Walking The Fjords

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Paul Cutner

  WALKING THE FJORDS

  

  Written August 2012

  This was a wonderful trip that I can highly recommend. Beautiful country to visit, great walks, lovely accommodation with superb food, brilliant leader. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Each day was different and difficult to choose any particular highlight. The optional glacier walk was well worth doing and very good value; pancakes in a mountain hut at 2,000 feet, spectacular waterfalls alongside the footpaths......  The journey to the centre involved a 2 hour ferry so you even experience the feel of a fjord cruise.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  THe group leader was really good. He worked hard as the guest house host, guided us on spectacular walks after driving us up steep winding roads, talked about Norwegian culture and ensured we were all sent safely on our way back home. His staff were really great, and he and his wife ensured a very pleasant stay.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  You will have plenty of photo-opportunities, so don't forget your camera! Take sufficient money for a meal in Bergen and any going home gifts, and for drinks with your evening meal. Not much else to pay for, other than the optional glacier trip (and you can pay by card anyway).

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Enjoy it and relax. The walks are at a relaxed pace and not too demanding, but can be modified according to the group abilities. This has whetted my appetite to return to Norway.

   
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  Gina Lawrence

  WALKING THE FJORDS

  

  Written July 2012

  The landscape was just out of this world - my jaw was almost permanantly dropped! I've seen a million pictures of the fjords so I thought I knew what to expect but actually, once you're there it's like stepping through a gateway to another world, simply awe-inspiring. No National Geographic image can quite prepare you for how small you feel. One lady on the trip was an artist and she took a sketch pad with her, which I thought was a wonderful idea. The guest house was another surprise - it's so quaint! And the dinners - well, it's lucky we were walking all day! Three course meals every evening, truly superb. Even the breakfast was seriously impressive - they bake their own bread so you have fresh rolls, and pick their own fruit from the orchard. The chef is a truly talented individual!  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I loved the waterfalls - just the raw power of nature, feeling the spray on your face and hearing the incredible thunder as the water crashes down. I could never get bored of the view out of the guest house window - overlooking the fjord with the huge waterfall on the opposite bank. The water is so clean in Norway that you can just refill your waterbottle from the icy streams all around you and apparently if you go in August you can pick wild blueberries along the paths!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Asbjorn was excellent - he seems something of a local celebrity, I swear everyone knew him and gave us a friendly wave! His passion for history and the great outdoors is evident - he used to be a teacher, so he's really interactive. He won't just tell you why the fjords are green or what that particular carving inside the church represents, he'll ask and make you all call out guesses - quite a giggle! 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  I'd suggest taking a variety of clothes - the weather can be quite changeable, so you want a backpack big enough for proper waterproofs although I mainly used mine for when we got close to the waterfalls! The trip notes aren't joking when they say about fully waterproof boots - mine are full leather and I was very grateful! Don't worry about a camel back unless you particularly like them, as you can refill bottles from the fresh water streams on all but one day. 

  If you fancy a refreshing swim in the (glacier-fed) fjord, take a swimming costume as you can do so! It's about 150metres from the guest house so you can wander down whenever you like. It's not as cold as you think but it will definitely catch your attention!

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The best bit about this trip is you are in proper walker's terriorty. There are no big cruise liners or ugly crowds anywhere; it's very peaceful. You pass some farms but with the exception of the ferry ride through the Narrowfjord everyone else we saw had hiking boots on, and there weren't even many of those. 

  Take a big memory card, you'll need it! It's perfect for a scenery junkie. 

  It is an expensive trip but Norway is generally quite costly; once you're there the price makes a lot of sense, particularly considering the quality of the food and the guest house; it feels much more than three stars. 

   

   
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  Jonathan Seymour

  WALKING THE FJORDS

  

  Written August 2011

  A great escape! The trip was appropriately graded: the hikes were just challenging enough to make it feel like we'd earned our suppers! The food, service and accommodation at Nes Gard were first class - well above expectations. Asbjorn, Mari and their staff were wonderful. Eric was a fantastic guide too. We enjoyed ourselves very much! 

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  Christopher Stevens

  WALKING THE FJORDS

  

  Written July 2011

  I have been on numerous Exodus trips over the past ten years and the Walking the Fjords has been the best. Why! Quite simply the accommodation and food was first class and plenty of it. The Hosts and staff at Nes Gard worked tirelessly to make our week memorable.  As for the treks each was unique in scenery and condition under foot, ending with a course on using crampons which included a climb over the glacier. It also helps being blest with excellent weather. Making this a trip to remember. 

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Asbjorn had it all planned out in advance and everything went like clockwork

   
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  Christina Barnes

  WALKING THE FJORDS

  

  Written July 2011

  Superb trip. Fantastic walking, each day very different scenery.  Great accomodation, with excellent food. Very friendly hosts, felt like you were staying in a private house, rather than a hotel.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The views, especially up in the mountains,  looking across at the snow covered peaks and the glaciers. Stunning.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Asbjorn, trip leader an absolute star. Everything well planned and organised. Really friendly and passionate about the area.

   
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  Andrew Ritz

  WALKING THE FJORDS

  

  Written August 2010

  Well fed, well looked after, great accommodation, wonderful views. An easy going relaxing time, with some exercise thrown in. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Where do you start ? A walk around Bergen - what a relaxing place. The 2-hour ferry ride up the fjord. Fjord views from Molden Peak. Glacier walk. General scenery.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Asbjorn looked after us well, from waiting to pick us up from our delayed flight, to passing on all sort of information, historical and general during siteseeing trips and walks. He organised us well without being fussy. Top man indeed; and another Exodus find.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  It is an expensive place, but most things are catered for (food etc), apart from the odd meal and snacks for the longer travel days (to and from the airport)

  If you like a drink, make sure to get some at the airport before you fly out.

  The accommodation is far better than mentioned in the trip notes. You feel that you are in someones home really.

  The glacier walk was a "payable option", which was not clear in the trip notes I had, but not a problem.

  We experienced delays in flights and lost luggage on our trip. I am told that direct flights are available to Bergen from Gatwick. Not sure why these are not an option/preferred option.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Fair bit of driving involved, with 16 of us (plus driver) in a mini-bus. It took us approx 5-6 hours to get from Bergen to our base at Nes Gard (including the ferry ride and lunch stop).

  A good bit of driving required to get from our base to the start of the walks.

  Some great Mountain Huts (well impressive inside). It would be nice to incorporate a stop over in one of these during the trip (ie from a drop off point, end up at the hut, stay the night, and next day set off to another pick up point).

   
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  Dominique Kini

  WALKING THE FJORDS

  

  Written August 2010

  Beautiful views, good food, great accomodation and leader, interesting cultural aspect, good walks which while not overtaxing are correctly graded. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The final walk up to the summer farm - a lot of uphill in a short burst but absolutely worth it when we got to the top - for the view, for the summer farm (which is now a mountain hut) and for the surprise laid on by Asbjorn.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Asbjorn worked very hard to make sure we had a good time and took great trouble to explain the history and background to what we were seeing - I really wasn't expecting the cultural aspect to the trip. He also ran the bed & breakfast which is flat out the best B&B I've ever stayed in.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  You might consider booking a direct flight to Bergen, and taking a bit more time in Bergen. Norway is expensive, but most things are included in the price of the trip. The glacier walk is extra, but worth it.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A very civilised trip. The views are beautiful and the trip is relaxing and enjoyable.