Photo by XXLofoten
Norwegian hiking locations divide roughly into three types: the famous cliff hikes everyone photographs, mountain plateau routes crossing wilderness, and coastal trails combining fjord views with manageable elevation. Each region delivers distinct landscapes shaped by how glaciers carved the terrain.
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) sits 604 meters directly above Lysefjord – a flat plateau ending in a sheer drop. The approach hike covers 8 kilometers round trip with 330 meters elevation gain, taking most people 4-5 hours total. It's Norway's most popular hike, seeing 300,000+ people annually in summer.
The trail climbs over wooden steps, rocky terrain, and some steep sections but stays technically straightforward. Crowds peak midday in July-August. Starting early (before 8am) or late afternoon reduces congestion. The plateau itself has no barriers – people sit and stand at the edge for photos, which is simultaneously the appeal and the risk.
Kjerag and Kjeragbolten requires more commitment – 11 kilometers round trip, 800 meters elevation gain, typically 6-8 hours. Three cable-assisted sections help you up steep rock faces. The destination is a boulder wedged between cliff walls 1000 meters above Lysefjord. People walk or sit on the boulder for photos.
This hike filters casual visitors through distance and difficulty. You cross boulder fields, use chains on exposed sections, and need good fitness. Weather matters more than on Preikestolen because you're out longer and higher.
Trolltunga became Norway's signature hike through social media – a horizontal rock shelf protruding 700 meters above Ringedalsvatnet lake. The catch: 28 kilometers round trip, 900 meters elevation gain, typically 10-12 hours. This isn't a casual day hike.
The trail follows an old hydroelectric construction road for much of the distance, then climbs steeply to the rock formation. It's physically demanding but not technically difficult. The length becomes the challenge – you need energy reserves for the return when you're already tired.
June and September can still have snow on upper sections. Peak summer brings long daylight that makes the hours manageable, but also crowds at the destination where people wait to photograph themselves on the rock. Some start at midnight to reach Trolltunga for sunrise.
Hardangervidda plateau offers completely different hiking – vast treeless terrain above 1000 meters where you walk for days seeing only lichen, rocks, small lakes, and possibly wild reindeer. Multiple DNT huts let you plan multi-day treks without carrying full camping gear. The famous Finse-Geilo route crosses the plateau in 4-5 days.
Planning your next trip to Norway? Check out our articles about hiking and adventure holidays in Norway.
Romsdalseggen ridge delivers Trolltunga-style exposure with fewer crowds. The ridge walk traverses 1200-1500 meters elevation, offering views across Romsdalen valley with vertical walls on both sides. It's 10 kilometers one way with 970 meters elevation gain, typically 6-8 hours.
A bus connects the finish point back to Åndalsnes, making this a practical day hike. The ridge section involves some exposure but no cables or technical sections. Clear weather is essential – fog reduces visibility to nothing and makes navigation difficult on the bare ridge.
This area gets less attention than Stavanger or Hardanger regions, but the landscape is equally dramatic. Romsdalen valley itself has shorter hikes to viewpoints if the full ridge walk exceeds your fitness level.
Besseggen ridge crosses between two mountain lakes – Gjende and Bessvatnet – at different elevations, creating the dramatic color contrast (dark blue Gjende, lighter turquoise Bessvatnet) that makes Besseggen recognizable in photos. It's 14 kilometers with 800 meters elevation gain, typically 6-8 hours.
The trail involves some exposure along the ridge crest but no technical difficulty. A boat shuttles hikers across Gjende lake to the trailhead, and most walk back to the boat dock at Gjendesheim. This creates a natural one-way route.
Jotunheimen hosts Norway's highest peaks and most extensive glacier coverage. Beyond Besseggen, the region offers everything from short valley walks to multi-day glacier crossings requiring guides and equipment. The Galdhøpiggen summit (2469m, Norway's highest point) is accessible via marked routes from DNT huts.
Lofoten combines Arctic mountain scenery with sea-level access. Peaks rise directly from the ocean, creating dramatic profiles without requiring alpine starts. Most hikes gain 400-800 meters from fishing village trailheads.
Reinebringen climbs 448 meters in 1.6 kilometers via constructed steps with viewing platforms. It's steep but short, taking 2-3 hours round trip. The views across Reine and surrounding peaks deliver Lofoten's signature landscape.
Ryten peak above Kvalvika beach involves more sustained hiking – 6-7 kilometers round trip, 543 meters elevation gain, about 4 hours total. You climb to a ridge overlooking both Kvalvika's white sand beach and the Lofoten peaks stretching across the horizon.
Lofoten hiking season is short – late June through September – but the midnight sun means you can hike at any hour. The combination of mountains, fjords, and Arctic light creates conditions you won't find in southern Norway.
Bergen's seven mountains (though more than seven exist) offer city-accessible hiking. Fløyen and Ulriken have cable cars if you want views without effort, but hiking routes climb both. Ulriken at 643 meters takes about 2 hours up, delivering views across Bergen, the fjords, and surrounding islands.
The Vidden trail connects Ulriken and Fløyen across the mountain plateau between them – 15 kilometers, about 5 hours, with minimal elevation change since you start and end at mountaintops. This crosses typical vidda terrain but stays close to Bergen's infrastructure.
Coastal regions west of Bergen offer fjord-edge trails, island hopping routes, and moderate elevation hikes with ocean views. These areas provide hiking when mountain weather elsewhere is poor, and stay accessible into September when higher trails close.
Hiking above the Arctic Circle brings continuous daylight in summer and landscapes transitioning from boreal forest to Arctic tundra. Tromsdalstinden rises 1238 meters directly behind Tromsø city, with routes climbing from sea level. The approach takes 4-6 hours up with some exposed sections near the summit.
Arctic hiking includes different concerns – even summer weather can turn harsh, and you're often far from help. But the landscapes are unique, and lower latitude means you're walking under midnight sun conditions in June and July.
Northern regions see fewer hikers than southern Norway's famous trails. You'll have ridge tops and valleys to yourself, though logistics (getting to trailheads, finding accommodations) require more planning.
Famous trails (Preikestolen, Trolltunga, Besseggen) deliver the iconic Norwegian hiking experience but come with crowds in summer. Going midweek rather than weekends helps. Starting very early or late in the day avoids peak congestion. June and September offer better conditions for crowd-averse hikers, though weather becomes less predictable.
Lesser-known alternatives like Romsdalseggen or northern Norway routes require more research but reward you with solitude. The terrain is equally dramatic, just without the social media fame driving traffic.
Consider combining different types – a famous cliff hike, a coastal trail, and a mountain plateau route across a trip. This shows you the range of Norwegian landscapes rather than just collecting the famous destinations.
Our hiking tours include itineraries focused on specific regions with accommodation near trailheads, transport logistics handled, and options for both guided and self-guided hiking. For overall hiking information, see the main hiking in Norway page.
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