Outdoor Ahead

14/02/2026

I cycled 4,000 kilometers across Norway — alone, self-supported, and camping along the way.
From Lindesnes in the far south to the North Cape above the Arctic Circle, this camping journey took me allong fjords, islands, mountains, forests, and some of the wildest roads in Norway.
This is my solo bicycle adventure across Norway.

I cycled 4,000 kilometers across Norway — alone, self-supported, and camping along the way.From Lindesnes in the far south to the North Cape above the Arctic...

20/08/2025

THE NORTH CAPE

↟ Tromsø ⇒ North Cape
↟ Section distance: 600 km
↟ Total distance: 3.950 km
↟ Flat tires: 0

I did it — I reached the northern tip of continental Europe, the North Cape. But the last few days were brutal: cold, wet, battered by the wind, with constant rain and hardly a place to shelter. It was the hardest stretch of the whole ride.

I wanted a glorious finish under clear skies. Instead, I got cold winds, pouring rain, and busloads of tourists at the monument. I waited three hours, hoping both the weather and the crowds would clear. They didn’t. So I turned my back and started the 200 km ride toward the airport where I’d fly home.

Along the way, I reflected. And I realized the North Cape isn’t about a monument on a cliff. The North itself is the finish: swimming in salmon rivers, camping among blueberry fields, tasting whisky at the world’s northernmost distillery, crossing mountain passes swallowed in mist, and cycling one of the world’s longest undersea tunnels (7 km, 212 meters deep).

And the reindeer — before Tromsø, I hoped to see even one. In Finnmark, I saw them everywhere, and still every time they made me smile. There’s something so wonderfully clumsy about the way they run alongside (or on) the road, legs all over the place, yet perfectly at home in this landscape. They belong to the North as much as the rain and wind I endured.

In the end, the North Cape gave me no postcard ending — but it reminded me that the real reward was never the monument, but the journey that led me there.

08/08/2025

WILDLIFE

↟ Bodø ⇒ Tromsø
↟ Section distance: 590 km
↟ Wildlife spotted: puffins, sea eagles, otter, reindeer
↟ Mountains climbed: 3
↟ Total distance so far: 3.350 km

Between Bodø and Tromsø, the world feels like a postcard — white beaches with turquoise water, rugged peaks shooting out of the sea, and a constant chance to bump into wildlife.

That said, it’s no untouched paradise. The tourist crowds, endless campervans, and trash in nature — mass tourism leaves its marks. I try to look past it, keep my focus on the good stuff, and leave no trace myself.

The puffins stole my heart. They look cute, but life here is brutal: sea eagles circling above, ready to make them dinner, and bigger birds waiting to sn**ch their hard-earned fish.

While cooking dinner, an otter suddenly darted through the grass beside my tent — quick, elegant, and gone before I knew it. All I could do was stare, spoon in hand, no time for pictures.

And finally, my first reindeer! Out of nowhere, strolling down the bike path like it owned the place. They say I’ll see more as I push north… I can’t wait.

Next stop: the North Cape — where the road, and the continent, runs out.

01/08/2025

MISTY MOUNTAINS
↟ Location: Ballstad, Lofoten
↟ Elevation: 459 m
↟ Length hike: 4 km
↟ Today’s distance: 25 km

The best views in Lofoten are from high up. With the mountains still covered in thick fog and clouds, I climbed one together with Sara, another cyclist I met on a tiny wooden fishing boat that ferries bicycles across once a day, avoiding a long and busy tunnel. After parking — or rather hiding — our bikes inside a wooden fishing hut (with permission from the old sailor who ran the boat), we started the hike.

By the time we reached the top, the mountain was still covered in clouds… but suddenly they opened up, revealing magnificent views with clouds rolling by, making everything feel even more cinematic. The views made me feel small, standing among mountains that seem to rise endlessly from the sea.

Instead of cycling far every day, I now try to climb one of these peaks or swim at one of the white beaches. Or both.

Lofoten is beautiful — but overrun. The endless stream of campervans clogs every viewpoint and beach, turning wild nature into a parking lot. The raw nature feels a little less wild because of it. Still, if you look carefully, there are pockets of quiet to be found — and they’re worth every climb or detour.

29/07/2025

VÆRØY ISLAND
↟ Population: 660
↟ Elevation Håheia mountain: 439 m

I took a day to visit the beautiful island of Værøy — one of the more remote islands in Lofoten. With only two ferries a day, it feels nicely secluded. The ride from Bodø took about three hours, and luckily the sea was calm — I get seasick far too easily.

