I’ve been waking up in the best mood everyday this week, which is sort of unheard of for me – I am so not a morning person and rarely crack a smile before noon.
But these days I haven’t been able to stop smiling, because it’s finally AUTUMN!
Okay, I realize it isn’t technically autumn yet, but I’ve been seeing red and orange patches up in the mountains since mid-August, so I’ve mostly just been waiting for September to arrive before considering the fall season begun.
I love fall in Norway – it’s my favorite season here (though I will probably say the same thing when winter rolls around). The Norwegian mountains have the prettiest autumn out of anywhere I’ve lived, which is saying a lot considering I come from New England!
But I love that fall really begins in September here, instead of like, mid October, and it feels so right after a Norwegian summer that tends to feel so wrong. Summer just doesn’t exist up here, but autumn sure does.
The days are starting to get shorter, people are beginning to buy lamb and cabbage to make fårikål, and Dan and I even had a fire in the fireplace the other night.
I always encourage people to visit Norway in September if they can, because most of the mountain hikes are still open and it’s even warm enough to camp most places, but the summer crowds are gone and the fall colors are beginning to arrive. It’s also a great time for a road trip, as the summer traffic will be gone but the roads won’t yet be snowy.
Read also: 9 Reasons to Visit Norway in Autumn
And whereas summer in Norway can often feel uncomfortably cold, by September I’m always so excited for autumn and winter that I’m happy to get out all my woolen sweaters and scarves and embrace the chill.
Plus, while the Northern Lights season hasn’t really started, the nights begin to get dark enough to get a chance to see the Northern Lights in September if you’re up in Northern Norway.
I’ve been drinking extra cups of hot tea and baking with lots of cinnamon and cardamom. Alicia even brought me some canned pumpkin from the US, but I’m trying to resist using it at least until the end of September. And of course I’ve gotten out my list of 17 Things to Experience in Norway in Autumn!
It’s been really rainy in Rauland this past week, but the gray clouds are making the landscape look even more colorful. Now I’m just eagerly awaiting the first sign of morning frost. Is that weird? It’s so pretty though!
photos from last year
But before that happens I’m actually off somewhere where it’s basically the opposite of autumn – in fact spring will just be beginning there.
I’m headed to Comoros! Have any of you been? I’m not entirely sure what to expect, but I’ll have ten days to explore the country so hopefully I’ll be able to see a lot.
Anyone else overly excited for fall?
Emily says
The colors are already so beautiful there! Leaves are beginning to turn a bit here in Virginia; bring it on!
Silvia says
Yeeeah so exciting!
Tosh Bene says
I LOVE fall time in Norway! That’s when I went back in 2014 and that’s what made me fall in LOVE with the place so much!! 🙂
Silvia says
Seriously, everyone should be visiting Norway in the fall!
Arielle says
I went to Bergen in October last year and it was so pretty! Although it was 10˚C and also SUNNY, which is crazy unusual…
Silvia says
Yeah I can’t get over how lucky you were with the weather there! It must have been so gorgeous in October.
Nynke says
As a devotee of summer, I can’t really get excited about autumn, but I saw some nicely turning leaves on an ivy plant and a Japanese maple today, and realised that I can’t really hate autumn either, this time around. But maybe that’s also because I’ve just started on the first permanent job I’ve ever held!
By the way, did you know meteorological autumn actually starts on September first, so *you are right!1!!*?
Finally: I didn’t even know the Comoros were called that in English, and will have to look up their location… Have a great trip and lots of fun; I look forward to reading about it!
Silvia says
Whaaat that’s so exciting! Haha my friends have been making fun of me for already being so into autumn, but now I can tell them that sort of technically is autumn. And wow, congratulations on the permanent job – that sounds like quite a big deal! I hope it works out well.
Alex says
Autumn is my favourite season (I grew up in Florida) so now that I live in NYC I get so happy when it starts to get cooler and the trees start to change! I will definitely have to visit Norway during autumn one day 🙂
Silvia says
I spent four years living in countries without seasons, so I understand how exciting moving to NYC must have been!
Sarah says
I was just in Norway two weeks ago (Oslo and Bergen)! It’s a beautiful country but I wish I’d visited a month or so later now – Autumn looks stunning!
Silvia says
It’s always good to have an excuse to come back!
Rosie says
It looks so beautiful. The colours have started to turn here in Scotland and I’m so excited to experience my first Scottish autumn and winter; they’re easily my favourite times of year.
Silvia says
Oooh I would love to see Scotland in the autumn!
Frédéric Paulussen says
Your photos are absolutely amazing! Great work on the colours and compositions!
the travelogue (by Anna & Vanessa) says
Wow how amazing! That makes us want to visit so badly <3 we always thought that visiting in summer is the better plan for Norway but we def. changed our mind now! Fall is for sure on of the prettiest seasons (and spring!), we can't wait for it to arrive here in Germany as well 🙂
xo Anna & Vanessa
Silvia says
I love Germany in the fall as well!
Victoria @The British Berliner says
Totally!
Winter is actually my favourite season as I’m a December baby, but Autumn is just so lovely.
I’m sure that Autumn in Norway would be dreamy too!
Silvia says
I could never really choose between autumn and winter – I love them both so much!
Miriam says
Woooa, that’s absolutely stunning! I noticed today when I was walking around in the village, that the mountains here are also slowly starting to turn yellow. I will miss quite a bit of autumn here in China, but hoping that there will be some red leaves left in Sweden, where I’ll be spending the next couple of months.
Silvia says
Oooh you should definitely find some red leaves in Sweden!
Kristine Li says
So gorgeous photos here, Silvia! Can Norway get any more wonderful actually? So full of surprises! I can’t wait to visit Norway a second time!
Silvia says
Right? It’s just so beautiful here in autumn.