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Trips

Heroes of Telemark Expedition

This unique expedition recreates the challenge facing a small group of allied special forces in 1943, when they were sent to destroy a facility which was instrumental to Hitler's development of the atomic bomb. Join us as we follow in their footsteps on the remote Hardangervidda plateau, paying homage to their bravery and success, which ultimately changed the outcome of the war.

Location

Norway

Difficulty

Advanced

Accommodation and Meals

Hotel, Mountain Hut/Gite

Duration

10

Meeting Point

Kristiansand

Annual Leave

5 Days

Group Size

10-14

Seasons

February to early April

Walking Distance

Snow Condition Dependent

This is a remarkable trip.  Learning about Norway under German occupation, and what the Heroes of Telemark achieved, is simply unbelievable.  Learning to cross country ski is fun, and with the experts, you will learn quickly, even if you haven't been on snow before. When you reach the Hardangervidda, you will be skilled and will be able to follow in the footsteps of these brave men.  This is a once in a lifetime trip.
Heroes of Telemark Expedition
Gaynor

Meet Gaynor, a director of, and one of the co-founders of Tribal Tracks.

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A once in a lifetime endeavour that has taught me a great deal about the real heroes of Telemark and has challenged me physically and mentally all along the way. I am truly honoured to have followed the footsteps of these amazing saboteurs and experienced a tiny portion of what they did 80 years ago.

S Robertson

It’s been a truly memorable adventure of the kind that’s been inspired by Boys Own Polar Exploration Books. It brings back fond memories of when I used to lead treks through the Himalayas. It’s gone into my memory banks as one of my life’s great achievements. Believe me, I’ve had a few.

John B

What a unique, inspiring, rewarding adventure.  Thank you Tribal Tracks!

Charlie M

Trip Highlights

Follow in the footsteps of the real 'Heroes of Telemark'.

Learn winter skills, including cross country skiing and snow shoeing, and arctic survival skills, from ex-military experts.

Experience Norwegian hospitality with stays in warm, cosy, family run hotels.

Ski from hut to hut on the challenging Hardangervidda plateau accompanied by a pack of Huskies.

Learn more about the history of the German occupation of Norway during the Second World War, and the brave resistance movement which helped defeat Hitler's atomic bomb programme.

Enjoy the stunning winter scenery of Norway - frozen lakes, spectacular sunsets, snowy mountains.

All the info you need

Trip Details

Trip Details

At a Glance

This Endeavour is much more than a winter expedition to Norway. This is an exceptional opportunity to pay homage to one of the greatest Special Forces sabotage operations of the Second World War, Operation Gunnerside, commemorated in the 1965 film ‘The Heroes of Telemark’.

In 1941, the British received intelligence from Norwegian resistance sources that the occupying Germans wanted to increase deuterium production, ‘heavy water’ in a hydrogen plant at Vermork. The Allies realised that heavy water was crucial to Nazi Germany’s nuclear ambitions as it was required for the production of an atomic reactor, which in turn would lead to the creation of an atomic bomb. London would be the first target, and this would, in all likelihood, lead to a German victory. Several Norwegian soldiers had fled to England after the German invasion of Norway, and they were recruited and trained by British and Norwegian military experts in covert sabotage techniques in Scotland. Training was critical as Vemork, described as a ‘natural fortress’, is located in the Hardangervidda, a high mountain plateau.

The first stage of the mission began in October 1942 when a small scout team codenamed Operation Grouse parachuted from a plane. They landed near the Vermork plant to gather intelligence and prepare for the attack group. A month later, Operation Freshman began, using 39 British air troops, but bad weather and communication issues led to the mission to attack the plant failing. Three months later, in February 1943, a small number of the specially trained Norwegian soldiers tried again, this time in an operation codenamed Operation Gunnerside. Ultimately this was successful, achieving the destruction of the plant and thwarting Nazi Germany’s atomic ambitions.

The trip is structured in three distinct phases, the Training Phase, the Expedition Phase and finally, the Operational Phase.

Trip Details

Itinerary

Trip Details

Dates & Prices

This is a highly specialised trip, which we can only run once a year. We have some places remaining on our 2024 dates, so please book now if you want to secure a place.  If you would like to go in 2025, please just get in touch.

Send Enquiry

Trip Details

General Notes

This is what is included.

