Hiking in Norway: Complete Guide, my 102 Routes

Why hike in Norway?

Spectacular landscapes

Norway is one of the world's top hiking destinations. From fjords carved between vertiginous cliffs and glaciers descending to lap at the valleys to jagged peaks and pristine white-sand beaches, the country boasts a concentration of spectacular landscapes that is hard to match.

But what truly sets Norway apart is that this beauty isn't confined to just a few iconic sites. Here, the journey is as important as the destination. You don't just head towards beautiful landscapes — you're constantly surrounded by them. Every stage of a road trip and every valley you pass through holds its own discoveries. In this sense, Norway lends itself just as well to a week-long stay focused on a single region as it does to a journey spanning several weeks from south to north.

Remarkable infrastructure

Norway doesn't just offer exceptional scenery; it makes it accessible. The right of public access to nature (allemannsretten) has been enshrined in law since 1957. This allows everyone to roam freely and camp on uncultivated land — a privilege that is becoming increasingly rare across Europe.

The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) maintains around 20,000 km of marked trails and manages over 550 shelters across the country. These range from staffed lodges serving hot meals to isolated self-service cabins. It's hard to find such a network dedicated to such well-preserved nature elsewhere.

The Arctic Light

The Norwegian summer offers a unique experience that can only truly be appreciated once you are there: the light. Beyond the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun allows you to hike at any hour between June and mid-July. Further south, days easily exceed 18 to 19 hours of daylight. This extended daylight transforms the hiking experience: you can start late, linger on a summit or wait for the mist to clear over a fjord without ever worrying about nightfall.

Having hiked over 100 trails, I can sum up what keeps me coming back every year in a few words: raw, untouched nature; remarkable-quality trails that are often deserted; and unforgettable landscapes.

François · Horizonrando

Soleil de minuit vu depuis le sommet du Munken, Lofoten, Norvège

Major hiking regions in Norway

Geography and topography

Norway stretches nearly 1,800 kilometres from Cape Lindesnes in the south to the North Cape beyond the 71st parallel. A mountainous spine runs along the Swedish border throughout, reaching its highest point of 2,469 metres at Galdhøpiggen in the Jotunheimen mountain range.

To the east, the terrain slopes gently down towards wooded valleys. In contrast, to the west, the mountains plunge steeply towards the sea. It is here that glaciers carved out the fjords — these ancient river valleys were deepened by the weight of the ice and then flooded by the ocean as the ice melted. Some of these fjords are up to 200 kilometres long and over 1,000 metres deep.

North of the Arctic Circle, the mountainous archipelagos of Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja rise from the Norwegian Sea, with granite and gabbro peaks exceeding 1,000 metres just a few kilometres from the shore.

Mountains cover 60% of the country, while forests cover more than a third. Norway is one of the wildest and least densely populated countries in Europe, which is precisely what makes it an exceptional hiking destination.

One dot = one trailhead

Vue plongeante sur le Lysefjord et sa haute cascade depuis le Kjeragbolten, Norvège

156 hikes

Fjord Region

From Stavanger to the Sunnmøre Alps: fjords, glaciers and relentless terrain.

Regional guide

236 hikes

Lofoten Archipelago

Granite peaks rising straight out of the ocean, beyond the Arctic Circle.

Regional guide

L'aiguille rocheuse de Segla vue depuis le sommet de Hesten au coucher du soleil, Senja, Norvège

39 hikes

Senja Island

“Norway in miniature”: very wild and less visited than the Lofoten.

Regional guide

My hikes in Norway

Two selections to choose from: the great classics everyone wants to do, and my personal favourites, often more secluded.

Popular hikes

It's impossible to talk about hiking in Norway without mentioning these trails. They are highly popular — and sometimes victims of their own success — but they remain unforgettable experiences set against iconic landscapes.

Moskenesøya, Lofoten

Reinebringen — Iconic view of the Lofoten Islands

Easy·2 h 45·5 km·480 m D+

This is the quintessential hike in the Lofoten Islands, and it fully lives up to its reputation. In under an hour and a half of climbing a well-maintained stone staircase, you reach one of the archipelago's most beautiful viewpoints, offering a bird's-eye view of the village of Reine, its colourful fishermen's cabins and the turquoise waters of the Reinefjord. The effort-to-reward ratio is unbeatable.

See the hike →

Innlandet

Besseggen — Norway's most famous ridge traverse

Hard·6 h 30·14.4 km·1100 m D+

This 14 km traverse through Jotunheimen National Park owes its fame to a narrow ridge between the emerald waters of Lake Gjende, 400 metres below, and the dark waters of Lake Bessvatnet. The ferry across Lake Gjende adds a touch of adventure to this great classic, demanding and very popular (60,000 hikers per season).

