Norway is one of the most moutainous countries in the whole world.  Only 10% of the land is arable and the rest is fjell and thus it takes forever to get anywhere because you undoubtedly have to go up and down and around this bend and that bend.  Despite extended travel time, fjellene are perhaps what I love most about Norway.  I grew up going to camp in Montana every year as a kid and I didn’t think there could be a cooler place in the world.  I just loved being in fjellene.  My eyes would light up once I could see them from the car hundreds of miles away.  Once we entered their tall peaks and daler (valleys), I was wholeheartedly content.  Content to stare at them, watch the sun rise and fall behind them, and klatre (climb) them to the top.

Then I went to Norway and saw the mountain ranges broken up by fjorder and daler-their stunning jagged beauty contrasted by calm inlets from havet (the ocean).  Although Montana will always have a spot in my heart, I fell in love with fjellene of Norway.  And don’t get me wrong, there are many countries in this world that boast unbelievable fjell and there is no doubt in my mind that I could easily become infatuated with other fjell, but so far, I’ve spent the most time with Norway’s.

I am moving to Tromsø in a week and cannot wait to explore fjellene nearby.  Lyngsalpene (the Lyngen Alps) are 60 km west of Tromsø and are supposed to be absolutely spectacular.  They are located on a peninsula and are perfect for hiking, dogsledding, cycling, snowmobiling and skiing.  Since temperatures are colder up north, it is often possible to start skiing from sea level.

Other popular, breath-taking mountain ranges include Jotunheimen, Hardangervidda, Dovrefjell, Finnmarksvidda, Rondane, and Sunnmørsalpene.  Jotunheimen is located in southern Norway and covers a vast territory of 3,500 square kilometers and has the largest concentration of fjell over 2,000 meters in northern Europe.  Hardangervidda, the vast mountain plateau is 200 km west of Oslo and is home to a mass of reinsdyr (reindeer), many calm innsjøer (lakes) and gushing elver (rivers) full of fish.  Dovrefjell is 370 km north of Oslo and is the divider between north and south.  Dovrefjell is home to the musk ox.  Finnmarksvidda, way up north, is home to the aboriginal Sami people and is another area of vast mountainous plateaus full or bred reinsdyr.  Rondane, 350 km northwest of Oslo, is Norway´s oldest national park and boasts several fjell over 2,000 meters. Sunnmørsalpene is 340 km north of Bergen and is the best off-piste skiing destination in Norway.

Ok, I really want to climb a mountain now.