Norway: Trampolines & A Can of Black Beans

The Journey Begins

When you dream of adventure, sometimes the best stories come from the most unexpected moments. This is the tale of our family’s transformative trip to Norway in 2016—a journey that would change our perspective on what’s truly possible in life.

The adventure started with careful planning (well, sort of). Armed with backpacks, rock climbing gear, and a coffin surfboard bag, the seven of us boarded a one-way flight to Oslo with a budget so tight it would become a running joke throughout our travels. The cheap Norwegian Airlines tickets at just $200 per person made the decision easy, even if everything else about the trip remained gloriously unplanned.

Culture Shock and First Lessons

Landing in Oslo after an exhausting 12-hour overnight flight, we quickly realized we weren’t in California anymore. We rented what we thought was a seven-seater car, only to discover it was barely a five-seater with a trunk that could hold nothing. With surfboards strapped to the roof and climbing gear squeezed into every crevice, we sat cross-legged for eight straight hours on their drive toward Bergen, with our massive backpacks wedged at their feet.

Nothing could have prepared us for Norway in June. I had trusted that there would be campsites with signs on the road. There were. I had also assumed June meant summer warmth. It didn’t. The sun barely set, confusing our jet-lagged bodies, and temperatures dropped to freezing at night—a shock to us who hadn’t expected to need sleeping bags for the supposedly warm season.

The First Night: Black Beans and Midnight Meadows

Arriving at our first campground in the middle of the night (or was it morning? The sun wouldn’t set to tell us), we discovered something magical: a camper’s kitchen—a communal cooking space that would become a lifeline throughout our Norwegian stay. With no propane stove yet and barely any food, Gabi and I prepared the only thing they had: a can of black beans and rice.

Picture it: seven exhausted travelers, not having slept since California, sitting on a picnic table in a perfectly lime-green Norwegian meadow at midnight, the sun still high in the sky, sharing a single spoon to eat their modest dinner of rice and beans. It was the kind of moment that defines a life-changing adventure—not comfortable, but unforgettable.

The Mountains and Unexpected Detours

As we drove toward Bergen, we encountered our first real test: an avalanche had blocked the main highway. The detour we were forced to take added three hours to their journey, but what unfolded was one of the most breathtaking drives of their lives. We passed a hundred nameless waterfalls—cascades that would deserve our own designations back in the United States but were simply accepted as everyday features of the Norwegian landscape. The drive took us through people’s front yards and into the heart of untamed nature.

Eight hours of sitting cross-legged seemed worth it when we finally arrived at a charming Airbnb on the outskirts of Bergen. The culture shock was complete: Scandinavian architecture with turf-covered roofs, impeccably organized lawns dotted with hay rolls, and a pervasive sense of order and responsibility that stood in stark contrast to what we knew back home.

Adventures Beyond Bergen

Once we left our Airbnb with no solid plans except “north or south,” the real adventure began. Following Gabby’s research, we headed north toward Geirangerfjord and a small town called Stryn. Here, we discovered something extraordinary: a pre-bolted rock climbing area right alongside the highway, complete with views of the fjords from the summit. We hiked the Geirangerfjord rather than taking the touristy cruise, and yes, I even managed to get electrocuted by an electric cattle fence while retrieving my iPhone.

The Surfing Dream and the Molden Race

An attempted three-hour drive to catch waves in June proved futile—the ocean was flat. But the journey revealed how dramatically the Norwegian landscape changes as you move from fjords to coast. Later, when locals recommended the Molden hike, we showed up only to discover hundreds of people were racing it. This 3,000-4,000-foot elevation gain hike, tackled by people of all ages and fitness levels, became a profound moment of inspiration. At the summit, surrounded by lingering snow and fjord views, we realized we had found something special: a culture that embraced challenges as a normal part of life.

