Norwegian Fjord Trekking — Self-Launched
7 days · Norwegian Fjords (Bergen to Odda)
G Adventures charges £1,999
No-markup version: ~£1,180 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of G Adventures' 7-day Norwegian Fjord Trekking trip, running from Bergen through the Hardangerfjord to the fjord-side village of Odda. You'll do the same headline hikes — the Buerdalen valley, the Buer Glacier ice walk, and the legendary Trolltunga — but book your own hostel or guesthouse beds, buy point-to-point bus and ferry tickets, and arrange the glacier walk and Trolltunga shuttle directly. Norway is expensive, so this itinerary leans on hostel dorms, supermarket food, and the excellent public transport network to keep costs as low as the fjords allow.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Bergen
Bergen
Fly into Bergen and make your own way into town — the Flybussen airport coach runs every 10-15 minutes to the city centre for about £10, or the Bybanen light rail is cheaper at roughly £4. Check into a central hostel (Marken Gjestehus and Bergen Hostel Montana are good budget picks). Spend the afternoon on a self-guided orientation wander: Bryggen's wooden wharf, the fish market (Fisketorget), and the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen if the weather cooperates. In the evening, join a free walking tour if one is running, or simply plan the week's hikes over a supermarket picnic. Note that hostel dorms in Bergen run roughly £40-55 per night in summer — book well ahead.
🚌Flybussen coach or Bybanen light rail from airport (~£4-10)
🛏Hostel dorm in central Bergen (£40-55/night)
- →Self-guided Bryggen wharf walk
- →Fisketorget fish market
- →Optional Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen (£13 return)
- →Free walking tour of Bergen
Bergen to Odda via the Hardangerfjord
Odda
Take free time in Bergen in the morning — a fresh-fish lunch at the market is a classic. In the afternoon, make the scenic journey to Odda yourself. The most straightforward public route is the express boat (hurtigbåt) from Bergen to Rosendal or the Norled/Flåm-style fjord ferry down the Hardangerfjord, then a connecting bus. Alternatively, take the bus from Bergen to Odda via the Hardanger Bridge (roughly 4-5 hours, ~£35-45). Book on the Skyss or Vy app. Arrive in Odda, the trailhead town at the head of the Sørfjord, and check into a guesthouse or the Odda hostel/camping cabins.
🚌Express boat + connecting bus, or direct coach Bergen-Odda (~£35-45)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel cabin in Odda (£45-65/night)
- →Morning free time in Bergen
- →Scenic Hardangerfjord boat/ferry crossing
- →Evening wander around Odda town and fjord waterfront
Buerdalen Valley Waterfall Hike
Oddadalen / Buerdalen
Oddadalen is known as the Valley of the Waterfalls, and today you hike the Buerdalen valley on your own. Take a local bus or a short taxi from Odda to the Buer trailhead (the bus toward Skare/Håradalen passes near the start). The walk is about 10km along a wooded ravine flanked by cascades, mostly on clear trail — allow 3-4 hours. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water; there are no shops on the route. Return to Odda in the afternoon and rest up for tomorrow's glacier day.
🚌Local bus from Odda to Buer trailhead (~£5), or short taxi
🛏Guesthouse or hostel cabin in Odda (£45-65/night)
- →10km self-guided Buerdalen valley waterfall hike
- →Ravine and cascade viewpoints
Buer Glacier Guided Ice Walk
Buer Glacier
The highlight experiences of the trip — walking on the blue ice of the Buer Glacier — can be recreated by booking a guided glacier hike directly with local operators such as Buer Glacier Adventures or Trolltunga Active (book ahead online). You'll be kitted out with crampons, harness, and ice axe, then led onto the ice for a few hours of spectacular views. Expect to pay roughly £85-110 per person for the guided glacier walk including equipment. Transport to the trailhead from Odda is by local shuttle or taxi. Afternoon free to rest your legs back in town.
🚌Local shuttle or taxi to Buer Glacier trailhead (~£10-15)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel cabin in Odda (£45-65/night)
- →Guided Buer Glacier ice walk with crampons and ice axe (~£85-110)
- →Glacier and mountain photography
Free Day in the Fjords
Odda / Hardangerfjord
A flexible day to enjoy the fjordland at your own pace. Options include a kayak rental on the fjord (roughly £45-60 for a half day), a shorter lakeside walk, a visit to the nearby Latefossen twin waterfall, or simply a slow day reading by the water. You could also take the local bus to Lofthus and wander the fruit-farm orchards along the Sørfjord. Book any activities the day before via Trolltunga Active or local outfitters. Note that independent booking usually means reserving directly with the operator rather than through a group leader.
🚌Local bus along the Sørfjord (~£5-10)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel cabin in Odda (£45-65/night)
- →Optional fjord kayaking (~£45-60)
- →Latefossen waterfall visit
- →Lofthus orchard walk
- →Fjordside rest day
Trolltunga Grand Hike
Trolltunga
The big one: the full-day hike to Trolltunga, the Troll's Tongue, jutting out 700m above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. It's a demanding 22-28km round trip with around 800-900m of ascent, taking 8-12 hours. Book the official Trolltunga shuttle bus from Odda to the Skjeggedal trailhead (roughly £20-25 return; parking at the trailhead is expensive and limited). Start early, carry layers, food, and plenty of water, and check weather and snow conditions before setting off. The self-guided hike is free — no permit needed outside guided-group requirements in shoulder season. Return to Odda in the evening, likely tired but triumphant.
🚌Official Trolltunga shuttle bus from Odda (~£20-25 return)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel cabin in Odda (£45-65/night)
- →Self-guided full-day Trolltunga hike (22-28km)
- →Ringedalsvatnet lake and fjordland viewpoints
Depart Odda
Odda
Check out and depart at your own pace. Reverse the journey back to Bergen by bus or ferry to catch your flight (roughly £35-45 and 4-5 hours), or continue onward — many travellers head next to Voss or Oslo. If your flight is late, you could add a night in Bergen to break up the return leg.
🚌Bus or ferry + bus back to Bergen (~£35-45)
🛏N/A — check out
- →Return travel to Bergen
- →Optional onward travel to Voss or Oslo
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,180 | £1,999 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £819 per person (41%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,180
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Norwegian Fjord Trekking — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,180 per person for 7 days in Norwegian Fjords (Bergen to Odda). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,999 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,180 — a saving of roughly £819 (41%) per person.
How long is the Norwegian Fjords (Bergen to Odda) trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Norwegian Fjords (Bergen to Odda).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Norwegian Fjords (Bergen to Odda), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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