NATIONAL PARKS

Breathtaking landscapes and pristine nature

Mount Kattanakken in Jostedalsbreen national park .
Photo: Mattias Fredriksson / Fjord Norway

The freedom to roam.

On nature's own terms.

Norway's national parks are our most important natural treasures.

You are welcome to visit, but remember that you need to show extra consideration in these protected areas.

While hiking spectacular trails, like Kattanakkjen in Jostedalsbreen National Park ...

Mount Kattanakken in Jostedalsbreen national park .
Photo: Mattias Fredriksson / Fjord Norway

… or while seeking out autumn adventures, for example in Rondane National Park.

Rondane national park .
Photo: Asgeir Helgestad / Artic Light AS / Visitnorway.com

When you visit one of Norway's 47 national parks, you should leave no other trace behind than your gentle footsteps.

...and a big hug.

The Finnskogen forest .
Photo: Nikolas Gogstad Andersen / Visitnorway.com

The national parks are a sanctuary for many rare plants, reindeer, birds, and other species …

Reindeers in Forollhogna, Røros .
Photo: Arne Nyaas / Visitnorway.com

... and some very strange animals.

Join a guided safari to get a glimpse of the rare and intriguing musk ox in Dovrefjell.

Musk ox safari in Dovrefjell .
Photo: Field production / Nasjonalparkriket

Always stick to the marked path, like this one in remote Rago National Park in Salten, Northern Norway.

Here, you are guaranteed to experience solitude and being at one with nature!

Rago National Park in Salten .
Photo: Ronny Frimann / Visit Norway

Many national parks and surrounding regions also offer great fishing opportunities.

Remember to buy a fishing licence!

Fishing Ørret in Valdres .
Photo: Visit Valdres

The big patch of white you see in the middle of a map of Norway is Jostedalsbreen National Park.

It's mostly covered by the Jostedalsbreen glacier, the largest glacier in continental Europe.

Jostedalsbreen, Sogn og Fjordane .
Photo: Thomas T. Kleiven / Visitnorway.com

Try summer skiing, hiking, and ice climbing, or join a guide and explore the blue ice in one of the park's amazing glacial arms.

Nigardsbreen glacier .
Photo: Sverre Hjørnevik / www.fjordnorway.com

Rent a bike and enjoy adventures on two wheels inside the massive Hardangervidda National Park.

Make sure to plan well before you go. Most national parks only permit bikes on designated trails.

Biking at the Hardangervidda mountain plateau .
Photo: Fotograf Jacobsen / Visit Rjukan

You'll also find many fascinating natural attractions close to the parks.

Just outside Hardangervidda National Park, you can visit Vøringsfossen, one of the country's most impressive waterfalls.

Do you dare to cross the bridge suspended above it?

Vøringsfossen in Hardanger .
Photo: Statens Vegvesen / Nasjonaleturistveger.no Architect: Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk AS arkitektkontor

For more aquatic adventures, visit one of Norway's four marine national parks, one of which is Færder National Park in Færder, Eastern Norway.

Verdens Ende at Tjøme .
Photo: Visitvestfold.com / Visitnorway.com

For some truly remote and wild experiences, explore the Arctic landscape of Varangerhalvøya National Park.

Go salmon fishing, cross-country skiing, or hiking, and admire the beauty of the elevated land that stretches for miles and miles.

Varangerhalvøya National Park .
Photo: Kim Daniel Hansen / Miljødirektoratet

Want something even more remote?

Feel like a true polar explorer in one of Svalbard's seven Arctic national parks.

Always go with a guide. This is the kingdom of the polar bears!

Guided glacier walk in Svalbard .
Photo: Jarle Røssland / Visit Svalbard

Explore nature, but remember that you are not always able to call your friends from these remote areas.

Remember to bring an old-fashioned map and follow the mountain safety code when venturing into the wild.

Langsua National Park .
Photo: Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visit Norway

Where nature comes first

The area you are entering is home to nature and its creatures. Consideration for animals and plants come first. Explore large and rare ecosystems, unspoilt nature, watch wild animals from a safe and respectful distance, and enjoy the tranquil scenery.

National parks are found throughout Norway. You can often find one relatively close to where you are.

Nearly 85 percent of Norway’s national parks are in the mountains, from gently rolling high plateaus to sharp peaks, ravines, and glaciers. Four national parks are defined as marine, which means that 98 percent of their conserved area is underwater.

The right to roam

Outdoor activities are an important part of our national identity. The right to roam (allemannsretten, in Norwegian) has been enshrined in the Norwegian Outdoor Recreation Act since 1957. It stipulates that everyone can freely explore Norwegian nature. You are free to walk almost anywhere in the Norwegian countryside, as long as you follow a few basic rules.

The right to roam also applies to most national parks, although certain areas in some parks may have restricted access when species are nesting and breeding, or stricter rules for camping, fishing, hiking, etc. It' therefore a good idea to familiarise yourself with local rules before visiting. You can read more on Norway's official website for national parks.

How to act in nature

The main rules are simple: Be considerate and respectful.

