Hi, I am Thomas
I am a Norwegian hiking enthusiast and the creator of this hiking website. You can read more about me and the team below.
It is said that Norwegians are born with skies on their legs.
Although I know how to ski quite well, I prefer the mountains during summer.
I have been blessed with having some of the most unique and picturesque mountains scattered around my hometown of Stavanger, such as The Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), Kjeragbolten, and Trolltunga.
However, you don’t need to have the amazing Pulpit Rock as your local mountain to enjoy hiking and the outdoors.
All you have to do is simply put on a pair of sneakers, get out and start walking.
I strongly believe that we all would be a lot happier and healthier if we spent more time with mother nature!
And that is what I hope to achieve with this website – inspire you to start hiking (more), teach you some hiking tips and tricks, and review hiking equipment and gear so you don’t need to spend your money on the wrong, or unnecessary equipment.
Our Mission
We want to create the best hiking resource on the Internet for beginner and intermediate hikers!
We aim to provide you with the best product reviews and product tests, but also hiking tips and tricks, as well as introducing you to the best and most beautiful hikes for all fitness levels.
Our Vision
We want to inspire 10.000 people to start hiking and experience the amazing nature that God has given to us.
We want to show you how you can have a life filled with pure experiences, breathe the fresh mountain air, smell the forest, and enjoy the most breathtaking views.
The Leisure Hiking Team
Thomas Sorheim
I am a father, hiker, entrepreneur, World traveler, founder of LeisureHiking.com
As a Norwegian, I was introduced to the outdoors at a very young age. Skiing, hiking, and outdoor experiences are an innate part of the Norwegian culture and lifestyle. Vacations in a mountain cottage every summer and every winter were a big part of my childhood.
Several years in the Norwegian boy scouts honed more tactical outdoor skills.
As I grew up, exploring the World became the next evolution.
Today I have probably visited 70+ countries, as well as lived in 7 of them.
Despite having an international education from both Norway, Australia, and Lithuania, a “normal” job was hard for me to hold down.
After 3 years as a computer programmer, I left the corporate world and started my entrepreneurial journey.
There have been many startups and many failures. Ironically I found success in the travel industry. With $3000 in cash, I managed to build two $1 million+ companies in the space.
Success, however, does not come free and without sacrifice. Usually, it is your health that suffers first.
After years of hard work and focus on building a business, I failed myself, my health, and I gained a lot of weight (65 Lbs / 30 kg).
Hiking and the outdoors has been my way of getting back to my core, getting healthy, and “rediscovering” myself again (I am still on this journey).
I only realized how much I loved the outdoors and missed hiking once I decided to take charge of my health again a few years ago.
There is no place better place than in nature to disconnect from the digital world, and reconnect with yourself!
I was a lost soul, but now you can very often find me where I belong: out in mother nature!
I started Leisure Hiking to both inspire more people (10.000) to start hiking and spend more time in nature. It is also a way to give back, so to speak.
I hope you find our site useful and inspiring!
And if there is anything I can help you with, anything at all, please do not be a stranger and reach out!
Julija Danielsen
Traveler, Hiker, mother of 3, Co-owner of LeisureHiking.com, Social Media marketeer
Julija is a Latvian woman with a very interesting background. Daughter of a teacher and a pilot, born behind the iron curtain of the Soviet Union.
One of the most prominent of stories was when his aircraft was commissioned for 2 years by the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia, to transport the king’s fleet of Rolls Royce’s around the globe when he was traveling.
She grew up with stories from the “outside world” from her father who for many years was flying around the globe in a huge Antonov aircraft.
Julija is an avid fitness girl who spends the most time doing sports of all 3 of us here at LeisureHiking.com.
A healthy and sporty lifestyle has always had a big part in her life.
She enjoys aerobics, skiing, biking, and of course hiking.
She has, like Thomas, extensive experience in the travel industry, which is also her educational background.
Julija was properly introduced to hiking and the beauty of Norway when she met Thomas back in 2011.
Since then they have been a team both in private and business and have enjoyed a lot of hikes in Norway together.
Julija’s favorite hike is the Pulpit Rock outside of Stavanger, which she has hiked twice (so far).
Julija is responsible for all the social media here at LeisureHiking.com, as well as other administrative tasks, editing articles, and staying on top of the management of the site.
Julija on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juulija_chekstere/
Sigita Baskyte
Entrepreneur, Co-owner of LeisureHiking.com, traveler, sailing, fitness, mother, wife, editor
Sigita is from Vilnius, Lithuania.
At an early age, she was introduced to sports and in her youth, she was an active fitness athlete. However, the pressure and extensive training regime was not for her and decided to rather focus on education and a “real job” vs trying to make it as a pro athlete.
At soon 40, she can still do splits as if it is the most natural thing in the world
Sigita enjoys traveling to the far east and Bali is her nr 1 choice in the World.
She and her husband always spend time exploring the forest, mountains, and hikes around the world when they travel.
Thomas and Sigita are also business partners in a travel business based out of The Baltic States.
Sigita’s favorite hike is, not surprisingly also the Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) outside Stavanger. She also loves hiking and exploring Iceland, which is another amazing country full of unique nature experiences.
Sigita is the editor and has the final word about what gets published on LeisureHiking.com.
Sigita on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigitahq/