Hardanger to Telemark Traverse
Traverse wide open spaces!
A traverse of the vast open spaces of the Hardangervidda plateau.This tour will give a very rewarding adventure, from Geilo to Ryukan. We cross wide open spaces where you truely get the sense of Nordic rolling terrain until we reach the more craggy region of Telemark. As we ski we have the chance of seeing reindeer along this vast snowy landscape. The skiing is a joy as the weight of sacks is kept to a minimum by using the DNT lodges, where food, fuel and bedding await our arrival!
- A classic point-to-point tour across the vast plateau of the Hardangervidda
- 7 days on skis as an ideal first hut to hut tour
- A rare chance for confident Nordic skiers to complete this superb traverse
- Space, scenery and solitude
- Combine with the ‘Skarvheimen trip' to make a two week North to South ski tour
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Departures
Trip
Departure date
End date
Price
Status
View Hardangar to Telemark Traverse, Norway in a larger map
The Tour
The essence of this trip is a point-to-point tour from Geilo to Ryukan, the relatively busy (a relative term - it is quite quiet!) tracks amongst the birchwoods above Geilo to the vast open (& very quiet!) plateau country of the Hardangervidda, high above te deep valleys of the Telemark region, the historical home of the Telemark technique and scened of incredible sacrifice and bravery during World War 2.
Days 1 - 3
Geilo is well-known ski resort with all the usual facilities with convenient access from Oslo to start the tour. On arriving in Geilo we are taken by minibus to our first lodge at Hakkestolen, a charming log built building hidden away in the open birch woods – and also a waffle-heaven! Our first full day on skis can begin with some technique refreshing close to the lodge and then we will head west, slowly climbing up out of the woods and on to the high plateau, to where we find our next night’s accommodation, a turf-roofed lodge tucked into a sheltering hillside. The next two days are across the typical Hardangervidda landscape, the undulating route weaving between isolated hills and finding the best way from lodge to lodge. These two days skiing are probably closer to half-days; this will allow time for extra excursions once we are at each lodge, maybe up one of the local hills for the view and run down, or a bit of technique practice – or simply relax and enjoy!
Days 4 - 7
Day 4 is the last fairly short day but there will be the opportunity to reach a superb viewpoint just before the hut. From this point onwards we turn south-eastwards and aim directly for the Telemark region. Day 5 takes us through more rolling country with a good long descent to our next frozen lakeside for our overnight stop. After a long start to the day along a lake, Day 6 gives the chance of more tops ‘en route’ as we reach the craggy hill landscape typical of the Telemark region. Day 7 is our longest day of the tour, to a self-service lodge. We allow plenty of time to settle in and enjoy the benefits of a pre-supplied ‘hut’ without having to carry much at all! (see ‘Accommodation’ below).
Day 8
Our final day is a relatively short one to Ryukan Fjellstue with the draw of completing the route not far away. You will be very satisfied after skiing 6½ days across some of the wildest landscapes in Europe and having completed a very rewarding journey from Geilo.
On this last day you will also be able to reflect on the scenes of action subsequently immortalised by
the film ‘The Heroes of Telemark’. At Ryukan, we take the express bus to return us to Oslo.
Optional Two Week Combination
Consider extending your trip to two weeks and make a fabulous north - south ski traverse. Travel out to Norway on the 3rd March with the ‘Skarvheimen Traverse’ group to complete 6 days of superb touring through the Hallingskarvet mountains to Finse. On the 10th enjoy a bit of a rest day and travel by train to Geilo to meet the ‘Hardanger to Telemark’ group there, having just arrived from Oslo. The second week has some longer days requiring more stamina and self-containment but without being technically any more difficult - and will be very rewarding! Contact us directly if interested.
Two week price 3rd – 17th March: £2135, SAVE £215 on the separate weeks’ costs.
Type of Skiing - Nordic
Multi-day tours using cambered, metal-edged skis and leather or soft plastic touring boots. Waxes are usually used and skins only for bigger climbs. Terrain is gentle to moderate. Skiing is often on way-marked routes but sometimes through untracked snow.
Level
Skiers should have previous Nordic skiing experience, be able to travel over undulating terrain and be able to ski down moderate terrain in a variety of snow conditions. A confident snowplough turn and the ability to traverse are the minimum downhill technique requirements. From the technical skiing point of view, the skiing is no more than 'intermediate' but your level should be such that you don’t need to rely on coaching ‘en route’. This tour does demand a degree of stamina and self-reliance in a relatively remote area, skiing relatively long & sustained days (15 – 25kms), especially towards the latter part of the tour when the leader will need to devote their attentions to accurate navigation. We will need to be flexible in our planning with respect to weather and snow conditions.
