Out into nature
Walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, etc. Norway’s stunning natural beauty invites you to explore it all. Whether you set off on foot from home or drive a short distance to discover something new in the local area: there are opportunities for walking everywhere. You can often take a short stroll or, if you prefer, spend hours on the trail. Almost every mountain has a path leading up it, and because Norway has the ‘right of public access’, you’re allowed to go almost anywhere.
Den Norske Turistforening (DNT) is an organisation that maintains many walking trails, often through the work of volunteers. You’ll see that paths are marked with dots of paint on trees or rocks, or with signposts; planks or branches are laid across marshy sections; and sometimes even hooks and ropes are fitted on stretches that would otherwise be difficult to climb. Many of the routes are listed on ut.no or can be found in apps such as Alltrails.
Norwegian water is beautifully clean, clear and very soft. After a swim, you don’t need to give yourself a thorough wash because you smell of ‘ditch’. Water shoes are recommended as you’ll often be walking on pebble beaches. You don’t need to wade far into the water; usually, you can’t stand any further out after just a few metres. You’ll come across many little streams whilst walking; the water is usually clean and probably perfectly drinkable – do give it a try.
Dogs in Norway
Norway has a number of rules regarding dogs. Dogs must be kept on a lead from 1 April to 20 August. With a long lead, the dog can have a good sniff about, and they get so many stimuli from all those smells that many a little rascal is completely knackered after a long walk. Ours certainly are. If your dog likes to swim, you’ll notice that their coat becomes very soft after a few days and any tangles disappear. The dogs also love the water; ours prefer to drink from a stream. The water quality is significantly better than in the Netherlands.
Here you can find more information about travelling to Noway with your pet.
And about the leash requirement for dogs (bandtvang)