Explore the rugged terrain of Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland, transitioning from the lush, sun-drenched trails of summer to the ethereal, snow-cloaked landscapes of winter hiking and snowshoeing across the Nordics.
Hiking and Snowshoeing Holidays



Summer: Trekking Under the Midnight Sun
When the snow melts, a vibrant world of greenery and wildflowers is revealed. Summer hiking in the Nordics is a celebration of light and space. In Northern Norway, trails lead you along dramatic ridgelines where the mountains drop sheer into the deep blue fjords below. In Swedish Lapland, you can walk through the expansive Abisko National Park, home to iconic vistas and the legendary King’s Trail.
The presence of the Midnight Sun means your day never truly has to end. You can enjoy long, leisurely treks into the late evening, with the landscape bathed in a constant, soft gold light. The air is remarkably pure, and the sense of freedom found in these wide open spaces provides a rare opportunity for complete mental and physical rejuvenation.



Winter: The Art of Snowshoeing
As winter takes hold and a thick blanket of powder covers the ground, the wilderness becomes accessible in a new way. Snowshoeing is an ancient mode of travel that has been refined for the modern explorer. It allows you to move effortlessly across deep drifts that would otherwise be impassable, opening up hidden corners of the forest and frozen marshlands.
Our snowshoeing adventures in Finland and Sweden focus on the serenity of the season. You will move through “crown snow” forests, where the spruce trees are bent into otherworldly shapes by the weight of the frost. The only sound is the soft crunch of your steps. It is a slow, meditative way to travel that allows you to spot the subtle tracks of Arctic foxes or reindeer in the snow and appreciate the intricate beauty of the winter environment.



Expert Guidance and Nordic Comfort
Every journey is led by expert guides who are as passionate about the local ecology as they are about the trail. They ensure your safety in the changing mountain weather and share insights into the flora, fauna, and folklore of the region. On our winter treks, guides will provide full instruction on how to use modern, lightweight snowshoes and poles, making the activity accessible to anyone who enjoys walking.
After a day of exploration, the focus returns to the warmth of Nordic hospitality. You might find yourself gathering around a wilderness campfire to share a traditional fika, with hot drinks and snacks prepared over the flames. In the evenings, retreat to a secluded lodge or a rustic mountain hut. Here, a hot sauna and a hearty meal made from local ingredients await, providing the perfect end to a day in the wild.



Chasing the Northern Lights
For those visiting in the winter months, your snowshoeing expedition can extend into the night. Heading out with headlamps into the darkness, far from any light pollution, offers the ultimate vantage point for witnessing the Northern Lights. Moving silently through the snow-laden trees as the Aurora begins to dance overhead is a profound experience that captures the true magic of the Arctic winter.


Off the Map Travel was great! Alex helped us plan the most amazing 10 day honeymoon to Iceland. He gave us great recommendations and was so patient with us during the planning process!
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
I would thoroughly recommend this company. Their planning and advice was spot on. Alex responded to my calls and emails very promptly. I will definitely use them again for future trips.
Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!
Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
The ease of everything stood out to me. All we had to do was be there at the right time. The dog sledding was the highlight for my daughter and sister. We had the best time! For me, Manshausen was the highlight. We were very lucky and the only guests there for the majority of our stay. The staff was amazing and the food was so delicious. We had moose steak and it was the best meal I’ve ever had.
The cabins were comfortable and we were so lucky to have 2 clear nights where we just sat and watched the northern lights. We were able to get some awesome pictures too.
I appreciate all your time and care with planning our trip! I won’t hesitate to use Off the Map travel for our next adventure.
My family and I traveled to Sweden to see The Northern Lights in March of 2023. From the planning process to every detail of the trip, I could not have been more pleased with our experience. Alex was exceptional to work with. His guidance on the time of year, where to stay, activities to do and how to get to and from everything was spot on. I have never used a tour company before but thought a trip of this kind would be easier with some help. I am so glad that I did. The entire week was seamless and completely stress-free, allowing us to truly enjoy Sweden and our time together as a family. I will be recommending Off The Map travel to friends and family and will certainly be using them myself again in the future.
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
We have loved it so much here that we have extended our stay and will come back to Bjornfjell and stay in one of their cabins until Jan 3 then we are staying in the igloo hotel the night of the 3rd. 😊We added a few excursions this week – we did the whale trip on the RIB boat (wow!), toured the igloo hotel (which is why we decided to book the last night!) and did the reindeer sleigh at Sorrisniva. You were so right, the bonfire excursion was incredible!!It has been an absolutely amazing trip!
What an amazing trip we are having. It is incredible. Many many thanks for arranging such an incredible trip.
Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!