Denmark, Sweden & Finland Map
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Walking Scandinavia 2012 - 2 Part Tour
Adventure Rating
How much Adventure do you want? This itinerary includes a few features to help gauge the following factors.
Tour Pace: On a scale of 1 (slowest pace) to 5 (fastest pace), we’ve rated the following factors: number of 1-night hotels; driving miles per day; fullness of schedule; mid-tour airline flights; and average amount of walking per day.
Walk Challenge: This number represents an average walk difficulty rating for the tour using a scale of 1 (easiest) to 5 (hardest) [same criteria used by American Volkssport].
Since 1991, we’ve been sharing the many wonders of Scandinavia with our walking friends. From a standpoint of breathtaking scenery, nothing compares to Norway, the focus of part 1 of this Adventure. Pristine mountains, crystal-blue glaciers, pounding waterfalls, mirror-smooth lakes, and the endless vistas of unforgettable fjords make Norway a walking explorer’s delight! Factor in the fascinating story of the Vikings and you have a classic WAI blend of unforgettable history, culture, and scenery!
Denmark, Sweden & Finland
Part Two of this Adventure takes us through the clean, green panoramas of Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, some of the most welcoming destinations on our Adventure list. Hardy Finns, war-like Swedish Vikings, and marauding Danes, rulers of England during the Middle Ages, were ultimately influenced by Christianity, transforming their solid Norse social codes into some of Europe’s most successful democracies. We look forward to a return to “wonderful” Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, and a host of engaging and educational, off-the-beaten path stops along the way.
COMBO PACKAGE
Join us for either Walking Norway or Walking Denmark, Sweden & Finland or combine both parts to experience a truly Scandinavian Adventure! Travelers participating in both parts have an extra free day in Oslo, then an overnight ferry passage across the Baltic Sea to Copenhagen. Ferry passage from Oslo to Copenhagen, transfers to and from hotels, and dinner and breakfast aboard the ferry are complimentary.
How to Register
To save yourself a spot on this Adventure, contact us to register with a $500 payment as soon as possible! Reservations will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis! Click here for more registration details.
A Note on the Walks
Walks are rated on a scale of 1-5. A walk rated 1 is fairly level and easy and a walk rated 5 is hilly and considered a challenging hike - see below for more details. (1 kilometer = .62 miles)
Scenic Wonders of Norway
Day 1-Jun 8: Arrive In Oslo, Norway (D)
Our Adventure begins today in Oslo. As you exit customs in the Oslo airport, a WAI representative will meet you and arrange transportation to our hotel in the heart of the city. Many of Oslo's highlights, including the Royal Palace and National Museum of Art, Architecture, and Design, are just a few minutes’ walk from our hotel. Since travelers are arriving throughout the day, the only group activity is a “Get Acquainted” dinner this evening at the hotel.
Day 2-Jun 9: Activities In Oslo (B)
Oslo Heritage Walk - 10 km, rated 1+
Today's walk takes us through the evocative, spectrum-of-life statuary of sculptor Vigeland in Frogner Park, along picturesque Oslo Fjord, through medieval Akershus Fortress, and up the busy pedestrian shopping mall to the Royal Palace. This afternoon we visit two icons of Nordic life - the Viking Ship Museum (three 1000-year old ships) and the Fram Museum (showcasing the uniquely designed vessel sailed by Roald Amundsen to conquer the South Pole).
Day 3-Jun 10: Oslo - Flåm (BD)
Following a drive through the serene country landscape of Hallingdal Valley, we board the Flåm Train. One of Europe’s outstanding rail trips takes us through the steep, narrow Flåm Valley, past mountain-studded vistas and snow-fed waterfalls, and on to the tiny hamlet of Flåm. Our lodgings are here on the shores of Aurlands Fjord.
Day 4-Jun 11: Flåm - Bergen (BD)
Voss Gorge Walk – 12 km, rated 3+
Another memorable day of Norwegian scenery begins with a ferry ride into sheer-walled Nærøydalen Fjord - Norway's narrowest, and a tiny branch off Sogne Fjord - Norway's largest. We dock at Gudvangen, completing a portion of the famed “Norway in a Nutshell” route. Stalheimskleiva, the steepest road in Europe, takes us to Voss. Here we meet friendly local walkers for today’s nature route through pristine forest settings, over delightful footbridges crossing rushing snow-fed streams, and into stunning gorge scenery. A second scenic drive takes us to Bergen for a two-night stay.
