Walking on Moss , A Gentle Path in the Mountains of Norway

Third (final) blog in my Norway series about Walk and Talk Coaching, slowing down, and reconnecting
Two weeks agao, while hiking on the top of Fløibanen in Bergen, we walked through the forrest towards the river.  I noticed something that made me feel like I was walking on slippers.
I am walking on a thick, green carpet of moss.
Soft. Springy. Quiet.
That softness changes something. It made me walk slower and be kinder to myself.
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching

Why the ground matters and choosing the Right Path: Literally

When I guide walk & talk coaching sessions, I pay close attention to the type of path we choose to walk on. It might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference.
Think about it: every surface we walk on carries its own sound, rhythm, and feeling.
  • Moss is soft and quiet, almost like nature’s carpet.
  • Gravel crunches underfoot, some find it grounding, others find it distracting.
  • Shell paths can evoke beach memories, freedom, holidays… or sometimes, for someone else, something entirely different.
  • Cement might feel structured and secure, or a little too urban and disconnected from nature.
  • Sand slows your steps. Grass can feel free.
 
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching

Each person brings their own associations to sounds and textures

For one person, the sound of shells might bring joy and lightness, reminding them of summer holidays.
For another, that same sound might bring up bad memories or discomfort, and pull them away from the present moment.
That’s why I always try to sense or discuss what feels supportive for the person I’m walking with. The path helps you feel safe, at ease, and present  not pulled into the past or away from yourself.

In mindful walking, even the ground beneath us matters.

Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching
And then, as our path curved one last time, we reached the end of our personal journey up in the mountains and stood still. We looked down. 
The moss beneath my feet, the towering trees behind us, and the sound of a gentle creek slowly fading away.
All gave way to this view: Bergen. It took my breath away.
A CITY FRAMED BY NATURE.
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching
We made our way down along is a winding, paved forest path, gently curving in a zigzag pattern down a wooded hillside.
The curves of the path suggest a gradual descent, designed to ease the way down rather than rush it, inviting walkers to slow their pace and take in the stillness of the forest.
After the stillness of the forest, this moment to me it felt like I am standing on top of the world.
I felt free, inspired and confident.
Bergen Floibanen Caroline Pinter Expat walk and talk coaching

And that is why the path we walk on truly matters  

Whether it’s soft moss underfoot, crunching shells, or firm pavement, each surface carries its own mood, rhythm, and memory.
The textures, sounds, and sensations shape how we feel, what we notice, and even how deeply we reflect. Choosing the right path — both in nature and in life — isn’t just about direction, but about experience. And sometimes, it’s the gentler, quieter paths that lead us exactly where we need to go.