7 Best Multi Day Hikes In Norway
April 6, 2024
Norway
By guy yefet
Discover the best multi day hikes in Norway. This Norway blog post is everything you need to know about hiking in Norway.
I visited Norway for a month. Norway is a place for wild nature, beautiful hikes, and unforgettable landscapes.
Those who can not afford to travel a one month in Norway can check out my 2-week Norway itinerary for the ultimate road trip.
I think two weeks is the minimum time to see the highlights of Norway and the western fjords combined with hiking trails.
I did a lot of hiking trails in this beautiful country, and in this blog, I will write about several options of different hiking trails in nature reserves in Norway.
Before you discover the multi day hikes in Norway, check out my other blogs to help you plan the perfect trip to Norway.
Adventurous hikers may find in Norway a cluster of opportunities for unique hikes, in the heart of wild nature with not many people.
If you are among these, nature reserves, big fjords in size and height, flooded streams, and breathtaking views await you there.
If you are one of those who can survive in challenging terrain conditions, break away from civilization and embark on a special challenge - Norway is calling you.
The big country offers everything hikers looking for a new challenge and interest can want - green vegetation, wildlife, hiking trails of all levels of difficulty, hiking involving mountain and hill-climbing, and those that combine sailing along the coastline.
All you have to do for this is to know the hiking trails in advance and be equipped with everything necessary and suitable for the special terrain conditions.
The first step is to choose the area.
Norway is a huge country. It's impossible to visit in its entirety in one trip of only a few days.
To choose the area, you need to know what you want to concentrate on: in a mountainous and green continental landscape or in the northern area from which you can be impressed by the Northern Lights? On a route along the coast, views of fjords and streams, or a challenging trail?
Once you know what you want to see, and what the type of trip will be, you can start the preparations.
Good to know that the mountains and nature is the way of life for most Norwegians. And the most beautiful wild places is seen when walking.
In late spring in Norway, the sun’s rays caress the mountain landscape, forcing the snow in the mountains to retreat quietly and awaken the flowers after their winter sleep.
This is the beginning of the hiking season in Norway.
The winter in Norway is long but when it's over, all the locals go for a walk. In the mountains, along the coast, or the forests.
Among the popular day hikes in Norway, you will find Pulpit Rock, Mount Kjerag, Mount Skala, Besseggen ridge, and the Trolltunga hike.
In Norway, nature and trekking are part of life, and you can see it in every aspect.
Travel insurance is one of the most crucial things when hiking. It doesn't matter if you are alone, with a friend, or in a group. You never know what will happen, what the weather will be like, or if you will get injured, etc.
I recommend to anyone who wants to hike in Norway, especially multi-day hikes in Norway, to get insurance and travel with peace of mind.
SafetWing travel insurance has been designed for travelers.
Anyone can hike in Norway at any age.
To help you choose the hike that suits you, it's advisable to note that the hiking trails in Norway are divided into several categories painted in different colors according to the difficulty level:
Green - Easy hike. Short ascents and no special skills needed, suitable for everyone.
Trail type: Asphalt, gravel, and paved trails.
Length: Less than two hours.
Elevation differences: less than 200 meters.
Blue - Medium difficulty hike. Designed for travelers with basic hiking skills.
Trail type: As the green trails, but can be a little more demanding.
Length: Less than 4 hours.
Elevation differences: less than 400 meters.
Red - difficult hike. For the well-traveled. These routes require suitable hiking equipment.
Trail type: open space, cliffs, pebbles, and exposed rocks.
Length: Less than 6 hours.
Elevation differences: less than 800 meters.
Black - Expert. Must be in good physical shape. Climbing requires good walking equipment.
Trail Type: Longer and more challenging than red trails.
Length: No limit.
Elevation differences: no limit.
Norway has many one-day hikes, and it is also possible to do longer treks of several days in nature reserves such as the Jotunheimen ridge, the Rondane nature reserve, and the Hardengervidda.
It's simple to build a route in any length, level, circle, line, and whatever comes to mind with the help of the general map of DNT.
There are lots of options for different routes and variations, and there are lots of exits to dirt roads or small towns from the mountains.
I highly recommend choosing in the first few days at least 5-6 hour routes and no more.
So that way, compared to other famous long treks in the world, for example, Camino de Santiago, the via Francigena route, the Annapurna circuit trek in Nepal, these are long and famous hikes.
