5 Tips for Fall Camping and Glamping

If summer is the season for camping, then fall is the time for glamping. You don’t have to worry about the unpredictable fall weather or chilly winds at night. It might be cliché to say the best thing about fall is the colors and fresh air, but it’s a cliché for a reason. The color palette and cool temperatures make fall an ideal time for glamping.

Fall Comfort at Its Best

Glamping has made it possible to get close to the elements while protecting yourself from them. In the fall, nature offers an explosion of colors, but the weather doesn’t always cooperate. That’s why it’s fantastic to enjoy a warm cup of coffee while cozying up indoors after a trip in the woods. You can witness a fierce storm before the fog lifts, leaving sunshine behind, all while staying completely dry. Admiring the forces of nature with a panoramic view is a magical experience and fall comfort at its best. But where is the best place to go?

Fall Getaway in Tromsø

Fall in Tromsø isn’t the typical fall you might expect. In Tromsø, fall is essentially another word for winter, with slightly warmer temperatures than the coldest winter months. In the fall, Tromsø is at its most beautiful. The Northern Lights make their appearance, the polar night hasn’t fully started, and the peak season for whale safaris kicks off. There’s plenty of snow on the mountains, allowing you to experience the best of both fall and winter in the same city. Staying in glamping domes just outside the city lets you get close to nature, and if you’re lucky, you might admire the Northern Lights dancing above your bed.

Island Hopping near Stavanger

Many visit Stavanger to venture into Ryfylke and climb famous peaks like Preikestolen and Kjerag. However, there are other experiences near Stavanger, and fall is a perfect time to visit. The small islands Klosterøy, Rennesøy, Finnøy, and Sør-Hidle offer unforgettable experiences. Fall is often the best time to visit, as you can enjoy the colors while tasting freshly harvested food. You’ll find many campsites in Ryfylke or near Stavanger, making day trips to the beautiful islands perfect.

On Klosterøy, you can explore Norway’s only preserved medieval monastery, Utstein Monastery. It has been converted into a museum and also features an active cultural environment with concerts, exhibitions, and local foods. Just near Klosterøy is Rennesøy, which offers an easy hike up to Rennesøyhodnet. From the top, easily accessible, you’ll have a panoramic view of all the small islands in the fjord, the majestic mountains stretching into Ryfylke, and the skyline of Stavanger.

Finnøy and Sør-Hidle are paradises for food and plant lovers. On Finnøy, tomatoes are cultivated—tomatoes and more tomatoes. If you travel there in late summer or early fall, you’ll get to taste freshly picked juicy tomatoes at one of the many farms around the island. On Sør-Hidle, the experience of Flor & Fjære is in full bloom during the same period. At Flor & Fjære, you can observe everything from palm trees to exotic plants. Enjoy a locally sourced dinner in the restaurant!

Fruit Village Gvarv

For authentic food experiences, the small Telemark village Gvarv has earned its deserved place on the map. The Norwegian Apple Festival is held the last weekend of September every year in Gvarv. The Norwegian Apple Festival is a tribute to the Norwegian apple, and you’ll be able to experience art, culture, and farm sales as far as the eye can see. There are several glamping options around Gvarv, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful mountain landscape in Telemark even longer. Gvarv is also an excellent starting point for continuing by steamboat on the Telemark Canal or further up to Hardangervidda.

Environmentally Friendly, Beautiful Train Journeys

Norway has some of the world’s most beautiful train journeys, at least according to various international media. Several times, the Flåm Railway, Bergen Railway, Ofot Railway, and Røros Railway have been named the world’s most beautiful train journeys, and it’s easy to understand why. Fortunately for us Norwegians, we are never far from one or more of these beautiful train journeys, and fall may be the best time to travel by train.

Even though we all dream of fresh mountain air and sunny days among exceptional fall colors, the reality is that the weather is often harsh when fall arrives. If you’re a bit flexible in your planning, you can hop on a train instead of climbing a mountain if the weather doesn’t have the same plans as you. Then you can sit warm and comfortable on the train while observing the beautiful fall scenery. You’ll have the opportunity to hop off at beautiful places along the journey, where you’ll find a spectrum of different glamping experiences.

Mountain Hikes and Trekking

If the weather cooperates, you can have fantastic hikes in the fall. The temperatures are pleasant, and the vibrant colors in golden hues will provide you with tranquility and inspiration. After summer, the trails are drier than in the spring, making peak hikes ideal in the fall. You’ll also be welcomed by DNT cabins that are still staffed or find an idyllic glamping option in the mountain wilderness once the tourist crowds have left. However, many mountain peaks get snow early in the fall, and not everyone may want to embark on a mountain hike with crampons and ice axes when the leaves start changing colors. Let’s go through the best mountain hikes to embark on when fall has arrived.

Queen’s Trail (1107 m above sea level, 5-6 hours one way)

Fantastic views over Sørfjorden, and easily combined with an overnight stay in the glamping paradise Woodnest Odda.

Gaustatoppen (1883 m above sea level, 4-6 hours round trip)

One of Norway’s most popular peaks, but in the fall, you don’t have to deal with crowds. The trail is good and wide, and you can enjoy Gaustatoppen peacefully in the fall. There are several beautiful glamping options around Gaustatoppen and Rjukan.

Kyrkja (2034 m above sea level, 5-7 hours round trip)

An easy hike that still takes you high up. You’ll have a fantastic view of Jotunheimen without having to embark on a trek over glaciers. If you can’t get enough of the majestic view, you can stay overnight in a dome at Jotunheimen Panorama for an unforgettable experience.

If you prefer not to climb many meters in altitude and would rather experience the beautiful colors among the trees or from the riverbank, you can take a trip to our mirror cabins along the riverbank in Fenstad or near Nordre Øyeren Nature Reserve to get close to nature in beautiful surroundings. Here, you can enjoy the fall colors and take life easy while strolling through nearby forests and viewpoints.