Hardangervidda National Park
Norway · Vestland · 1100 m
Description
Hardangervidda (Hardangervidda nasjonalpark) is Norway’s largest national park on the mainland and one of Europe’s largest high mountain plateaus. Covering around 3,422 square kilometers, it lies largely above the treeline and features vast, rugged landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, rivers, and ice-shaped rock formations. The plateau is home to Europe’s largest wild reindeer population, as well as Arctic species such as the Arctic fox. On its western edge, the 182-meter Vøringsfossen plunges dramatically into Måbødalen near Eidfjord. Nearby Finse provided filming locations for the ice planet Hoth in the Star Wars film The Empire Strikes Back. Marked trails and mountain huts make Hardangervidda a premier hiking destination in Norway.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 4 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: July – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Vøringsfossen waterfall
- Wild reindeer herds
- Hardangervidda mountain plateau
- Mountain lodge-to-lodge hiking (DNT huts)
- Måbødalen valley hike
- Hardangervidda Nature Centre
- Dyranut to Kinsarvik trail (July - September)(Multi-day trip)
- Hårteigen mountain
- Tinnhølen lake
- Halnefjorden lake
- Sysenvatnet lake
- Sysendalen valley
- Skaupa and Måbøberget viewpoints
- Hardangervidda winter ski crossing (February - April)(Multi-day trip)
- Cross-country skiing on Hardangervidda (December - April)
- Kvenna river valley (June - September)(Multi-day trip)
- Husedalen valley and four waterfalls(Day trip)
- Rjukan and Gaustatoppen(Day trip)