About

Discover Hardangervidda

Hardangervidda National Park (Norwegian: Hardangervidda nasjonalpark) is a national park in the counties of Telemark, Buskerud and Hordaland in Norway. It is the largest national park in Norway proper, spanning half the Hardangervidda, which is the largest highland plateau in Northern Europe. The park protects Europe's largest wild reindeer herds. Along with Jotunheimen and other mountain areas it separates East and West Norway. Vidda means wide, open plateau in Norwegian. The endless highland plateau of Hardangervidda is about 8,500 km², which is a fifth of the size of the Netherlands and three times the size of Luxembourg. The national park covers 3,422 km² (1,321 square miles). Hardangervidda is famous for the large herds of wild reindeer. An extensive net of hiking paths and a thousand lakes and rivers cover the vast highland plateau.

Explore

What to Experience in Hardangervidda

High Mountain Cruise by the M/B Fjellvåken

snow covered mountain under cloudy sky during daytime

On my way to Trolltunga. Photo taken 07/2019

From one cottage at the mountain plateau to another

Very beautiful powerful waterfall in Norway with the effect of flowing water

green grass field near mountain under white clouds during daytime

rocky mountain under cloudy sky during daytime

people walking on mountain

Fishing in small mountain lakes (requires fishing license)

gray concrete road near snow covered mountain under cloudy sky during daytime

Picking berries (such as cloudberries) and mushrooms

a boat on a large body of water with mountains in the background

a white house sitting on the side of a road

a river running through a lush green forest

Cuisine

Taste of Hardangervidda...

60.4396027.786291 Fagerheim Fjellstugu (in the middle of Hardangervidda, next to road 7). Has road access throughout the year. 1,170 m, you can gaze across a glittering mountain lake and enjoy fantastic views in all directions – not least towards the impressive Hardangerjøkulen glacier. A restored mountain lodge with pleasant common rooms, a fireplace and bedrooms with a touch of nostalgia. No en suite rooms, and no whirlpool baths! Separate showers for men and women. 20 rooms/55 beds. You will not have to share with people you do not know. If you have a dog, it is welcome to stay in your room. Weekly rentals of brand new luxury apartments with panoramic views of Hardangerjøkulen. Mountain café during the Easter holidays and over the summer. You will be served decent, hearty, well-made food, with no frills. We made good use of what nature has to offer and our meals include trout from the surrounding waters, as well as game, mushrooms and berries from nature's larder. You may not be able to choose from a ten-course menu, but a good filling meal of traditional food. Fully licensed. Hardangervidda is largely above the treeline and temperatures can drop to zero (0°C) even at mid summer. Drivers should be aware of slippery road in spring and autumn when driving is fine in the lowland. During winter blizzards can make driving challenging and the road is often closed. Hikers must bring map and compass, navigation can be very difficult in fog or stormy weather.

History

A Rich Past

Explore the historical roots that shaped Hardangervidda into what it is today.

People probably came to Hardangervidda at the same time as the reindeer, after the last Ice Age. About 250 Stone Age sites have been found, the oldest dating from 6300 BC. Finds from excavations of Stone Age sites show that the people hunted reindeer and ptarmigan. Moose and trout bones were also found. Today, the natural resources on Hardangervidda are very valuable for the surrounding villages. Hardangervidda National Park was established in 1981. It differs from other Norwegian national parks because it has been used a great deal by local people, has many buildings and much privately owned land. Consequently, people use motorised vehicles to harvest resources like fish and game, to upkeep buildings and to run lodges and huts for hikers and skiers. Large flocks of sheep graze Hardangervidda in summer. Locals and tourists come to Hardangervidda to fish and hunt, as a source of food or recreation. Hardangervidda is a barren, treeless mountain plateau at 1,100–1,200 m (3,600–3,900 ft) in elevation, with lakes, moors, rivers and streams. This kind of open, relatively even landscape is known as vidde in Norwegian. There are significant differences between the west side, which is dominated by rocky terrain and expanses of bare rock, and the east side, which is much flatter and more heavily vegetated. The prominent peak of Hårteigen (1,690 m/5,545 ft) is visible across much of the plateau. About 550 million years ago, the plateau was submerged....

