Travelling with a rooftop tent – Norway and the Sauerland

The VICKYWOOD HAZEL 130 has been travelling with us since winter 2025/26. Our first nights were in the snowy Sauerland, followed by ten days in Norway. Other outings and spontaneous weekend trips followed. These days, the rooftop tent is simply part of heading outdoors for a few days.

Ten days through Norway

Setting up quickly became part of our daily routine in Norway. We drove from one place to the next, stopping beside a lake or up in the mountains. Open the rooftop tent, set out the table, unpack the gas stove and take our time cooking. In the evening, we climbed into the tent.

In the mornings, we had breakfast, packed up and drove to the next place. Ten days with a changing landscape outside the window – that was how I came to know Norway through my camera.

This trip made me appreciate how much a quick setup matters. When you move on regularly, you do not want to spend every evening setting up a tent. The HAZEL opens in just a few steps, something I still appreciate on every trip.

Sleeping with a view

I particularly like the large panoramic opening. The front unzips completely, revealing a 270-degree view. In places like these, it is lovely to see the surroundings from where you sleep.

We slept very comfortably. The mattress combines a foam core with an air chamber to adjust the firmness. The supplied electric pump runs on its battery or the car power socket. Built-in lighting illuminates the tent in the evening without the need to hang another lamp.

Winter in the Sauerland

The nights in the snowy Sauerland were a different experience. As we do not use an insulated inner tent, we brought sleeping bags and a hot-water bottle. We needed them in the cold. The winter landscape was beautiful, but at night you are very aware that you are sleeping outdoors.

Our Australian Shepherd joined us for our first nights in the snowy Sauerland. There was enough space for the two of us and him. We put extra blankets over the mattress to protect it from his claws. It is a little more crowded with a dog, of course, but it worked well for us.

We also enjoy taking the HAZEL on spontaneous weekends. I spend a lot of time photographing in the Sauerland, and the tent is just as worthwhile for one or two nights. A quick setup, cooking together in the evening and climbing into the tent with the dog – that is how we like to spend our time outdoors.