The Scandinavian countries have their own cultural identity and a wealth of hiking opportunities, from the high mountains and fjords of Norway to the farming countryside of Denmark, with Sweden having a mix of both. Finland is quite different, much of its area being taken up by lakes. Consequently there are unlimited opportunities for walking routes from the easiest to the most challenging.
2005 is a year of particular significance for Norway as it is the Centenary of Independence from Swedish rule. There's a website giving information on special events, in English.
The first walks on this site from Scandinavia are located at
Tromsø, the most northerly city in Europe, situated well inside the Arctic Circle.
A trip there in June 2004 to take part in the Midnight Sun Marathon provided an opportunity for some easy walks around Tromsø island and on the hill overlooking the city.
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Stavanger, Norway, during takeoff
And again, an aerial view of the city of Stavanger |