Norway or Iceland?

[LettyLou2]

My DH (58) and I (57) are trying to decide which trip would be better for us. As much as we would both love to go to both places, we are just not sure how strenuous these trips will be. We see that both have hiking and river rafting and since we both are in okay shape (but not very athletic), we worry that we are not going to be able to keep up. Just how intense are the activities on these trips? Any feedback would be much appreciated!! Thanks!

 

[chuff88]

I have only done Norway (not Iceland), but I would highly recommend it and didn't find it to be too strenuous. The river rafting is fairly mild, and the hikes are all optional. On the day the tour goes to Westerås farm there are three opportunities to hike - you can hike from the hotel to the farm, you can hike from the farm to a fjord viewpoint, and after lunch you can hike from the farm to Storseterfossen waterfall. When my mom and I went we did not hike to the farm (we took the bus available to those not interested in hiking) but did do the other two hikes. The views of the fjord and the falls are definitely worth the hike. I was 33 and my mom was 73 when we did that trip and we both did those hikes without issue. The one up to the falls is probably the most difficult of the three, but it was still very manageable and we had a number of older people in our group who participated. When we did the Norway tour the Day 6 activities were different (we didn't have biking or fishing), but I know they're always very good about offering alternate activities for those not interested in biking. When we did the Germany tour last summer they offered a walking tour in place of the bike tour for anyone who didn't want to bike. I'm not confident on a bike so I opted for the walking tour, which was great.

 

[LettyLou2]

I have only done Norway (not Iceland), but I would highly recommend it and didn't find it to be too strenuous. The river rafting is fairly mild, and the hikes are all optional. On the day the tour goes to Westerås farm there are three opportunities to hike - you can hike from the hotel to the farm, you can hike from the farm to a fjord viewpoint, and after lunch you can hike from the farm to Storseterfossen waterfall. When my mom and I went we did not hike to the farm (we took the bus available to those not interested in hiking) but did do the other two hikes. The views of the fjord and the falls are definitely worth the hike. I was 33 and my mom was 73 when we did that trip and we both did those hikes without issue. The one up to the falls is probably the most difficult of the three, but it was still very manageable and we had a number of older people in our group who participated. When we did the Norway tour the Day 6 activities were different (we didn't have biking or fishing), but I know they're always very good about offering alternate activities for those not interested in biking. When we did the Germany tour last summer they offered a walking tour in place of the bike tour for anyone who didn't want to bike. I'm not confident on a bike so I opted for the walking tour, which was great.

Thanks so much for responding with such great information! That is good to know that the hikes are not that bad and that we have other options if we decide we don't want to participate. Thanks again!!

 

[Mathmagicland]

Here is a trip report for Norway that @lmgustafson did for their 2022 trip - might help to see what each day is like.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/abd-norway-trip-review-august-2022.3893304/

 

[LettyLou2]

Here is a trip report for Norway that @lmgustafson did for their 2022 trip - might help to see what each day is like.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/abd-norway-trip-review-august-2022.3893304/

Thank you! This will certainly give me a great overview!

 

[sayhello]

I've only done Iceland. At the time I did it, I was in my early 60's. The only two pieces that I would say are a bit challenging are the Glacier Hike (and from what I was told, it's not the Glacier Hike itself that's challenging, it's the climb to get to the Glacier.) But there was an alternate hike that was pretty level, and very pretty. I did that.
The other one is at the very end of the rafting. The rafting itself is not difficult. There are several people in each raft, so you're sharing the work. I did not have any problem with the difficulty. But at the very end, you exit the rafts and then have to climb up the side of the canyon back up to the road where you board the van back to the outfitter. It's not a really high climb, but it's kind of steep, and you're wearing a bunch of gear (a dry suit, helmet, boots, etc). Everyone managed it, but it was a bit of a challenge. Definitely worth it to do this fabulous raft trip!

Here's the link to my trip report for Iceland. The trip is a bit different now, but not significantly.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...omplete-day-7-river-rafting-farewell.3707838/

Sayhello

 

[LettyLou2]

I've only done Iceland. At the time I did it, I was in my early 60's. The only two pieces that I would say are a bit challenging are the Glacier Hike (and from what I was told, it's not the Glacier Hike itself that's challenging, it's the climb to get to the Glacier.) But there was an alternate hike that was pretty level, and very pretty. I did that.
The other one is at the very end of the rafting. The rafting itself is not difficult. There are several people in each raft, so you're sharing the work. I did not have any problem with the difficulty. But at the very end, you exit the rafts and then have to climb up the side of the canyon back up to the road where you board the van back to the outfitter. It's not a really high climb, but it's kind of steep, and you're wearing a bunch of gear (a dry suit, helmet, boots, etc). Everyone managed it, but it was a bit of a challenge. Definitely worth it to do this fabulous raft trip!

Here's the link to my trip report for Iceland. The trip is a bit different now, but not significantly.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...omplete-day-7-river-rafting-farewell.3707838/

Sayhello

This is great! Thanks so much for all the feedback. I have lots to think about now! By the way, your trip reports are really good!

 

[sayhello]

This is great! Thanks so much for all the feedback. I have lots to think about now! By the way, your trip reports are really good!

Let me know if you have any other questions! And thanks!

Sayhello

 

[JRM815]

My family and I have done both Iceland and Norway. Of the two, I would pick Norway. Norway has to be among the top ABD trips we have taken. Although, to be fair, Iceland was done during covid and some activities (like the river rafting) got cancelled and replaced with other events.

Most of the activities on both trips were done over flat ground or over small inclines. So as long as you are able to walk a ways (like from the bus parking lot to a beautiful waterfall), you should have no issues. Not everybody paddles during river rafting. People do what they feel capable of doing. [Inside tip: you wear a wet suit and life jacket during the river rafting, and at a slow part of the river people are allowed to jump in. Be forewarned -- the river comes from melted snow and it is COLD!!!]

In Norway more than Iceland there are several optional hikes which involve going up/down several hundred feet of elevation. Not everyone partakes in those and there is usually an alternative activity for those less inclined (pardon the pun). For example, in Iceland my wife, son, and I did the glacier hike while my 22 y/o daughter and others went with the other guide on the bus to the rocky coast to see a puffin colony. You do what you feel capable of doing, and one of the ABD guides always stays with the slowest adventurer on the hikes to ensure that no one gets left behind.

 

[LettyLou2]

My family and I have done both Iceland and Norway. Of the two, I would pick Norway. Norway has to be among the top ABD trips we have taken. Although, to be fair, Iceland was done during covid and some activities (like the river rafting) got cancelled and replaced with other events.

Most of the activities on both trips were done over flat ground or over small inclines. So as long as you are able to walk a ways (like from the bus parking lot to a beautiful waterfall), you should have no issues. Not everybody paddles during river rafting. People do what they feel capable of doing. [Inside tip: you wear a wet suit and life jacket during the river rafting, and at a slow part of the river people are allowed to jump in. Be forewarned -- the river comes from melted snow and it is COLD!!!]

In Norway more than Iceland there are several optional hikes which involve going up/down several hundred feet of elevation. Not everyone partakes in those and there is usually an alternative activity for those less inclined (pardon the pun). For example, in Iceland my wife, son, and I did the glacier hike while my 22 y/o daughter and others went with the other guide on the bus to the rocky coast to see a puffin colony. You do what you feel capable of doing, and one of the ABD guides always stays with the slowest adventurer on the hikes to ensure that no one gets left behind.

Thanks so much for all the info!