NORWAY FOR
NATIONAL PARKS
A once-in-a-lifetime wilderness destination, Norway is known for its untouched nature. Nowhere is better to experience its mountains, waterfalls, lakes, fjords, glaciers and wildlife than its national parks. Here we round up some of the best.
t Mountaineers trek across Briksdal glacier, Jostedalsbreen
Glaciers at Jostedalsbreen National Park
Almost half of the Jostedalsbreen National Park is covered by the Jostedalsbreen glacier, one of the largest glaciers in mainland Europe. Ample glacial adventures await, from hiking and climbing to skiing; you can even spelunk in a blue ice cave.
Natural beauty at Nordre Isfjorden
Arctic foxes, kittiwakes, puffins and the occasional polar bear frequent this vast tundra on the north side of Isfjorden, the second-biggest fjord in Svalbard. This place is particularly beautiful from late April to August when there’s constant daylight.
Grandeur at Jotunheimen
Affectionately referred to as the ‘Home of the Giants’, this is Norway’s most popular park. Adventurers flock here for Galdhøpiggen (Norway’s tallest peak) and Bøverbreen (Norway’s largest glacier), while the busiest hiking route runs along the sharp Besseggen ridge, which straddles two aquamarine glacial lakes. It can get very cold at the park’s sky-high summits, so be sure to pack appropriate clothing.
Hiking in Hardangervidda
Reindeer herds roam free on Europe’s largest mountain plateau, and the lakes below are popular with fishermen. A well-maintained trail system criss-crosses the relatively gentle slopes here, making this an excellent hiking destination for travellers who prefer easy-going beauty to an adrenaline rush.
Nature in Rondane
Founded in 1962, Rondane was Norway’s first national park and boasts ten peaks at over 2,000 m (6,562 ft). Its mighty massifs range from gently rounded peaks in the south, ideal for family-friendly hiking, to steep summits for the intrepid in the north. Heather and reindeer moss cover its hills, and reindeer, bears, wolverines and lynx can be seen grazing.
Did You Know?
The snowy scenes in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) were filmed in Hardangervidda.
Insider Tip
DNT cabins
The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) runs over 550 cabins across Norway, providing comfortable and affordable stays for explorers. There are three types of DNT cabins: serviced, self-serviced and unserviced. If you go for unserviced, help yourself to the stocked food and leave a cash contribution when you leave.