Norway

Description

Jotunheimen - by Henk

Being the most beautiful country in Europe, Norway is as rich in unspoiled wild nature as it is in oil. The rugged mountains are interspersed with endless plateaus full of lakes. Impressive fjords (sea inlets) and glaciers ornament the long coastline. The unforgettable spectacle of a thunderstorm drifting by, the sun breaking through, the rain drifting away in the distance. In the Home of Giants (Jotunheimen) you will feel tiny as a dwarf. North of the polar circle there are several splendid areas like Troms and Finmark. Do bring your fishing gear if you go there.

Norway does not have long distance trails, but for some exceptions. Wherever there is wilderness, there are  mountain huts interconnected by trails marked with a red "T". Often these are painted high on heaps of stone, in order to stick out above the snow. The majority of huts are exploited by the DNT. Others by local hiking organisations. Some huts are private. Some of the huts are staffed and meals are served. Others are self-service huts: there is food in store, you take what you like, write down what you ate, and leave money for it in a special box. The third type of hut is the no-service hut. Here, you have to carry your own food. Generally they are equiped with gas, firewood, kitchen utensils, and blanks. Often, you will need a key to get in. The standard DNT key, which you can arrange in advance, fits on all huts.

All this means you can leave your tent at home, unless you prefer to camp in the wild clear light summer nights, and wake up to find yourself surrounded by a herd of ruminating reindeer.

A beloved national park is Rondane. Also, of course, Jotunheimen with Norway's higest mountains Galdhøpigen and Glittertind, is very popular. South of Jotunheimen is the vast plateau of Hardangervidda. The main hiking area's are situated in the south of the country. Turning north, the mountains are less well serviced by huts, and consequently hiking is more adventurous. Head north if you're looking for silence and real wilderness. A part of Lappland is in Norway and you can go there and sleep in reindeer farms: Finnmarksvidda.

Be aware that in Norway as in every country the Long T(r)ail theory is valid: most of the hikers go to 10% of the area's. But other area's may be more beautiful and in any case more quiet. In the north for instance, you will encounter a string of intensely beautiful mountain plateaus and ranges: Okstindan in Nord-Helgeland, Saltfjellet, Sulitjelma, and more. If you don't mind carrying your own food, meeting few people and 24 hours light a day, this is the place to go. Between simple but well furnished huts, cairned routes are laid out, leading up all the way to Lapland, even to Kautokeino via the Nordkalott trail and the Nordlandsruta. You can walk for months. Check out the DNT website, your most important source of information.

The season for walking the mountains is short. In June you will still sink down deep into the snow in the mountains. And again in September fresh snow is likely to blow you right off the fjell. Hiking in Norway is not without risk. River crossing and extremely bad weather take their toll. On warm days with no wind, the notorious midges will attack relentlessly.

