https://www.myscenicdetour.com/blog-1-1 daily 0.75 2026-04-03 https://www.myscenicdetour.com/blog-1-1/Blog Post Title One-hdw8b-mbnfc monthly 0.5 2026-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d7f2f8f8-6c42-40a6-883b-2d7621ef8cb8/chile.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Make it stand out I visited Torres del Paine, Chile from 11/6- 11/16 (2025) and then flew to Bariloche, Argentina where I stayed from 11/17- 11/23. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/05c2438a-c274-430c-afb7-244d6d9e0eb1/tdp.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The hike to the Base of Torres del Paine is the most famous “day hike” in the park, followed by the French Valley. I strongly suggest prioritizing this hike and planning it when the weather looks most promising. Windguru is the most accurate website for tracking weather inside the park. Keep in mind, the weather in Puerto Natales can be completely different than Torres del Paine. Purchasing a park pass is required and can be bought at the park entrance or online. Buying online will allow you to enter the park 24-7 rather than having to wait for the visitor’s office to open at ~8:30am. Now that you’ve secured 24-7 access, you definitely want to start the hike no later than 5am in order to capture the sunrise and avoid large crowds later in the day— this means that you should depart Puerto Natales at 3am to be safe. The hike takes most visitors ~8 hours to complete roundtrip. The temperature will likely be very cold during the early morning hours of your hike (~40 degrees) and then gradually become warmer as the day progresses (~60- 70 degrees). However, the temperature will drop like a stone once you reach the summit and you won’t last more than 15 minutes without a hat and gloves (even during summer). That said, make sure to wear multiple layers since you can always remove them along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/210733cd-b27b-4f36-9dc6-9cf34e542383/base1.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - If you have a car, I recommend doing the hike without a tour guide since the path is well marked. If you feel more comfortable with a guide, I suggest booking Javier’s tour on ToursByLocals— but be warned, he’s a machine. To reach the trailhead, I would park in one of the lots near Hotel Las Torres Patagonia and then it’s a ~1 km walk to the trailhead. The photo of the mountain above shows the trailhead directly after walking passed the hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/06441bd6-6d32-4d4f-9b62-e211b7c820fb/base2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The first hour is mostly uphill and can be a bit challenging if you’re not in great shape. However, you’ll be rewarded with a few epic photo opportunities as the sun reflects off the mountains at sunrise. These two photos were taken ~45 minutes into the climb. Don’t forget to stop and look backwards from time to time because many of the best photos are behind you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1ea80bf4-9f02-44ee-8cab-3cf7b124fd66/wind.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Once you reach the top of the hill and the terrain starts to plateau, you will enter a strong wind tunnel that might last for up to 10 minutes. The view is fantastic (photo above), but the trail is also narrow so be cautious of these obstacles. Shortly after the wind tunnel, you will descend for ~45 minutes through a forest and river before reaching “base camp.” This is a widely popular camping ground where you can take a short rest break. However, don’t wait too long because you’ll want to stay ahead of the crowds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2b210482-ea16-4843-b8c3-2f0c5c927753/river.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The photo above was taken from the bridge above the river, just before base camp. Fast forwarding things a little bit, you’ll spend the next hour traversing up and down through forest landscapes before approaching the final ascent. You might now see a lot of people returning from the opposite direction at this point, but don’t be alarmed. These are hikers that either started ~1am or slept at base camp and had a head start— most of them will be gone by the time you reach the summit. Upon breaking into daylight, take a break and buckle up, the most grueling leg of the excursion is about to commence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/51ee2f77-74d4-4df7-bf6a-7699567fa389/towers.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - For the last hour, you’ll be climbing very rocky and steep terrain while at the same time, the temperature will begin to plummet, and the air will become thinner. It probably won’t feel overly cold at first because of your constant movement, but it will eventually hit once you break at the summit. About ~5 minutes before reaching the lake, make sure to keep looking up and you’ll spot the view in the photo above. Don’t hesitate to start snapping photos if you’ve got a clear view of the towers because the clouds can roll-in at any given moment— it happened to me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/af12d843-156e-495c-bd61-499679bbe80c/me.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Before you know it, you will be rewarded with one of the most epic views in the world and a surge of joy will breathe new life into your body. Do not wait to get your photos because your body will begin to go numb after ~20 minutes and more people will be arriving soon. Quickly walk down to the lake and you’ll find a few large boulders to act as seating for your photos. I would suggest walking along the ridge of the lake to capture the different angles as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2ba7c1a4-42fd-4b3e-985f-bf8ce4ab5fd8/landscape.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - If you’re seeking a more unique and adventurous activity, puma trekking should be the second priority on your list. Without a professional guide, your odds of seeing a puma on your own are close to zero. There are multiple tour companies that claim to offer this excursion, but only a few that actually have permission to access the Estancia where many of the pumas call home. I recommend hiring Leona Amarga Expeditions since they were the most responsive and they offered more flexible options including 1-day and 2-day tours. I paid extra money for a private tour so that I could be on my own time. One cool thing about the Estancia is that they only allow up to 10 guests at any given time so that it doesn’t feel like a zoo. Just to be clear, the Estancia does not own the pumas, and they are free to roam all over the park. It just so happens that many pumas prefer the Estancia’s vegetation as a home. Honestly, one day is all you need unless you’re obsessed with pumas. The tour is typically broken up into morning and evening sessions since that’s when pumas are move active. Since I had a few close encounters early in the morning, I decided to go for 6 straight hours in order to have the rest of the day to explore the park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/33e34153-30e5-4e36-bc11-cf6133ed335f/puma.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The tour typically starts at 6am so you’ll need to leave Puerto Natales by 4:30am latest. However, I’d recommend leaving 45 minutes earlier for some extra photo time— the first picture with the lake was taken a short walk from the parking lot meeting-spot. It’s common for a few guides to work together with walky-talky’s to track the pumas. They will drive off-road throughout the Estancia, occasionally stopping in hot spots so that everyone can use their binoculars to search for the cats. The rule of thumb is that if you spot a group of guanacos, a puma is typically nearby. We got very fortunate because we spotted a female puma making her way up a hill with the towers perfectly visible in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8e83838e-7bba-4b53-a732-704ee05d5f4f/llama.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Since it was a rare, perfectly sunny day and I had already gotten the best puma photos possible (in my opinion), I had asked the guide to show me around the rest of the Estancia for other dramatic photo opportunities. It was an exciting off-road adventure as we zoomed throughout the Estancia, often running into groups of guanacos. You will likely encounter the same landscapes if you ask your guide to do the same. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/444b545f-5452-4171-af90-81930baf1e98/llama2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - It’s difficult to explain where these two pictures were taken since we drove all over, but the guides will definitely know if you show the pictures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/991f9bb1-4147-4224-b41c-ba01c97f3b1e/road.png Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Make it stand out For the third day, my advice would be to trek around Torres del Paine by car. This should be a very packed day so you’ll need to depart super early, or you could combine a few of these stops on the day of the puma trekking to give yourself more flexibility. Additionally, keep in mind that there are many activities that are not covered in my blog so do your homework to ensure that you’re not missing anything. (The photo above was taken ~halfway through the drive and you’ll know it when you get there) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/fd9a3be1-30b6-468f-baf7-9583646d3340/waterfall.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Using the Laguna Amarga entrance is the most popular and safest route to the park. It’s also the same entrance that’s closest to the puma trekking excursion. As a reminder, you will avoid long lines by purchasing your park passes in advance and by arriving at the crack of dawn. You might even be able to drive straight through if you arrive before the park rangers. Roughly ~20 minutes after passing the entrance, you will find the Cascada del Rio Paine, a fantastic photo opportunity with the towers perched the background. Both small platforms offer similar photo opportunities to the picture above. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/19a4546f-32de-4cc2-b75b-157d469d473d/waterfall2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - You’ll likely be making many photo-stops as you meander throughout the park, most of which I’m not going to include because I’d never finish writing this blog. ~20 minutes after the Rio Paine, you will reach a turnoff for another waterfall called Cascada del Salto Grande. However, this is also the trailhead for the hike to Mirador Cuernos. Furthermore, it’s a very busy area because it’s where most hikers take the ferry to the French Valley. Needless to say, arrive very early to avoid large crowds. The Cuernos hike is definitely a must-do! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2cfd5ad6-431a-4855-b602-90d78c4c00b0/hike1.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - As you continue following the path directly after Cascada del Salto, you will find the trailhead for the hike to Mirador Cuernos. This hike is ~45 minutes each way and is a painless walk through a striking landscapes. By arriving super early, you might even have the entire trail for yourself! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/20d09d87-12ce-4414-8a63-c6484a35c401/hike2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - As the trail twists by small mountains and lakes, you will encounter various photo opportunities. However, you’ll need to exit the trail and walk about 10- 15 yards into the vegetation to capture a few of these photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/39ad6a6f-647c-445c-99f4-b02114cf277c/hike4.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - And finally, don’t ever forget to look in back of you as some of the best photos are often behind you! This photo was captured while returning down that same incline. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/28ddb7ce-0e46-4594-a61d-635ff2b2b803/red+hotel2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - From the Cuernos Hike, it’s a short ~5 minute drive to Hosteria Pehoe where you can turn off the main road and park in the small lot. This is a small, cottage-style hotel located on a tiny island that offers a fantastic view of the dramatic Patagonian peaks. There are several unique photo opportunities from the bridge with this photo taken just before reaching the main office. You can also tour around the island to find alternative photo opportunities. As you continue the drive, you will quickly encounter one of the most expensive hotels in the park, Explora. Although not what it used to be, it’s still worth a quick stop to explore the property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9133ade4-4815-4f72-a841-07e6dad9b26a/Lake.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - One of the final stops of the day (perhaps the final), is Mirador Lago Grey, ~30 minute drive from Hosteria Pehoe. This area of the park can become quite busy during the day, but most tourists do not make it far onto the beach because they are lazy! My advice is to walk to the water, but stay towards the left to capture the most dramatic landscape photo (see above). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8e576d7a-0105-44ec-96d1-7fd05d1ade07/ferrier.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - If you’re doing well on time and want to challenge yourself to another scenic trail, the Ferrier hike is a few minutes walk from the same parking lot. I believe there is a small entrance fee and it’s then a 2- 3 hour roundtrip hike depending on your physical conditioning. Make no mistake, the distance is only ~3.5 miles roundtrip, but this is an extremely demanding hike because it’s a continuously, steep incline that takes you 2,000 ft into the sky. The good news is that you should have the trail mostly to yourself since many hikers turn back before even reaching the summit. The glacier view from the summit is incredible if you’re not accustomed to these types of landscapes and it spans much wider than my photo suggests. However, be warned that the weather at the top will likely be extremely cold and windy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/23ed252c-392f-4527-b8e7-894991095113/singular.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Make it stand out After the full day of activities, consider treating yourself to dinner and drinks at the coolest spot in Puerto Bories, The Singular Hotel (mentioned above). If time doesn’t permit the same day, you should definitely still visit the hotel before the end of your trip. It’s a luxury five-star hotel housed in former cold storage plant, declared a National Monument in 1996— a five minute drive from Puerto Natales. The hotel is almost a tourist attraction in itself with many amenities, hallways and rooms to explore! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0a65affb-962d-4dcb-bb70-4c59e389f092/french.