5 of Norway's Most Epic Alpine Climbs

Norway isn't exactly short of amazing mountains (!) Here are 5 of the very best the southern part of the country has to offer.

Emil Neby

Images

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Summit of Store Austanbotntind

by Henning Wang

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Summit of Søre Austanbotntind

by Henning Wang

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South Ridge

by Henning Wang

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Pitch climbing at South Ridge

by Henning Wang

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South Ridge

by Henning Wang

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Abseil at the slabs

by Henning Wang

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Pitch climbing at South Ridge

by Henning Wang

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Pitch climbing at South Ridge

by Henning Wang

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Pitch climbing at South Ridge

by Henning Wang

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Slabs before South summit

by Henning Wang

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Summit of Vetle Skagastølstind

by Emil Neby

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Approach in Skagastølsdalen

by Emil Neby

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Skagastølsryggen

by Emil Neby

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Store Ringstind and Store Austanbotntind

by Emil Neby

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Summit of Store Skagastølstind (Storen)

by Emil Neby

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Skagastølsryggen

by Emil Neby

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Storen seen from Vetle Skagastølstind

by Emil Neby

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Abseil from Store Skagastølstind via Andrew's couloir

by Emil Neby

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Summit of Vestre Styggedalstind

by Emil Neby

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Styggedalsryggen

by Emil Neby

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Abseil at Halls Hammer

by Emil Neby

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Gjertvass glacier

by Emil Neby

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Skagastølsryggen

by Emil Neby

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Gjertvasskaret

by Emil Neby

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Pitch climbing to Centraltind

by Emil Neby

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Approach to Gjertvass glacier

by Emil Neby

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Styggedalstind by night

by Emil Neby

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Sunset at Centraltind

by Emil Neby

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Gjertvasstind

by Emil Neby

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Snøhetta massif

by Emil Neby

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Approach from Snøheim

by Emil Neby

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At stance

by Emil Neby

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Approach to Snøhetta

by Emil Neby

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At stance

by Emil Neby

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Romsdalshornet seen from Vengedalen

by Emil Neby

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Kvanndalstind seen from Romsdalshornet

by Emil Neby

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Vengetindane seen from Romsdalshornet

by Emil Neby

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Romsdalshornet

by Emil Neby

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River of Rauma in Romsdalen

by Emil Neby

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The Troll Wall

by Emil Neby

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Description

Lacking any huge or Matterhorn-shaped mountains, Norway slips under the radar of the many hikers and climbers who flock to the Alps every summer. That's a shame for them, but great news for the few adventurous souls who do make the pilgrimage to Scandinavia's most mountainous country. From Tromsø, Lofoten and Senja in the far north (all of which we've got ski guidebooks to elsewhere in FATMAP) through the rugged central fjords and down to Romsdal, Jotunheimen and Sunmøre in the south, the country is basically one big mountain playground.

This guidebooks focuses on those last 3 regions - the triumvirate of beautiful mountain ranges which leave climbers and hikers between Molde and Bergen spoiled for choice when selecting their adventures! Romsdalhornet, Norway's most popular climb/scramble is in here, as is Snøhettatraversen, a classic traverse over the highest mountain in Dovrefjell. Over in the Jotunheimen you'll find "The Big 3" all here - the wild and remote multi-day Styggedalsryggen traverse, the legendary Austanbotntindtraversen and - best of all - Skagastølstindtraversen; Norway's greatest alpine traverse, according to local expert and author of the routes, Emil Neby.

So, next time you're in the Alps wondering if there might be a quieter option which doesn't involve queuing for lifts and navigating tourists on busy high streets, head to Norway for wilderness, epic routes and outstanding scenery!

Adventures

Styggedalsryggen

The most remote ridge traverse in Jotunheimen offers a spectacular multi day adventure