In Norway, there is not only one popular multi-day hike.
The options for a multi-day hike in Norway (mainly because of the cabins scattered throughout Norway) is unlimited, and it's possible to create for yourself such a hut to hut hiking that will be especially suitable for you.
The UT.no website helped us a lot.
The site is in Norwegian, but you can easily translate the page into English if you use a Chrome browser.
This is the official website of DNT which is the organization that is responsible for the cabins, the maps, the excellent trail markings, basically quite a bit of what has to do with the terrain in Norway.
On the website, you can see all the cabins of the DNT, all the paths marked in the field, the distances between hut and hut, and also a little terrain weaver.
With the help of the site, you can build a route that passes between cabins according to how you want.
The website also has details about the cabins, their photos, size, etc.
Some parameters that you should know about hiking in Norway - there are an infinite number of drinking water reservoirs, so there was no danger of running out of water and this also saved unnecessary weight.
The cabins contain a lot of food, so that too is not a real danger (although I did not rely on it, still it helped).
The paths are marked in the clearest way possible, and there is no such thing as a full cabin even if it's fully booked on the website - in the worst case, there are comfortable mattresses they provide in the cabin, and you can sleep on the floor.
The area with the highest mountains in Norway (meaning the name - the land of giants), the most touristy area we hiked but still does not mention other tourist areas in Europe in terms of the number of hikers. And the most famous for trekking in Norway.
In terms of terrain, there are lots of rocky areas, there is almost no crossing of rivers without bridges (compared to Breheimen), and it's important to note that the number of self-service cabins there is limited.
For more details about the route
Hardangervidda is a mountainous plateau that rises halfway between Oslo and Bergen and is characterized by tundra landscapes, an infinity of lakes, and one large ice dome (Hardangerjokulen).
In the western part, the plateau ends abruptly in the cliffs and mighty waterfalls.
For more details about the route and the cabins
Breheimen (the ice country in Norway) provides lots of views of beautiful glaciers and lakes.
The route of the area there is mainly large rocks and lots of streams.
Breheimen is a pristine area, and you will hardly meet people during the hike.
For more details about the route
Some say that the landscapes there are less dramatic compared to the western fjords of Norway, and it is true.
I don't think they are less beautiful, but these are different landscapes, with lots of open and beautiful spaces. In this area you will meet a strange and unique animal called musk ox.
When I walked in the nature reserve, I met some of them and it was an amazing experience.
For more details about the Rondane triangle route
A circular route in the Trollheimen National Park.
This is one of the most well-known and popular hiking trails in Norway.
The hike is three days long and ends at the point where it started.
On the second day, you can choose between three different parallel routes.
Two of them include a long climb but the middle of them passes through the valley and allows you to skip the hard section if necessary.
3 days of walking with a different landscape every day. Locals say it is the hike considered among the most beautiful in Norway.
The hike begins with an ascent between the houses of the village and then reaches a beautiful valley overlooking the large lake on which Finse is located.
Most of the walking on the first day is on snow, so the pace is slower than normal walking.
On the hike, you will see the most impressive canyon in Norway, flowing streams, flowers, and lakes.
On this hike, all the cabins are staffed cabins so you can eat there.
For more details about the route
Yes, I know a Trolltunga hike is considered a day trip but I did it as a two-day trip independently, took a tent and camping gear with me, and camped close to the troll tongue.
This is one of the most amazing experiences I have had in Norway, so I mention it here.
I think this is the best way to do the Trolltunga hike. I wrote a detailed blog on how to do the Trolltunga overnight hike where you will find all the information you need to know.
The huge advantage of doing the Trolltunga hike in two days is the fact that this hike is among the most popular and touristy in Norway.
Everyone who comes to Norway wants a picture on the cliff of the troll, and it makes sense, It's one of the most beautiful places in Norway.
When you do the Trolltunga overnight hike you get to experience the hike empty of people.
Would you like to see sunrise or sunset in this stunning place?
If you have the time and physical strength, I highly recommend splitting the hike into two days and envisioning this spectacular scenery without too many tourists around.
Beyond that, you do not have to do it independently.
You can join a guided tour that will take care of all the equipment and make the hike much easier for you.
What is certain is an experience you will never forget!
Norway has a system of cabins that allows you to hike with maximum comfort all over the country.
It's recommended to go to the DNT office in Bergen or Oslo and take the general cabin map + make a membership card + take the master key to the cabins (i will explain more later).
