Norway is Paddlers' Paradise

Viking in Lofoten
Photo courtesy ReineAdventure.

Summertime is a great time to get out on the water, and this is especially true in Norway. The country's fjords, rivers and lakes all add up to one immense paradise for paddlers.

When Viking Art Director Jill Adler and I were in Norway recently, we visited the town of Reine in the Lofoten Islands. We had the opportunity to try kayaking—a first for me. I loved it! And it was easier than I expected. Lofoten's sparkling turquoise water and breathtaking views—along with some spectacular weather—made for an unforgettable outing, and we experienced the beauty of the area in a way we never would have on foot.

Lofoten is just one of the great kayaking areas all over Norway. Here are 19 more "paddling pearls," according to ut.no, an outdoor website. (View the original article in Norwegian here.)

1. Helgeland
2. Femundsmarka
3. Setesdalsheiane
4. Øygarden
5. Telemarkskanalen
6. Bulandet/Værlandet
7. Hardangerfjorden
8. Austrheim
9. Vikna
10. Fedje
11. Haldenvassdraget
12. Lysefjorden
13. Barduelva
14. Kristiansand
15. Bugøyfjord
16. Kjørull
17. Hjertøya
18. Hvaler
19. Fjorda

Still not convinced? Don't take my word for it—check out this video of kayaking in Lofoten from ReineAdventures.

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minn., where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585.