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
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
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  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
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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
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2021
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  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2021
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Bol.com
Netherlands
2010
  • Nordskandinavien - Der Wanderführer
  • Aktualisierte und erweiterte Neuauflage: Dieses Buch enthält die erste vollständige Beschreibung des 1993 eingeweihten, sehr populären Nordkalottleden. 800 Kilometer führt dieser schönste und längste Wanderweg Nordskandinaviens durch die Berge Norwegens, Schwedens und Finnlands, überquert dabei 15 Mal die Grenzen und führt auch über den... Read more
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  • Bol.com, Belgium
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Bol.com
Belgium
2010
  • Nordskandinavien - Der Wanderführer
  • Aktualisierte und erweiterte Neuauflage: Dieses Buch enthält die erste vollständige Beschreibung des 1993 eingeweihten, sehr populären Nordkalottleden. 800 Kilometer führt dieser schönste und längste Wanderweg Nordskandinaviens durch die Berge Norwegens, Schwedens und Finnlands, überquert dabei 15 Mal die Grenzen und führt auch über den... Read more
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2019
  • Wandelgids Norwegen: Jotunheimen - Rondane | Rother Bergverlag
  • Uitstekende wandelgids met 50 dagtochten in dal en hoger gelegen delen van het gebergte. Met praktische informatie en beperkt kaartmateriaal! Wandelingen in verschillende zwaarte weergegeven in rood/blauw/zwart. Deze wandelgidsen uitgever staat hoog aangeschreven en is een begrip onder de wandelaars! 176 Seiten mit 80 Farbabbildungen, 50... Read more
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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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
  • Also available from:
  • 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
2015
  • Reisverhaal - Reisgids Het hoge Noorden | Louis Beyens
  • In de Arctis leven al vele duizenden jaren mensen, dieren, planten en microben. Ze hebben zich aangepast aan de extreme omstandigheden, het is hun 'thuis'. Maar hun thuis heeft een dynamisch en kwetsbaar ecosysteem dat door klimaatverandering - die zich daar meer manifesteert dan elders - wordt bedreigd. De noordpool is geen geïsoleerd gebied,... Read more
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Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Skåbu - Espedalen - Fefor Nordeca 2561
  • Skåbu - Espedalen - Fefor 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... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Nabar Nordeca 10169
  • Map No. 10169, Nabar, 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
  • Røgden Nordeca 10044
  • Map No. 10044, Røgden, 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
  • Kristiansand Nordeca 10002
  • Map No. 10002, Kristiansand, 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
  • Indre Sunnfjord Nordeca 2481
  • Indre Sunnfjord area in Norway in a series of GPS compatible recreational Turkart maps at 1:100,000 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... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Utsjoki Nordeca 10177
  • Map No. 10177, Utsjoki, 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
  • Höljes Nordeca 10052
  • Map No. 10052, Höljes, 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
  • Gjerstad Nordeca 10011
  • Map No. 10011, Gjerstad, 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
  • Hovden North Nordeca 2684
  • Hovden 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
  • Vardø Nordeca 10185
  • Map No. 10185, Vardø, 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
  • Ljørdalen Nordeca 10060
  • Map No. 10060, Ljørdalen, 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
  • Skien Nordeca 10019
  • Map No. 10019, Skien, 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
  • Femunden South Nordeca 2722
  • Femunden South area in eastern 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... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Nordkapp Nordeca 10193
  • Map No. 10193, Nordkapp, 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
  • Stad Nordeca 10069
  • Map No. 10069, Stad, 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
More maps…

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