15 Best Hiking Trails in Norway: Our Top Picks for This Year

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We write a lot about jackets, performance fabrics and outdoor gear here on our site.

Jackets that are made to provide the best experience outdoors are our main focus in the selections, reviews and comparisons that we write, but what good is a jacket that will not be put to use?

Hence, now that we have expanded our jacket selections so much, it’s finally time to turn the attention to one of the best activities that you can wear a jacket to, hiking.

Hundreds of thousands of hikers and trekkers take it upon themselves to explore some of the world’s most beautiful hiking trails and they can all vouch to the importance of a good jacket.

You can find numerous of our selections and reviews for jacket recommendations (like this one or this one) that would be the best for your next hiking adventure.

With all this talk about jackets over, let’s now take a look at the best hiking trails you can find in Norway, one of the most impressive countries for those who enjoy nature and the outdoors.

Contents:

• 1. Trolltunga
• 2. Trollstigen
• 3. Kjeragbolten
• 4. Reinebringen
• 5. Preikestolen
• 6. Segla
• 7. Barden
• 8. Galdhøpiggen
• 9. Dovrefjell
• 10. Snøhetta
• 11. Ryten
• 12. Skåla
• 13. Stetinden
• 14. Kyrkja
• 15. Besseggen Ridge

1. Trolltunga

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A trail that will take you around 10 hours to reach and come down from, Trolltunga is one of the best hikes anyone can experience, provided that you are not afraid of heights.

It is a roughly 28 km (17.4 miles) walk, which will require that you be prepared both physically and materially, with the possibility of having to camp along the way, because it takes nearly half a day to complete.

Its name is quite interesting, as it translates to “Troll’s tongue”, because it ends at a sliver of rock.

This is not a hike to take lightly, regardless if you are a beginner or experienced hiker, as the trail is strenuous and includes several small climbs.

The best time of the year to go is in mid June until mid September, as the weather is stable and having a guide is not necessary, unlike the rest of the year where the guide is a must.

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2. Trollstigen

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Also named after trolls, Trollstigen translates to “The Troll’s Path” and is a trail that can be both hiked on foot or driven to by car. Its viewpoint is at the edge of a cliff from which you can see the winding road that takes you there.

It gives you a view of a beautiful valley from a height of 200 meters. All around it are tall mountain sides and lush greenery.

It is best visited during the summer months and it provides several accommodations should you want to unwind and stay.

You might also like: 9 Norwegian Clothing and Jacket Brands for Your Outdoor Adventures

3. Kjeragbolten

A trail that the whole family can enjoy, as long as the children are of adequate age, the hike to the Kjerag Bolt is strenuous and takes roughly 8 hours to complete, at a distance of about 12 km (7.5 miles).

The elevation is approximately 570 meters and it’s a hike more suited for summer. The main reason is the steepness, which is difficult in wet conditions and completely blocked during winter due to the snow, making it dangerous as well.

The Kjeragbolten is a boulder between two cliffs and it is the perfect hiking destination for those who are daring and enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes from conquering such heights.

4. Reinebringen

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One of the shorter hikes on our list, the hike to Reinebringen starts just outside of the Reine village and takes about 2-3 hours to complete, at a 510 meter elevation that goes on for roughly 3 km (2 miles).

While it will not take too long to reach, you should reserve the day for when you are at the top, as the view is stunning. You can see the Lofoten Islands, the Kjerkfjorden, Reinefjorden and the fishing village underneath.

This is a strenuous hike that requires adequate preparation and the steepness should be considered for those who are beginners or not in the best physical condition.

The trail is also dangerous to an extent, so we would highly advise you do your research before deciding whether this is a hike you should attempt.

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5. Preikestolen

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One of the most popular trails to hike in Norway, the Preikestolen, known in English as the Pulpit Rock, is a 6 km (3.7 miles) hike that takes around 4 hours to complete.

The best thing about this trail, aside from the sightseeing, is that you will hardly be alone as it is visited by roughly 300,000 walkers every year. It is a beginner friendly hike that has a car park that cuts the hike a bit shorter and makes it easier.

The sight is a beautiful view of the Lysefjord that definitely makes it worth the while. If you want to have a view all to yourself, hiking at the early hours of the morning will allow you to experience a sunrise like no other.

Preikestolen is best visited during the month of May up until October, depending on the weather.

6. Segla

If there is one thing you will notice with Norwegian hiking trails is that being short does not make them less of a feat.

Take Segla, for example, a 5 km (3.1 miles) hike that takes roughly 4 hours to complete. While the view at the top is one that will make the fatigue and the strain of reaching it melt away, the trail itself is quite tough.

At an elevation of 610 meters (2000 feet), it is one of the steepest trails featured in our selection. The best months to visit are from May through September and it can be combined with Barden on the way down.