See the hike →

Rogaland

Preikestolen — The iconic cliff overlooking the Lysefjord

Easy / Moderate·3 h 30·8.1 km·480 m D+

This 25-metre-wide granite plateau is suspended 604 metres above the Lysefjord and is likely Norway's most famous hike. With over 300,000 visitors a year, set out early or late in the day to avoid the crowds.

See the hike →

Rogaland

Kjerag — The rock suspended above the Lysefjord

Moderate·4 h 30·10 km·730 m D+

The route crosses a high-altitude plateau with a lunar landscape before opening up to reveal a bird's-eye view, nearly 1,000 metres above the Lysefjord. However, it is the Kjeragbolten that steals the show: a boulder wedged between two cliffs above the void, where the most daring come to pose for a photo.

See the hike →

Moskenesøya, Lofoten

Ryten and Kvalvika Beach — Panoramic summit and dream beach

Moderate·4 h·10.1 km·770 m D+

From Ryten's summit (543 m), you can look down on Kvalvika Beach, with its white sand and turquoise waters framed by cliffs — one of the most iconic images of the Lofoten Islands. The accessible and well-maintained trail can be extended with a descent to the beach, a popular camping spot. This is a distillation of the archipelago in a single outing.

See the hike →

Møre og Romsdal

Romsdalseggen — A ridge crossing with views of Trollveggen

Hard·6 h·11.4 km·950 m D+

Often cited as one of Norway's most beautiful hikes, the Romsdalseggen trail promises an unforgettable adventure. Prepare for a spectacular ridge crossing offering breathtaking panoramic views of the majestic Romsdalen Valley. Admire iconic peaks, including the impressive Trollveggen (the Troll Wall) — Europe's highest vertical rock face, which rises 1,100 metres above the valley.

See the hike →

My favourites

Norway is more than just its famous trails. After hiking over a hundred routes across the country, the lesser-known hikes stand out to me the most — those that the crowds haven't discovered yet, whose landscapes are every bit as stunning as the great classics.

Moskenesøya, Lofoten

Helvete — Exceptional panorama away from the crowds

Hard·5 h 30·9.6 km·850 m D+

Just a few kilometres from the popular Reinebringen, Helvete offers an equally impressive panorama of Reine and the Moskenesøya fjords — but in a completely different setting. The route passes through waterfalls and high-altitude lakes before opening onto a summit plateau with views of Kirkfjorden, Reinefjorden and Bunesfjorden, and there are very few people here. A true sense of exploration!

See the hike →

Senja

Grytetippen and Keipen — Senja's Twin Peaks

Hard·6 h·9.6 km·1140 m D+

Two peaks, one route and one of Senja's most beautiful panoramas. From the peaks, you can overlook Ørnfjorden, the village of Husøy, and the jagged peaks of Segla and Barden. Grytetippen's vertical silhouette seems impregnable when viewed from below, but the climb proves otherwise. It is an excellent spot for viewing the midnight sun.

See the hike →

Vestland

Jordalsnuten — The 360° panorama of the Hardangerfjord

Moderate·4 h 30·9.5 km·850 m D+

Jordalsnuten (1,043 m) packs a diversity of Norwegian landscapes into a single hike, including waterfalls, forests, high-altitude lakes and the Buarbreen Glacier. The 360° panoramic view from the summit of the Hardangerfjord and the surrounding mountain ranges is worth the detour alone. Just a few kilometres from Trolltunga, this peak remains relatively unknown and uncrowded — a true hidden gem.

See the hike →

Moskenesøya, Lofoten

Hermannsdalstinden — The roof of Moskenesøya for seasoned hikers

Very hard·10 h·21.2 km·1810 m D+

The highest peak on Moskenesøya (1,029 m), Hermannsdalstinden is a major adventure reserved for well-trained hikers. The long, rugged route crosses magnificent landscapes. At the summit, the panorama takes in the whole island: jagged peaks, high-altitude lakes, turquoise fjords and the Arctic Ocean. Overnight stays are possible at the Munkebu huts.

See the hike →

Vestland

Glomnesnakken — A hidden gem above Lake Oppstrynsvatnet

Easy·2 h 45·6.5 km·440 m D+

Glomnesnakken is the kind of hike you stumble upon by chance and never forget. This short loop in the Oppstryn region offers magnificent panoramic views of Lake Oppstrynsvatnet and its emerald waters surrounded by steep mountains. The Segestad Farm Museum adds a cultural touch to this accessible, off-the-beaten-track outing.

See the hike →

Møre og Romsdal

Urkeegga — Panoramic ridge above the Hjørundfjord

Hard·5 h 30·10.3 km·960 m D+

In the Sunnmøre Alps, Urkeegga — literally "Urke's Ridge" — is a long ridge hike overlooking the pristine Hjørundfjord. The loop climbs up to Maudekollen (1,021 m) before following the ridge, offering continuous views of the emerald waters of the fjord, the village of Urke and the surrounding jagged peaks. This is a still-undiscovered region that is well worth the detour.