Day 5-Jun 12: Activities in Bergen (B)
Beautiful Bergen Walk - 11 km, rated 3
Bergen was a member of the Hanseatic League, a medieval, German-based trading consortium dominant throughout Northern Europe. Remnants of its illustrious past can still be seen in the Bryggen (the trading center) and along the waterfront. Bergen is a great strolling town; after our morning walk, again in the company of local walkers, you have the balance of the day free to explore and wander. Visit the Hanseatic Museum, meander through Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen), and stop by the fish market for some fragrant photo fun!
Day 6-Jun 13: Bergen - Loen (BD)
Briksdalbreen Glaciers and Waterfalls Walk - 6 km, rated 3+ (unsanctioned)
We travel north this morning to cross Sogne Fjord, Norway’s longest and deepest, continuing through pristine postcard panoramas of mountains, lakes, and fjords. Our destination is Briksdal Glacier, with a nature hike past a pounding waterfall and through wildflower-lined paths to the crystal-blue face of the glacier. We spend the night in the tiny village of Loen, perched on the edge of Innvik Fjord, a great place for an after-dinner stroll (Sunset is around midnight!).
Day 7-Jun 14: Loen - Geiranger (BD)
From Loen, more scenic driving brings us to Geirangerfjord for an unforgettable cruise beneath looming cliffs and bursting waterfalls up one of Norway's most spectacular fjords. Our hotel is at the head of the fjord in the village of Geiranger, but before settling in for the afternoon, we continue further up the mountain to a couple of stunning vantage points offering great photo ops over some of the most dramatic scenery of the Adventure.
Day 8-Jun 15: Geiranger - Gålå (BD)
Isfjorden Mountains & Fjords Walk - 10 km, rated 2+
We continue today through fabulous fjordland vistas along the Golden Route, including Trollstigen (Stairway of the Trolls) and the Eagle's Road. Midway through the day, we stop in Isfjorden to walk with our friends in this quiet, remote Norwegian hamlet. From Isfjorden, our route takes us south through the placid Gudbrandsdalen Valley to a country inn overlooking a lake in the hills of Gålå.
Day 9-Jun 16: Gålå - Lillehammer (BD)
A short drive this morning takes us across the Gudbrandsdalen Valley to visit the Stave Church of Ringebu. Dating to the dawn of Christianity in Norway, some of them nearly 1000 years old, less than thirty of these iconic Norwegian wooden churches remain. Later this morning we arrive in lovely Lillehammer, site of the 1994 Winter Olympics. After a stop at the Olympic ski jump, we enjoy a free afternoon from our hotel in the center of Lillehammer. Afternoon options include visiting the Maihaugen Open-Air Folk Museum or enjoying the pedestrian shopping zone.
Day 10-Jun 17: Lillehammer - Oslo (BD)
Olympic Lillehammer Walk - 10 km, rated 3
Our final walk in Norway blends Lillehammer’s natural setting of forest and stream with its traditional neighborhoods. Following a pleasant drive south along Lake Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake, we continue south to the capital. You have one more chance to enjoy Oslo this afternoon before tonight's Farewell Dinner.
Day 11-Jun 18: Depart from Oslo (B)
The Adventure comes to a close this morning with a drive to the Oslo Airport. Images of beautiful Norway will forever linger in our minds' eye, inviting us to return and explore more of the history, scenery, and culture of this captivating Nordic nation at the top of Europe.
Walking Scandinavia travelers: Travelers continuing on to Denmark for part two of this Adventure have free time today in Oslo. Later this evening, we transfer to the Oslo port for an overnight ferry across the Baltic Sea to Copenhagen. Ferry passage, transfers from and to hotels, dinner, and breakfast are included in your tour price.
Denmark, Sweden & Finland 
Day 1-Jun 19: Arrive in Roskilde, Denmark (D)
Upon arrival today in Copenhagen, modern capital of Denmark, you’ll be met as you exit customs by a representative of WAI and transferred to our home for the next three nights in Roskilde, the appealing, ancient Viking capital of Denmark. Upon arrival, consider an easy self-guided orientation trail to explore the highlights of this delightfully walkable little community. From our hotel, the route passes the cathedral, burial ground for Danish kings dating back to the Viking era; the Roskilde Fjord waterfront and the Viking Ship Museum, which displays 1000-year-old ships discovered at the bottom of Roskilde Fjord; and the old fishing district, with narrow, winding lanes lined by charming little thatched-roof homes.
