Golden season for hiking Norway’s quiet trails
As we head into autumn, we’ll let you into a little secret: this is Norway’s peak hiking season. Dry, easy-to-walk pathways paired with blue-sky days and the changing colours of the trees are perfect for both laid-back walkers and thrill-seeking hikers.
Hiking: a Norwegian national pastime
We spend much of our lives outdoors in Norway, whether it’s a hike before work or a Sunday spent up the mountain with a thermos and a packed lunch. And we love to hike in all weathers: rain, shine, snow and sleet, enjoying the way the landscapes transform in different light and in different conditions. At Storfjord, our days take the same shape, where a hike – short or strenuous – always forms part of the day.A packed lunch, or matpakke, is an important part of the experience and we love creating delicious matpakke for our guests– food, after all, always tastes better outdoors, a fitting reward during a good walk.
Close to home
Surrounded by scented spruce with soft forest pathways that lead directly into nature, walks in autumn or fall bring a sense of calm and achievement. For an authentic dose of friluftsliv or “open-air living”, simply step out of the hotel and be on your way. You can head out alone on a self-guided trail, or we’re always happy to arrange a guide to accompany you through the kaleidoscope of shifting autumnal landscapes.
The Fjordmannsvegen hike is one such self-guided round-trip that will reward you with breathtaking views of jagged mountains and glassy fjords, taking less than 45 minutes. For those wishing to reach the nearby village of Valle on foot, take the woodland route and enjoy the sensory pleasures of springy moss, trickling streams and a breeze in the trees. Fancy tented living in the middle of a forest? Stroll up to our lavvo (tipi) for a tranquil fireside picnic in nature, just a short walk from the hotel.
Bring a “matpakke” or packed lunch from the hotel.
Small peaks, big achievements
Behind Storfjord are two easily-surmountable peaks, both reached directly from the hotel, offering a mini-adventure that will reward you with just the right amount of heart-pumping exertion, accompanied by lungfulls of fresh air, peaceful seclusion and boundless panoramas.
Taking around four hours, Merafta is the highest peak in our surroundings, so you can feel rightly proud of yourself for reaching the top – and even better, you’ll have spectacular views over the fjords and the majestic Sunnmøre Alps. The highest point between Glomset, Sorte and Valle is Haugtua, at an altitude of 354 meters. Leave the hotel behind and ascend through grassy fields, sunlit plateaus and dappled woods, with views of the fjord all the way to the top.
Adventures that keep going
Want to up the adventure? Just say when. There’s plenty of room for those hungry to challenge themselves. We recommend a guide for more intrepid hikes, who’ll bring to life the stories of the natural landscapes around you.
The Sunnmøre Alps, accessed by a short drive from Storfjord, offer high-octane hiking, from scrambling over snow-sprinkled peaks to ascending to highs of over 1,000 meters. A family-friendly hike to Lake Demming is an opportunity for a shoreside bonfire and hot chocolate as late afternoon cools the air. Still want more? Opt for a helicopter adventure to some of the region’s most secluded fjords.
Soft landings
Coming back to the hotel is all part of the experience. Our team will be ready and waiting with warming drinks and freshly-baked cakes, allowing you to flop into a sofa and gaze out at the landscapes you have just conquered.
Whether you’re a laid-back walker or a bold adventurer, we have the perfect late-summer stroll for you.