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The second most popular hike in the park without doubt, is The French Valley. Unfortunately, this was the only day that weather had prevented me from finishing the hike. In fact, the clouds covered most of the landscapes for the entire excursion, hence taking photos was nearly impossible. That said, I posted the photo above to illustrate what the final destination is supposed to appear like on a less rainy day. To get to the French Valley trailhead, you need to book a catamaran across Lago Pehoé from the Pudeto dock (same parking lot as Cuernos) to the Paine Grande refuge, which is the starting point for the hike. I strongly advise purchasing the ferry tickets in advance which are available on many sites like Viator, GetYourGuide and more. The hike is ~12 miles and ~8 hours roundtrip. The trail is easy to navigate so a guide isn’t necessary, but I’d recommend contacting Javier again if you want a local companion. Similar to the Base of Torres, it will likely be extremely cold at the top so dress accordingly. As a heads up, it doesn’t get super scenic until ~2 hours into the hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9e2045f0-3c29-4cbc-922b-5d3e19c5d2b7/caves.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Cueva del Milodon Natural Monument is a ~30 min drive from Puerto Natales and on the way to Torres del Paine. From the parking lot, it’s a short walk to the massive cave where prehistoric remains were found. The photo above was taken inside the cave from the top of the stairs. There are a few other smaller caves in the park, but not worth the long walk in my opinion. I believe the caves are open M-Sun 8:30am- 5pm for ~$10/person. Late afternoon is the busiest time of day since most of the tour buses make a stop on the return trip from Torres del Paine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/74085bfe-cf36-4c1f-8bc3-4d5fc107a327/pier.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Take a late afternoon stroll to explore Puerto Natales and you’ll likely be surprised by the quantity of boutique stores and cafes, I was! The most iconic picture in Puerto Natales features its historic pier, often with the dramatic peaks of Torres del Paine as a backdrop, especially during a sunset, capturing reflections on the water and the vast Patagonian landscape. To find these photos, I suggest getting as close to the water as possible and crouching low when snapping the picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c04968ca-a4b4-421b-9a43-d3f266d6dbad/Field+of+towers.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon) is one of the most accessible and picturesque destinations in the National Park. It is famous for offering a clear, panoramic view of the three granite towers without the intense hiking required by the park's more famous circuits. It’s a bit out of the way (~30 minute drive) from the other stops which is the reason for not mentioning it earlier. The drive to the lake is scenic and you’ll likely encounter groups of guanacos and possibly pumas stalking them nearby. To get the photo above, you’ll need to drive past the Estancia at the end of the route and navigate over the rocky trail for ~200 yards to the second parking area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d35541c1-418e-4f4e-a767-959a415df621/BL.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The Llao Llao Hike: I highly recommend starting the Llao Llao hike in the early morning to capture the sunrise and avoid heavier foot traffic. You’ll need to park on the side of the road because there isn’t a designated parking lot. I would consider it an intermediate hike that starts off very easy for the first ~15 minutes, but transitions into a much steeper incline for the remaining 45 minutes. The trail is generally easy to navigate and can be accomplished even quicker for those in really good shape. You’ll pass some nice lookout points along the trail, however I’d suggest keeping moving to have more privacy time at the top. This photo was taken from one of the two main boulders at the end of the hike. Note, you might see people hanging their feet over the boulder for the “Instagram” photo, but I felt this was a bit dangerous if you’re not careful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/b8853f31-6fb8-4cbd-bba4-630f3d661259/AR.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The Los Arrayanes hike is a few minutes’ drive from the Llao Llao hike and is worth a quick walk while you’re in the area. The loop is ~1.8 miles and the difficulty level is very low. The hike includes wooden boardwalks through a smaller Myrtle grove and ends at a beach on Lake Moreno with views of the Llao Llao Hotel. Honestly, you only need to walk for ~20 minutes to see the Arrayanes trees and their unique features before heading back to the car. I have a better hotel photo opportunity coming up next. The trees are between 300- 650 years old and reach heights of ~50 ft. This photo was after ~10 minutes into the hike where you’ll run into more of the larger trees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/46b37b49-671b-4127-8767-dd232582a4ca/llao.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - After the two hikes, you could plan on heading to the Llao Llao Hotel for a short rest and to possibly grab a bite to eat— it’s just a ~5 minute drive and the guest parking is free. The Llao Llao Hotel is an iconic five-star resort renowned for its stunning mountain architecture and panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and snow-capped peaks. The photo above was taken from the top of the steps at the Parroquia San Eduardo Chapel, a ~3 minute drive from the hotel. I also recommend wandering the inside of the hotel for additional photo opportunities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/bef9d1c6-a250-4f7f-86b6-c532ca22e2a4/llao2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Another distinct photo of Llao Llao Hotel can be taken from the large grassy lawn in the back of the hotel. You’ll need to pass through the dining area to reach the lawn and then walk down the hill towards the lake to capture this photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/582cbb55-8565-438e-94f3-9faa1d5a33a5/Swiss.png Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - From the Llao Llao Hotel, I suggest taking a ~15 minute drive to the small, nearby Swiss Village. The village hosts a popular artisan market, especially on Wednesdays and Sundays. On these market days, traffic and parking in the area can become chaotic, so the drive may take longer than usual. As a side note, I’m a big fan of hot chocolate, especially when visiting Latin American countries, and there are a few great spots to try in the town. Overall, the Swiss Village is a unique experience, but it’s not the end of the world if there is one activity that needs to be skipped. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ec4b4ba5-7799-4841-83a3-3592533e8a24/Punto+P.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - After visiting the Swiss Village, it might be getting closer to sunset and there is no better place to be than Punto Panoramico! Even though more crowded, it’s better to visit the mirador during the evening than early morning hours for lighting purposes. It’s a fairly quick drive up the mountain from the Swiss Village up, ~10 minutes. If I’m remembering correctly, this photo with the yellow plants was taken from just to the left of the wooden platform when facing the hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/02e54c98-b17f-4bfe-b847-6b183fb698a6/brewery.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - For an epic end to the day, make your way to Cerveceria Patagonia, less than 1 mile from Punto Panoramico. Here you’ll find the most famous brewery in Bariloche and another unbelievable mirador. It can be difficult to find a seat with a view, so I’d order food from the bar and find seating outside in the garden area. This photo was taken from the brewery entrance facing the mirador. If you can’t make it to Cerveceria Patagonia, another option with a lake view and closer to city center is Manush Centro— I ate here a few times because the food was decent and it had a good social scene. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/7f5121d8-3d60-4f40-b36e-c67b027f7be6/cerro.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Cerro Campanario is the famous Teleferico (chairlift) located right nearby the Circuit and runs from 9am- 5/6pm, but hours can vary by season. It’s one of the most popular activities for all ages in Bariloche, so I would suggest arriving at 8:45am to beat the crowds and to secure a close parking spot. The cost is ~$20 and takes ~10 minutes to reach the summit. I’ve heard that you can also hike up the mountain which takes ~45 minutes if you’re looking for exercise, then take the lift back down. The best photo opportunity is from below the restaurant area where you’ll see a few seating benches. Cerro Campanario is the famous Teleferico (chairlift) located right nearby the Circuit and runs from 9am- 5/6pm, but hours can vary by season. It’s one of the most popular activities for all ages in Bariloche, so I would suggest arriving at 8:45am to beat the crowds and to secure a close parking spot. The cost is ~$20 and takes ~10 minutes to reach the summit. I’ve heard that you can also hike up the mountain which takes ~45 minutes if you’re looking for exercise, then take the lift back down. The best photo opportunity is from below the restaurant area where you’ll see a few seating benches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1568936a-f389-41ce-8a93-1b4460510390/coffee.png Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - As hinted above, one of my favorite cheat snacks (whatever you call it!) is a sweet hot chocolate. Bariloche is the hot chocolate capital of Argentina, so you’ll find plenty of chocolateria’s to give a try. One of my favorites, Chocolaterie, is located nearby the Circuit and an easy stop on the way back to city center. They had many unique flavors with plenty of seating whereas other chocolateria’s were overcrowded with tourists. Furthermore, they had a store that specialized in all types of gourmet chocolates. Another “must-try” chocolateria is the famous Mamuschka, but it’s almost always packed— their flagship store is located off Calle Mitre in the City Center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/e0bffec9-60ca-461e-9ff6-eb21307b7009/Bar.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - After hitting the spots above and if time permits, spend a few hours wandering Bariloche’s city center. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed and surprised by Bariloche’s downtown scene, but you’ll find plenty of restaurants, tour agencies, shopping and at least you can check it off the list. However, it didn’t have any distinct character or the elegance that I was hoping for. It’s still worth strolling the streets for an hour or two, starting with the Centro Civico (aka the town square) and then continuing under the two arches to Calle Mitre, Bariloche’s main drag. This photo was taken from the northwest corner in Centro Civico— you can see the two arches to the left that lead directly into Calle Mitre. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4b3fdcdd-6bee-4cbb-aa0b-20bb56b37227/catedral.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Catedral’s Mountain Ridge is the most iconic hike in Bariloche, but it would probably take a full day to complete for most people. That said, this would likely need to be an additional day to the activities listed above, or mix and match as you see fit. I originally had this hike planned, but ended up canceling because I had just completed multiple demanding hikes and wanted a break. There are many tour companies in town that offer the hike, but I suggest using ToursbyLocals for a more private experience. Transparently, this photo was pulled from the ToursbyLocals site, because it’s the photo that convinced me to book in the first place. You can also drive ~30 minutes to the ski resort where the hike begins and do the hike solo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/390fb77e-c249-4971-9a75-5745cd1d0880/boat.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The Arraynanes Forest is home to rare cinnamon-colored trees and the famous forest that supposedly inspired Disney’s Bambi according to local legend. There are a few options for tackling this excursion, including a boat ride from Puerto Panuelo off the Circuito Chico Loop. However, you’ll most likely want to explore the nearby town of Villa La Angostura which is also in the same direction as the Route of the Seven Lakes, and you cannot accomplish these activities without a car. That said, I strongly advise taking the ~1 hour scenic drive to the park. Additionally, there are a few ways to visit the forest including mountain biking. However, I recommend hiring a small private boat ride (fits 6-10 people) to the beginning of the trailhead— don’t take the larger boat because you’ll be stuck with a bunch of tourists in the way of your photos (larger boat in picture)— you can purchase boat tickets on the spot at the dock. The most scenic part of the trail is also located in the most remote part of the forest, so unless you want to spend all day hiking roundtrip, take the boat ride to the section with the iconic trees and then make the ~3 hour return hike to your car. For reference, I saw many mountain bikers, but I chose to walk and enjoy more of the scenery. The photo above was taken just before reaching the boat dock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cf6b6fc2-1b1e-45f1-94bb-c01a283f09af/entrance.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The photo here shows the entrance to the hike from standing on the boat dock. I allowed the rest of the small group to advance so there would be nobody else in my photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/78fbbc80-d1f6-4a5f-905a-bfb6025e4f42/trees.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The beginning of the Arraynanes Forest trail is where you’ll find the “Disney inspired trees.” However, the Arraynanes trees don’t last very long into the hike so I recommend taking advantage of the photo opportunities before get too far. After ~20 minutes, it turns into your standard forest, but you’ll still be surrounded by beautiful scenery including water on both sides. Even though it’s a long hike, I would still classify the trail as easy since there aren’t any super, steep and lengthy inclines. You will encounter many small hills, but nothing too stressful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/52d3b8d8-b756-4621-b019-e02b9687eebc/hotel.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - After the day’s adventure, I would recommend finding time to explore Villa La Angostura, an upscale resort town, nestled on the northwest shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi and known for its picturesque alpine architecture and natural beauty. Like me, you might end up wondering how this town receives very little international attention after experiencing everything that it has to offer! For hotel accommodations, I stayed at a small, upscale, lakeside hotel for one night called the Auria Angostura. It provides an elegant restaurant with a fantastic lakeside view, and the rooms are very spacious. I took the photo above from the top of the hill in between the hotel and the hotel next door. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/833f04db-5022-456d-9635-9d401ecae3b0/Lake.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The Seven Lakes is a “must-do” road trip and much prettier in the early morning when there are few cars on the road and while the sun is rising. It was much more crowded watching the oncoming traffic on the path to San Martin while returning to Bariloche. My overall impression of the route was that it didn’t live up to the hype, but that’s also likely because I’m a bit spoiled with all of my travels. The lakes and mountains were very nice but didn’t seem to compare to Bariloche. That said, I still think most people will really enjoy the drive, but I created this blog to provide my honest feedback so there you have it. Lake Espejo, the second of the seven lakes, arrives quickly and is considered the most scenic lake for its’ crystal-clear waters that reflect the surrounding Andes. There are several viewpoints, however I suggest turning off when you see a narrow road running to the beach (left side). As a heads up, you might wonder how it’s the correct road, but that means you’re on the correct road! This photo was taken from the beach just before approaching the water. Beware of the mama birds and their babies because the mamas can be very protective if you get too close! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/80966626-949a-4a25-85a7-08b0f7998f51/Lake.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - This next photo above is also Lake Espejo, but taken from the official mirador along the main road. There is a small parking lot off to the right and the lookout point is across the street. Another highlight along the road trip was the long stretch of road before reaching Lake Escondido, a super cool, serene run through the forests of Nahuel Huapi National Park. These particular photos mysteriously got deleted so my apologies. As a heads up, most of the lakes only require a quick stop which will keep you on a good pace so you can spend more time in San Martin de los Andes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a868074b-608e-46d0-a534-f61179e2aab0/San+Martin.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - San Martín de los Andes is the northernmost town and surrounded by mountains, forest and another lake called Lake Lácar. San Martín is a hub for outdoor adventure, with Lanín National Park offering warmer weather hiking, as well as kayaking and boating options on the lake, and the ski fields of nearby Cerro Chapelco drawing snow sports enthusiasts in the wintertime. If your time is limited, just know that Villa La Angostura is nicer and has more to offer than San Martin. The photo above was taken from Mirador el Arbol off the trail that runs along the side of the road, Federico Gesiuff. The walk to the mirador takes ~15 minutes from the trailhead and a moderate incline, but nothing too challenging for most people. Many visitors actually walk much farther to Mirador Bandurrias, but I had already seen my share of miradors, so I chose to skip it. https://www.myscenicdetour.com/blog-1-1/Blog Post Title One-hdw8b monthly 0.5 2026-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9fbfdfb2-adfe-4827-a2ee-47eeb4cf9ada/Pic3.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Make it stand out I traveled all over Yukon and nearby areas of Alaska for 3 weeks in August, 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/546a91f8-bf55-4645-9225-c2488404084c/Pic25.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Tombstone Territorial Park is nicknamed the “Patagonia of the North” and considered the crown jewel of Yukon. Most people are unaware of Tombstone because of its’ remote location and lack of major amenities. For me, I would rank the park in my top 10 adventure destinations. The park is roughly 6 hours from Whitehorse with Carmacks as the main town to break for food and gas. It’s a lonely, but highly scenic journey that often turns to a rocky and gravely road for many miles at a time. Most vehicles will be fine if you drive safely. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/16bce583-94df-4d5e-9f1e-da10a802c6c9/Pic23.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Expect to experience some of the most dramatic scenery on the path to Dawson City that will illustrate the massive size of the Yukon. This photo was taken along the Klondike Highway from the Five Finger Rapids viewpoint. There is another really cool pull-off spot as you approach closer to Dawson City called Tintina Trench Viewpoint. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/eca0597d-e2d2-4919-9d77-1dee49c29286/Pic11.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Most visitors use Dawson City as their homebase for Tombstone Territorial Park. Dawson City is a tiny gold rush town which might remind you of the movie, Back to the Future III. The most popular hotel is called The Downtown and you can’t find a more centralized location to rest. Side note, The Drunken Goat Taverna was my favorite restaurant spot which serves fantastic Greek and mediterranean food— it was always packed. For dessert, Klondyke Cream serves generous portions of ice cream and is considered a local hot spot. I loved it and made it part of my cheat day! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/da387280-6f66-4ea5-b6c8-ecbdadd6473a/Pic1.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Upon landing in the early morning, you’ll want to be ready to start snapping photos asap because the lighting should be perfect on Tombstone Mountain. The weather can change rapidly so take advantage of the photo opportunities while they last. You’ll have a second chance to capture the same photos when returning to the helicopter pad, but the lighting will not be the same. For example, the helicopter photo at the top was taken at 7am and the photo here was taken in the early evening. The more distant lake in this photo is Talus Lake and is considered the prize destination for most visitors to the park. This particular photo was taken from a smaller lake which is roughly a 10-minute walk from Talus Lake (no name to this lake). You’ll have to walk up an uneven, grassy incline to get this photo but it’s not difficult. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/198cb118-4deb-4cf3-bb7e-b45bf0921007/Pic13.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - If you choose to do the helicopter-hike, the guides will typically take your group around 5 miles past Talus Lake before stopping for lunch and then turning back. Overall, the hike is relatively flat terrain with a few small inclines and declines. It should be an enjoyable hike for most experienced hikers, but make sure that you still wear comfortable hiking boots. This picture is about 20- 30 minutes from Talus Lake and is impossible to miss. This photo was taken in the early morning, but the water will likely become a more emerald green by the late afternoon for your second photo opportunity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8c9da990-efac-42ca-a1e8-22b5458363c1/Pic9.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The picture here is right before reaching our lunch spot which is shown in the following photo below. Make note of the yellow flowers because this is the perfect location for this photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/84ff6d6d-91b3-4fb9-b176-7a5ff9dfca10/Pic17.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Once you reach the Divide Lake, you’ll see a few picnic tables nearby, but the ultimate lunch spot is a hop, skip away by meandering through the vegetation and climbing a few rocks to reach the final two larger boulders. This part is a little difficult to explain, but you’ll see what I’m referring to when in the moment. If you decide to eat on the boulders, make sure to bring your bug spray because they can be relentless closer to the water. A day or two prior to the hike, your guide should contact you to coordinate your lunch preferences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9330598f-4887-4c72-a541-4b54359aa2d4/Pic27.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - So what other cool activities are there to do while visiting Dawson City? Aside from my restaurant and ice cream recommendations above, Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall is by far the most popular evening activity in town for both tourists and locals. It’s Canada's oldest casino and reminiscent of the area's Klondike Gold Rush history. If I recall correctly, you pay a $25 entry fee, and the ticket allows entry and reentery during your entire stay in Dawson City. The picture to the right was taken from the center of the upper balcony just after the show ended. You can find a few other late-night, lively bars nearby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f89517d3-dbe0-4681-91cb-9b239dba8a87/Pic21.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The Midnight Dome is just outside of town and offers a spectacular view of Dawson City and the surrounding mountains. You can drive there by taking Dome Road from the Klondike Highway or by taking Mary McLeod Road in town which connects to Dome Road after a few minutes’ drive. In my opinion, it’s much easier to take Mary McLeod if you’re coming from town— it’s also a more interesting ride because it winds through a few spooky cemeteries. The total drive time is roughly 15 minutes each way. The weather could be slightly chilly at the summit so bring a jacket even if it’s warmer in Dawson. On a clear evening, many locals and tourists arrive around 1am to catch the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, I never attempted to see this spectacle because of early morning activities. If you don’t have transportation, you can still experience the Midnight Dome by hiring local tour companies like The Klondike Experience which is a minute walk from The Downtown Hotel. Additionally, if 1am past your bedtime, catching the sunset is still a pretty epic experience as you can see from my photo! Once at the top, you can walk a few yards down the cliff (it’s safe) to get a more close-up shot of Dawson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ce2fd477-ca0e-4f4c-b4a1-e30854190d90/Dempster.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - If you cannot do the multiple day hike or the helicopter transfer to Tombstone Mountain, then the Dempster Highway (Route 5) cannot be missed. Honestly, I would still most definitely do this drive no matter what. This drive offers fantastic viewpoints that are not visible elsewhere. The Dempster Highway is located approximately 25 miles east of Dawson City (in other words, prior to reaching Dawson City). After the first ~15 minutes, the road becomes mostly gravel— the small pebbles can easily crack your windows from the passing trucks. As mentioned earlier, you only need to drive for roughly 1.5- 2 hours for the most iconic views, however the road extends for 13 hours all the way to the arctic. This particular photo was taken from the Tombstone Range Viewpoint (most iconic), ~45 miles into the drive. If the weather is nice, get this photo now because bad weather can move into the area within minutes. Shortly before the viewpoint, Tombstone Interpretive Center is a cool stop that showcases the park's natural and cultural history. They will also provide you with everything you need from trail maps to camping permits. That said, I would still make the Range Viewpoint the priority if it’s nice weather and return to the Center later in the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/acfc7f30-0310-4cc7-9b2d-1b111b877b42/TB1.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - If you’re anxious to get out of your car for some exercise, but don’t have time for an all-day hike, I would definitely suggest the Goldensides Trailhead which is directly across the street from the Range Viewpoint. There is a small parking lot and then it’s a quick 10-minute walk to the trailhead. It’s a relatively easy 2-hour roundtrip (maybe less) hike that offers nice, panoramic views of the park. Even though it’s a touristy hike, don’t forget your bear spray. I didn’t see any bears on this particular hike, but I did see a few off the Dempster Highway. This photo was taken at the end of the hike where you’ll find many large rock boulders. Heads up, some hikers turn around before the boulders appear as it seems like the path comes to an end at certain point— keep walking for another 5- 10 minutes and you’ll find yourself at the boulders. After the hike, you can choose to continue driving north via the Dempster Highway, winding through diverse landscapes, but you’ll eventually need to return the same way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/58a072ac-57ec-40d9-b795-2c5a965ce525/Top-of-the-World-Highway-From-Above.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The Top of the World Highway is the 4th most popular activity outside of Dawson City behind Tombstone Territorial Park, The Dempster Highway and The Midnight Dome. For the record, the image was pulled from the internet because bad weather had limited my visibility. Let me be clear, The Dempster Highway is by far the best option if you only have time for one road trip, but TOTW is still a must-do experience. You should confirm with your rental car company whether they allow the drive without paying an extra fee to cover potential damages. From Dawson City, it’s a quick 10-minute ferry ride across the river to the start of the highway. I believe the ferry opens ~7am daily and it’s free— however, you should double check the hours of operation just to be sure. Most tourists drive the full 3.5-hours to Chicken, AK before returning to Dawson City or continuing deeper into Alaska. Chicken claims to be the last surviving Gold Rush town and is a popular rendezvous point with a population of 50 people at most. The US/CA border is open 9am- 9pm Yukon time and you’ll gain an hour when crossing the border into AK. There are very few, if any, stops for gas and food along the way. For those of you familiar with Skyline Drive situated on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this drive is similar but at a higher elevation and more scenic. The road becomes gravel after the first 5- 10 miles, but it was still in good shape, and I felt very comfortable driving ~60mph most of the way. The last 30 miles became more challenging so be cautious. There are many viewpoints along the journey but check the weather because rain and fog can ruin the entire experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/83f6b089-ff6f-47ac-8e0e-c36e190b73f2/Pic28.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The drive from Whitehorse to Skagway, Alaska is one of diverse landscapes that will keep you reaching for your camera. The drive takes a little more than 2 hours with no stops. My recommendation would be to book a hotel in either Skagway or Haines, AK for Friday and Saturday evening and return to Whitehorse on Sunday— I explain more below. However, it’s still definitely worth the trip even if you’ve got one day. Unlike the drive to Dawson City, you will see more tourists, but there still aren’t many food and gas spots with the exception of Carcross. The first stop is Emerald Lake, roughly 45 minutes south of Whitehorse. For the best photo of Emerald Lake, stop at the roadside overlook on the South Klondike Highway just before Carcross, allowing a view of the turquoise-green lake. The mountains might be hidden by the clouds in the morning, but should be more visible if you’re return is later in the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/db0218e5-6011-4813-82ec-72c3b56f4892/Pic6.