Day 2-Jun 20: Activities from Roskilde (B)
Wonderful Copenhagen Walk - 10 km, rated 1
“Wonderful Copenhagen” is today’s focus, with a trail that connects a multitude of the city’s highlights including: Amalienborg Palace (residence of the Queen), Strøget (busy,mile-long pedestrian shopping street), the Little Mermaid statue, an enchanting network of canals, and more decorative, 17th-century copper rooftops than anywhere else in Europe! Our coach provides two shuttles back to Roskilde this afternoon and again later this evening. Feel free to relax back in Roskilde or consider staying longer in Copenhagen to explore Tivoli Gardens, famous playground of the Danes; meander down Strøget; enjoy a canal and harbor cruise; or take in one of the many enticing museum options.
Day 3-Jun 21: Activities from Roskilde (B)
Deer Park Forest and Seashore Walk - 10 km, rated 1+ (unsanctioned)
Today’s walk is a lovely route through small villages, along the shore of the Baltic Sea, and into Deer Park nature preserve, a medieval royal hunting ground which still provides sanctuary for descendants of the king’s deer. We spend the afternoon exploring North Zealand with stops to view two of the country’s most renowned castles: imposing Frederiksborg Slot, established in the mid-16th century; and Kronborg Slot (also called Elsinore Castle), setting for Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet.
Day 4-Jun 22: Roskilde – Kalmar, Sweden (BD)
Scandinavian engineering is on display this morning as we drive east over the famous Öresund Bridge from the Danish island of Zealand to Malmö in Sweden. First stop is the House of Emigrants in Växjö, an opportunity to appreciate risks taken and sacrifices made during a massive wave of immigration to the USA. Further down the road, we enjoy a fun and educational glass-making stop in Kosta, renowned for centuries in the world of crystal production. Our final destination is Kalmar, a coastal town which played a key role during Sweden’s late Middle Ages. Its Midsummer Eve tonight in Scandinavia, and no one celebrates this major holiday more enthusiastically than the Swedes! We’ll be looking for holiday happenings in Kalmar that fit into our evening.
Day 5-Jun 23: Kalmar – Finspång, Sweden (BD)
This morning’s activity is a tour of Kalmar Castle. This excellent example of 16th century Renaissance architecture offers an opportunity to learn about a significant treaty signed here in 1397 that temporarily joined Norway, Sweden, and Denmark into one political entity. From Kalmar we head north to Finspång, venue for tomorrow’s walk, with stops en route.
Day 6-Jun 24: Finspång – Stockholm (B)
Finspång Historical City Walk – 10 km, rating unavailable
We explore the typical inland town of Finspång today on a walk hosted by a former president of the Svenska Folkssportförbundets (Swedish volkssport organization). A couple of hours away in Stockholm, we check into our hotel near Gamlastan (Old Town) and have the balance of the afternoon and evening to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this historic center of medieval Stockholm.
Day 7-Jun 25: Stockholm – Ferry to Finland (BD)
Gardens and Waterways Walk - 10 km, rated 1
The pastoral lanes of Deer Garden and Stockholm’s many waterways feature prominently on today’s walk with a friendly group of local Swedes. Following free time for lunch, we visit the excellent VASA Museum, dedicated to the story of the ill-fated VASA, the “titanic” flop of the Swedish fleet that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628. This evening we board a ferry bound for Helsinki. The best part of the cruise is enjoying an amazing smorgasbord dinner as we sail lazily through the amazing Stockholm Archipelago, comprised of over 20,000 islands and atolls!
Day 8-Jun 26: Arrive Helsinki – continue to Porvoo, Finland (BD)
Helsinki Capital Walk – 10 km, rated 1
Upon arrival in Finland, we begin a walk through the capital city of Helsinki in the land of Sibelius and saunas. After free time for lunch, our day continues with a coach tour of the capital, an intriguing city on the Baltic that served an involuntary role as buffer between East and West during World War II and the Cold War that followed. We spend the next two nights outside Helsinki in a resort hotel in Porvoo, on the shores of the Baltic.
Day 9-Jun 27: Activities from Porvoo (BLD)
Porvoo Forests, Lakes, and Saunas Walk - 10 km, rated 2
We join a friendly group of Finns today in the nearby medieval town of Porvoo for a walk through the forest to one of their favorite lakeside hideaways. The national passion for solitude and retreat into nature becomes apparent as we enjoy a break for lunch and an opportunity to experience a truly Finnish tradition – the sauna (bring your swimsuits)! After a dip in the lake, we’ll return to Porvoo to stroll the cobblestone lanes, soaking in the ambiance of this quiet, yet charming village. Our Farewell Dinner later this evening provides opportunity to reminisce about our great Scandinavian Adventure.