The Trampoline Magic

Almost every Norwegian campground had trampolines, which might seem like a small detail until you consider that Tatiana, the youngest family member, was jumping on one at midnight under the light of the endless Norwegian sun. That image—simple, joyful, possible only because of all the discomfort and uncertainty that came before—encapsulated the entire trip.

Toughening Up for Life

Over just two weeks in Norway, we underwent a transformation. We learned to endure cold, sleep deprivation, and limited food. We discovered that with the right mindset, challenges become opportunities. As I reflected, once we figured out Norway, we knew we could figure out anything. These weren’t just vacation memories; they were life skills that would serve every family member for years to come.

The trip to Norway didn’t just give us a vacation—it gave us a new definition of what’s possible. It ruined us for ordinary travel, yes, but it also equipped us with the resilience and perspective that would shape our family’s adventures for years to come.

Because sometimes the best stories aren’t about luxury or comfort. They’re about a can of black beans, a family sitting cross-legged in an impossible car, the midnight sun, and the discovery that life’s greatest moments often come wrapped in hardship.

Camping in Norway

The price for 1 night is often less than $30 and most campgrounds have campers kitchens with sink, tables, and counters to prepare meals. Many even have stoves, ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers to use for free. The showers are also inexpensive and many are brand new facilities.

Best Campgrounds in Norway: 

Kjørnes Campground

This campground has all new facilities and sits on the Sognefjord, making it a central location to exploring all the beauty surrounding the Sognefjord (including our favorite hike to do in Norway: Molden).  The owners are very nice and helpful.  The best part of staying here is the bread they deliver in the morning (only $2 USD!).

Pro Tip: Do you have a comfortable sleeping pad? We spent 2 weeks tent camping in Norway and I have to say, a good sleeping pad paid off.  We love Klymit sleeping pads because they’re comfortable but also quite affordable. Shop and Receive FREE shipping on all orders at Klymit.com!!

Stryn Camping AS

While this campground is not the most beautiful of these 4 campgrounds, it is the best campground to use a base camp for the Stryn area. Stryn has so much raw nature that you could spend a lot of time here.

This campground is also within an hour of the famous Geirangerfjord National Park.

Randsverk Campground

This was a great campground in the mountains close to 3 national parks including Jotunheimen National Park, Rondane National Park,and Dovrfjell Sunndallsfjella National Park.  This campground has brand new shower and kitchen facilities (and a great playground for kids) that make it very comfortable even if you are tent camping.  There is great mountain biking, rafting, and hiking nearby.  

Be ready for cold nights even in the summer months, this is the only place we actually had to sleep in the car because temperatures drop so low.

Pro Tip: If you’re tent camping, buy a dark one for summers in Norway.  It’s only dark for 2 hours during sumer in Norway and if you plan on sleeping, make sure you get a dark tent one with from Kelty. Kelty has lots of really great tents that come with tarps that block out a lot of light.

Gryta Campground

This campground is a great basecamp for exploring Josteldasbreen National Park which is only 10 minutes away.

We actually didn’t stay here, but when we drove by it I wish we had.  This campground is in the most picturesque setting at the base of the Oldevatnet Lake in Oldedalen. You can view glaciers, high mountains, and beautiful Norwegian nature, directly from your own tent or RV!

3 Best Hikes to do in Norway:

Hike above the town of Flo

You aren’t going to find this hike on any tourist map or list of hikes to do in Norway.  This is a hike one of the locals told us about and it was amazing!  Starting from Stryn, drive east to Flo (you will drive to the end of the road in Flo and pay to park on someone’s lawn).

Molden

This one was my favorite hike to do in Norway.  We happened to do this hike on a race day so it was a bit crowded, however, that didn’t take away from the enjoyment any bit.  I was amazed too by how many kids were racing it!

Indre to Ytre Fure

One of the off-the-beaten-path hikes to do in Norway takes you to the side of a mountain covered by primrose flowers right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.  Drive towards Hoddevika and then follow signs to the coast and the very narrow, one-lane road west along the ocean.