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The Carcross Desert is about a 7 minute drive from Emerald Lake and the next stop in route. The desert is known as the “world’s smallest desert,” though it’s not technically a true desert. I would encourage you to get some exercise and walk up the hill (seen in the background of this photo) because the view from the top is awesome and much different than the photo which was taken about 5 minutes into the walk. You’ll want to snap many pictures from different angles in this area because my best photos were not the photos that I expected them to be. The tiny town of Carcross is just after the desert and is another good place for a quick stroll. Within Carcross, there are a few touristy stores and ice cream shops. You can also find Bennett Beach, a small beach with a fantastic view in the residential area. It could be a little difficult to find without help from your phone. My last recommendation in Carcross would be to visit the Chilkoot Trail Authentic Sourdough Bakery if it’s open, for incredible Sourdough— make sure to ask the staff to cut an extra thick slice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f0311707-0b5a-4714-9283-3abf83cdad80/Pic20.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Within 5 minutes after leaving Carcross, the journey will start to become even more scenic as you make your way through Windy Arm, a road that winds through magnificent scenery and over White Pass, before arriving in Skagway. There are many pull-outs along the way, but my favorite was Bove Island Viewpoint. To capture the best photo after parking, skip the platform area and walk as if you were headed back to Carcross for 50 yards. Make sure to stay on the other side of the railway to stay safe and you’ll soon see a much more panoramic view compared to the platform area. Tutshi Lake, and test your nerve at the Yukon Suspension Bridge—a pedestrian cable suspension bridge high above the Tutshi River Canyon. Windy Arm is a narrow, north-south extension of Tagish Lake in southern Yukon, known for its strong winds that can funnel waves and create a "natural wind tunnel." Pullouts along the way not only give you some outstanding photo opps, but also reveal the heroic and heartbreaking stories of the gold rush. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/28b33f20-cf50-4b01-b632-dcd2bd1fb0e8/Suspension.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - As you continue the drive south on the Klondike Highway past Tutshi Lake, the next and most touristy stop will be the Yukon Suspension Bridge. I believe it was $25 to enter and to be honest, this was probably my least favorite stop because it was inundated with buses full of cruise ship tourists coming up from Skagway. I took this photo from the deck area near the gift shop on the return back from Skagway to Whitehorse in the late afternoon when all of the buses had left the area. Another good photo opportunity is by standing on the bridge just behind the Canadian flag looking back towards the gift shop— it’s difficult to miss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/879177c3-ca9c-445b-9b7b-239d098a7238/Unworldly.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Just before reaching the US/CA border in Fraser, you will come across a series of unworldly, emerald-green lakes and inlets. There are a few places to pull over, but the area just before where the trains stop is probably the best photo opportunity. I’d recommend carefully climbing down the rocks to get closer to the water. This area often gets blocked by dense clouds so get these photos while the opportunity presents itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cc7e64fd-16b9-45a4-ae66-28459f8faaae/Pic18.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - After passing the border, the majestic drive over White Pass to Skagway AK is around 40 minutes. Again, this part of the drive can frequently be covered in clouds so don’t hesitate to reach for your camera. There is a good chance that you’ll get trapped behind a tour bus or large truck which will obstruct your view down the mountain. I’d recommend pulling over for a few minutes to let them get far ahead so you can enjoy the scenery to its’ fullest. Skagway, AK is definitely your typical cruise-ship, tourist town with 4-5 large cruise ships almost always docked nearby during the daytime. However, they always leave in the evening and arrive in the mornings. For the best photo opportunity without having the ships obstructing your view, I would recommend waking up around 4-5am when the ships, cars and tourists are nowhere in sight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/596b5b7d-50d3-4040-9378-7c21b23b5ff3/Pic4.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - There are many outdoorsy activities to do while in Skagway, but the most iconic is the White Pass & Yukon Route Scenic Railway Tour. I’ve taken many scenic railway rides, and this ranks top 3 on my list. The ride is roughly 2 hours long and there are normally two departures per day, 8am and 12pm— I would recommend taking the 8am since there will be less people aboard and the lighting will be more optimal for photos. While boarding, I would let most people go first and then find one of the cars that is emptier. I’d also recommend sitting on the left side because the photo opportunities are far superior. After about 10 minutes into the ride, they will allow you to go outside on to the platforms for the rest of the trip, which is why it’s important to be in a less crowded car (you cannot go from car to car). I had the entire outside platform to myself and didn’t have to deal with pushy tourists. The quantity of photo opportunities can be overwhelming as you ascend into the mountains, but my favorite was just before entering the first tunnel, looking back at the rest of the train with mountains positioned in the background— it comes up fast so be ready to snap away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/fa3c1faa-65f4-455d-ae4e-aaa85cc586b0/Fishing.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - I love all forms of exploring the great outdoors and that includes private boat excursions into the Alaskan seas. Most of the traditional cruises in Skagway don’t allow for the proper time to spot whales, orcas, eagles, otters and other wildlife. That said, if you’ve got the financial resources, I highly recommend trying a private tour such as Carpe Diem Excursions. The couple that owns Carpe Diem moved to Hawaii after I left, but there are other private options that offer customized tours. You provide them your preferences such as seeing wildlife, waterfalls, rugged landscapes or even fishing, and they will plan it accordingly. Private tours like these can range from $1k- $1,500 for 2-3 hours, but they typically permit up to 10 people, making the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity much more affordable. The guides are experts at spotting wildlife and getting close up to the animals which does not occur on the larger cruises. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/3ee7700f-6de6-4eb8-8b66-ccd4846f4691/Dyea.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - While in Skagway, I’d also recommend the following activities; Take a 30-minute scenic drive to Dyea, AK, a ghost town situated deep in the Alaskan forest. A few people live on individual small homesteads in the valley; however, it is largely abandoned and teeming with wildlife, especially grizzly bears. I loved this adventure but make sure to bring bear spray because you have to do some walking in order to reach a few destinations. The photo above is from the early part of the drive to Dyea— it’s not on a map, but you can’t miss it. Early on the way to Dyea, you will pass by the Skagway Lookout which offers a decent (not fantastic) panoramic view looking over the town of Skagway. Try to visit during a time when there are no cruise ships obstructing the views. Klondike Brewing Company is my suggestion for a large and lively atmosphere that offers good food and drinks. However, the Red Onion Saloon definitely has the reputation of being the most fun and rowdy place in town. Finding a seat isn’t easy! Walking the town and exploring the stores is a popular activity. If you like to indulge in fudge from time to time, you cannot find much better spot for authentic fudge than Alaska and Yukon. Regarding hotel options, there are many options in the area, but book it well in advance because they fill up quickly. I stayed at the Pack Train Inn which is located on Broadway in the heart of Skagway. The rooms were very nice and spacious but lacked AC— although I think most hotels are the same. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cb311268-922d-4e70-982a-2f68e004dd91/20250807_142921.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - On the first day, I would drive two hours west from Whitehorse to Haines Junction and do a scenic flight tour over Kluane Nati onal Park. Kluane National Park is a protected place that is home to the largest non-polar icefields in the world, and 17 of Canada’s 20 tallest mountains—including Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada. It’s virtually impossible to experience this massive park without a flight tour since there are almost no roads. The town of Haines Junction itself doesn’t have a main street so there isn’t much to do. However, visiting the Daku Cultural Centre to learn about the First Nations people is likely the only activity worth your time. Most people visit for the excursions waiting nearby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/e90c9e2e-c8bd-4400-ae29-7429b246c0b5/Kluane.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Booking a prop plane flight tour is the coolest thing to do in the area. The company Icefield Discovery out of Silver City (45 minutes northwest of HJ) seemed to offer the best options for a potential glacier landing and it was the closest location to the park, not to mention they were very responsive. To be clear, Silver City is not an actual city— just a small grassy runway with a few prop planes. You can join a small group tour which is normally 6 people max or book a private trip which is more expensive. I did a private tour (called Helio) to ensure that I could easily move around the seats to get the best photos, but it’s also not cheap. Do not sit in the front because the propellers will obstruct your view. If you select the group tour, I’d do your best to sit on the left side. The video above will give you a great sense of the icefields, but it’s so much majestic in person. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/44d20e21-f3ed-49c6-8503-2dd4cdddd426/desert.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The first option is from Silver City— continue driving north on the Alaska Highway to marvel at the diverse landscapes. I turned around after 45 minutes because it felt like the best part had passed, but I could be wrong. I also don’t remember many stops for food or gas. This picture of a small desert was taken from the Thechal Dhal Visitor Centre, about 10 minutes north off the Alaska Highway after leaving Icefield Discovery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/38695c1c-b7bf-4934-8278-da1710440f77/KingsThrone.webp Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The second option is to drive an hour south from Silver City back through Haines Junction to Kathleen Lake. You can take a small stroll along Kathleen Lake which borders Kluane National Park for the scenic mountain views or hike up the popular King’s Throne Trail for an even more stunning look at the lake and landscape. I would not do this hike alone or without bear spray. It’s also a good spot for camping and fishing with a few locals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2590ca8c-9cea-40a4-b663-b9f61db1431f/Klukshu-ice-bear-crop-Large-1200x600.jpeg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The last option is Klukshu Village, a traditional First Nations fishing camp located about 45 minutes south of Haines Junction and 30 minutes south of Kathleen Lake. Known for its annual salmon run, it is an important seasonal gathering place for the First Nations people. Klukshu is tiny, a shantytown if you will, located in the middle of the forest. Coming south from Haines Junction, you will need to pay very close attention to the turn-off which is a narrow dirt road that appears to lead you into a wooded area that will remind you of a scene from the Blair Witch Hunt. It’s even creepier if you arrive in the early morning hours when nobody is awake. The town is famous for its’ “ice bears” aka grizzlies that don’t hibernate during the winter. This photo is famous— to be honest, I was a little nervous to leave my car and walk around. I could sense the wildlife around me and the fact that it seemed like a ghost town, made it even spookier. I wouldn’t go out of your way to see Klukshu, but it’s worth a quick stop if you’re on the way to Haines, Alaska. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c0e90e77-5f3e-44ae-8c33-a5d600b1f4be/Pic2.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Haines, Alaska is a small, walkable fishing town that’s larger than Skagway, but much smaller than Whitehorse. I recommend staying at the Aspen Suites Hotel because of its’ central location and the rooms are large and clean. It’s also the only hotel with a gym and there is a decent grocery store across the street. Haines was one of my favorite spots because of its’ quaint downtown, its’ abundance of outdoorsy activities, spectacular views and limited tourism. This photo was taken from the Welcome To Haines Sign off Lutak Rd which is very easy to find and even walkable from downtown. The best time to capture this photo is during the evening hours when the lighting is more favorable. It’s rare to have completely clear days in Haines so take the photo first thing if it’s a nice day. While in town, I would also recommend trying some of the following places; Deer Heart Restaurant: As of 2025, this was the trendiest dinner spot to be and offers impressive upscale dishes for being in the middle of nowhere. It’s a bit off-the-beaten-path, but still walkable from Main St. Rusty Compass Coffee House: This was my favorite coffee spot because of its’ festive atmosphere and its’ wide variety of hot drinks. Mountain Market Cafe: This is a local hot spot serving some of the most popular breakfast and coffee in the area. They even have a small supermarket offering a ton of healthy food options that’s reminiscent of Whole Foods. Lighthouse Restaurant: This iconic restaurant is the closest restaurant to the water in Haines. I never had the chance to eat here, but it was always crowded. Ft. Seward Drive Loop: A few blocks from Deer Heart restaurant, you’ll find Seward Drive which loops through a quiet neighborhood littered with Victorian style houses and bed & breakfasts. It’s a short but picturesque walk where you can burn off your dinner while snapping a few unique photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/182799ff-45ef-4b69-a3d1-bbac0e9a1a82/Pic29.