Key details at a glance
MEETING POINT | Oslo, Norway
REGION | Scandinavian Alps
TRIP DURATION | 8 days
PARTICIPANTS | 7 to 14
DIFFICULTY | 2 out of 5
TERRAIN | Mountain paths, forest tracks, rocky ridges, and occasional scree near summits. Long ascents and descents are common. Good balance and sturdy hiking boots are required.
HIGHLIGHTS | Scandinavian Alps hiking, Hemsedal alpine trails, glacial lakes and waterfalls, Sognefjord fjord cruise, Viking village and stave church heritage, Norwegian WWII resistance history, long Nordic summer light, quiet high-country landscapes. Download sample brochure.
PRICE | From €4,830 to €5,930. The price includes accommodation at Skarsnuten Hotel in Hemsedal, breakfasts and shared two-course dinners, fully guided founder-led hiking, cultural visits, a Sognefjord cruise, Viking and stave church heritage, WWII history in Oslo, picnic lunches on hiking days, packing guidance and a hiking training guide.
PAYMENT OPTIONS | Payment plans and multi-currency checkout
DEPOSIT | €500 non-refundable, except within our worry-free cancellation period.
REQUIRED SKILLS | Ability to hike for several hours on varied terrain and carry a daypack with essentials. Confidence moving on uneven ground is important.
DATE | June 20th-27th, 2027
Step into Norway’s Scandinavian Alps on a founder-led, small-group hiking holiday based in Hemsedal, with sweeping mountain views from Skarsnuten Hotel high above the valley.
This 8-day journey is designed for people who enjoy being active outdoors and want to experience a Norway walking holiday slowly, on foot, with rewarding hikes balanced by time to rest, eat well, and reflect.
Alongside the hiking, you will explore Norway’s cultural and historical layers through a Viking village, a stave church marked with ancient runes, and time in Oslo learning about the Norwegian resistance during World War II. Traveling in June also brings long Nordic days, with around 18 to 19 hours of daylight to walk, linger, and take in the land.
This guided walking holiday offers:
a founder-led hiking holiday in Norway’s Scandinavian Alps
moderately challenging, high-reward hikes with big views, waterfalls, forests, plateaus, and rocky summit terrain
cultural depth: Viking history, stave church heritage, and WWII resistance in Oslo
a Sognefjord cruise, one of Norway’s defining landscapes
a quiet, authentic mountain home base at Skarsnuten Hotel in Hemsedal
A walking holiday shaped by adventure and tranquillity
Hemsedal is known for its alpine charm: quiet trails, dramatic peaks, and an open, high-country feel. The hiking here feels fierce yet serene, rugged enough to demand presence, spacious enough to soften you at the same time.
At the heart of this tour is the Valkyrie spirit: capable, courageous, and connected. We want you to leave feeling a genuine sense of accomplishment, having hiked the Scandinavian Alps, and having become more connected to Norway’s land, stories, and history.
Walking distances, terrain, and daily pace
This is a mixed itinerary. On hiking days, the activity level is moderate. On cultural days, movement is gentler and includes driving between sites.
Typical hiking days involve:
8 to 13 km of walking over 3 to 5 hours
terrain ranging from smooth gravel and forest tracks to rocky ridges and steep scree near summits
uneven footing that rewards good ankle stability and sturdy boots
The pace is steady and supportive. Everyone is encouraged to walk at their “forever pace,” and no one is left behind.
Have a question? Get in touch
Who this walking holiday is for
This tour tends to draw people looking for hiking holidays in Europe that offer a new landscape, big Nordic views, meaningful cultural depth, and feel pulled toward Viking history, especially the lesser-told stories of women, warriors, and the deeper philosophy beneath the clichés.
-
enjoy hiking 8 to 13 km for 3 to 5 hours
are willing to hike varied and sometimes rugged terrain for epic viewpoints
want a rural, authentic mountain experience with quiet trails, real terrain, and variable weather
want to experience Norway in June with wildflowers, long light, and that expansive above-the-tree-line feeling
are curious about Viking and Norwegian history and want to explore it first-hand
-
don’t currently have a regular hiking or fitness practice
don’t want to invest in essential mountain gear such as boots, poles, and breathable rain layers
struggle with balance or don’t have the fitness to ascend and descend in more remote terrain
aren’t comfortable with some time in a van between key locations
Not sure this tour is the right fit for you? We’re here to help.
Our tours are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5, which includes easier walking routes and culturally focused tours. Get in touch and let’s keep the conversation going. We can suggest alternative tours tailored to your pace and interests, or create a bespoke experience specifically for you.
The journey at a glance
This founder-led hiking holiday is based from one mountain home at Skarsnuten Hotel in Hemsedal, then expands outward into fjord country and Oslo’s layered history. For a detailed day-by-day outline, including walking distances and accommodation style, you can view a sample itinerary here.
1. Arrival and the Scandinavian Alps
We meet near Oslo Airport, travel into the mountains via scenic train, then continue by van to Skarsnuten Hotel, set around 1,000 metres above sea level with panoramic views across Hemsedal.
2. Hemsedal hiking days
Hemsedal offers glacial lakes, lush valleys, and a huge network of trails. Based on the weather, we choose three hikes that let you experience this landscape in the way it deserves: on foot.