Map

Map of Norway North

Map of Norway Centre

Map of Norway South

Trails

Regions

Books

The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2021
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2021
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Climbs, Scrambles and Walks in Romsdal
  • Revised edition of this guide to over 300 walks, scrambles and rock climbs in Romsdal, including the famous Trollveggen. Introductory sections cover background geographical and historical aspects, and also general travel, equipment and preparation matters. Diagrams, ridge maps and informative photographs accompany the descriptions. Includes a... Read more
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  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
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Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Norway
  • DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Norway will lead you straight to the best attractions this breathtaking country has to offer. Packed with stunning photography and illustrations, this guide helps you discover Norway region by region, from the enchanting Northern Lights and beautiful fjords to the vibrant Oslo nightlife.Explore the culture, history,... Read more
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  • Bol.com, Belgium
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Bol.com
Belgium
  • Norway
  • DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Norway will lead you straight to the best attractions this breathtaking country has to offer. Packed with stunning photography and illustrations, this guide helps you discover Norway region by region, from the enchanting Northern Lights and beautiful fjords to the vibrant Oslo nightlife.Explore the culture, history,... Read more
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2013
  • Wandelgids Fjordruta - Wandern in Norwegen | Edition Elch
  • Fjord Ruta, meerdaagse huttentocht van 153 km. Ook kunt u etappes hiervan als dagtocht lopen. Wandelgids Noorwegen - geschikt voor gezin - met praktische informatie, vaak gemarkeerde wandelpaden, hutten aanduiding. Heel afwisselende paden : over de eilanden, de schiereilanden, het vaste land en langs de kust. Kaartmateriaal is mager tot niet... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Mit dem Wohnmobil nach Süd-Norwegen
  • Über 5400 km Süd-Norwegen in 18 Touren zu den bekanntesten und vielen unbekannten Sehenswürdigkeiten. Die schönsten Badeplätze an Flüssen, Seen, Fjorden, Skagerrak und Nordsee. Herrliche Stabkirchen, gewaltige Gletscher, atemberaubende Wasserfälle. Fjell- und Bergwanderungen - auch auf den höchsten Berg Norwegens. Fahrt mit der einzigartigen... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
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Bol.com
Belgium
  • Mit dem Wohnmobil nach Süd-Norwegen
  • Über 5400 km Süd-Norwegen in 18 Touren zu den bekanntesten und vielen unbekannten Sehenswürdigkeiten. Die schönsten Badeplätze an Flüssen, Seen, Fjorden, Skagerrak und Nordsee. Herrliche Stabkirchen, gewaltige Gletscher, atemberaubende Wasserfälle. Fjell- und Bergwanderungen - auch auf den höchsten Berg Norwegens. Fahrt mit der einzigartigen... Read more
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Norwegian Cruising Guide 7th Edition Vol 1
  • The original, most complete and most up-to-date guide for mariners to the coasts of Norway, Svalbard (Spitsbergen), and the west coast of Sweden. 800 pages in three volumes. 950 ports and anchorages. Tips on cruising northern destinations gathered by the authors during 20 years and 120,000 miles of North Atlantic cruising. Insider's perspective... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
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Bol.com
Belgium
  • Norwegian Cruising Guide 7th Edition Vol 1
  • The original, most complete and most up-to-date guide for mariners to the coasts of Norway, Svalbard (Spitsbergen), and the west coast of Sweden. 800 pages in three volumes. 950 ports and anchorages. Tips on cruising northern destinations gathered by the authors during 20 years and 120,000 miles of North Atlantic cruising. Insider's perspective... Read more
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
Bol.com
Netherlands
2014
  • Walking in Norway
  • This book describes 20 walking routes in the mains mountain areas of Norway, ranging from the far south to the Arctic regions. Here you will find mountains relatively free from crowds, and few roads criss-crossing the remote landscape; within this ideal setting for walkers, cairned routes twist through splendid scenery and link up with... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2014
  • Walking in Norway
  • This book describes 20 walking routes in the mains mountain areas of Norway, ranging from the far south to the Arctic regions. Here you will find mountains relatively free from crowds, and few roads criss-crossing the remote landscape; within this ideal setting for walkers, cairned routes twist through splendid scenery and link up with... Read more
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Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Norvège Sud
  • Les plus belles randonnées fjord et montagne. 53 itinéraires. GPS-Tracks Rother Guide de randonnées. 1re editions. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
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Bol.com
Belgium
  • Norvège Sud
  • Les plus belles randonnées fjord et montagne. 53 itinéraires. GPS-Tracks Rother Guide de randonnées. 1re editions. Read more
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More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Øvre Anarjohka Nordeca 10164
  • Map No. 10164, Øvre Anarjohka, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Lovund Nordeca 10119
  • Map No. 10119, Lovund, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens Kartverk... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Froya Nordeca 2814
  • Freya area in Norway in a series of GPS compatible recreational maps at 1:50,000 with cartography from Norway’s topographic survey and additional tourist information. Contours lines are drawn at 20m intervals. The overprint varies from title to title, but includes local footpaths, in some cases distinguishing between easy and more difficult... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Töfsingdalen Nordeca 10075
  • Map No. 10075, Töfsingdalen, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Akkajaure Nordeca 10131
  • Map No. 10131, Akkajaure, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Børgefjell North Nordeca 2621
  • Børgefjell North area in Norway in a series of GPS compatible recreational maps at 1:50,000 with cartography from Norway’s topographic survey and additional tourist information. Contours lines are drawn at 20m intervals. The overprint varies from title to title, but includes local footpaths, in some cases distinguishing between easy and more... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Kristiansund Nordeca 10083
  • Map No. 10083, Kristiansund, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Mosjøen Nordeca 10117
  • Map No. 10117, Mosjøen, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens Kartverk... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Tornetrask Nordeca 10140
  • Map No. 10140, Torneträsk, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Fosen Nordeca 10094
  • Map No. 10094, Fosen, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens Kartverk... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Bardufoss Nordeca 10148
  • Map No. 10148, Bardufoss, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Folda Nordeca 10102
  • Map No. 10102, Folda, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens Kartverk... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Ullsfjorden Nordeca 10156
  • Map No. 10156, Ullsfjorden, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Sømna Nordeca 10110
  • Map No. 10110, Sømna, in the new topographic survey of Norway at 1:50,000 covering the country on 195 double-sided sheets and first published by Nordeca in 2011 - 2012; fully GPS compatible, indicating waymarked footpaths, campsites, tourist huts, illuminated ski runs, etc.The maps, now published by Nordeca, the successors to Statens Kartverk... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Snøheim Nordeca 2784
  • Snøheim area in Norway in a series of GPS compatible recreational maps at 1:25,000 with cartography based on the country’s topographic survey and additional tourist information. The base map is an enlargement of the standard 1:50,000 topographic survey series. Contours lines are drawn at 20m intervals. The overprint varies from title to title,... Read more
More maps…

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