1. Staffed lodges (red square) - cabins that contain individual rooms, multi-bed rooms (dorms/dormitory).
In these Staffed lodges, you can eat breakfast (usually a buffet), lunch (pay a certain amount and get wrapping papers to pack sandwiches from breakfast), and dinner - one option is a full meal that includes soup, main course, and dessert or only a main course.
The Staffed lodges have electrical outlets, a living room with DNT books and magazines, a drying room, showers (3-5 minutes of hot water), and a small "shop" where you can buy chocolate, cookies, soft drinks, and beer and not serious food to prepare so don't count on it!
2. self-service cabins (half white and half red square) - one of the most amazing things in this country is the self-service cabins, without a doubt. These Cabins are maintained to a very high standard and all this by the travelers themselves.
The self-service cabins are usually locked with a lock and therefore need the master key to open them.
In these cabins, you sometimes meet a volunteer from DNT who comes to do a test to see that everything is fine and help people understand the system (usually in the more touristy areas and in the larger cabins of 50 people more or less).
There are usually 2-3 cabins when one is the main cabin, where the kitchen and living room are larger and cozier, and the bedrooms are suitable for 2-4 people.
Another cabin will usually be in the style of a dormitory room (multi-bed room) with a slightly smaller kitchen and living room, and the third cabin is a toilet and wood storage.
These cabins have no electricity and also usually no cellular reception.
They contain bedrooms, a fireplace for heating and drying clothes, a kitchen equipped with utensils and everything you need (at a high level!), A living room, a library of magazines, maps, books about each area in Norway (sometimes containing Height cuts), cards, etc.
In these cabins, the hikers are in charge of everything, and it is so important to keep all the rules so that it is kept forever!
There is a list of things to do before leaving the cabin (such as doing a little cleaning, filling water from the river/lake so that there will be visitors, etc.).
It is possible and even desirable to pay by credit card.
The feeling in these cabins is a feeling of home for everything!
Many times during our trip, We were alone in the cabin. Other times We met a few hikers that you could connect with and exchange experiences.
All this works with the help of many donations, and it is not destroyed for the reason that only when you walk on your own on a full day of rain, cross high and strong streams and reach a hut soaked and finished then you will understand that it is impossible to walk in this country without this thing.
These cabins are usually locked with a lock and need the master key to open them.
To get a key to the cabins (the same key that opens all the cabins), you need to leave a deposit at the DNT offices.
3. No-service cabins (white square) - as the self-service cabins, usually a little smaller, less beautiful, and without a food warehouse.
*Red/purple circle - Not related to the DNT cabins, but they are also marked on the map. These are hotels scattered in nature.
* It is important to note that the cabins are almost always located near a lake/glacier/beautiful area, so sometimes a private cabin of someone will pop up in front of your eyes, and you will be sure that it is a DNT cabin.
* Another option for accommodation is simply in a tent that under Norwegian law is allowed to be set up a tent 150 meters from a house for free. Alternatively, set up a tent near the DNT cabin and pay a minimum amount when you can use all the things the cabin has to offer.
* The responsibility for DNT's cabins is either Bergen's or Oslo's or in a few cases of other towns, in each case the prices and products are slightly different from cabin to a cabin when Oslo's prices are cheaper.
The Norwegian summer is very short, and the official hiking season is from the beginning of July to mid-August, but this is due to the school holidays at the Norwegian schools.
In practice, you can travel from mid-June (snowy mountain passes) to mid-September (most cabins close at this time of the year).
It is important to note that in summer, there are many days with rain, clouds, and even snow.
You have to prepare yourself for it both in terms of equipment and mentally.
Another thing to know is the strong winds that sometimes make walking very difficult, especially when walking on rocks and crossing rivers and glaciers.
* Because there is no cellular signal in most places. There are radios in most cabins. You can ask the locals in the cabin to translate your forecast.
The terrain and weather conditions are the main difficulty when hiking in Norway.
There are large rocks that with rain become very smooth, swampy areas that become difficult to cross, many streams that become deeper and stronger, etc.
Undoubtedly the weather can turn a day of 5 hours of walking into 7 hours or more.
A large number of cabins along the trail and reasonable accommodation prices (for DNT members) allow an easy hike from hut to hut on all the long hiking trails in Norway.
If you hike in the summer, you do not need ice equipment like crampons or an axe.
