Top 10 National Parks In Norway

1. Jotunheimen National Park

Jotunheimen National Park is dominated by high mountains, including Norway’s highest peak, Galdhøpiggen, at an elevation of 2,469 m (8,100 ft). The protected area also features lush valleys and stunning lakes, making it a paradise for mountain lovers. The high peaks and valleys offer scenic hiking trails and camping sites, making for an adventurous getaway.

As one of the most popular national parks in Norway, this place includes plenty of tourist bases, including Gjendebu and Gjendesheim, where guests can book cabin stays. During your exploration, you can witness domestic and wild reindeer and around 75 bird species.

Jotunheimen National Park

Address (Visitor’s Centre): Norsk Fjellsenter, Brubakken 2, 2686 Lom, Norway

Website: Jotunheimen National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

2. Hardangervidda National Park

Sprawled over 3,422-sq km (1,321-sq mi), Hardangervidda National Park is one of the largest national parks in Europe.

The national park offers adventurous and family-friendly activities, making it ideal for all kinds of travellers. One of the most charming attractions in the park is the peak of Gaustatoppen, which you can also explore with the cable car Gaustabanen. For a rush of adrenaline, you can visit the town of Rjukan and experience bungee jumping down the ravine, which is 84 m (276 ft) deep. From short and pleasant hikes to challenging treks, the national park packs a range of adventures.

Hardangervidda National Park

Address (Visitor’s Centre): Hardangervidda National Park Center, Møsvannveien 1149, 3660 Rjukan, Norway

Website: Hardangervidda National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

3. Rago National Park

For your next adventure, explore the best of the Norwegian wilderness in Rago National Park. The national park allows the explorers to wander and set up camp anywhere in the area.

The predominant pine forest in the national park is home to mountain plants, including mountain violet, mountain marigold and roseroot. Wildlife lovers can witness marten, grey cats and snow mice, among other species, in unspoilt nature. With marked paths throughout the small national park, you can easily navigate while hiking. For restful accommodations during your exploration, you can visit Sørfold or Saltdal.

Rago National Park

Address (Visitor’s Centre): Nordland National Park Centre, Saltfjellveien 2035, 8255 Røkland, Norway

Website: Rago National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

4. Jostedalsbreen National Park

With half of its area dominated by glaciers, Jostedalsbreen National Park is perfect for relishing the best of nature in solitude.

One of the top adventures that you can do during your visit is a professional-led ski trip during the spring. Another adventurous activity you can enjoy with your family is glacier hiking, offered by professional companies. The fjords, such as Sognefjord, Sunnfjord and Nordfjord at the protected park, offer accommodations with some of the most stunning views. You can also book cabins that you can reach by hiking.

Jostedalsbreen National Park

Address (Visitor’s Centre): Norwegian Glacier Museum, Fjærland; Breheimsenteret, Jostedalen; Jostedalsbreen National Park Center, Oppstryn, Norway

Website: Jostedalsbreen National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

5. Rondane National Park

Rondane National Park is the first national park in Norway. Frequented by visitors for its hiking and skiing trails, the national park is one of the most popular mountain areas in the country. While here, visitors will have stunning views of the high peaks and scenic deep valleys.

The national park has some of the last surviving populations of reindeer, and the hiking and skiing trails are diverted away from the animal’s habitat. Other species that you can encounter in the national park include golden eagles, ravens and wolverines, to name a few.

Rondane National Park

Address (nearby village): Mysusæter, 2674 Norway

Website: Rondane National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

6. Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park

The ever-changing Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park offers a variety of stunning landscapes and adventurous activities throughout the year. From cross-country skiing in winter to cycling in summer, visitors can enjoy plenty of activities in the national park. A large portion of this place is also a conservation area. Plus, visitors will have access to the stunning waterfalls of Åmotan.

Apart from wild reindeer, the reserve park has a thriving population of musk, making it ideal to encounter the primaeval animal. Although visitors can wander anywhere inside the national park, it’s encouraged to use the waymarked trails. You can also find designated campsites which are ideal to relish nature in its raw form.

Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park

Address (nearby village): Hjerkinn, 2661, Norway

Website: Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

7. Folgefonna National Park

Folgefonna National Park allows visitors to admire a range of jaw-dropping landscapes, from extensive glaciers to crystal-clear fjord water. It even has surrounding wilderness preserves. The diverse landscape is home to a variety of habitats, including those of red deer, pine marten and golden eagles. Moreover, you can find different plant species, including dwarf willow, common heather and rufine sedge.

For some of the most charming sights, you can hike in Bondhusdalen Valley. You can also check out the seasonal Fonna Glacier Ski Resort for skiing. In this region of glaciers, you can enjoy the unique experience of glacier kayaking. Just note that anything with an engine is prohibited in this area, and lighting fires in the woods are only allowed seasonally.

Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park

Address: Skålafjæro 17, 5470 Rosendal, Norway

Website: Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

8. Femundsmarka National Park

Femundsmarka National Park, together with protected areas across the border in Sweden, is an expansive rocky landform with plenty of water bodies and peaks over 1,000 m (3,281 ft).

One of the best ways to explore the entirety of the national park is to take the long hike on the Historic Hiking Route between Røros and Femundsmarka. Another must-do activity in this nature reserve is to canoe across its waterways, such as Langtjønna, Mugga and Røa. Apart from lodgings in cabins, you can find several characteristic open bow huts, which can be used free of charge for overnight stays.

Femundsmarka National Park

Address (Visitor’s Centre): Femundsmarka and Gutulia National Park Visitor Center, Elgå, Engerdal, Norway

Website: Femundsmarka National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (Daily)

9. Hallingskarvet National Park

Hallingskarvet National Park is sprawled over 450 sq km (174 sq mi), easily accessible from Oslo and Bergen.

The landscape is dominated by the alpine Hallingskarvet massif, at an altitude of over 1,800 m (5,906 ft). It also features lush vegetation towards the precipitous side. Moreover, you can visit the Tourist Information office to obtain a map of the hiking trails. If you are lucky, you can encounter Arctic foxes during your exploration. Bird watchers can witness peregrine falcons and golden eagles, among other species.

Hallingskarvet National Park

Address (nearby village): Geilo, Norway

Website: Hallingskarvet National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

10. Stabbursdalen National Park

Stabbursdalen National Park is in the far north of Norway and features the world’s northernmost pine forest. The landscape is also characterised by alpine mountains and waterways, which make it a sight to behold.

There are plenty of long and short hiking trails, perfect spots for admiring the pristine nature. The northernmost pine forest is home to unique species, including the Siberian jay and red squirrel. To learn about the culture and natural features of the region, you can stop by the Stabbursnes Nature Museum.

Stabbursdalen National Park

Address (Visitor’s Centre): Stabbursnes Nature House and Museum, Vestre Porsangerveien 1335, 9710 Indre Billefjord, Norway

Website: Stabbursdalen National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Relish the wilderness of Norway

Touring the national parks is one of the best ways to admire the nature and landscape of any area. These Norwegian national parks have stunning mountains and gorgeous waterways and are home to wild reindeer, among other species. While exploring the above-mentioned national parks, make sure to travel responsibly and leave nature unspoiled.