7. Barden

Since we mentioned it, it’s only fair to include it. A hiking trail that starts out in the northern end of Senja, Barden takes around 3-4 hours to reach, at a distance of about 7 km (4.3 miles).

It is at an 590 meter elevation during hiking and is of medium difficulty, best suited for those who have some experience with easier trails.

To reach it, there is the usual route, that starts out with a wet marshy area and then goes up from there, as well as an alternate route that shares the same trailhead as Segla, mentioned above.

This is a camping-friendly destination that is best visited during the summer season, between June and September.

8. Galdhøpiggen

Northern Europe’s highest mountain at 2,469 meters (8,100 feet) above sea level, the trail to Galdhøpiggen starts at Spiterstulen on your own and takes around 6-9 hours to complete, at a distance of about 11 km (6.8 miles).

There is the option of starting from the Juvasshytta with a guide, too, if you would rather do it that way. It is a steep trail that requires considerable preparation due to its 1,400 meter elevation gain.

The view at the top is that of Jotunheimen National Park, which is stunning to say the least. This trail is best visited through June to October, but can be visited during winter, too, on skis.

9. Dovrefjell

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A difficult but absolutely worthy trail, the hike to Dovrefjell will give you a very rare experience, that of seeing musk oxen.

This is an overnight hike that you will have to prepare for and you will have to stay in the Reinheimen hut. The one-night trip will give you all the sightseeing of the mountains, but for those that want to make sure to see the musk oxen and explore other trails, such as the one to Snøhetta, a multi-day trip should be planned.

The best season to visit is that of summer, all the way to September.

10. Snøhetta

The hike to Snøhetta, Norway’s highest poing outside of Jotunheimen National Park, is arduous and demanding, with an elevation gain of 820 meters, at a distance of 11.8 km (7.3 miles) out-and-back. It will take approximately 5 hours to complete and you will be able to view the Dovrefjell mountain range.

The trail itself is easy to follow and offers beautiful sights along the way, including a chance of non-melted snow, depending on the time of year.

There is a risk of weather change, so you are advised to prepare accordingly. It is most suitable to visit from July to September.

11. Ryten

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For those who want to be absolutely mesmerized from the view at the top, the Ryten trail is the one for you. A strenuous hike, but easy enough to walk, this trail will lead you to a mountain peak from which you can look down at the beautiful beach of Kvalvika, to which you can also hike.

The beach is not the only sight to look forward to, as the fjords, mountains and greenery are also part of the hike. It takes roughly 4-5 hours to complete, at a distance of 8 km (5 miles), and it is best visited from May through September.

12. Skåla

One of the historical trails of Norway, Mount Skåla starts at the ocean at goes 1848 meters high. It is a demanding hike due to the steepness that is to be climbed, but it is not difficult as a trail.

At the top, there are cabins where you can stay to relax from all the effort it took to reach the end of the trail, but you need to bring your own sleeping bag.

It is a roughly 13 km walk out-and-back and it takes around 7-8 hours to complete.

The recommended season is that of summer, starting from June till September, and if you are planning on visiting in August you can attend the Skåla Opp running race.

13. Stetinden

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Stetinden’s trail is one of the most popular in the country and the easier to hike and smaller counterpart to the Stetind mountain, which is a popular rock climbing spot and Norway’s national mountain.

It takes around 6 hours to complete, at a distance of 10.5 km (6.5 miles), with a 700 meter elevation gain, making it a medium difficulty hike that is best visited during Summer.

You can see Mount Leirvatnet and Leirvassbu from the top and there are areas suitable for camping should you want to stay the night.

14. Kyrkja

A trail that is suitable to visit up until early Fall, Kyrkja takes around 4-5 hours to complete, at a distance of 8.1 km (5 miles) out-and-back.

This is a moderately difficult trip that will lead you to the Kyrkja summit, which is a spike shaped mountain that stands out from the rest of the mountains that surround it. From the top you can view a number of small lakes and mountain peaks with the snow still present.

It is a steep trail that requires carefulness while walking, but children over the age of 5 can easily join the hike, making it a family-friendly trip.

15. Besseggen Ridge

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Our last pick is the Besseggen Ridge, which is one of the most popular trails to hike in Norway. It is surrounded by some of the highest mountains of the country and it allows you to see the long and narrow emerald Gjende lake and the deep blue Bessvatnet lake.

This is a demanding hike, which can take up to 9 hours to complete, at a 14 km (8.7 miles) distance from point to point, with a 1,080 elevation gain that adds to the difficulty.

It is recommended to hike during the summer months, due in part to the increased risk of incidents in wet conditions.

This concludes our selection for the 15 best trails to hike in Norway this summer season.

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Sources:

https://outtt.com/en
https://www.fjordnorway.com/things-to-do/hiking/top-5-hikes
https://www.switchbacktravel.com/norway/top-10-hikes
https://handluggageonly.co.uk/2018/06/12/the-14-best-hikes-in-norway-you-have-to-experience/