Day 10-Jun 28: Depart for Home (B)
Our journey through Denmark, Sweden, & Finland has come to a close, and we return home with a greater appreciation for these beautiful countries of the Nordic North!
What's Included
Scenic Wonders of Norway
June 8 – 18, 2012 l 11 Days l $4190
Including:
- Airport to hotel transfers on first and last day*
- All land travel as outlined including multiple ferry crossings
- Superior tourist class or better hotel accommodations (3-star or better)
- 18 meals: All breakfasts and 8 dinners as denoted (BD)
- 5 IVV-sanctioned walks and 1 unsanctioned walk **
- Fees for walking credit
- WAI guide service throughout
- Cultural and historical expertise of our local guide throughout
- All tipping for local guides and coach drivers
- A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement of $575 (upgrade to a double-size room available)
- Visits to (including any admission fees):
- Viking Ship Museum – Oslo
- Fram Museum – Oslo
- Passage on the Flåm Train from Geilo to Flåm
- Sightseeing ferry up Nærøydalen Fjord from Flåm to Gudvangen
- Sightseeing ferry up Geiranger Fjord
- Ringebu Stave Church – Ringebu
- More fun stops than we can list!
Denmark, Sweden, & Finland
June 19 – 28, 2012 l 10 Days l $3950
Including:
- Airport to hotel transfers on first and last day*
- All land travel as outlined
- Superior tourist class or better hotel accommodations (3-star or better)
- 16 meals: All breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 6 dinners as denoted (BLD)
- 5 IVV-sanctioned walks and 1 unsanctioned walk **
- Fees for walking credit
- WAI guide service throughout
- Cultural and historical expertise of our local guide throughout
- All tipping for local guides and coach drivers
- A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement of $600 (upgrade to a double-size room available)
- Visits to (including any admission fees):
- House of Emigrants – Växjö, Sweden
- Kalmar Castle – Kalmar, Sweden
- VASA Museum – Stockholm, Sweden
- Baltic Sea ferry crossing – Stockholm to Helsinki, including dinner and breakfast
- Helsinki city tour
- Lakeside sauna and plunge – Porvoo
- More fun stops than we can list!
* Details of transfers provided are listed in Adventure Advice memo sent upon receipt of tour registration.
** Sanctioning for walks has been applied for but not yet received. As of the date of brochure publication, sanctioning for most walks is expected but not guaranteed.
Registration Details
To reserve your spot on this adventure, please mail the Registration Form along with a $500 per person deposit, or call in with your credit card. Make checks payable to Walking Adventures International. VISA, MasterCard, and Discover also accepted.
The General Tour Conditions contain important information you should read before you register.
Mail payments to:
Walking Adventures International
PO Box 871000
Vancouver WA 98687-1000
USA
Travel Insurance
Walking Adventures has negotiated with an insurance carrier to provide travel insurance in the form of a Preferred Benefits™ policy. We are pleased to make this package available and believe that it will provide travelers with an important element of security at a reasonable price.
Why We Walk
Why We Walk
Walking and travel are a natural combination! For over 20 years, our Walking Adventures International team has been offering walking programs around the world, and we’ve found that walking and motorcoach travel is the best way to tour. Our coach takes you efficiently from point to point with little wasted time, but walking lets you get off the bus, stretch your legs, and explore the "must see" highlights and off-the-beaten-track wonders. For more on Why We Walk, click here.
Walk Rating System
1. An easy walk on pavement or well-maintained trail with no significant hills.
2. A moderately easy walk, may be on pavement or on trails. No significant difficulty with hills.
3. A moderate walk in any setting with some difficult terrain, one or two substantial hills and/or steps.
4. A more difficult walk. Most likely in a natural setting with poorly maintained paths and steeper or hilly inclines.
5. A very difficult walk. All in rough fields or woods. Many steep hills or high altitude trails, or very rough uneven terrain, steep or unstable inclines.
Volkssport
Some travelers like to keep track of their walks with a system known as volkssport. Click here if you’d like to know more about volkssport.
General Questions
And follow this link for more details on topics like: WAI’s approach to airfare, the number of people accepted on a tour, and finding a roommate!
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