The Most Daredevil Things to Do in Norway

From ice climbing and snowkiting to just chilling on top of a cliff, this list contains the most daredevil things to do in the Land of the Vikings. Proceed with caution… oh, who are we kidding.

You’ve seen the Instagram photos of people jumping on air over a rock that looks like it’s suspended between two larger rock formations by sheer luck? Of course you have. This is Kjeragbolten, a giant boulder wedged in the mountain crevasse of Kjerag in Lysefjord, southwestern Norway – and to get there, you need to follow the trail that starts right next to Øygardstølen restaurant by the road to Lysebotn. It will take you about six hours and you have to make sure you’re in peak physical condition before you attempt it, but you’ll probably be insta-famous afterwards.

Since you’re on Mount Kjerag, you may want to stick around for a bit. See, with a jump-off point of 3,228 feet and white granite rocks and the stunning fjord as the backdrop, a BASE jump from this mountain is as daredevil as is gets… but also, in a way, serene.

Who says only the rural and wild areas of Norway can cater to your extreme sport needs? The zipline from Holmenkollen Jump Tower in the heart of Oslo will get your adrenaline pumping – it’s 361 metres (1184 feet) long and a 107-metre (350-foot) drop. It will also give you unforgettable views of Oslo, especially at night when the city lights are majestic. It’s also a must if you’re a Jo Nesbø fan, since it’s one of the key locations featured in the Snowman movie and the Harry Hole books.

Snowkiting involves a pair of skis/snowboard, a kite, and a need for speed (as it is possible to reach speeds of 100mph this way). If this sounds exciting, then you should be heading towards the mountainous plateau of Hardangervidda, where the snowkiting World Cup and championship events take place. The expansive views of the area are an added bonus.

Sure, ‘chilling’ doesn’t sound like an adrenaline-pumping activity, but it’s the location that gives it its daredevil status. Trolltunga is one of the most famous and scenic cliffs in the country, hovering 700 metres above the Ringedalsvatnet lake and, according to legend, it was an actual troll’s tongue that turned to stone at sunrise (along with the rest of the troll that didn’t manage to hide from the sun in time). It’s a challenging 10 to 12 hour hike that starts in Skjeggedal and goes through the high mountains, so you need to be mindful of your limits, as well as the weather (it’s not actually recommended to go there from mid-October to March).

Vemork in Tinn, in the area of Rjukan, has been touted as ‘Norway’s toughest bungee jump’ – and once you’re there, you’ll see why. Jumping from Norway’s highest fixed suspension bridge at 84 metres, you’ll feel like jumping into a funnel, with the widespread natural beauty both enveloping and closing up on you. Sounds scary? Of course not, not to you!

Another cool activity in the area, and we’re using the word ‘cool’ very literally, is ice climbing. In Rjukan, thanks to the constant freezing weather conditions during the winter, you can climb up a naturally frozen water cascade. There are over 192 frozen waterfalls to choose from and the area is actually considered the best spot for ice climbing in the whole of Northern Europe, so of course it attracts climbers from all over the world.

The longest wooden stairway in the world doesn’t lead to heaven, but to a mountain in Rogaland county, Norway. It was created because of a water pipeline that was supposed to run from the hydroelectric Flørli Power Station by the fiord up to the dam in Ternevatnet but production of the steel works never came to be (some argue, for the better). Nowadays, it’s just a breathtakingly beautiful place to stay and relax in but also, if you’re a daredevil, Flørli 4444 is a place to awaken your inner stair-master. Just be careful on your way down and take regular breaks, as descending so many stairs can be tricky on the knees.