Walking Norway: Skjeggedal to Trolltunga

The Michelin company created a ‘content hub’ called Sole Power, which regularly creates and shares inspiring and helpful content for sports people into their hiking, trail running, snowboarding etc.

Amy Chetwynd sent a link to their interactive map of 10 superb European hikes.

On my request Michelin Lifestyle put together a more detailed guest post on one of those ten. It includes some links they wish to promote. All good.

Snaking from the North Sea to the northernmost point of Scandinavia, Norway has always been known for its diverse landscapes and epic wilderness. One of the most geographically unique countries in the world, it’s home to icy blue fjords, expansive alpine tundra and palatial mountain networks.

For hikers it’s a take your pick and run with it kind of situation. There’s so much out there to explore. From Vest-Agder to the farthest reaches of Trom, trails and adventure appear wherever you look, and no two hikes are ever the same.

However, if we’re talking about one particular Norwegian pilgrimage that’s caught fire over the last decade (not literally), it’s Skjeggedal to Trolltunga.

EXPLORE 10 EPIC EUROPEAN HIKING ADVENTURES HERE [INTERACTIVE MAP]

Situated 25km northeast of Odda, in the county of Hordaland, is the famous protruding cliff edge, Trolltunga (Troll Tongue). Knowledge of this natural landmark has grown tenfold thanks to the globetrotting Instagram generation. Once a little-known locals’ secret, now a bucket-list destination, Trolltunga welcomes more than 80,000 people every year (that’s up from just 800 in 2010, by the way).

Eye-watering backdrops and a daredevil shuffle out onto the cliff edge, which juts out from bedrock at altitudes of over 1000m, are the pull of this place for most tourists. But for dogged hikers the journey is just as important.

The 10-12 hour hike takes you from an unassuming parking lot in the tiny village of Skjeggedal, up stone steps, out into the vastness of the Norwegian high mountains, through winding paths, and all the way to the northern side of lake Ringedalsvatnet.

It’s a tough trek that demands plenty of prep and caution from even the most the hardiest of hikers. This isn’t a countryside stroll, expect technical ascents and challenging scrambles throughout. Proper hiking gear is definitely a must.

It shouldn’t be a solo adventure either. For those with less experience, we recommend you enlist the help of a guide to get you there, although this isn’t essential in the summer months.

Be sure to visit at the right time of year, or risk serious disappointment.

When winter rolls around, this hike becomes perilous. High winds, ice sheets and heavy snowfall transform the route into a real no-go danger zone. Due to seasonal changes, it’s pretty much completely off limits between October and March, so plan your journey with this in mind. Mid-March to June is prime time.

Get it right and you’ll find out what it’s like to walk in the skies.

Skjeggedal to Trolltunga has it all, stunning panoramic views, mixed challenges and the freshest air that’ll ever hit the back of your lungs.

Looking for accommodation? There are a few AirBnB properties in the area. You can also book into a hotel in Odda, although rooms are in high demand in peak season, so get your name down early.

Key information:

Terrain type: Mountain

Highest altitude: 1,100m

Time to complete: 10-12hrs

Total distance: 27.5km

Average temperature:

  • Summer: 12°c
  • Winter: -5

Difficulty: Advanced

Want to explore more European destinations like this one? Click here to jump into Sole Power’s interactive hiking map and take the tour. It’s one hell of a journey!

Double Triple Crown – Craig Fowler

Craig Fowler hiked AT, PCT, and Continental Divide and pedaled Tour Divide, the Colorado Trail Race, and the Arizona Trail Race.

Meet The First Person To Complete The Double Triple Crown

 

Hike

  • Appalachian Trail – 2168 mi – 2001
  • Pacific Crest Trail – 2655 mi – 2007
  • Continental Divide Trail – 2751 mi – 2015
  • 7574 Total Miles Completed

Bike

  • Tour Divide – 2732 mi – June 2017
  • Colorado Trail – 539 mi- July 2017
  • Arizona Trail – 757 mi – Oct 2017
  • 4028 Total Miles Completed

Project Total

  • Human powered adventure
  • 11,602 Total Miles 

oneofsevenproject.com

Amatola Trail, South Africa

“The Toughest (hutted) Hike in South Africa”

Stingy Nomads:

Amatola trail is an amazing hike near Hogsback, a small town in Eastern Cape province, South Africa.

The trail length is 100 km …

… 6 days and 5 nights

… rain forest, mountains and fields, pass many waterfalls, pools and look outs on the way. …

It’s hut-to-hut hiking so you can keep your pack weight down.

Gwili Gwili hut

Amatola trail hiking guide. 6-day hike near Hogsback

related – Hiking South Africa – Amatola Hiking Trail

why I carry an integrated stove system

In recent years I use either my Jetboil Minimo or MSR Reactor.

There are pros and cons to both.

I long ago gave away to a friend my dirty, fussy, problematic MSR Whisperlite International. (My friend is still using it. He loves to tinker.)

For me the efficiency, speed, and ease of use make it worth extra weight and space.

Never too cold to cook.

related – MSR – 5 REASONS YOUR BACKCOUNTRY STOVE SHOULD BE A STOVE SYSTEM

 

 

NEW – The Adventure Podcast

 I’m subscribed. 🙂

An extension to the excellent Adventure Blog online.

Kraig Becker:

… The first episode is now available to download through iTunes or can be accessed directly here.

… weekly news from the adventure world, discussing major topics of interest, talking about gear, and having interviews with interesting guests.
It is co-hosted with my friend David Adlard, who has a rich background in the world of outdoor adventure as well having competed in several Ironman events and numerous adventure races, as well as working as a mountain guide and race director himself. …
We have also set up a few social media outlets for those who would like to share feedback and learn more about the podcast. Our Facebook page can be found here and we’re active on Twitter at @adventure_pod. We can also be reached by email at theadventurepod@gmail.com. …

proposed – Escalante Canyons National Park, Utah

Most in the hiking community hate what Donald Trump and his minions have done in Utah– shrinking the Bears Ears National Monument by 85%.

But here’s some good news out of Utah.

Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, plans to introduce legislation to create a new national park in a piece of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. …

The proposed Escalante Canyons National Park …

The size and exact location of the proposed park is unclear.  …

Only Congress can set aside land for a national park, while a president has power under the Antiquities Act to designate a national monument.

 

Rep. Chris Stewart proposes national park in Grand Staircase-Escalante

It could be that this is just a GOP diversion to deflect criticism.

On the other hand, some future Congress could move on this proposal to right the wrongs done by the Trump regime.