In terms of temperature, even in mid-summer, it can be close to 0 and sometimes even slightly less.
So, thermal clothing is essential, and a good rain jacket, since rain can surprise you at any hour of the day.
A backpack and comfortable shoes are the most critical things when hiking.
I prefer to walk with trail running shoes, Altra lone Peak 6 is one of the best shoes I ever had.
If you plan to camp instead of staying in cabins, which is highly recommended because, in Norway, you can camp almost anywhere.
You will need a tent, which is durable for 3 seasons because in Norway, even in summer, you can't predict the weather.
I strongly recommend the MSR Huba-Huba tent.
Also, a quality sleeping bag with a comfortable temperature of 0 degrees, and a sleeping pad. I’m using the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir.
To save some costs you can cook for yourself.
One of the best lightweight camping stoves is the MSR Pocket Rocket 2.
For cooking, I'm using the Toask Titanium 1100ml Pot and Toask Titanium Spoon.
Hiking poles will help a lot! They will help you when crossing streams, walking in the snow, and at every other step.
Also, hiking poles are good for ascending and descending when everything is slippery after the rain.
I recommend putting your clothes, sleeping bag, wallet, passports, and everything that matters safely in a dry bag.
At some point, no matter how good the backpack and rain cover are, water can penetrate and wet your valuables.
Maps in Norway are expensive but also very important!
The marking of DNT is excellent. (red T/ prominent ridges/sticks and excellent signage in most cases) but it is always important to have a good map for the small moments of doubt and to see what to expect next.
As I already said, most cabins have excellent maps, and you can take photos of the route with your phone, thus saving a lot of money. That's how we traveled at least.
A nice part of Norway is that self-catering cabins usually have a pantry. The pantry includes food, such as rice, pasta, soup bags, cans (meat, fish, vegetables, fruits), crackers, melted cheeses, jams, bags for making coffee, chocolate, tea, etc.
How does the payment for the food work?
Each cabin has forms that need to be filled out while staying in the cabin. Write down personal details and dates of stay, and also write down what food you took.
The cabin has a menu that says what is in the cabin and how much each item costs. The prices are not cheap, but reasonable and worth the weight savings.
The water in Norway is good for drinking, and I do not remember a day when there was no water flow every hour.
We walked around with only a cup and drank from the streams.
If there is a polluted river it will be near a large touristy place that I believe you will understand on your own that the water in it is probably less clean.
1. Take a map with you and always know where you are geographically. You can also use electronic means such as a GPS device.
2. Do not be ashamed to go back on a hike.
Evaluate your route regularly and if conditions are harsh, choose the best alternative before you and your hiking friends get tired. Remember that safety is above all and that the routes are available to you on other occasions.
3. Drink plenty of water - the Norwegian sun and wind combined with exercise dehydrate the body, so there is frequent drinking of water, yes - even if you do not feel thirsty.
Most of the water in Norwegian rivers is potable but every rule has exceptions: water in pastures and glacial water. Because skies in grazing fields will be polluted by animal excrement and glacial water contains bacteria that have frozen along with them.
4. Keep away from wildlife - some animals can be dangerous, and we may not always notice signs of it.
Polar bears, elk, and deer are faster than all of us, and if they feel threatened by them or their offspring - they attack fast, even if it's only a feeling and not an actual threat.
5. Never walk on glaciers alone, only with a qualified guide.
6. It is possible to download offline maps on Google Maps.
7. Those who are vegetarian and want to eat in the cabins can also eat a vegetarian dish. There is a vegetarian dish at every dinner if you request.
8. If you plan to stay in self-service cabins remember to pick up the key from the DNT office.
It is impossible to remain indifferent to the immense beauty found in every corner of Norway: fjords in stunning colors, countless flooded rivers, serene lakes and steep waterfalls, towering mountains, and impressive glaciers are just the beginning of the list.
Norway has many nature reserves and hiking trails with a very convenient infrastructure that includes: hiking trails in a variety of levels of difficulty, clear maps, signage, information available, as well as camping sites and diverse accommodation options.
You have to go out and explore for yourself.
The feeling of hiking in Norway is different from the familiar and touristy hiking trails in Europe, and yet the landscapes in Norway do not fall from anywhere else.
I hope this Norway travel blog provides you with some information about hiking in Norway and inspires you to explore Norway and its variety of beautiful hiking trails!
Here are some websites I use whenever preparing for my next journey anywhere around the world.
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