  • Tribal Tracks Specialised Instructors;
  • Accommodation in twin shared rooms at the Revsnes hotel in the Setesdals Valley and the Skinnarbu High Mountain hotel on the edge of the Hardangervidda;
  • All in country transfers;
  • Skis/Poles/Boots/Skins;
  • Survival equipment;
  • Camouflage suits;
  • All meals from dinner on day of arrival to breakfast on day of departure.

This is what is excluded.

  • International flights;
  • UK international departure tax;
  • Personal equipment and clothing including technical clothing on kit list;
  • Items of a personal nature;
  • Single supplement option;
  • Snacks;
  • Alcoholic beverages and drinks in cafes;
  • Personal travel insurance which should be valid and cover all activities in the itinerary;
  • Expenses incurred due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight cancellation and delays.

The maximum group size is 14.

The minimum group size is 10.  You will be accompanied by highly qualified, specialised instructors and guides.

This is a demanding expedition, and conditions on the Hardangervidda can be brutal.

It is important that you are in good physical condition and have trained for this expedition.  It requires endurance and strength. No prior skiing experience is necessary, as full training will be given.  

It is a requirement of Tribal Tracks booking terms and conditions that each supporter must hold their own travel insurance which covers the trip and the activities they are doing.

We advise you to put insurance in place as soon as possible. Your insurance must be valid and in date, covering the entire period that you are travelling for, including the return journey home.  It should cover medical and personal accident risks, and should include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services, where appropriate. We are happy to help you if you have any queries about this or have any difficulties. 

Tribal Tracks has 100% Financial Protection and has a trust account with the Protected Trust Service, member number 5566.

This means that all client monies paid to Tribal Tracks are held in our dedicated trust account, which is supervised by an independent trustee. This means that in the very unlikely event that Tribal Tracks ceases to trade, your money is safe. For more information, please visit this link. Any flights booked for you by Tribal Tracks will be ATOL protected under our own ATOL certificate.

Tribal Tracks considers the safety of all of its participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have thorough safety systems in place.

In the event of an injury, we have an evacuation plan in place for all elements of the trek route. We do ask that you look after yourself during the trek in the following way, as this will help avoid unnecessary problems:

  1. Trekking is a major challenge so make sure that you are well hydrated throughout.  You will be provided with plenty of water so please ensure that you fill up your water bottles with at least 2 litres at breakfast and again after lunch.
  2. Don't let a hot spot become a blister! The moment you feel any rubbing, stop and apply some zinc tape.  This will ensure that the tape gets rubbed, not your foot.  If you don't do this, you will get a blister.  While blister plasters are good, it is better not to have a blister in the first place.  Please also tell the Tribal Tracks leader as they are very good with feet and can help you!
  3. Hygiene. It is very important to wash your hands before eating and after going to the bathroom.  If you can't wash your hands, apply lots of anti-bacterial gel.  The 'gold standard' is hand washing, followed by gel.
  4. Communication.  If you are not feeling well, or have any sort of issue, please tell the Tribal Tracks leader.  They are there to help and are very discreet.

We know that the unexpected can happen.

While you are away, things can happen at home and people may need to get in contact with you.  This can be tricky when you are in remote areas.  So, shortly before departure, we provide you with an Emergency Procedure document to distribute to your nearest and dearest.  This sets out how to contact Tribal Tracks and the steps Tribal Tracks will then take to get in contact with you.

It is really important that you are well prepared for your physical challenge and that you are confident that you will be able to fully participate.

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely partake in the trek, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to step out of the trek. Although this is a very rare occurrence, by booking this trip you agree to section 11 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances, we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

At Tribal Tracks, Responsible Travel is enormously important to us, and our commitment to responsible travel is evidenced in every itinerary that we prepare.

Core to our business is the belief that holidays can and should be enjoyable to the traveller but should be conducted in a socially, environmentally and economically responsible manner which brings benefit to local communities. This is implemented through a variety of measures which can be found in our Responsible Travel policy - http://www.tribaltracks.co.uk/responsible-travel-policy. We encourage you to read this and to play your own part in travelling responsibly.

Trip Details

Optional Extras

If you want to stay on and explore Norway, please just let us know and we would be happy to arrange a trip for you.

Speak to Charlie or Gaynor - Tribal Tracks

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Call Charlie or Gaynor

01242 895272