The Beauty of May: Mountains & Fjords
A Spring Journey to Geilo and Hardanger
Duration
7 days
Season
May
Best suited for
Those who want to understand the essence of ‘våryrhet’ (the Norwegian spring), enormous mountain/fjord contrasts, and astounding transitions between winter and summer. Experience nature and culture in a way that will make you feel alive.
This journey is designed to make the most of the Norwegian spring, an explosion of life. Melting snow cascades down hillsides. Orchard blossoms dapple the valleys in white and pink, the air is crisp and clear, and the returning sun brings more hours of daylight.
For Norwegians, the mountains are more than just a landscape. After months of hibernation, the first smells of thawing earth stirs something primal in us: a longing to move, breathe deeply, feel alive. There is a quiet euphoria in stepping onto a mountain path at this time of year. Travelling in spring means fewer crowds, more light, Norway at its most serene and authentic.
This journey takes you from Oslo’s cultural pulse, across the Hardanger mountain plateau and national parks, to the glittering Hardangerfjord, and onward to Bergen. You’ll explore world-class architecture, taste local cuisine, and move to the rhythm of Norwegian life in spring. Experience the stillness of the ‘fjell’ (mountain) and the fragrance of orchards by the fjord. Here, the energy of spring is a delight for all the senses.
Impact Statement
Travelling in spring offers a gentler, more mindful experience: Fewer crowds, more light, and a deeper connection to place. This journey highlights responsible resource use and awareness of the climate transitions that shape Norway’s seasons, aligning with UN SDG 12.2. By exploring local food traditions, small-scale producers, and sustainable architecture, travellers gain insight into how Norway nurtures a circular relationship between people and planet.
Your itinerary
Itineraries are designed by our travel curators in collaboration with our partners to give you the most rewarding experience possible.
Please note that itineraries can be tailored to your specific wishes when you make an inquiry.
Day 1 of 7
Welcome to Oslo
Oslo: A Capital in Transformation
Culture and nature coexist in Oslo. Since the Snøhetta-designed Opera House rose from the fjord in 2008, the city has blossomed with bold, sustainable architecture. The new Deichman Library, Munch Museum and National Museum are all symbols of creativity and ingenuity.
Pick up your rental car at the airport, and start your journey with a smooth drive to Oslo city centre. Steal away from everyday life at The Thief. This designer hotel is located at Tjuvholmen, a former no-go district that’s now a power centre for wellness and contemporary art at the water’s edge. The striking Astrup Fearnley Museum is the hotel’s closest neighbour.
Upon arrival in Oslo, explore independently with our personalised insider recommendations, or join a local insider for a city walk that goes beyond the guidebooks. Oslo is best explored on foot, and a private guide will help you discover urban sustainability and the role of impactful design in shaping a capital.
Day 2 of 7
Drive to the Mountains
The Roadtrip Begins: From Oslo to Geilo
At Kistefos Museum & Sculpture Park, modern art meets nature in spectacular form, including The Twist, an architectural masterpiece spanning the river. A private guided tour curated to your area of interest really brings the art to life.
If you are into local arts and crafts, continue on to Hadeland Glassworks, Norway’s oldest continuously operating industrial company, with a rich history of interior glass design.
In the afternoon you will reach Geilo Mountain Lodge, nestling on the edge of Hardangervidda National Park. Here, hosts Jan and Julie with team combine timeless hospitality with a passion for local culture and food, as well as personalised service.
Embark on a gentle afternoon hike along the hillside above central Geilo, leading up to Geilohovda. Enjoy sweeping views over the charming national park village as you work up a healthy appetite for dinner.
Alternatively, feel free to take a leisurely stroll to the center of Geilo. There you'll find a selection of charming shops and cozy cafés, perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee or a sweet treat while soaking in the local atmosphere.
Evening brings storytelling and a locally inspired six-course dinner, a feast that captures the essence of the ‘fjell’.
Day 3 of 7
Immerse in Mountain Life
Geilo: A Taste of the Fjell
Begin the next day on a cultural heritage car ride through Geilo in a beautifully preserved 1931 Nash. Discover the national park village from the car seat, learning about local life from the Iron Age to the present day. Geilo is a small yet vibrant town with an engaged local community.
Your hosts will then take you on a canoe trip, slipping silently across a mountain lake. On a quiet peninsula, you’ll prepare lunch over an open fire.
In the afternoon, visit the local cheesemaker in Hol to experience real traditional craftsmanship in the making of world-class Norwegian cheese. You'll be told stories about life on the "støles" - summer pasture farms -back then and nowadays, as your taste your way through local cheeses.
Back at the lodge, settle into the cosy atmosphere. Tonight’s dinner comes from the nearby Nerol farm; rustic, honest and rich in local flavour. Feel the quiet rhythm of mountain life and take time to just be.
Day 4 of 7
Scenic Route Hardangervidda
From Mountain to Fjord
Leaving Geilo behind, as you cross the plateau along the Scenic Route Hardangervidda, the landscape unfolds from mountain tundra to blooming orchards. Don’t forget to play the Up Norway Roadtrip Playlist (found in your itinerary) as you descend toward the fjord – the perfect soundtrack.
Day 5 of 7
Cultural Fjord Heritage
Exploring Hardangerfjord
Ease into the day with a refreshing fjord dip before heading to Agatunet, one of Norway’s best-preserved farmsteads and a living museum of Hardanger’s rural heritage.
After a private showaround, continue along the Scenic Route Hardanger to Jondal, where a private boat awaits. Sail into Botnen, a secluded arm of the Hardangerfjord accessible only by water. Enjoy beautiful views of towering mountains, waterfalls and idyllic orchards along the fjord.
Return to Sundal in the evening for a sauna session and a locally inspired dinner by the fjord.
Day 6 of 7
Expedition dining, morning hike or lefsebaking on your way to the west coast
From Hardanger to Bergen
Early risers can start with a hike to Bondhusvatnet Lake, a body of water that lies like an emerald mirror in the mountains.
Foodies may want to try the World’s Best Dining Experience, according to Best Chef’s Award 2025: expedition dining at Restaurant Iris, where each course is a story told through fjord and mountain ingredients.
If you skip the expedition dining, you have more options to explore as you get closer to Bergen. You might stop by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, a family-run wool factory where age-old craftsmanship meets modern design. As the wool is spun into colourful yarn, it tells a story of timeless creativity and Norwegian heritage.
Personalize and book the Beauty of May: Mountains & Fjords journey
Personalized itinerary
This journey has been curated to offer you your own journey. It can be booked as proposed or further personalized to you.
Worry-free booking
With our flexible terms, we hope to provide you with all the certainty and adaptability you need when booking a well-deserved escape.
Pricing
The indicated price per person is based on two travellers travelling together. Read more about our pricing here.
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Our travel curators create bespoke itineraries based on your wishes.
Malin Trønnes
Travel Curator