3. Vikings, stave churches, and fjord country
Between hiking days, we bring the stories to life by visiting a Viking settlement, touching rune carvings at a stave church, cruising a fjord, and sharing an unforgettable meal with Viking ambience at Ægir BrewPub in Flåm.
4. Oslo and modern history
The final portion returns to Oslo to explore Norway’s cultural heritage and the WWII resistance story through museum visits.
Note: the Viking ship museum visit is dependent on whether it is open at the time.
Support on the trail
This is a fully founder-led, escorted walking holiday. Each morning begins with a clear briefing on conditions, route plans, and what to pack. Hikes start slowly to warm up, then the group naturally spreads as people settle into their own rhythm, reconnecting at breaks and snack stops along the way.
Weather in Norway is variable, so flexibility is part of the experience. The itinerary will almost certainly adapt once you’re there, but with many trail and rain-day options, it remains rich no matter what arrives in the sky.
No one is left behind.
The landscape and sense of place
Hemsedal is often called an alpine-style mountain paradise: quiet, non-technical high-country routes, expansive views, and a feeling of openness that invites both movement and reflection. For many people, the place is felt most strongly in the simplest moments: feet in a glacial lake or the stillness and scale of the fjord cruise.
Explore more information about the
Valkyries and Vikings Tour
-
We don’t treat history as trivia. We bring forward the lesser-told stories, especially the role of women in Viking culture, the shield maidens and Valkyries, and the philosophical depth beneath the popular mythology. You’ll also spend time with Norway’s WWII resistance history in Oslo, an experience many find unexpectedly moving and deeply relevant.
-
You stay at Skarsnuten Hotel in Hemsedal: relaxed, welcoming, cosy, and perfectly placed for mountain access and big views. Evenings are spacious. After hiking, there’s free time before dinner to rest, book a sauna or spa treatment, schedule a massage (pre-booked), or simply enjoy a drink while the light lingers.
Important rooming note: Skarsnuten does not offer twin beds. Doubles are only suitable for those happy to share a bed. Solo travellers must book a single room.
-
Breakfast and a two-course dinner are included, and meals are shared as a group. Dietary requirements can be accommodated as much as possible. If something is beyond the hotel’s capacity, it is handled well in advance. The first and last dinners tend to be especially memorable, along with the meal at Ægir BrewPub.
-
This founder-led experience reflects Athara Adventures’ approach to group walking holidays in Europe: small groups, shared purpose, and careful leadership throughout.
Minimum: 8
Maximum: 12
This tour also works well for solo walking holidays, with many guests joining independently and finding connection through the shared experience.
The group spends time together naturally through breakfast, van transfers, breaks on the hill, and dinner, while the hikes themselves allow plenty of quiet space as well. The Athara founders support the group dynamic with care: warm welcomes, inclusion, steady leadership, and a culture of respect on and off the trail.
-
A hiking day begins with an early breakfast and a conditions briefing, covering weather, route decisions, and final packing checks. You set off slowly to warm up, then settle into your own pace. The terrain invites focus, especially as you near higher ground, so conversation comes and goes naturally.
After the hike, you return to the hotel for free time before a shared two-course dinner with mountain views. On cultural days, the rhythm stays steady: breakfast briefing, multiple stops, lunch out, and a relaxed return to the hotel by late afternoon or early evening.
-
Start: Oslo, Norway
End: Oslo, Norway
Duration: 8 days
Meeting point: near Oslo Airport (11:00 AM)
Level: 2 out of 5
Full packing guidance and a hiking training guide are provided ahead of departure.
Sign up to stay informed about upcoming tours
Valkyries and Vikings Walking Holiday FAQs
-
This is a fully guided, founder-led walking holiday. Daily logistics, route choices, and group care are supported by the Athara team, while still allowing plenty of quiet, independent walking space.
-
Hiking days are moderately challenging, typically 8 to 13 km over 3 to 5 hours with uneven and sometimes rocky terrain.
-
Yes, many people enjoy joining solo. Note that solo travellers must book a single room on this tour due to bed configuration at the hotel.
-
Yes. Because Norwegian mountain weather can be cold and wet even in June, there are non-negotiable essentials including waterproof boots, poles, and breathable rain protection.
-
Yes. Typically a 7% early-bird discount is available for early bookings.
-
Weather is variable and plans often adapt on arrival, but there are many trail options and strong rain-day alternatives, so the experience stays rich regardless.
-
You’ll hike on selected days, with cultural exploration on non-hiking days including fjord time, Viking history, stave church heritage, and WWII history in Oslo.
-
Lunch is flexible and designed to support how people naturally want to eat while moving through the mountains.
On hiking days, some guests choose to order a picnic lunch (included in the cost) from the hotel the evening before, collected in the morning. This usually includes a sandwich, fruit, something sweet, and a drink. For many, this can feel like more food than they want while hiking, so people often share a picnic, or prefer to carry lighter options such as fruit, nuts, or energy snacks instead.
On cultural and sightseeing days, we stop in villages or cafés where lunch can be purchased locally and enjoyed at an easy pace.
-
We understand that booking a retreat or tour requires careful thought and preparation. If you have a question we are happy to chat. Reach out to us.