At the top of Håheia mountain sits an old NATO radar station from the 1960s. You can hike up and take in sweeping views over the dramatic coastline. I’m really glad I took a day off to explore this quieter island. It felt like Værøy gave me a quiet moment before cycling into the chaos of mainland Lofoten.

27/07/2025

COASTAL ROAD

↟ Trondheim ⇒ Bodø
↟ Section distance: 810 km
↟ Duration: 8 days
↟ Ferries taken: 9 (all free)
↟ Total distance so far: 2.760 km

I expected the coast to be flat — but the Coastal Road 17 winds through steep islands formed from impressive mountains rising straight from the sea. Ferries connect the gaps, offering short breaks (or long breaks when you just missed one).

The riding came with heat and tunnels — some up to 3 km — and the hottest days of the trip so far. I ran through another bottle of SPF 50 and traded morning tea for cold alchohol free beer and ice cream. Elk and reindeer live here, but likely stayed higher up in the mountains. What I did see: dolphins playing in the fjord, right from the view of my tent.

Tourists in campers made parts feel busy, but wild camping along quiet beaches made up for it. Rolling into Bodø via the Saltstraumen — one of the world’s strongest tidal currents — was a fitting end to this rugged coastal stretch.

16/07/2025

HEIGHTS AND HEAT
↟ Flåm ⇒ Trondheim
↟ Section distance: 880 km
↟ Duration: 15 days
↟ Elevation gained: 20.900 m
↟ Average daily climb: 1.390 m
↟ Total distance so far: 1.950 km

The big mountains now lie behind me — the last range I crossed was Trollheimen, “Home of the Trolls.” No trolls spotted, but maybe that’s for the best.
Today I read that Skarfjellet, a mountain I passed, is showing alarming movement — up to 1 cm per hour — with landslide activity so intense that hikers are being warned to stay away. Authorities are now closely monitoring the area, as up to 5 million cubic meters of rock could collapse. I had no idea I was cycling past such a restless giant.

The last two weeks have been exceptionally hot in the mountains by Norwegian standards. On some days, even at altitude, temperatures rose to 30 °C. Luckily, there’s plenty of fresh water around — for drinking, swimming, or just cooling down — so hydration hasn’t been a problem.

One of the most stunning places I visited was Mardalsfossen. The water rushes over the edge and drops a total of 705 meters, with a breathtaking 297 meters in free fall. The entire area is constantly misted by spray, adding to the magic of the place.

It’s been great to push (sometimes literally) across these mountains. Now it’s time to rest a bit in Trondheim — and then shift focus to a new kind of terrain: the coast toward Bodø.

10/07/2025

COOL DOWN
↟ Today’s distance: 91 km
↟ Today’s weather: 24°C
↟ Ticks: 4

After a relatively flat day of riding, it was time to cool down in a mountain lake. After hours of sweating, there’s nothing better than jumping into cold water — rinsing off the sweat from both my body and my clothes. I don’t shower often on this trip, but moments like this definitely help me stay (somewhat) fresh.

I came across a perfect spot for camping and swimming, just next to the road. One of the great things about Norway is that wild camping is allowed almost everywhere, as long as you’re in nature and away from houses.

The downside? Ticks. After swimming, setting up my tent, and cooking dinner, I found four crawling on my legs and arms. So I applied a generous layer of DEET.

08/07/2025

MOUNTAIN VIEWS
↟ Total distance: 1470 km
↟ Wildlife spotted: fox, stoat, deer, and a lot of sheep
↟ Hours of daylight: 18.5
↟ Favorite mountain view: Jotunheimen (Home of Giants)

The white mountain tops and blue rivers form a painting-like backdrop for my current trek through the Norwegian mountains.

Old roads, often literally blocked for cars by fallen boulders, lead to small towns with wooden stave churches that smell of wood and tar — a scent of history to me.

Rivers heavy with glacial sediment twist through the valleys, blending with clear mountain lakes and creating surreal, almost turquoise colors when seen from above.

Evenings are filled with golden light and the rush of water, and during the day I often find myself sitting still, staring out toward the distant mountains.

04/07/2025

1000 METERS
↟ Total distance: 1230 km
↟ Elevation drop: 1000 m
↟ Surface: gravel
↟ Hairpin turns: 20+

After two days of cycling up into the mountains, it was time to come down again — using the stunning “Tusenmeteren” (The 1000-meters). A spectacular gravel road that twists down toward Øvre Årdal, with views of sharp mountain peaks and deep valleys in the distance.