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The photo here is towards the entrance of Chilkoot State Park and it’s frequented by fisherman if you look closely. The river is a bright emerald-green in the early morning hours. It’s common to see both fisherman and bears sharing the river at the same time. You can also drive to the end of the park where you’ll find Chilkoot Lake Park Recreational Site, another great photo opportunity. Here you’ll find kayaking rentals and many people fishing for the day. Make sure to bring bear spray if you go for a hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d3c87168-3af4-4382-af26-ddbde42cc372/Pic22.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The photo of the shore was taken on the drive to Chilkoot State Park shortly before reaching the Lutak Bridge. You won’t find the traditional pull-out, so you’ll have to park on the side of the road and walk towards the water. The advantage to arriving here in the early morning is the mist could make your photo appear more dreamier. However, the mountain background will look more like a shadow. Or you can visit in the evening when there won’t be any mist, but the mountains will be more sharp and defined. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/b4e66550-a983-4a3c-9c69-9f2f26b93685/Pic10.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - More fantastic photo opportunities can be found by visiting Chilkat State Park which is in the opposite direction of Chilkoot State Park. You can do this activity alone or with a tour guide like Karla. She took me here first thing in the morning when the sun was perfectly hitting the rocks. To get this photo, you’ll pull off Mud Bay Rd and walk 50 yards towards the wate, you can’t really miss it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/195eb1ae-c1ce-495d-a0ee-ae827abe2302/Chilkat.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - This is another picture from Chilkat State Park, but looking the opposite direction from the picture above. In summary, I probably missed half of the things to see and do in Haines, so I recommend doing a lot more research. Sites that I typically use to help in my planning include GetYourGuide and ToursByLocals, although I don’t think there were any tours being offered by the latter while in Haines. Once you’re ready to leave Haines, you can return to Whitehorse by driving back the same way through Haines Junction or catching a car ferry to Skagway and driving the same route as the Wow Factor Road Trip— it’s much shorter, but book the ferry well in advance to be safe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587667765-6HX9RN91F5KD6BD1283B/Pic15.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Dawson City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587696036-GVSN7PU4Z67QQ6317ZIG/Pic16.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Waiting for the helicopter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587689639-AJKC3QDIVJVUXJIAFT57/Pic30.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Carcross Desert https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587928137-FRZQ3Z0ECBU5XWR8SPTZ/Gallery2.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Tombstone from the air https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759588069374-DJV4KFMVZC52TRG5CSHT/Gallery1.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Train ride from Skagway https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587971911-GC4FIV1Q84WQHN1KSWDB/Gallery4.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Tombstone Territorial Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759588076787-5Q5AZJ1UD6JZLLG9CL3B/Gallery3.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Tombstone Territorial Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587931277-OILB0V6J1UKWP05YZ7JZ/Gallery5.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Beginning the Flight Tour in Silver City https://www.myscenicdetour.com/blog-1-1/blog-post-title-two-3bj5d monthly 0.5 2026-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d785581c-16b0-474f-a1c7-daa1d675409f/Pic6_Trondheim.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out I traveled the entire country of Norway in June and July of 2025. I would keep in mind that my blog only reflects the activities available during the summer months and can vary greatly during winter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ce8a192a-a307-46c0-8902-061930d28916/Pic33_Oslo.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - We start in the capital city of Oslo where you’ll only need 1.5- 2 days to explore with almost everything being walkable. On day one, I would start with the most popular attraction in the city, the Oslo Opera House, located at the harbor. Rather than going inside, most tourists simply walk up the ramp to the top of the structure for the panoramic views. The harbor can be extremely touristy during the daytime hours, so I’d suggest arriving around ~5am to capture a photo without all of the obstructions. This photo was taken during “sunrise” off the path that runs parallel to Langkaia Road, just before reaching the Oslofjord Adventures Pickup Point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c8f121d2-17fc-41a6-a929-3d0c88d0623a/Norway1.png Blog Overview - Norway - The MUNCH is a hop and a skip from the Oslo House where you can explore 13 floors of iconic works of art. Transparently, museums are not my thing, so I didn’t actually go into it, but most people do spend a few hours touring the exhibits. From the MUNCH, you can explore the neighborhoods of Barcode Project and Sørengautstikkeren. This photo was taken from the footbridge that connects the MUNCH and the neighborhood of Sorengautstikkeren. The bridge is difficult to miss once you’re in the area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a41ceeff-45f0-4ad5-b46c-769a51842ceb/Pic23_Barcode+Oslo.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The photo here was taken from the Nylandsveien Bridge behind the Barcode Project. It’s called the Barcode district because of its twelve narrow, high-rise buildings of varying heights which resembles a barcode when viewed from a distance. Taking the photo from the bridge is by far the best spot to capture an up-close photo of the entire landscape. This bridge typically has consistent foot traffic so I’d recommend visiting during off-hours. Additionally, the Barcode Project is a fun neighborhood to explore due to its’ rapidly growing number of trendy restaurants and retail stores. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/82a283dc-e55a-4ff6-8b2f-1ad5f43adcef/Norway2.png Blog Overview - Norway - A short walk from the Barcode Project and you will find one of my favorite neighborhoods in Oslo, Sørengautstikkeren. It’s a popular area among the locals because of its’ stellar view looking over the harbor and ultra-modern architecture. The area is definitely on the up and up and the local restaurants and bars are typically filled with more of a sophisticated crowd. Most of the residential buildings are newly built and teaming with unique photo opportunities. Find the restaurant Mirabel Sorenga and you should find this building in the photo pretty easily. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/5fe273d8-f441-4fa6-bae9-e53f2e9be740/Norway3.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - To finish the day, I would wander Oslo’s main shopping street, Karl Johans Gate. Here you’ll find an endless supply of restaurants, bars, shopping and more. The flagship stores for Norrona and Helly Hansen are located in the Karl Johans district and are a few of the all-time best places to find outdoor clothing gear. I had to buy a second suitcase to fit it all! Keep in mind that most of the stores will be closed on Sunday’s (maybe Monday too, I can’t remember exactly) so plan accordingly. The photo here was taken near the Grand Hotel Oslo, early morning ~5am to avoid all of the pedestrians and car traffic. The Royal Palace can be found at the end of the street (in this photo) and is surrounded by a nice park. If you walk in the other direction via Karl Johans Gate, you will eventually run into one of Oslo’s most lively intersections, Jernbanetorget station. Here you’ll find more shopping and many street performers. Lastly, go get lost in the many streets of Sentrum, there is a lot more than meets the eye and I’m sure that I missed a lot myself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cfd37332-4f66-4d24-b27f-1c3e6eefa31b/Norway1.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - I wanted to add one more unique photo opportunity while you’re exploring the Barcode Project. The train track running parallel to the street, Dronning Eufemias Gate, is covered in emerald, green grass and is best taken from near the 162 (road) looking back towards the Oslo House— it will make sense when you look at a map. Taking this photo during sunrise will give this photo much more vibrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/765172bb-1461-49f9-9329-33dc814e9d46/Norway3.png Blog Overview - Norway - Starting day two, I would recommend touring the Akershus Fortress, a castle originally constructed in the 1300’s. The fortress also contains two military museums. Entry to the grounds is free and you can wander the outside areas to see the architecture and panoramic views looking over the harbor. However, special events inside the fortress require a separate ticket. Transparently, I never entered the museums so I unfortunately can’t offer any assistance here. Upon finishing the fortress, the neighborhood surrounding the castle is also worth a quick stroll. In regard to the photo, this is one of a few that I didn’t take because it was too difficult to capture the full landscape without the use of a drone or from one of the boats nearby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/7207cd26-c582-4196-91fa-708d8f1ab6de/Pic10_Aker+Brygge+Oslo.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From the Akershus Fortress, you’ll want to make your way to my very favorite Oslo neighborhood, Aker Brygge Wharf. In my opinion and I know my stuff; this area is a MUST-DO for photographers, those interested in ultra-modern architecture and anyone seeking many of the trendiest restaurants in a vibrant shopping district. If you get lucky, you might encounter a cultural pop-up event or concert during the weekend. You could easily spend a few hours snapping photos of the Wharf. However, this particular photo was taken from the street, Bryggegangen, just before crossing the bridge— it’s easy to spot once in the area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a61761a5-b317-4926-9bdf-c53427b72fd9/Norway1.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - At the end of the Aker Brygge Wharf looking over the fjord, you’ll also find the Astrup Fearnley Museet, which is one of Scandinavia's most notable and popular museums for contemporary art. In summary, you could easily see most of the main Oslo attractions in 1.5 days if you’re consistently moving and want to make the most of your time in Norway. However, I know there are many other attractions and activities that weren’t mentioned which could easily fill two full days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/08f6655a-1185-4e18-bb08-4840d954f905/Pic5_The+Hike+to+Pulpit+Rock+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/00e70459-be41-4a2d-85e7-0f2295491663/Pic28_J%C3%B8rpeland.png Blog Overview - Norway - PULPIT ROCK: It’s 7-hour drive from Oslo to Jorpeland, the closest town to the start of the Pulpit Rock trailhead. Like almost every route in Norway, it’s a long scenic drive through many forests, tunnels and photo opportunities. You’ll eventually pass through Stavanger, the 3rd largest city and where you should stock up on food and snacks for the hike. I recommend booking the Preikestolen Hotel & BaseCamp because the hotel is steps from the trailhead. However, aside from the small hotel restaurant and snack offerings, there aren’t any food options nearby. Additionally, be prepared for very small rooms, a trade-off for the unbelievable location. The photo here was taken from the large hotel balcony in the early evening. In theory, you could potentially do the hike this same evening if weather permits, but my recommendation would be to rest up and start super early in the morning. As a reminder, it never truly gets completely dark during the summer months. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/55855154-9d19-4945-8a1f-3045f2d66fda/x9.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - If you’re staying at the Basecamp, you don’t need to plan ahead for parking. If you’re not staying at the Basecamp, I would recommend booking the parking online in advance or arriving before 6am because the lot will sell out by late morning. The trail is open 24-7 and well-marked so you don’t need a guide. I highly recommend starting the hike around 4-5am to avoid the crowds and for better photo lighting. My brother and I had the entire Pulpit rock for ourselves, but it becomes much more busy by the late morning hours. Most people will say that it takes 1.5- 2 hours to reach Pulpit Rock. However, you can definitely get there sooner if you’re consistently moving at a brisk pace. Keep in mind that it could be colder at the top of Pulpit Rock, but nothing too crazy. The first ~30 minutes of the hike is a steady incline via hundreds of steps. Once you reach the top of this first leg, it will flatten out and you’ll pass through a few small meadows before starting another climb. You’ll pass through various types of terrain including a few small creeks and lakes, littered with fun rock scrambles along the way. Once you reach Pulpit Rock, don’t hesitate to start taking pictures because the clouds could swoop in at any moment or more groups of people could appear, getting in the way of your camera. If you’re looking for that iconic picture, then there is one spot to get it. As you walk towards the point for the ledge, you’ll see the viewpoint for that iconic picture, it’s another small ledge. Someone needs to stand there, while you walk over to the main ledge. The Pulpit Rock platform is larger and safer than this photo may appear, but you still need to exercise extreme caution. You won’t find many guard rails or fences in most of Norway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4bf4b1c3-383e-4bb2-b34e-65c054ef27d4/Pulpit.