There’s something special about being among the first to swim somewhere new. Especially when it’s on the wild western edge of Norway!
This July, our first pioneering guests headed to Solund, a remote archipelago of thousands of islands, islets and skerries, where Norway’s longest fjord meets the North Sea. Rich in Viking history and surrounded by clear Nordic waters, it’s a pretty extraordinary place to swim, hike and explore.
With two SwimTrek guides leading the way, the group swam between islands, hiked rugged trails and experienced a side of Norway few visitors get to see.
And Solund certainly delivered.
The water was cooler than expected, making staying warm between swims all part of the adventure. Our guests were equipped with Dryrobe® Tech-Lite robes, giving them a welcome extra layer of warmth and comfort as they travelled between swim spots and explored the islands.
We caught up with SwimTrek guide Paul, who led the inaugural trips, to find out what made this pioneering Norwegian adventure so memorable.
What makes swimming in Norway so special?
“One of the things that makes the swimming so special is how remote we are. It feels like we are the first to swim these waters. There are so many islands, islets and rocks to swim around that the possibilities are endless, really allowing us as Swim Guides to shape swims around the conditions and the group. There are no restrictions on where we can swim, it’s a literal playground!”
'It feels like we are the first to swim these waters...'
Solund is definitely off the beaten path. What makes it such a unique place to visit?
“The comment from all the guests, and the feeling the guides got from working in Solund, was the incredible sense of community. Everybody was so keen to show off where they live, from the local teacher who preserves the traditional Viking ways of boat building and sailing to the local guide sharing the history of the area and our hosts at our dinner stop at the traditional Norwegian fisher’s cabin. We even had a lunch stop at our local guides’ home of delicious locally caught crab. Everyone we met on the trip were all clearly very proud of their home.”
What was your favourite swim of the trip?
“So many to choose from! We didn’t repeat many swims from each week as there are so many options, but maybe one of my favourite areas is around Hop in the next bay. On one particular swim we had sun-kissed islands, kelp forests, birds of prey and even a rainbow, you never quite knew what might be waiting around the next island.”
How did guests find swimming in the colder water?
“The guests we had certainly felt the exhilaration from the challenge of swimming in such cool water. Some thought they wouldn’t be able to do it but proved they could! Cold water adds another dimension to an open-water adventure. For some of our pioneering guests, taking the plunge was as much a personal challenge as it was an opportunity to explore.”
'Some thought they wouldn’t be able to do it but proved they could!'
How important is getting warm and comfortable quickly between swims?
“Very! We had cooler water than expected, so made sure we always had the boat ready for us with the heating on and plenty of hot drinks. Dryrobe® changing robes were also helpful so that the swimmers could change out of their wet swimming gear quickly and easily on the boat. The beauty of this trip is the proximity to the hotel and the sauna. These were very much appreciated after a cold swim and helped swimmers recover comfortably before the next one.”
Guests used Dryrobe® Tech-Lite robes during the trip. When were they most useful?
“While we expected the robes to come into their own immediately after swimming, to change out of wet swim gear under and warm up with, they soon became part of everyday life on the trip. Whether warming up over lunch or heading out into the cool Norwegian evening for dinner, they very much became part of the landscape!”
'[The Dryrobes] soon became part of everyday life on the trip...'
How practical were the Dryrobe® robes while travelling between the different Viking Trail swim locations?
“For a SwimHike adventure, where kit needs to be practical and easy to carry, the packability of the Tech-Lite robes proved particularly useful. They offered warmth without taking lots of precious space while travelling between locations. The boat set-up is great, and we could just lay the robes out on the deck where they dried really quickly, ready for their next use!”
Aside from the swimming, what stood out?
“We travelled to Solund in search of somewhere new to swim and hike and found endless possibilities: remote islands, kelp forests, wildlife, dramatic backdrops and skies and exhilarating colder water. But, meeting the people of Solund and the surrounding areas is what really stood out. They were so welcoming and really treated us like family.”
The Viking Trail – Norway is now on sale for 2027.
Explore both land and sea on more of our SwimHike adventures. From the mythical island of Ithaca in Greece to discovering one of the Mediterranean's largest marine reserves from the unspoilt island of Marettimo in Italy, you'll enjoy stunning natural waters and scenic hikes in beautiful locations around the world.