Further Information
The exact route and decisions about options and ‘extras’ (for those overflowing with energy!) will be made on a daily basis by discussion, taking into consideration weather, snow conditions and the whole group’s aspirations and abilities. However, the leader has the final word when it comes to decision making, the safety and welfare of the whole group being paramount.
Leadership
The tour leader will be a professionally qualified BASI Nordic Instructor at the least and may also be a BASI Telemark Instructor. He/she will hold the Winter Mountain Leader Award or have the ability and experience to navigate in winter conditions. While in no way interfering with the tour, coaching along the way in ski technique and waxing will help you ski more effectively and with less effort. We are always mindful of safety in cold conditions and wilderness areas. You will be in very good hands!
Accommodation
This will be in Den Norske Turistforening 'hytta' for 7 nights or lodges of a similar standard owned privately. The term 'hut' is a bit of a misnomer where ‘mountain lodge’ or even hotel are better terms. All lodges have shared 4-6 bedded rooms (twin rooms are available, at staffed lodges only, for a supplement). All meals (excellent in quantity and quality!) are provided and you make up your packed lunch from the breakfast buffet. There are hot showers (10 kroner each), drying rooms, a shop and bar. We will also be using a 'self-service' lodges for 1 night; these are excellent timber-built buildings set in remote surroundings, with bunk rooms, fully-equipped kitchens, wood-burning stoves, a stockpile of wood (ready for chopping!), chemical toilets and food in store. As a group, we will share the tasks of wood-chopping, water collection, cooking, clearing up, etc.
If required, we can arrange reasonably priced accommodation in Oslo at the start or end of the tour.
What to bring
Kit lists can be found on the Trip Info page and can be downloaded from Members Information. A full kit list will be sent out with details on how to buy maps of the region (is you wish) upon booking. Generally, outdoor clothing, metal-edged Nordic touring skis, 75mm bindings, 75mm norm leather touring boots (with vibram soles), touring poles and climbing skins are needed. It is not possible to hire skiing equipment or skins in Norway for this trip. Ski equipment can be hired in the UK from Braemar Mountain Sports who offer a courier service. If you wish to hire skins (£25 for the tour), please let us know.
Full package and travel arrangements
The full package includes rail travel in Norway, 7 nights full-board accommodation as described above, instruction & leadership for the tour described above. DNT annual membership is included. If you are already a 2012 DNT member, please send us a copy of your membership card when booking for a reduction of £60. Airport transfer to/from Oslo bus station & railway station is not included.
Flights
- Flights need to be arranged with your own travel agent, via the internet or ‘cheap flights’ companies. Visit www.expedia.co.uk or www.ryanair.com (to Oslo Torp) for options.
- NB Check with your airline for their ‘skis-on-flight’ charges and time needed for checking in skis.
- Flights should be to either Bergen or Oslo Gardemoen, though Oslo will be a lot more convenient at the end of the tour.
- Arrival times should be approx. 2hrs before train departure time (on the 10th) and return flight departure time should be approx. 2hrs after train arrival time in Bergen or Oslo on your return date.
- Train departures on 10/03/12: from Bergen: 15.58 from Oslo: 16.07
- Bus arrival in Oslo on 17/03/12: 16.00 (to be confirmed)
- Those flying via Bergen will need an additional train journey from Oslo to Bergen – see cost below. An extra night will be needed in Oslo or you can take the night train to Bergen for a morning flight on the 18th.
- Please let us know your flight details & check these bus & train times before booking your flights.
- Flights should not be booked until this trip is guaranteed to run.
- It is also possible to fly to Oslo Torp with Ryanair but please allow more time either way between Olso city centre and Torp airport. You can find transfer details via the Ryanair website.
- We can organise extra nights in an Oslo hotel if your flights require it. One night B&B is £70/person in a 3* hotel, sharing a twin room; £110 for a single room.
- We will book your train tickets and seat reservations for the return journey between Oslo & the touring area.
Exchange and Finance
There are exchange facilities in Oslo & Bergen Airports but it would be best to obtain Norwegian Kroner prior to your departure from the UK, to save time and for convenience once we are on tour away from banks! Not a great deal of extra money is required but allow for the following:
- All personal expenditure on drinks, postcards, trolls, etc. (6 nights are at staffed lodges with shop & bar)
- Showers at 10kr each
- Airport transfer bus/railway station – allow £12 each way (trains run every 20 mins/ takes 22 mins)
- Travel via Bergen: ADD £70 (includes extra journey Oslo to Bergen via Geilo)
- Oslo bus station left luggage - 25kr/day. Useful if you want to leave ‘travel clothes’, ski bags, etc not required on tour.
Insurance
A reminder that you need to arrange this independently at the time of booking; holiday insurance with special cover for touring is required. You need to be covered for ski touring and skiing on piste, in-track and on way marked trails. This trip might or will include touring away from marked trails in relatively mountainous terrain. If you need more information, please contact us.