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - There is a plethora of fun photo opportunities to be had. This particular picture was taken whilst standing on Pulpit Rock, looking back towards the fjord. However, the clouds weren’t working in our favor. I would encourage everyone to roam around this adult playground by climbing the rocks and getting off-the-beaten-path. After exhausting your camera, you can start hiking back to Basecamp which shouldn’t take more than an hour without any long breaks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/38e30f9e-0388-4e29-a797-83806394d739/Pic1_Trolltunga+Hike+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out TROLLTUNGA: The Trolltunga hike is one of Norway’s most popular hikes and one of my favorites of all time. Most hikers stay in the small town of Odda before embarking on the Trolltunga Hike. The drive from Jorpeland (Pulpit Rock) to Odda is ~4 hours and passes through some incredible landscapes. We stayed at a 3-bedroom Airbnb called the Trolltunga Fjord View which was a little difficult to reach because of the very narrow road that snakes up a steep incline. However, you’re rewarded with a pretty view of the Fjord from the Airbnb’s balcony. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0e9b7dd8-6251-40e0-9fd0-502151bdc08d/T5.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The start of the hike is the easiest because it’s relatively flat terrain that includes a few small bridges. We actually slow-jogged this part of the trail to stay well ahead of other potential hikers. In fact, we jogged most of the flat areas of the hike. After ~25 minutes, you will reach the first strenuous incline which seemed like hundreds of rocky steps. Take it slow and steady because this climb is no cake walk. Once you are beyond the steps, you’ll need to start paying closer attention the trail markers (long polls) a little more carefully. As you continue the climb, you’ll be making your way onto more of a rocky, flat surface that is often covered in a few inches of snow and ice, but nothing super concerning. There are many unique photo opportunities during the early stages of the hike, but the trail really show-off after ~2 hours of trekking. Once you reach the location in the photo above, your camera might be in hand for the remainder of the hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f226b63b-4085-4a44-9c47-b905c6ad6a71/T4.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The photo of my brother standing on the hill and the following few photos are all within 5-10 minutes of each other. As a reminder, I wouldn’t relax in these areas for too long because you’ll risk having to share Trolltunga’s tongue with many other hikers. Instead, take some quick photos and be on your way. You can always snap more on the return back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/09f725f6-0b6c-4179-98df-8333482e9c1f/T3.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The photo here was taken by my brother from the hill in the prior photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8e41824f-d7c1-489e-99cc-54b2164f87c6/Pic27_TrolltungaV2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Lake Ringedalsvatnet is ~5- 10 minutes from the previous photos and if you choose to spend a little more time in one of these areas before reaching Trolltunga’s tongue, the lake is definitely the most impressive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/b41e1c27-af31-4295-b631-b0305dfd2931/T2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The weather will get a chillier as you get closer to the final stretch of the hike. You will almost surely hike over a few snow patches, but again, nothing concerning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/dabf77a0-c8a7-4960-bed2-90c08c703e7c/T1.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Once you reach this particular rock, the terrain becomes more unworldly, and you’ll have to navigate through a gauntlet of water streams and rock formations. However, you’re now only ~30 minutes from the glory shot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a7c40708-3c12-4495-ab64-ead9f673c5ca/T2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out And before you know it, you’ll realize that the ~13 kilometer hike to Trolltunga’s tongue was well worth the reward, showcasing one of Europe’s most epic viewpoints ever! As I’ve stated before, do not wait to get your pictures because there will surely be more hikers arriving soon and a line will form. There is a small ladder that drops you onto the tongue (not visible) and then you’ll slowly walk to my location in this photo. The tongue is wider than the photo suggests, but you still need to be incredibly careful— there are no fences or nets below. Side note, Norwegians have no fear of heights, so you’ll likely see many taking some very risky and nail-biting photos. From here, you’ll start the journey back to your vehicle using the same path as before. However, it should be much quicker given it’s mostly downhill! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/6a96f714-5c23-48c7-a12a-9b58bbb64007/Pic21_Bergen.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is a ~3.5 hour drive from Odda (Trolltunga). The drive includes a ferry at Jondal which starts at 5:20am and takes ~20 minutes but do your homework to be sure. Bryggen is the historic harbor district and the most touristy by far. We stayed at the Magic Hotel & Apartments, a very short walk to the historic center and the city’s best shopping. The photo of the colorful red, orange, and white Hanseatic Houses was taken from the dock area behind our hotel and is the best location for this iconic picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/22ad074d-dc5c-498a-954a-5a872f0108b8/Bergen2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Mount Floyen is the second most popular attraction behind Bergen’s historic center. I recommend going during sunrise or sunset by hopping on the Funicular (railway) for a 10-minute ride to the top of the mountain or you can do the 1-hour hike. Once at the top, you’ll have a spectacular view of the city. You might also read about the Mount Ulriken viewpoint, but it’s higher up and more difficult to see the city. I wouldn’t waste your time if you’ve already done Floyen and have limited days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f547d6bb-c9f9-47ec-ad12-32966e068d5b/Bergen3.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Lastly, you can spend several hours walking through the colorful neighborhoods where few tourists roam in Bergen. However, it rains 230- 240 days of the year, making it one of the rainiest cities in the world so plan accordingly. Some people may tell you to stay in Bergen for 2-3 days, but you can definitely do most of it in 1 day if you’re consistently on the move and the weather is nice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/df8b1ad8-d4ab-43c1-8571-a6aa41e0fc82/Flam.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From Bergen, it’s time to make the ~8 hour scenic drive to Alesund with a few stops along the way. The first stop are the tiny towns of Flam and Undredal, and the Stegastein Viewpoint— roughly ~2.5 hours from Bergen. The Heimly Pensjonat Inn is the most popular hotel to stay at in Flam and a few minutes’ walk to the railway. The Flam Railway is often described as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world and lasts 2 hours. I would recommend taking the earliest train at 7:20am because there will be less tourists, better photo lighting and you’ll have the rest of the day to explore a few other spots in the area. I would book the tickets in advance to secure your spots, but you can also buy them onsite. If I’m remembering correctly, I believe that sitting on the left side will present better photo opportunities. The train photo was taken from the Myrdal stop where you’ll have ~10 minutes to disembark before staring the return trip to Flam. Overall, I’ll be honest and say that the ride and photo opportunities were very underwhelming, but it’s still a good experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ac076200-de93-421c-b16a-9abdba2315f6/Undredal.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - After completing the Flam Railway, I strongly recommend taking a 15 minute drive to the remote, postcard town of Undredal. You won’t find many tourists here, if any— mostly because Flam is a cruise ship destination and nobody has cars. You can walk around the tiny village on the fjord without taking too much effort. To get this picture, you’ll want to park in town and then find Hjollavegan Road. You’ll then walk up the hill for about 10- 15 minutes where you’ll find the “unofficial” view overlooking the town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f939069c-769e-4389-8318-f7fa790cdb13/Stegastein.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - To cap off your day, I highly suggest taking a ~30 minute drive from Flam to the Stegastein Viewpoint during sunset— avoid the daytime hours when it’s heavily populated by tour buses. This is a very scenic drive through the quaint town of Aurland and running along the fjord. The road will become very narrow as you start the windy incline so use precautions. Once at the viewpoint, there are various photo angles to mess around with, but the one in my photo was the most popular among tourists. In summary, you can easily accomplish the Flam Railway, Undredal and Stegastein Viewpoint in 1 day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c8240d09-3d7c-4756-9b59-125d0e494ee7/Pic19_Nedre+Oscarshaug+Viewpoint+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From Flam, you have several routes to choose for the next leg of the journey, so find what piques your interest and don’t assume that my route is your best option. I would consider this more of a road trip day, and I chose to head north on E16 to the 5 and then to the 55. This route takes you through the Lærdal Tunnel which is the largest road tunnel in the world at 24.5km. It also snakes around the Jostedalsbreen National Park on the Sognefjellet scenic mountain road, which reminded me a little bit of Patagonia and very under-the-radar. Roughly 2.5 hours into the drive and after climbing ~4k ft in altitude, you will reach the viewpoint called Nedre Oscarshaug, offering spectacular views of valleys, peaks, and a hairpin road. The rest area is named after a trip King Oscar II took over the mountain in 1860. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/42c279cc-1e25-4618-89dd-34830c6501e2/Norway.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From the lookout, you’ll continue north through another unworldly, snowy wonderland with families of sheep hugging the roadsides— keep in mind, it’s the middle of the summer. You will eventually take the 15 north towards Geiranger, an extremely popular town with an iconic fjord nearby. There are several popular outdoorsy activities in Geiranger ranging from the Ørnevegen Viewpoint, the Flydalsjuvet Rock and kayaking on the fjord. However, we chose to skip Geiranger because a few of the hikes looked very similar to Trolltunga and we wanted to spend more time in Loen to do the Via Ferrata. I also read that the town itself isn’t anything special and that it can often get overrun by cruise ships (my worst nightmare). Up next is the town of Loen and it would be out-of-the-way to come here if you’re not doing the Via Ferrata— and in that case, it would definitely be worth staying in Geiranger since you need to return this way anyway after visiting Loen. Hope that makes sense! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/7a5dc0eb-580b-4751-976f-4b76fba82dd9/Pic25_Loen.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - You’ll continue the journey west passing by diverse landscapes and eventually through the small, hip town of Stryn, before reaching the remote, scenic road leading to Loen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/e101ddbe-9308-4f1f-83d8-87a77f6df7aa/Pic22_Via+Ferrata.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Before anything, make sure to book the Hotel Alexandra while staying in Loen. It’s a large and lively hotel with all kinds of top-notch amenities including a Vegas style breakfast and dinner buffet (a bit classier and healthier). Most importantly, it’s steps from the start of the Via Ferrata. For those unfamiliar with the term, a via ferrata is a protected climbing route that combines elements of hiking and rock climbing, allowing people without technical climbing experience to ascend steep cliffs. Loen Active is the main tour company in the area, and its’ office is a short 5-minute walk from the hotel. We did the group tour starting at 11am and it was just the two of us and a family of four— booking a smaller group is better (if possible) because one struggling person can definitely slow down the rest. Depending on your level of fitness, the climb up can take ~ 3-4 hours and you’ll probably spend ~ 1 hour at the top taking photos, watching the people on the zipline and bridges, and of course the insane wingsuit jumpers. Oh, and the restaurant at the top on a clear day has one of the best views in the world (the photo above). For those who are not interested in the Via Ferrata but still want to enjoy the views from the summit, the Loen Skylift is one of the steepest cable cars in the world and lifts you a thousand meters almost straight up (open 9am- 10pm). Everyone, including those that do the Via Ferrata takes the Skylift down the mountain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/3c2958d3-931f-4f46-81cf-7b0171c4c990/Pic32_BMoney+Continuing+to+Scale.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - A few more things to know before booking the Via Ferrata include: If you are not an experienced climber, I do not recommend doing the Via Ferrata on a rainy day— trust me, you will regret it. Loen Active will describe this tour as beginner level. Trust me again, it is not! If you cannot do 5- 10 consecutive pull-ups or you have any fear of heights, do not attempt this climb and I’m being generous. Once you get past the halfway point, there is no turning back. I don’t want to scare anyone off, but this is not a hike for the faint-hearted. You will encounter several very scary and tactical points of the climb so don’t look down and just keep moving. Know this, Norwegians are crazy and have 0 fear of heights— they grew up with the Via Ferrata’s in their backyard. In other words, on a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the most difficult, our 5 would be like their 2! You will need to bring your own lunch, snacks and water. Also, be very careful of your phone and/or camera because you can easily drop it and there is no recovery. All that said, the sense of accomplishment once at the top is an incredible feeling, especially for those who have never done anything like this before. After meeting your guide at their office and reviewing the safety procedures, you will embark on a ~45 minute walk up a steep hill to the start of the actual Via Ferrata. For the next ~30 minutes, your guide will ask you to practice climbing the level A cables which are considered the easiest. For reference, I believe the expert levels are F or G and our climb had several C and D cables. Once the group is feeling comfortable, the journey begins! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4eada328-53e0-40b8-b2ab-2b47e84903f5/Pic7_BMoney+Climbing+Mount+Hoven+in+Loen.