See the hike →

Explore the 100 Hikes — Search Tools

Interactive maps

Two maps to stay readable over 1,800 km: the south with the fjords and the west coast, and the north with the archipelagos.

South mapFjords and west coast North mapLofoten, Senja, Vesterålen

List of hikes

Every hike and its key figures, to filter by region or difficulty and sort by rating.

List of the 102 hikesFilterable, sortable table

The Top 5

Four rankings of five routes, to know where to start depending on what you are looking for.

Top 5 Hikes in NorwayMy recommendations, all categories Top 5 Family HikesSuitable for families Top 5 Most Beautiful PanoramasThe most striking viewpoints Top 5 Lesser-Known HikesAway from the popular trails

14-day road trips

Two road trips through the southern fjords, one on accessible trails, the other on demanding summits.

14-Day Itinerary – Easy Level18 hikes · 2,530 km · starting in Oslo 14-Day Itinerary – Advanced LevelDemanding summits, long days

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in Norway

Are you planning a hiking trip to Norway? Here are the answers to the questions I'm asked most often.

What is the best time to go hiking in Norway?

The hiking season typically runs from mid-June to mid-September. During this time, most trails are snow-free, the days are longest, and the weather is mildest.

However, this varies by region and elevation: Coastal or low-altitude trails (below 500 meters) are accessible as early as May, while peaks above 1,000 meters may remain snow-covered until early July.

Beyond the Arctic Circle — Lofoten and Senja — the midnight sun provides continuous light from early June to late July, making it ideal for hiking at any time of day. Fall (mid-September to October) is another attractive option for viewing the fall colors and the Northern Lights, if you don't mind shorter days and more unpredictable weather.

Are hikes in Norway difficult?

Not necessarily. Norway has trails for all skill levels, ranging from one-hour family strolls to challenging summit hikes with 1,800 meters of elevation gain. The most famous routes, such as Reinebringen and Preikestolen, are well-maintained and accessible to most hikers in decent physical condition. However, the terrain in Norway is rarely flat; even "moderate" hikes often involve sustained climbs from sea level.

For all the routes I suggest on the site, you'll find a difficulty rating. The Top 5 Family Hikes is a good place to start for easy outings.

You can also use the hike table to sort hikes by difficulty (from easiest to hardest): list of 102 hikes in Norway

Is wild camping allowed in Norway?

Yes, thanks to the Right of Public Access (allemannsretten), which has been enshrined in Norwegian law since 1957. This law allows everyone to move freely on uncultivated land and camp there. The main rules are simple: Pitch your tent at least 150 meters from any dwelling. Do not stay in the same spot for more than two nights without the owner's permission. Leave no trace of your visit. Campfires are prohibited in forests from April 15 to September 15.

Some popular sites, such as Preikestolen and certain beaches in the Lofoten Islands, may have additional restrictions. In practice, this freedom allows hikers to extend their trips by spending nights in the great outdoors.

How do you navigate the trails in Norway?

Norway has one of the densest networks of marked trails in Europe, with over 20,000 km maintained largely by the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT). On the island of Senja, as in most of the fjord region, the trails are well-marked and in excellent condition, even in less-traveled areas. The Lofoten archipelago is an exception; outside the most well-known routes, such as Reinebringen and Ryten, trail markings are often absent. Some hikes take place off-trail on undeveloped natural terrain.

Even on a marked trail, however, Norwegian weather can change quickly — with fog, sudden rain, and low clouds — and make navigation difficult. Therefore, it is best to always have a GPS track and know how to use it. Each hike profile on Horizonrando includes a downloadable GPX file designed for this purpose. The official website yr.no provides reliable weather forecasts, which are essential to check before every departure.

Are popular trails in Norway overcrowded?

Some are. Preikestolen attracts over 300,000 visitors per year, and Besseggen attracts around 60,000 visitors per season. On these trails, you can expect to walk single-file through narrow passages and experience an atmosphere far removed from the solitude of the mountains, especially between mid-June and mid-August.

However, this observation applies only to a handful of overhyped routes. The vast majority of Norwegian trails remain uncrowded, including hikes with views that are just as remarkable, if not more so, than those of the major classics. In fact, this is one of the reasons I created a Top 5 hikes off the beaten path and a section My favourites - lesser-known hikes: to show that by straying from established trails, you can rediscover the essence of hiking in Norway — raw nature, tranquility, and vastness.

Do you need a guide to hike in Norway?

No, most hikes in Norway are done independently. There are no regulations requiring a guide, and the country is safe: there is no dangerous wildlife (except in Svalbard), the trails are well-maintained, and there is a reliable network of mountain huts (DNT).

The key is to thoroughly prepare for each outing: Check the weather, bring a GPS track, adapt the route to your skill level, and bring gear suitable for rapid weather changes, even in summer.

Horizonrando's detailed guides (GPX track, map, terrain description, and difficulty rating) are designed to enable self-guided hiking, even on difficult and unmarked routes.

The full Norway FAQ