Minimum Numbers
This trip requires a minimum of five clients to book before it can be guaranteed to run. We usually take a maximum of 10 clients for a hut-to-hut tour. If this number is exceeded then two leaders will run the trip rather than just one.
These arrangements and services are provided by The Telemark Ski Company, our partners in Norway.
Departures
| Trip | Departure date | End date | Price | Status |
|---|
View Hardangar to Telemark Traverse, Norway in a larger map
The Tour
The essence of this trip is a point-to-point tour from Geilo to Ryukan, the relatively busy (a relative term - it is quite quiet!) tracks amongst the birchwoods above Geilo to the vast open (& very quiet!) plateau country of the Hardangervidda, high above te deep valleys of the Telemark region, the historical home of the Telemark technique and scened of incredible sacrifice and bravery during World War 2.
Days 1 - 3
Geilo is well-known ski resort with all the usual facilities with convenient access from Oslo to start the tour. On arriving in Geilo we are taken by minibus to our first lodge at Hakkestolen, a charming log built building hidden away in the open birch woods – and also a waffle-heaven! Our first full day on skis can begin with some technique refreshing close to the lodge and then we will head west, slowly climbing up out of the woods and on to the high plateau, to where we find our next night’s accommodation, a turf-roofed lodge tucked into a sheltering hillside. The next two days are across the typical Hardangervidda landscape, the undulating route weaving between isolated hills and finding the best way from lodge to lodge. These two days skiing are probably closer to half-days; this will allow time for extra excursions once we are at each lodge, maybe up one of the local hills for the view and run down, or a bit of technique practice – or simply relax and enjoy!
Days 4 - 7
Day 4 is the last fairly short day but there will be the opportunity to reach a superb viewpoint just before the hut. From this point onwards we turn south-eastwards and aim directly for the Telemark region. Day 5 takes us through more rolling country with a good long descent to our next frozen lakeside for our overnight stop. After a long start to the day along a lake, Day 6 gives the chance of more tops ‘en route’ as we reach the craggy hill landscape typical of the Telemark region. Day 7 is our longest day of the tour, to a self-service lodge. We allow plenty of time to settle in and enjoy the benefits of a pre-supplied ‘hut’ without having to carry much at all! (see ‘Accommodation’ below).
Day 8
Our final day is a relatively short one to Ryukan Fjellstue with the draw of completing the route not far away. You will be very satisfied after skiing 6½ days across some of the wildest landscapes in Europe and having completed a very rewarding journey from Geilo.
On this last day you will also be able to reflect on the scenes of action subsequently immortalised by
the film ‘The Heroes of Telemark’. At Ryukan, we take the express bus to return us to Oslo.
Optional Two Week Combination
Consider extending your trip to two weeks and make a fabulous north - south ski traverse. Travel out to Norway on the 3rd March with the ‘Skarvheimen Traverse’ group to complete 6 days of superb touring through the Hallingskarvet mountains to Finse. On the 10th enjoy a bit of a rest day and travel by train to Geilo to meet the ‘Hardanger to Telemark’ group there, having just arrived from Oslo. The second week has some longer days requiring more stamina and self-containment but without being technically any more difficult - and will be very rewarding! Contact us directly if interested.
Two week price 3rd – 17th March: £2135, SAVE £215 on the separate weeks’ costs.
Type of Skiing - Nordic
Multi-day tours using cambered, metal-edged skis and leather or soft plastic touring boots. Waxes are usually used and skins only for bigger climbs. Terrain is gentle to moderate. Skiing is often on way-marked routes but sometimes through untracked snow.
Level
Skiers should have previous Nordic skiing experience, be able to travel over undulating terrain and be able to ski down moderate terrain in a variety of snow conditions. A confident snowplough turn and the ability to traverse are the minimum downhill technique requirements. From the technical skiing point of view, the skiing is no more than 'intermediate' but your level should be such that you don’t need to rely on coaching ‘en route’. This tour does demand a degree of stamina and self-reliance in a relatively remote area, skiing relatively long & sustained days (15 – 25kms), especially towards the latter part of the tour when the leader will need to devote their attentions to accurate navigation. We will need to be flexible in our planning with respect to weather and snow conditions.
Further Information
The exact route and decisions about options and ‘extras’ (for those overflowing with energy!) will be made on a daily basis by discussion, taking into consideration weather, snow conditions and the whole group’s aspirations and abilities. However, the leader has the final word when it comes to decision making, the safety and welfare of the whole group being paramount.
