This is a popular spot for many challenging outdoor activities. The great polar explorers Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen, both used Hardangervidda to plan and prepare their many expeditions. There is an abundance of well-marked routes for walking, hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing.

Try your luck fishing in calm mountain lakes, gushing streams or in narrow arms of the Sørfjord. If you do not catch any fish, you can still see fish at the Hardangervidda Nature Centre.

Even though the furrowed face of the plateau dominates, there are extremes of mountain topography. The western part of the plateau has a more of an alpine character that plunges into narrow valleys and the Sørfjord, and in the northwest lies one of Norway's largest glaciers, Hardangerjøkulen. Hårteigen peak in the centre of the plateau is the signpost. With its 1,690 metre summit elevation and characteristic hat shape, it can be seen from almost everywhere on the plateau.

Popular hiking routes

• Kinsarvik to Stavali (Husedalen)
• Hjølmo to Hadlaskard (Veigdalen)
• Trondsbu/Tinnhølen to Sandhaug
• Tuva to Heinseter
• Haukeliseter to Hellevassbu and Litlos
• Finse to Blåisen
• Stavsro to Gaustatoppen

Most popular cycling route

Norway’s most popular cycle route is Rallarvegen (the Navvies’ Road). Covering a track of almost 100 kilometres, it takes you over spectacular high mountains and right down to Flåm and the Aurlandsfjord, or Voss.

Flora and fauna

Hardangervidda, which lies above the timer line, is known for its rich plant and animal life, and is the most southern area in Norway where arctic flora and fauna can be found. Over 500 plant species are registered, as well as 100 species of birds and 21 different mammals, including the arctic fox and snowy owl.

There are also many lakes, streams, rivers and bogs on Hardangervidda, which is renowned for its good fishing. Most lakes and rivers hold trout.

Northern Europe’s largest stock of reindeer can be found on Hardangervidda. They migrate across the plateau during the year, moving from their winter grazing lands on the east side of the Hardangervidda to their breeding grounds in the more fertile west of the plateau.

The varying climate of the plateau has a marked effect on the flora, which is richer on the wetter west side than in the drier east. Much of the plateau is covered by coarse grasses, mosses (especially sphagnum) and lichens.

Accommodation

There are plenty of hotels, inns, cabins and lodges in the Hardangervidda area. You can stay in town/village centres or up in the mountains. The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) maintains a number of mountain cabins/lodges on Hardangervidda.

For special places to stay, try Dr. Holms Hotel in Geilo and Utne Hotel by the Hardangerfjord. Both hotels are members of the Historic Hotels and Restaurants in Norway.

Most places that offer accommodation also serve food.

Camping

If you plan to sleep in a tent, caravan or mobile home you may do so anywhere, except in cultivated fields and lay-bys. You can stay for as long as you wish, as long as your tent, caravan or mobile home is no closer than 150 metres to the nearest house or cabin.

Maps

Detailed maps of the area can be bought at DNT, local bookshops and local tourist information offices.

Getting to Hardangervidda

From Oslo
Hardangervidda lies approximately 200 kilometres west of Oslo.

• By car:
  You different options by car:
  1) E 18 from Oslo to Drammen. From Drammen, follow E134 to Notodden. From here you can follow rv. 361 and rv. 37 to Rjukan, or continue on E134 to Åmot in Telemark and then take rv. 37 to Rauland.
  2) E18 from Oslo to Sandvika. From Sandvika you take E16 to Hønefoss and from Hønefoss you follow rv. 7 to Geilo.
• By train:
  There are several options when travelling by train from Oslo to Hardangervidda. You can take the train from Oslo to Bø in Telemark. From there you can catch a connecting bus to Rauland. You can also take the Bergen Railway from Oslo to a number of places that are great starting points for exploring Hardangervidda – Myrdal, Finse, Haugastøl, Ustaoset and Geilo. For timetables and booking, please contact the Norwegian State Railways (NSB).
• By bus:
  There are several options when travelling by train from Oslo to Hardangervidda. Take the Haukeli express bus to Haukeli or take the bus to Geilo or Rjukan – both good starting points for exploring Hardangervidda. For timetables and booking, please contact Nor-Way Bussekspress.

From Bergen
Hardangervidda lies approximately 175 kilometres east of Bergen.

• By car:
  E16 to Voss and then rv. 13 to Granvin. You then continue on rv. 7 to Eidfjord and then drive to Geilo. You can also start exploring Hardangervidda from Ulvik and Kinsarvik/Ullensvang.
• By bus:
  Take the bus from Bergen to Voss. From Voss you take a bus to Eidfjord. For timetables and booking, please contact Nor-Way Bussekspress.
• By train:
  The Bergen Railway stops at number of places that are great starting points for exploring Hardangervidda – Myrdal, Finse, Haugastøl, Ustaoset and Geilo. You can also take the train to Voss and a bus from Voss to Eidfjord. For timetables and booking, please contact the Norwegian State Railways (NSB).

From Trondheim
Hardangervidda lies approximately 490 kilometres south of Trondheim.

• By car:
  Follow E16 from Trondheim to Otta. After Otta go right on rv. 257 and then rv. 51 to Beitostølen and Gol. Rv. 7 from Gol to Geilo.

From Stavanger
Hardangervidda lies approximately 190 kilometres northeast of Stavanger.

• By car:
  Follow the E39 north from Stavanger to Våg. From Våg follow E134 to Røldal. Driving time approximately two hours and forty-five minutes.
• By bus:
  Take the bus from Stavanger to Røldal, via Haugesund. For timetables and booking, please contact Nor-Way Bussekspress.
  

Once at Hardangervidda, the best way of getting around is walking, skiing, cycling and riding.

A nice and relaxing way of getting to know Hardangervidda is to take a mountain cruise on Lake Møsvatn (919 metres above sea level).