7 Stunning National Parks To Visit In Norway

There’s few things more important to the Norwegian people than nature. From a young age, Norwegians are regularly taken out into the wilderness to learn the mountain code, learn how to ski and other elements needed to embrace friluftsliv, the outdoors lifestyle.

Getting the balance right between granting access to nature while protecting the country’s biodiversity is a major challenge for authorities. Norway’s 47 national parks are an important part of that balance, helping to protect large areas with distinctive biodiversity.

Like the other Nordic countries, Norway ensures public access to the wilderness through a ‘right to roam’ law. This grants people the right to undertake traditional activities as hiking, fishing and camping even in the national parks, as long as nature is respected.

While Norway plans to create more national parks, there are already endless options to visit the present parks. From the highest peaks in Scandinavia to glacial valleys and vast mountain plateaus, there’s a wealth of wilderness to explore. Here are seven national parks worthy of attention for those planning a hiking trip to Norway.

The peaks of Jotunheimen

Known for its collection of Norway’s tallest mountains, Jotunheimen National Park is perhaps the ultimate hiking destination in all of Scandinavia. The problem with planning a trip here is knowing exactly where to begin, as the park covers more than 440 square miles and includes Norway’s 23 highest peaks.

Many international visitors head for the famous Besseggen ridge, which involves a boat trip across Lake Gjende and a lengthy hike with scenic lake views.

Others tackle one of the two main routes up Galdhøpiggen, Norway’s highest mountain. The hike from Juvasshytta lodge takes about three hours including 45-minutes to prepare and cross Styggebreen glacier, while the hike from Spiterstulen lodge takes an hour more but does not require a glacier crossing.

Such is the relative ease of accessibility that a few hundred people typically reach the summit of Galdhøpiggen each day during the summer hiking season.

The dramatic landscapes of Lofotodden

Norway’s newest national park contains ecosystems and landscapes unique within the country and rare in the world. The Lofoten islands are famous for rows of towering peaks plunging into deep fjords and open ocean.

Many of these mountains, coastlines, fjords and bays are protected in Lofotodden, which covers much of the lesser-populated northern and western side of the island Moskenesøya.

Popular hiking trails include Tindstinden, from where you’ll see the fishing village Å and the wildest most inaccessible parts of Lofotodden, and the hike to Ryten for the spectacular view over Kvalvika beach.

Glacier exploration at Jostedalsbreen

The largest ice cap in mainland Europe is the star attraction of Jostedalsbreen National Park, where glacier and mountain meets fjord and valley. Hiking trails galore wind their way through wild valleys with dramatic views of mountains and glaciers on offer.

Such is the size of the Jostedalsbreen glacier that it’s accessible from the north via the Nordfjord region or the south via the Sognefjord region.

From Olden, a 25-minute drive followed by a scenic two-mile hike brings you to the rapidly retreating Briksdalsbreen, the western glacier arm. Alternatively, start your exploration at the lake Oppstyn visitor center, which highlights the natural value, cultural heritage and personal stories of the area.

From the Sognefjord, start instead from the visitor center Breheimsenteret, gateway to the southern glacier arm Nigardsbreen.

Arctic hiking in Saltfjellet-Svartisen

Saltfjellet-Svartisen is an imposing physical boundary between the center of Norway and its Arctic north.

To the west, almost 150 square miles of land is covered by one of Norway’s largest glaciers, Svartisen. The vast ice cap is famed for its deep blue colors and relative ease of access, yet guided tours are still recommended as glacial ice can be dangerous.

To the east, the bleak yet imposing mountains of Saltfjellet that roll up to Sweden hide an impressive amount of wildlife including the wolverine, lynx and Arctic fox. The vast distances, lack of cell signal and notoriously changable weather all make this national park one for the more experienced hiker.

Cycling over Hardangervidda

The largest of Norway’s national parks protects large parts of the vast Hardanger mountain plateau. Notable for its unspoilt nature, the alpine plateau features little more than a road, a railway and a handful of tourist cabins.

Historic trails and remnants of Stone Age settlemtns dot the plateau, reminders from a time when walking or traveling with the aid of animals were the only way to cross the mountains.

The alpine climate means Hardangervidda is home to a surprising range of species despite its southerly latitude. Most notably, thousands of wild reindeer roam the plateau.

Cycling is a popular way to experience Hardangervidda, especially on the park’s northern boundary. Here you can rent a bicycle to take on the 57-mile Rallervegen trail, originally built to assist construction of the Oslo to Bergen railway.

Accessible wildlife at Dovrefjell

Glimpsing the majestic musk ox is a highlight for many visiting Dovrefjell. It’s one of several rare species that roam the mountains of central Norway. Musk oxen were imported from eastern Greenland in 1932, the area’s wild reindeer are of Beringian origin and some plant life predates the last ice age.

The main E6 highway from Oslo to Trondheim cuts through Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park. Several historic mountain inns provide food and starting points for hiking trails that are great for wildlife spotters.

But to get a glimpse of musk oxen, it’s best to join a guided tour from Oppdal or Dombås. The local guides know the movements of the herds, and how to stay safe.

The blue mountains of Rondane

A short detour from the E6 highway and close to the better-known Dovrefjell range, the mountains of Rondane provide a wonderful backdrop to a road trip between Oslo and Trondheim.

Why a road trip? The scenic road skirting the eastern side of the park is one of Norway’s designated national scenic routes. Rest stops such as Sohlbergplassen double as viewpoints for the so-called ‘blue mountains’ that have inspired artists over the years.

Birch forests and lakes give the national park a different feel from many of the others nearby, as do the large number of kettle holes in the valleys caused by ice age glaciers. Fall is a wonderful time to visit as the autumnal colors of the forest provide a new look to the famous landscapes.