We were lucky and didn't have much rain.Take layers as you get warm when trekking so we were in t-shirts and you will need something warm up the top of mountains when you stop for lunch.

Most Inspirational Moment

The iconic views from the Molden peak with its stunning views of Sognefjord.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Asbjorn is an an exceptional guide and also a very nice man with so much knowledge and experience. Sadly he is looking to retire which will be a shame to miss all of those stories, but he is currently training his replacement Lucas, who I think will make also make a great host/guide. We found them both very helpful & approachable as well as being very knowledgeable of their environment and locality. An real asset to this trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not under-estimate this trip. This is a hiking trip, not walking. Many of the hikes are quite a bit longer than the notes imply and you will be expected to scramble a little as well as doing a lot of walking on very uneven ground. This is all fine if you're used to this & expecting it, but be warned.

Suggestions

Stay an extra night in Bergen, there is so much to see & do there and the itinerary does not give anywhere near enough time there.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing everyone hiking up and down despite their ages.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Awesome

Advice for Potential Travellers

No

Suggestions

No

Most Inspirational Moment

The incredible landscape on every hike. It's too difficult to pick out one outstanding moment because each day presented a new aspect of Norway.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leaders were professional and attentive to individual needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to hike on uneven terrain and smooth rock surfaces. Trails are steep and often slick. I was cardio fit but I did my conditioning on groomed trails. The glacier walk is very challenging. Gaitors are highly recommended to pants clean.

Suggestions

Do not go on the glacier walk if it's been raining.

Most Inspirational Moment

The beautiful views took me away from my everyday worries and who would have thought going onto the glacier would be so much more fun than just looking at it from up close!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I loved Einar - he is young and super humble but he really tried hard to take care of us. Lovely guy

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fitness levels - moderate for one person is challenging for another especially when there are time limits for certain hikes.