Top Ten Scandinavia Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

Skip the Olympic hamlet of Lillehammer and head one and a half hours north to the Sjoa river in Heidal valley for Norwegian froth at its best. White-water rafting and kayaking are what attract people to this wild and turbulent stream, which serves up class II to IV drops. Gear can be rented in the area's river rescue school, which also organizes courses for beginners, as well as tours for more advanced kayakers and rafters.

Advanced paddlers may want to hit Heidal in July, when the nearby river Ula hosts an extreme race. Either way, don't forget your thermals—meltwater is the source of much of the river's character.