Via ferrata over the fjord: routes for adrenaline and panoramas
If a regular trail offers a view of the fjord, then a via ferrata suspends you in that view — literally! Steel cables and brackets transform sheer walls into an "iron ladder" where your heart beats in time with your safety carabiner. Over the past five years, Norway has opened a dozen incredible via ferrata routes above the water, making it the ultimate destination for trail runners seeking new adrenaline records and hikers looking for a shortcut to the most breathtaking panoramic viewpoints.
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as we dive into the incredible world of hiking trails in Norway! Here are five amazing routes where you'll be thrilled to go vertical and then back to the trail. These trails are the perfect mix for those of you who want to experience the exhilaration of climbing up and descending to the fjord on your own two feet in a single day.
What is a via ferrata and who is it suitable for?
It is a route along a rock face that is fitted with cables, brackets and steps. You attach it using a "double carabiner + safety hook" configuration; if you let go of your hand, the harness will take over. The difficulty levels go from A to E. Level A is a path for people walking. Level E is for rock climbing. Most of Norway's fjord ferratas are in the B/C range — they'll get your heart pumping, but you don't need any technical climbing skills to enjoy them.
Via Ferrata Loen (Nordfjord) — climb 1,000 metres in 3 hours
The country's most famous route: The route goes past 1,100 staples, the suspended Gjølmunne Bridge (120 m long) and the finish is at the Hoven café at the top station of the Loen Skylift. View: Atlantic glacier and turquoise Lovatnet. The route is quite hard and you will need to rent equipment. This costs 470 NOK. You will also need to pay for a guide, which costs 1,190 NOK. You can take a cable car down instead, which is better for your knees.
Romsdalsstigen (Åndalsnes / Romsdalsfjord) — two lines, two moods
The introduction (B/C, 3.5 hours) goes along the southern part of Nesaksla. At the end, you will find the Rampestreken restaurant, which has a platform with a great view. "West Wall" (C/D, 5 hours) is a real challenge: 1,550 metres of rope, overhangs and knife-edge ridges. Combine it with the track on Romsdalseggen — a ridge in the morning, vertical in the afternoon, and a fisherman's dinner by the fjord in the evening.
Kyrkjeveggen (Åkrafjorden) is a wall above Langfoss waterfall.
A 330-metre vertical wall beneath the roar of a 600-metre waterfall. This is a very difficult level (D/E in some parts), so you will need a guide to help you. The rope goes almost straight up, and there is nowhere to hide — only upwards. The reward: a balcony platform with a view of the whole Åkrafjorden, where the peaks are covered in mist.
Via Ferrata Trolltunga (Tyssedal / Sørfjord) — a short route to the Troll's Tongue.
The normal hike to Trolltunga takes 10–12 hours. The "ferrata + raft" option cuts the route in half. You start with a kayak or boat crossing Lake Ringedalsvatnet, followed by a 250-metre climb (B/C) that leads directly to the plateau. This leaves 3 km to the famous "tongue". If you go in the morning, you'll have time to take photos without the crowds.
Narvik Via Ferrata (Ofotfjord) — Europe's northernmost line.
There are two paths, A/B and C/D, which go from 200 metres up to the bottom of the Narvikfjellet ski lift. Then, a 10-minute cable car takes you to a viewing platform 656 metres above sea level, where you can see the Ofotfjord, the Swedish tundra and the northern ore trains.
What equipment is needed and can it be hired on site?
The basic set includes:
- a ferrata with adaptive energy absorbers
- a helmet
- an alpine harness
- gloves All of the centres above cost between 400 and 550 NOK for a rental set each day. Mid-cut trekking boots are better than trainers because they protect your toes when you're looking for footholds in the fog.
Safety: what information do you need to know about the weather on the fjord?
The rock gets hot, but the sea brings moisture — rain makes the steps slippery. Check the weather forecast on yr.no and the wind forecast for Varmland. If the gusts are more than 12 metres per second, the route is closed. May–June: snow is possible on the starting ledges. If this happens, the centres will install temporary rope railings or will not allow groups to proceed.
How can you fit a via ferrata into a day of different sports?
Morning: upright. Afternoon: a short walk to a nearby lake or mountain (Loen → Skåla, Åndalsnes → Litlefjellet). Evening!
Fancy kayaking or SUP in the fjord?
Your shoulder muscles will already be warmed up, and the water will make you feel less tense. This combination of activities gives you as many impressions as a whole week of the best national park hikes in Norway.
A via ferrata over a fjord is an absolute must! It's a ticket to three-dimensional Norway: mountains beneath your feet, walls beneath your hands, water below. The carabiner clicks, your heart pounds, and with every metre, a new and awe-inspiring perspective opens up, inaccessible even to a drone.
Have you chosen your route? Share your tracks, equipment tips and photos of the fjord turning into a blue carpet beneath your boots in the comments – we can't wait to see them! Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as we bring you an incredible collection of outdoor adventures in Norway! Here, you'll experience panoramas that aren't just viewed from above, but directly from the cliff, at the level of your adrenaline.