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Fast forwarding through a few hours of torture (I kid, I kid), you will reach the last ~45 minutes of the climb. This is the area that becomes more tactical and could become a little scarier for those afraid of heights. It’s also the area in which you’ll see crazy Norwegians doing crazy Norwegian things. You might also be lucky enough to see a wingsuit fly by in epic fashion. Just before reaching the summit, your guide will give you the opportunity to attempt their suspension bridges, zipline and level F & G cables (if he thinks you can handle F&G). We did the main suspension bridge because that isn’t optional, but we did not participate in the more difficult bridge — essentially, you’re walking on a rope and that was a bit past my limits of stupid. If you complete this bridge or F & G cables, I will bow down to you because that takes major guts. For now, I’m going to leave a few more pictures and videos below that capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/97494cc8-0e6a-424d-84ff-932c0acf7fee/Pic17_BMoney+on+the+Via+Ferrata+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out This is considered the mandatory and “easier” suspension bridge, but it will still get your adrenaline pumping. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/16443d71-4adb-4d35-a091-b46f01d64fe7/Loen+.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out Here is another panoramic photo right before reaching the summit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f6a59571-b668-4430-a987-845282755ca1/loen.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out And finally, take a drive through the surrounding towns and you’ll find dreamy landscapes that feel like you’re in a movie. This photo was taken off the Fv724 road near the small village of Laukifossen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9d7659e8-c633-4e5e-b2ea-5f83c8d015a7/Pic3_Alesund.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - My recommendation would be to leave the next morning at ~5am (from Loen) so you make it to Alesund to take the iconic photo during sunrise. There are a few routes to Alesund, but I think the E39 is the fastest at ~2 hours and includes a ferry. Upon arrival, you should immediately head to the Aksla Viewpoint (also known as Fjellstua Viewpoint). It offers an amazing view over Alesund and the surrounding islands and where you’ll get the iconic view of the city and its colorful buildings. If you follow my advice, you should have the entire lookout to yourself, maybe a few others. If you wait until the late morning or daytime hours, chances are that it will be overrun by cruise ship tourists— at which point, it might be worth waiting until the evening. You can either drive to the top through residential streets (which I recommend) or you can walk from the city center through a park and up 418 steps to the top. If I’m remembering correctly, I believe the viewpoint is open 24-7 and costs like $1 to enter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9267310c-e63e-4552-9dd0-d03d978172f6/Pic30_AlesundV2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - We stayed at the Hotel Brosundet for 1 night which is a higher-end, modern hotel situated on the water in the heart of the city and liked it a lot. Transparently, there isn’t much to do in Alesund, but walk through the city streets. This photo was taken from Tafjord Kraft Varmebenker— look it up on a map and it’s easy to find. Alesund busy during the daytime when the cruise ships are nearby, however becomes very quiet at night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4f2aa8ce-6d74-4c00-9724-1ed15432acf6/Pic11_Trollstigen.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From Alesund, consider waking up very early and driving 2 hours east to the Trollstigen Pass (there are no ferries). Trollstigen is a famous, scenic mountain pass in Norway known as "The Troll's Ladder" that features 11 steep hairpin bends along a dramatic mountainside. It is a major tourist attraction and is known for its spectacular views, especially from the viewing platforms at the top, which overlook the road and the Stigfossen Waterfall. There is no fee to visit the platforms. Before making the drive to Trollstigen, you should also verify whether the road is open because it’s often closed due to falling rocks. That said, it’s still worth the visit even if it the road is closed and that’s because 1) the viewing platforms should still be open and 2) the drive to Trollstigen is a fun experience. This photo is from the platform furthest down the hill which is easy to find if you just keep walking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ca146c82-5459-49bc-a9fd-e2a1eee5120e/Troll.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Trollstigen Road itself, is located in the Reinheimen National Park which is visible in the picture above. This photo was taken from the 63, ~5 minutes before reaching the visitor center, which then leads to the hairpin turns. Valldal is the nearest southern village where many people stay for the night before entering the park and continuing the drive. If you have extra time available, driving to the Rauma Valley (route 136) is also supposed to be a another extremely scenic road that’s located nearby, but we never made it there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/133d5da7-7daa-415f-b429-f4c7db9ff1d8/Atlantic.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - If you’ve completed the Trollstigen Road and the surrounding areas by late morning, you might be ready to start the long journey to the northern part of the country with a few stops along the way. If you’ve done any research on Norway, you’ve probably heard of the Atlantic Road. The Atlantic Road is ~2.5 hours from Valldal and is a 5-mile scenic coastal highway, known for its dramatic views of the Norwegian Sea and its eight bridges, including the distinctive Storseisundet Bridge. It’s extremely famous and widely recognized as one of the world's most scenic drives. The weather in this area can be unpredictable so make sure to monitor the forecast. That being said, this was one of a few destinations that we had unfortunate luck and the clouds covered most of the landscape. I added this photo from Visit Norway to show what it’s supposed to be like. The best photo opportunity is from the Seefahrer Denkmal area, but it’s also the most touristy so get there early if possible. If I’m going to be honest, I was very underwhelmed for the amount of hype this road receives and I don’t think it would have been in my top 5 recommendations even if the sky was clear. However, I’m sure you could capture some amazing photos with a drone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f19b548f-8f4a-4695-b7ac-82a6421f200d/Trondheim.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Depending on your time, you could stay in nearby Kristiansand which is a 30-minute drive north. However, we chose to go a bit further (~3 hours) and stay in Norway’s 3rd largest city, Trondheim. I forget which hotel we stayed at since visiting Trondheim wasn’t preplanned, but it’s a very walkable city so you can’t go wrong with anything in its’ historic center. The photo here is from one of the docks on the eastern side of the river. However, the best photo opportunity which is featured at the top of this blog is from the Gamle Bybro Bridge. The Bakke Bru Bridge is another very popular photo spot. If you take the Gamle Bybro Bridge to the eastern side of the river, you’ll find our favorite old-city neighborhood which is littered with small coffee shops, cafes and boutique stores. You can easily walk the entire city in half a day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2f587b61-e60c-4008-8626-b727648bf8ef/Bodo.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The drive from Trondheim to Bodo, which is the gateway to the Lofoten Islands, is ~9 hours. You can either take the scenic route on 17 (longer than 9 hrs) or the more direct route on E6. We chose to do 17 to Bronnoysund because we heard good things and were ahead of schedule and then rejoined E6 further north. Even though there are many noteworthy places to see on the path to Bodo, you’ll definitely want to save as much time as possible for Lofoten and beyond. Bodø is a vibrant town with a rich history, interesting art & culture, and impressive natural surroundings. One of the main attractions is the Saltstraumen. This small strait has one of the strongest currents in the world and is home to the world’s largest maelstrom (whirlpool). You can visit the maelstrom on a boat tour, but it didn’t seem worth the time in my opinion. I recommend staying at the Scandic Havet Hotel for the night because it’s right on the water and has beautiful views of the whole city from Roast Restaurant on the 17th floor. Transparently, this was another underwhelming city that you could walk in a few hours. The photo here was actually from the Bodo ferry just before reaching the Lofoten Islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/bd93ccc2-76ae-45a0-8722-1f96114053ae/Pic2_The+Lofoten+Islands.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out Arguably, the most iconic and unforgettable adventure destination in Norway, the Lofoten Islands will bring a huge smile to your face every day of your visit! This is an outdoor paradise, a magical playground that will make you feel like a child again when waking up for your birthday. The easiest way to reach the Lofoten Islands is by taking a ~3 hour ferry ride from Bodo to Moskenes which costs around $75 per car. I would definitely purchase your ticket well in advance because they often sell out. I would recommend planning at least one week to cover the Lofoten Islands, Senja and the drive to Tromso. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/645497ae-db03-4f38-ab14-bab4bb2169c3/Lofoten+house.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - You can find many unique accommodations in the Reine and Hamnoy (5 min drive apart) when booking in advance and if you’re going to splurge on one area of the trip, this is a great spot to do it. We stayed at the High End Sea Cabins at Å in Lofoten for a few nights (photo) and a few nights at Reinefjorden Sjøhus. While the Sea Cabins were a super unique experience, it was a bit farther from the trailheads so I would try Reinefjorden if your budget permits (it’s expensive). The stay at Reinefjorden is in the heart of all the action and has absolutely incredible views. As I’m covering the next activities, it’s important to keep in mind that we had much more free time than most visitors. Your trip could be a lot different than ours. I recommend prioritizing your most desired spots and creating a plan of attack. As a reminder, the weather can be very unpredictable so give yourself an extra day if possible. Additionally, keep in mind that it never gets completely dark so you can attempt the hikes at night as well (we did a few). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2e790abc-7b15-43ac-aa17-a976152c8e90/Pic4_Hamnoy.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - When you arrive to the islands, it will likely be late morning or early afternoon. You could spend weeks hiking all of the trailheads, but there are two hikes that cannot be missed— The first is the Reinebringen Hike which is by far the most popular, and second, the Ryten Hike which is ~30 minutes north of Reine. Many people go straight from the ferry to Reinebringen before even checking into their stay. However, weather, photo lighting and many tourists could dictate your schedule. For example, we chose to check in to our hotel and scope out the trailhead parking and best photo locations in Reine and Hamnoy first. We’d then go on the hike in the evening for better lighting and to avoid the crowds. The photo here was taken in the early evening from the Hamoy Viewpoint and is one of the most iconic pictures in the area. It’s difficult to see, but the Reinefjorden Sjohus hotel is located in the distance so imagine waking up to that every morning! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f9c2e657-2293-45ec-be40-bdf7130afc9f/Pic13_Reine.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out This photo was taken in Reine from Reineveien road directly off the E10— it should say “Reine Photo” on Google Maps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1f15f0c0-5e71-4070-97ef-6ae2fd38a469/Pic18_For+the+parents+%284%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - As mentioned above, the Reinebringen Hike is the most famous trail in the area and it will most likely be crowded through the early evening. The trailhead is a little hidden, but it’s listed on Google Maps and located directly next to a small tunnel. Most people park on Reineveien Road and walk 15 minutes to the trailhead. The hike is only 2 miles roundtrip, but it’s not to be underestimated. It’s a hard, steep, challenging hike on long, stone staircases and muddy, rocky trails. You definitely need to have a good level of physical fitness to reach the top. Like many other Norway hikes, be extra careful if you have a fear of heights or get dizzy easily. This photo was taken from the summit, but the weather had limited our visibility. Therefore, I returned to do the hike the following day since it was perfectly clear and I was able to get a much better photo (find above). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/6b5f32d2-bc43-4206-b9bb-bd84d8565b5e/Lofoten2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Once you reach the final point at the top where we are sitting in the picture above, you’ll notice that the trail continues up for another 20- 30 yards. I would be a little more careful in this area, especially if it’s been raining. However, the picture just below the title of this section was taken after walking those extra yards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/5521176b-fbf0-40e7-9b6f-3e34ae5175ed/Pic20_Kvalvika+Beach.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - For your second day, I would recommend rising super early and starting the Ryten Hike at 6am. This hike is spectacular, but much less touristy because most hikers don’t have transportation or the means to get there. Even though it’s not as steep as Reinebringen, it’s significantly longer, mostly uphill and requires good strength and endurance. The drive from Reine is ~30 minutes and the hike is ~4 hours roundtrip (6 miles). However, you can make this hike into an all-day excursion by extending it further (more to come). The parking situation is a little odd and you’ll fine multiple methods online, but we drove to Yttersand which is the "direct hiking route” and used the first parking lot. To get here, cross the Fredvang bridges, follow the signs to Yttresand, and stay straight when the road turns off to Fredvang. The road curves to the left and then you will see a large, grassy parking lot on the left hand side of the road. This is simply part of someone’s yard that was turned into a small parking lot. It costs NOK 100 ($10) cash to park here. If you are wondering about the climate, you’d be comfortable in a hoodie, light rain jacket, hiking pants and boots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/3ae12073-ea1a-4db3-83a2-42beaa6206d4/Kalv1.