PilotViking sitting on top of a stone on the Kjerag trail
Photo by Bob André Engelsen

3 min read

Published 29. July 2025

By Fjord Travel Norway

Friluftsliv: Why Norwegians live their best life outdoors

In Norway, the path to happiness isn’t paved with gold. More often, it’s a muddy trail winding up a mountain – possibly in the rain, and definitely with a thermos of coffee and a Kvikk Lunsj in your backpack (like Kit Kat, only better). What's the deal with Norwegian hiking culture?

What's the deal with Norwegian hiking culture? Get outside. Really. It’s that simple. In fact, friluftsliv - Norway’s beloved outdoor lifestyle – should probably come with a doctor’s note: Side effects may include increased joy, lower stress, and a deep love of woolly socks.

Did you come across this article while planning a coolcation to Norway? If you read on, you will see that in Norway the love of spending time outdoors in fresh air is not a trend, but a tradition.

Friluftsliv meaning: More than a lifestyle

Let’s start with the word itself. Friluftsliv is an amalgamation of three Norwegian words: fri(free), luft (air), and liv (life). The closest translation is “open-air life,” but that doesn’t quite capture it.

It’s not just a lifestyle - it’s a philosophy, a mindset, and arguably the nation’s spiritual core. It explains why Norwegians are spending time outdoors when most of us are still scrolling the weather app looking for an excuse not to. If you understand the concept, you are well on your way to getting to know the locals.

The word friluftsliv was first used by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen in his 1859 poem On the Heights, where he writes: "I feel a peculiar urge for friluftsliv – for solitary walks on the high mountains."

Even back then, it captured the soul-soothing pull of nature that remains central to the national identity today – long before anyone posted their mountain-top yoga pose on Instagram.

Friluftsliv is never a competition

Friluftsliv isn’t limited to thrill-seekers chasing adrenaline. In fact, it fuels those in search of heart muscle stimulation. The kind that comes from steady, soul-filling activities. Think mountain hiking, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, cycling, fishing, or berry-picking, depending on the season. Always outdoors. Always with a sense of presence rather than performance.

Children are raised with this mindset. School outings often happen in the woods, with or without skis. Family vacations favour spending time in nature over theme parks. Even Norwegian royalty walks the walk. Crown Prince Haakon, patron of The Year of Friluftsliv 2025, reminds us that friluftsliv doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as picking blueberries in the forest or spending a weekend in a cabin.

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. Credit Friluftsåret 2025
Crown Prince Haakon is patron of Friluftsåret 2025. Photo by Friluftsåret 2025
Two hikers enjoying a coffe break in the outdoors

No such thing as bad weather

There’s a beloved saying in Norway: “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær.”Translation? “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” It’s a national mantra. Just layer up, zip your jacket, and go. Rain or snow is just nature’s way of keeping things fresh.

Norwegians also live by the rule “Først yte, så nyte” – first effort, then enjoyment. Whether you’re cross-country skiing through a snowy valley or hiking in Oslo’s forested backyard, the reward is sweeter when it’s earned.

This might also explain why Norwegian mountains offer some of the world’s most vigorous after-ski scenes. Enjoyment, after all, comes in many forms – including a heart-shaped waffle or a freshly baked cinnamon bun.

Here are 7 mountain hikes worth considering on your next Norway trip.

Photo by Tommy Andreassen | nordnorge.com

woman in raincoat sitting on a bench on a beach

DNT and hyttetur: The Norwegian way of enjoying the outdoors

In Norway, access to nature isn’t just encouraged – it’s expertly organised. The DNT (Den Norske Turistforening), Norway’s Trekking Association, maintains over 500 cabins and thousands of kilometres of marked trails. Look for the red T. It’s your sign that you’re headed in the right direction, whether through forests, fjords, or glaciers.

Photo by Thomas Rasmus Skaug | Visit Norway

Liomseter DNT cabin

And this brings us to hyttetur, the treasured cabin getaway, an important part of the Norwegian outdoor culture. Whether with family or friends, it’s about escaping to a simple wooden cabin in nature. Some are rustic with no running water or bathrooms, but they all have a roaring fireplace, warm blankets, and that wonderful smell of woodsmoke.

Photo by Thomas Rasmus Skaug | Visit Norway

Old wooden cabin lit up with candles

Days are spent outdoors, skiing, walking, or just breathing in the pine-scented air. Evenings are for board games, storytelling, and slow-cooked meals around the fire.

And if you want to impress Norwegians, make sure you bring your raggsokker – those thick, woolly hugs for your feet. In a drafty cabin, they turn survival into luxury.

Photo by Thomas Rasmus Skaug | Visit Norway

Man filling water bottle on the hike to Kjerag

Conclusion: Friluftsliv isn’t a trend, it’s a tradition

In a world where digital detoxes are marketed like spa treatments, Norwegians have quietly connected with nature all along. No hashtags needed. Friluftsliv is about being in nature, rain or shine, alone or with others. The benefits of friluftsliv are many - you might notice it in the form of not needing a vacation after the vacation.

It’s not about chasing achievement, it’s about feeling alive and present. And in Norway, that feeling is often passed down like a well-loved pair of hiking boots: sturdy, timeless, and always ready for the next hike.

Photo by Thomas Rasmus Skaug | Visit Norway

Two hikers in Langsua national park

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