How to do Snowshoe Trekking in Norway

You already know that when you consider a winter trip to northern norway, the central axis of it will be the activities to develop in the spectacular surroundings of great Snowy landscapeAs an snowshoe walk.

As an example, we tell you about our experience on our most recent trip to what is known as Arctic Norway, in the Lapp region of Finnmark Central, in which we did an excursion that combines two activities.

This is the snowshoe trekking  which is combined with the fishing in a frozen lake.

It is a excursion which has one duration of about four hours, time that, as is usual in this type of activity, includes travel from the hotel where they will pick you up to the area near karasjok where it takes place, and the return to it.

What is snowshoe trekking like?

After leaving the transfer van on the side of the road and put on your snowshoes, which is very simple, you will begin to walk along a route along trails that will take you to a frozen lake where will you do the ice fishing activity.

I can tell you that at least in this case it is not a very physically demanding activity, and having a minimum state of fitness you will be able to snowshoeing smoothly.

Of course, pay maximum attention and do not get distracted when you are walking, as it is not difficult to trip and fall on the snow.

During the snowshoe tour They explain various things to you curiosities about flora and fauna of this arctic area, which implies successive stops that allow you to regain your rhythm.

In this area close to karasjok you will be able to see the characteristic arctic landscape of plains with gentle hills where in winter the birch thickets and the snow take center stage.

Of course, you will find some curious corners, such as some large granite rocks that they explain arrived there once as a result of the movement of a large glacier.

You will also see tracks of various animals, and the guide will give you some keys that will allow you to recognize them.

After walking almost a couple of kilometers along wide icy tracks and narrow paths through bushes, you will finally reach a frozen lake.

How to fish on a frozen lake

It's time to fish!!

The first thing you can ask yourself is if you are in danger of sinking.

In this regard I will tell you that this activity in karasjok It takes place from December to mid-April, so it is ensured that the ice on the lake remains very thick.

In our case we were able to verify this when the guide made the first hole in the ice.

Under the first superficial layer of snow that covers the entire lake, the guide found a layer of ice more than a meter thick and had to make a great effort to cross it and thus open the hole.

In this regard, it must be remembered that it is common for trucks weighing between 40 and 50 tons to circulate on the large frozen lakes of Norway in winter.

With the first hole open, the guide will explain to you how easy it is to handle the small rod that he will give you, which consists of a simple reel and at the end of the line, a "teaspoon" and a hook where live bait is placed.

With two or three more holes, there are already several of us trying to fish, although in our case we were not lucky, but I assure you that it is possible.

On a previous trip to arctic regions We had the opportunity to do the activity of ice fishing with the fortune of catching a couple of fish.

While developing the fishing activity, on the shores of the lake a fire is prepared and the place where you are going to eat is set up in a hole opened in the snow, where reindeer skins are placed so you can sit.

What do Lapps eat?

When you finish fishing, it's time to eat various specialties that are part of the lapp diet, who spend day and night outdoors caring for large herds of reindeer in harsh winter temperatures.

So we were able to test the banana with chocolate heated directly over fire, or smoked cheese with potato bread, and sausages also heated in the campfire.

Finally it's time to return, so what you will do again with the snow rackets the same route until reaching the van.

I also warn you that it is likely that on this excursion you will have very variable weather, with times when it is even snowing, and with others when you can enjoy the sun.

This great climatological variability is very common in winter in this Arctic area.

In short, an experience that you will always remember.