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - You’ll be trekking through grassy pastures and eventually a manageable incline for the first ~45 minutes. The trail is a little awkward in places, but you should be fine by following the manmade, wooden beams shown in the photo here. This photo was taken ~20 minutes into the hike in the direction of the parking lot. It’s not my best of this blog, but I thought it was something unique at the time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1cdf81ae-67b5-4ebb-94c2-376db7dba9fa/Green.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - As you continue to gain elevation, you’ll be greeted with a panoramic view of the green valley, ocean and mountain skyline, but it’s just getting started. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0ce6d600-b8b4-494e-b529-7b5461efcdea/Pic29_Fredvang.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The landscape begins to appear like you’ve landed on another planet halfway through the hike. The trail becomes more difficult to navigate from here and you could easily take the wrong path like we did. However, just know that all options will lead you to the same point before starting the final climb. Funny enough, I thought that by missing the correct path and hugging more of the water, we were presented with much better photo opportunities — I know this because we returned the correct way which included steel ropes, and it wasn’t as cool. It’s very difficult to pinpoint a location for this photo because there are no legit viewpoints and I couldn’t find it on Google Maps, but this location isn’t easy to miss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/208f4621-cbf0-4366-b987-e760c97c418d/Kvalka.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - You will eventually reach the start of the final ascent, and you’ll know when you get there because the beach will become visible and the path will appear like more of a steep hill. From here, you should see 4-5 narrow trails running parallel to each other, all leading in the same direction. The paths to the far left have more scenic views and unique photo opportunities, but they can also be a lot scarier. We started to the far left and gradually moved more inland as it became riskier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/04f284be-28af-4c08-9704-c902261ab3e9/Pic8_Kvalvika+Hidden+Beach.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out Once on top of Ryten, you will find one of the most jaw-dropping views in Norway. We had the entire summit to ourselves around 8am, but it will get busier (not crowded) by late morning. There is a large rock that juts out which you can see to the right of me, with Kvalvika Beach in the background. If you get the angle right, you can take photos that make it look like you are standing or hanging from a rock with nothing underneath of you. Just note, that it is located near the edge of a cliff, there is still the chance that you could fall, if you are not careful (we didn’t take the risk). From here, you can start the journey back to your vehicle or continue going further. Many people camp at the beach and it looks absolutely amazing, but it adds a lot of extra distance, time and elevation gain. There are a few other directions to explore while at the summit, but we made the decision to turn back and get to the next destination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c5b15c54-2833-40c8-9307-ccac6c62b099/Hawkland.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The scenic drive from Reine to Senja is ~8 hours, but there are many stops along the way and I’ll touch on a few of my favorites in the next few photos. Heads up that all of the following stops can be accomplished in one day. Your first stop should be Haukland Beach and Uttakleiv Beach, ~1 hour north of Reine. Just north of Leknes, turn right onto Leiteveien from highway E10. Follow the narrow road out to Haukland Beach. Most people would say that Uttakleiv Beach is prettier, but we both thought Haukland was more photogenic. From Haukland Beach, take the road through the tunnel and you emerge out into Uttakleiv Beach. You can park in the lots and then walk out on the beaches, taking time to enjoy the view. However, I don’t recommend spending too much time here— it’s more of just a pitstop to give your legs a break and check the box. This photo was taken from the southern area of Haukland Beach and is a ~10 minute walk from the parking lot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/81fcf969-7de7-4f2c-a947-279d9408b2e4/Henn.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - After visiting the beaches, you’ll drive another hour to your next destination, Henningsvaer. The artsy, picturesque town of Henningsvaer is small (500 people), but its’ boutique stores and cafes are buzzing all week from tourism. I would recommend parking anywhere and taking 1-2 hours to stroll the streets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f4afd413-02a0-4eab-8c99-f105750d0724/soccer.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Additionally, Henningsvaer is famous for its’ soccer stadium which is most photogenic in the morning or at night. It is known for its stunning natural surroundings, framed by jagged mountains, the Arctic Ocean, and traditional fish-drying racks. It hosts amateur games for the local community and has become a popular destination for tourists and photographers. You can visit the stadium 24-7 and there is no fee to enter. In order to find this photo location, you need to hike around the stadium and then climb a few rocky boulders. However, it’s virtually impossible to get the iconic photo (visible online) without the use of a drone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f130ac6f-972b-4965-a18e-7d15161d1f7d/Pic16_Svolvaer.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From Henningsvaer, you’ll drive 40 minutes north to Svolvaer where you can stay for the night— I’d book one of the Thon hotels since they are always the most reliable across Norway. Svolvaer is one of the largest villages in the Lofoten Islands and most people visit to hike Fløya, the mountain that forms the backdrop of the town. From the top of Fløya, you can look over not only the town of Svolvaer, but over nearby mountain peaks and islands off in the distance. It’s supposed to be an incredible 4-hour roundtrip hike, but we decided to hold off in order to have more time in the Senja region— and because we had just completed two exhausting hikes. If you are interested in this hike, I believe the trailhead is located next to the Svolvaer cemetery. Similar to Henningsvaer, I would suggest spending a few hours walking around the town, especially the waterfront and Svinoya Island, aka Pig Island. Svinoya Island is a 10-minute walk from the waterfront and this photo was taken from its’ main street, Gunnar Bergs. Another very popular Svolvaer activity is to take the Trollfjord Cruise, either the Silent Electric or Rib Boat. However, we chose to skip this as well, mostly because we had other priorities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/299ce6ab-04e5-430a-bebe-65c09df378fb/Pic12_Hesten+Hike+in+Senja.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out There are two famous hikes in Senja (Hesten and Segla), and both share the same trailhead. However, it’s the Hesten Hike that is most popular because of its’ iconic view. The hike takes ~3 hours roundtrip to complete, but you can easily make this into an all-day excursion due to the number of trails and photo opportunities. The weather is very similar to the Lofoten Islands so bring multiple layers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a36b9d80-c2d4-43b6-b6d1-9fa7180e0331/Hesten.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The path to Hesten is not signposted nor marked, but it is easy to follow once you find the trail head and because you can see others in front of you. It’s mostly uphill but it’s much less grueling than many of the hikes covered earlier in the blog. Once you reach the main area, there will be a lot of photo opportunities from different vantage points, especially if you continue climbing further up the ridge. Transparently, my brother wasn’t in the mood to take more risks, so our options were somewhat limited. The photo here was taken ~70% through the hike, but it’s farther than it looks to reach that final spot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8e7efb5b-cd34-4267-93b8-97d8dc0575f5/hesten2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - To capture this photo, I had scrambled higher up on the ridge, but it starts to become dicey the further you go— and it’s a straight drop into the water with one misstep. The iconic photo that many travel here for can be taken by sitting on the boulder that my brother is leaning against and facing the direction of the tower— then have your hiking buddy climb the ridge for another ~50 yards to snap a horizontal photo. It’s an amazing picture, but one that’s served with a tiny adrenaline rush on the side. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1f3ad890-5bb5-40d1-a617-505564430a03/hesten3.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Upon more contemplation, I decided to climb a bit higher without my brother and was able to capture a different perspective by crawling on the ridge and leaning towards the end of the wall. Unfortunately, the “sunset” had turned the mountains into shadows, but it would be a fantastic opportunity at any other time of day. On a side note, you will most likely see other hikers trekking to the very top and walking along the ridgeline. I’m sure it’s an unbelievable experience if you’ve got the time and courage. Lastly, there is a supermarket in town called Nærbutikken Fjordgård and it’s open 24-7 without any staff on duty. It’s a pretty neat concept and worth visiting if you’re looking to grab a quick bite after the long day. They even offer a fully stocked kitchen with seating! As for hotel accommodation options in town, I didn’t research this, but I’m sure that you would need to reserve your stay well in advance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a6b49dea-5ba9-4fd2-a5ab-46308617349b/platform.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - As I mentioned above, we did not stay in Fjordgard after the hike. It was a perfectly clear evening (~9pm) and we decided to take advantage by driving the Senja Scenic Route (aka Route 862) from Botnhamn to Gryllefjord. The drive takes ~1.5 hours (63) miles and winds through diverse oceanic landscapes. We planned to make the drive to Gryllefjord and sleep there for the night. A few of the noteworthy stops on the route include 1) The Tungeneset Viewpoint, a coastal viewpoint where you can walk out on the wooden walkway to the beach for a stunning view of the jagged Okshornan mountain range 2) The Bergsbotn viewing platform which is a wooden and metal platform that offers nice views of Bergsfjord (picture). To be honest, it’s an extremely nice drive, but not the end of the world if you can’t make it. We ended up sleeping in our car because there were no hotel or Airbnb options in Gryllefjord and woke up early to catch the ferry on our way to Tromso. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1b2ddb18-9161-4e20-9da1-9ec35abbe4a6/tromso.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out The drive from Senja to Tromso is ~3 hours and becomes very scenic as you approach within an hour of the city. Tromso is the largest city in nothern Norway and the third-largest city north of the Arctic Circle in the world. We stayed at the Clarion Hotel The Edge which was a luxury hotel, perfectly situated in the heart of the city. The harbor is a great place to spend the afternoon and have dinner before having a night out in Storgata to participate in their famous nightlife scene. Tromso is a small city so you only need ~2 days to explore the streets and surrounding areas. This photo was taken from one of the new modern apartment complexes in the harbor just before reaching the bridge (it’s easy to find). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/30f1f22c-283a-4e7f-9d41-a7b36e75803d/tromso.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - What to do in Tromso? Take the Tromso Cable Car during midnight sun for best views of the city. The cable car was closed during our visit but typically costs ~$30 roundtrip and operate 9am- 12am. The Arctic Cathedral is the real image of Tromso and is on every postcard. It didn’t seem worth paying to enter (~$10), but this photo is from its’ balcony— beware, it can be very touristy. Polaria is a combination of an experience center and an aquarium where you will learn all about Arctic nature and animals. Honestly, it’s very underwhelming for adults. There are many hikes in the Tromso region, but the Brosmetinden hike is supposed to be the most scenic and is a ~1 hour drive from the city. We never went because of other priorities but heard it’s relatively easy, well-marked and has a fantastic view of the ocean and neighboring islands. Lastly, you’ll find several funky museums like the Troll Museum and Ice Bar, but nothing mind blowing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a5dad665-72e1-4ff0-ac5d-765df41a862b/Pic9_Reindeer+in+Kvalvoya+Island.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - There are a few super cool places to visit outside of the city and they all can be accomplished in one day. My recommendation would be to take a 30 minute drive to Kvaloya Island as your first stop. The drive is very remote and there is a good chance of encountering wild reindeer since they seem to like hanging out on the roadways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ba02166a-4f11-4546-ae7d-5726dd1dbd6b/Pic31_Kvaloya+IslandV2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The next stop should be Ersfjordbotn, a beautiful fjord surrounded by jagged mountains that run straight into the the sea, located on Kvaloya Island. You’ll have to meander through the tiny neighborhood to find the photo location. Once you do, park your car and it’s a quick walk to the rocky beach where you’ll likely have it all to yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f590d051-38d0-4f7e-8c98-b5680c372cad/Pic15_The+Road+to+Sommaroy+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - A short drive from Kvaloya is the final destination for the day, the tiny fishing village of Sommaroy. Sommaroy was our favorite spot because it was surrounded by white sandy beaches and the azure, blue ocean. This photo was taken just before driving over the bridge to the island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/64b4a126-e06f-4d90-982e-6ae055558b08/Somm3.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - There are a lot of great photo opportunities when driving around Sommaroy Island. However, I recommend stopping at the Arctic Hotel and walking the property where you can find these last 3 photo spots. Not only that, but the hotel also has super cool interior design and a tasty restaurant. You will see the photo location of the red buildings by looking across the water from hotel’s rear balcony area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/36fcf4ca-289c-4fe5-8703-8595bc7c0cf1/Somm2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The photo of the wooden gate was also from an area walking distance to the hotel. 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