Make sure to not leave rubbish behind and to show respect for nature and people. Leave the places you visit as you would want to find them. Try to leave as small a footprint as possible.

By following these rules, you can freely explore, and enjoy many memorable experiences and activities. Exploring national parks helps enhance awareness of the importance of conservation.

Let the animals themselves show you how to act in nature, so that you can become an expert!

Norway’s national parks

Norway has 47 national parks, and more than 3,000 protected areas. Seven of the parks are located on the Svalbard Islands.

National parks are found both on land and sea.

The parks exist to ensure the preservation of different types of nature for future generations.

Norway’s national parks

Norway has 47 national parks, and more than 3,000 protected areas. Seven of the parks are located on the Svalbard Islands.

National parks are found both on land and sea.

The parks exist to ensure the preservation of different types of nature for future generations.

The mountain safety code

1. Plan your trip and inform others about the route you have selected.

2. Adapt your planned route according to your ability and the conditions.

3. Pay attention to the weather forecast and avalanche warnings.

4. Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.

5. Bring the necessary equipment, so you can aid yourself and others.

6. Choose safe routes. Recognise avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.

7. Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.

8. Don’t be ashamed of turning around and going back.

9.Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.

Read the mountain code with supplementary comments.

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Find a national park

Featured

A selection of Norway’s national parks

Lomsdal-Visten national park

Lomsdal-Visten national park is a particularly scenic part of Helgeland, with forests and lush valleys, mountains, caves, and fjords. Read more

Lomsdal-Visten national park

Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park

The national park with wild reindeer, mountain foxes and musk deer is one of Norway's most fabled mountain areas. A varied landscape with an… Read more

Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park

Femundsmarka National Park

Femundsmarka National Park is one of the largest continuous, unspoilt wilderness regions in Southern Scandinavia. A great area for canoeing and… Read more

Femundsmarka National Park

Rondane National Park

Rondane National Park is a mountain area between the Gudbrandsdalen and Atndalen valleys. The area stretches from Ringebu in the south to Dovre in the… Read more

Rondane National Park

Jostedalsbreen National Park

Almost half of the Jostedalsbreen National Park is covered by the Jostedalsbreen glacier, which is the largest glacier in mainland Europe. Read more

Jostedalsbreen National Park

Forollhogna National Park

Forollhogna is a mountain area in central Norway. At the heart of this area lies the Forollhogna National Park. Lush valleys with traditional mountain… Read more

Forollhogna National Park

Nationalpark øvre pasvikdalen

Pasvikdalen is a valley that stretches southwards through the municipality, and home to Norway’s largest bear population. Øvre Pasvik National Park is… Read more

Nationalpark øvre pasvikdalen

Jotunheimen National Park

Jotunheimen National Park is characterized by high mountains, glaciers and deep lakes. There are more than 200 mountain peaks rising above 2000 m… Read more

Jotunheimen National Park

Hallingskarvet National Park

Hallingskarvet is a very distinctive landscape element, with lots of nice paths and trails and versatile hiking, summer and winter. The terrain is… Read more

Hallingskarvet National Park

Langsua National Park

In Langsua National Park you can stroll in a vast but gentle landscape of low mountains, lush mountain birch woodland, and old growth coniferous… Read more

Langsua National Park

Lierne National Park Visitor Centre

Lierne National Park visitor center is located between tree nationalparks, Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella National Park, Lierne National Park and… Read more

Lierne National Park Visitor Centre

Børgefjell/Byrkjie National Park

Børgefjell National Park comprises high summits, deep valleys, wild rapids and expansive moors. In addition to hunting and fishing, the… Read more

Børgefjell/Byrkjie National Park

Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella/ Låarte-Skæhkere National Park

Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella/Låarte-Skæhkere National Park is one of the largest national parks in Norway. The protected… Read more

Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella/ Låarte-Skæhkere National Park

Hardangervidda national park

Uvdal is a wonderful destination for anyone who loves the outdoors, and is a great starting point for excursions. Whether you are going for an hour or… Read more

Hardangervidda national park

Folgefonna National Park - Kvinnherad

The Folgefonn Centre in Rosendal is the visitor centre for the national park and, in collaboration with oceanographers and climate researchers. It… Read more

Folgefonna National Park - Kvinnherad

Lierne/Lijre National Park

Lierne/Lijre National Park and its adjacent protected areas in Sweden makes up a large continuous wilderness area. Landscape: The landscape in the… Read more

Lierne/Lijre National Park

Norway's marine national parks

Færder National Park

Færder National Park is one of Norway's most important areas for coastal outdoor recreation, and large areas are secured as publicly owned recreation… Read more

Færder National Park

Raet National Park in Grimstad

Raet national park. Read more

Raet National Park in Grimstad

Jomfruland National Park

Jomfruland National Park was established on 16 December 2016 and covers an area of 117 km2(45 sq mi), including the islands of Jomfruland and… Read more

Jomfruland National Park

Ytre Hvaler National Park

Ytre Hvaler National Park comprises 354 km2 of coastline and skerries, and is the first marine national park in Norway. As much as 96% of the national… Read more

Ytre Hvaler National Park

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