Weather

Climate

Best: Year Round

The climate is considerably wetter on the west side than on the east. At any time of year, be prepared for sudden changes. The weather in Hardangervidda National Park can change very rapidly from sunny and warm to cold and rainy or even snowy, so it's important to bring along extra layers of clothing, like wool underwear and wind- and waterproof outerwear. For most people, late spring, summer and fall are the best times of year to visit Hardangervidda. Easter skiing across Hardangervidda is also popular, but is recommended for experienced skiers only. The winter storms can be challenging even for polar explorers like Amundsen. Many of the villages and cities surrounding Hardangervidda are popular all-year destinations. There are several gateways to Hardangervidda National Park. Gateway cities and villages are Odda and Eidfjord in the Hardanger region and the mountain destinations Geilo, Uvdal, Rjukan, Rauland, Haukeli, Haukelifjell and Røldal.

Plan Your Trip

Essential Information

Best Time to Visit

Year Round

best times of year to visit Hardangervidda....

Getting There

Multiple Options

There are several gateways to Hardangervidda National Park. Gateway cities and villages are Odda and Eidfjord in the Hardanger region and the mountain destinations Geilo, Uvdal, Rjukan, Rauland, Haukeli, Haukelifjell and Røldal. Hardangervidda is a 2–3 hours drive from the major airports. The closest major airports are Bergen Airport (2½ hours drive to Eidfjord), Oslo Airport Gardermoen (3½ hours drive to Rjukan),Oslo Airport Torp in Sandefjord (3 hours drive to Rauland), Kristiansand Airport (3 hours drive to Haukeli) and Haugesund Airport (2 hours drive to Odda). National road 7, also known as Hardangervidda road, is the main access by car. From Oslo to Hardangervidda by car 1) E 18 from Oslo to Drammen. From Drammen, follow E134 to Notodden. From here you can follow rv. 361 and rv. 37 to Rjukan, or continue on E134 to Åmot in Telemark and then take rv. 37 to Rauland. 2) E18 from Oslo to Sandvika. From Sandvika you take E16 to Hønefoss and from Hønefoss you follow rv. 7 to Geilo....

Travel Tips

Getting Around & Staying

Getting Around

Driving Hardangervidda National Park Route is a great way to experience the scenery around Hardangervidda. Drive further, from fjell to fjord on E 134 over Haukelifjell and continue on rv 13 to Hardanger with Odda, Eidfjord and further on rv 7 over Hardangervidda to Geilo, along the national tourist route. This must be the ultimate Hardangervidda driving experience with fjords, Vøringfossen and mountains in 2-3 days. You can drive to the gateways and see the mountain plateau from your car, but there are no public roads for driving inside the national park border. This is where you can get close to the national park by car: Once you get out of your car and set your feet on the great mountain plains, the best way of getting around is hiking, skiing, cycling and horseback riding. You have to hike some hours to get into the national park, depending on which gateway you choose. Try the extensive network of hiking trails and cabins offered by The Norwegian Trekking Association .

Where to Stay

60.4396027.786291 Fagerheim Fjellstugu (in the middle of Hardangervidda, next to road 7). Has road access throughout the year. 1,170 m, you can gaze across a glittering mountain lake and enjoy fantastic views in all directions – not least towards the impressive Hardangerjøkulen glacier. A restored mountain lodge with pleasant common rooms, a fireplace and bedrooms with a touch of nostalgia. No en suite rooms, and no whirlpool baths! Separate showers for men and women. 20 rooms/55 beds. You will not have to share with people you do not know. If you have a dog, it is welcome to stay in your room. Weekly rentals of brand new luxury apartments with panoramic views of Hardangerjøkulen. Mountain café during the Easter holidays and over the summer. You will be served decent, hearty, well-made food, with no frills. We made good use of what nature has to offer and our meals include trout from the surrounding waters, as well as game, mushrooms and berries from nature's larder.

Money & Budget

60.4396027.786291 Fagerheim Fjellstugu (in the middle of Hardangervidda, next to road 7). Has road access throughout the year. 1,170 m, you can gaze across a glittering mountain lake and enjoy fantastic views in all directions – not least towards the impressive Hardangerjøkulen glacier. A restored mountain lodge with pleasant common rooms, a fireplace and bedrooms with a touch of nostalgia. No en suite rooms, and no whirlpool baths! Separate showers for men and women. 20 rooms/55 beds. You will not have to share with people you do not know. If you have a dog, it is welcome to stay in your room. Weekly rentals of brand new luxury apartments with panoramic views of Hardangerjøkulen. Mountain café during the Easter holidays and over the summer.

Stay Safe

Safety Information

Safety Overview

Hardangervidda is largely above the treeline and temperatures can drop to zero (0°C) even at mid summer. Drivers should be aware of slippery road in spring and autumn when driving is fine in the lowland. During winter blizzards can make driving challenging and the road is often closed. Hikers must bring map and compass, navigation can be very difficult in fog or stormy weather. Hikers must be prepared for all sorts of weather.

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