Leadership
The tour leader will be a professionally qualified BASI Nordic Instructor at the least and may also be a BASI Telemark Instructor. He/she will hold the Winter Mountain Leader Award or have the ability and experience to navigate in winter conditions. While in no way interfering with the tour, coaching along the way in ski technique and waxing will help you ski more effectively and with less effort. We are always mindful of safety in cold conditions and wilderness areas. You will be in very good hands!
Accommodation
This will be in Den Norske Turistforening 'hytta' for 7 nights or lodges of a similar standard owned privately. The term 'hut' is a bit of a misnomer where ‘mountain lodge’ or even hotel are better terms. All lodges have shared 4-6 bedded rooms (twin rooms are available, at staffed lodges only, for a supplement). All meals (excellent in quantity and quality!) are provided and you make up your packed lunch from the breakfast buffet. There are hot showers (10 kroner each), drying rooms, a shop and bar. We will also be using a 'self-service' lodges for 1 night; these are excellent timber-built buildings set in remote surroundings, with bunk rooms, fully-equipped kitchens, wood-burning stoves, a stockpile of wood (ready for chopping!), chemical toilets and food in store. As a group, we will share the tasks of wood-chopping, water collection, cooking, clearing up, etc.
If required, we can arrange reasonably priced accommodation in Oslo at the start or end of the tour.
What to bring
Kit lists can be found on the Trip Info page and can be downloaded from Members Information. A full kit list will be sent out with details on how to buy maps of the region (is you wish) upon booking. Generally, outdoor clothing, metal-edged Nordic touring skis, 75mm bindings, 75mm norm leather touring boots (with vibram soles), touring poles and climbing skins are needed. It is not possible to hire skiing equipment or skins in Norway for this trip. Ski equipment can be hired in the UK from Braemar Mountain Sports who offer a courier service. If you wish to hire skins (£25 for the tour), please let us know.
Full package and travel arrangements
The full package includes rail travel in Norway, 7 nights full-board accommodation as described above, instruction & leadership for the tour described above. DNT annual membership is included. If you are already a 2012 DNT member, please send us a copy of your membership card when booking for a reduction of £60. Airport transfer to/from Oslo bus station & railway station is not included.
Flights
- Flights need to be arranged with your own travel agent, via the internet or ‘cheap flights’ companies. Visit www.expedia.co.uk or www.ryanair.com (to Oslo Torp) for options.
- NB Check with your airline for their ‘skis-on-flight’ charges and time needed for checking in skis.
- Flights should be to either Bergen or Oslo Gardemoen, though Oslo will be a lot more convenient at the end of the tour.
- Arrival times should be approx. 2hrs before train departure time (on the 10th) and return flight departure time should be approx. 2hrs after train arrival time in Bergen or Oslo on your return date.
- Train departures on 10/03/12: from Bergen: 15.58 from Oslo: 16.07
- Bus arrival in Oslo on 17/03/12: 16.00 (to be confirmed)
- Those flying via Bergen will need an additional train journey from Oslo to Bergen – see cost below. An extra night will be needed in Oslo or you can take the night train to Bergen for a morning flight on the 18th.
- Please let us know your flight details & check these bus & train times before booking your flights.
- Flights should not be booked until this trip is guaranteed to run.
- It is also possible to fly to Oslo Torp with Ryanair but please allow more time either way between Olso city centre and Torp airport. You can find transfer details via the Ryanair website.
- We can organise extra nights in an Oslo hotel if your flights require it. One night B&B is £70/person in a 3* hotel, sharing a twin room; £110 for a single room.
- We will book your train tickets and seat reservations for the return journey between Oslo & the touring area.
Exchange and Finance
There are exchange facilities in Oslo & Bergen Airports but it would be best to obtain Norwegian Kroner prior to your departure from the UK, to save time and for convenience once we are on tour away from banks! Not a great deal of extra money is required but allow for the following:
- All personal expenditure on drinks, postcards, trolls, etc. (6 nights are at staffed lodges with shop & bar)
- Showers at 10kr each
- Airport transfer bus/railway station – allow £12 each way (trains run every 20 mins/ takes 22 mins)
- Travel via Bergen: ADD £70 (includes extra journey Oslo to Bergen via Geilo)
- Oslo bus station left luggage - 25kr/day. Useful if you want to leave ‘travel clothes’, ski bags, etc not required on tour.
Insurance
A reminder that you need to arrange this independently at the time of booking; holiday insurance with special cover for touring is required. You need to be covered for ski touring and skiing on piste, in-track and on way marked trails. This trip might or will include touring away from marked trails in relatively mountainous terrain. If you need more information, please contact us.
Minimum Numbers
This trip requires a minimum of five clients to book before it can be guaranteed to run. We usually take a maximum of 10 clients for a hut-to-hut tour. If this number is exceeded then two leaders will run the trip rather than just one.
These arrangements and services are provided by The Telemark Ski Company, our partners in Norway.
