National parks

Dynamic Variation:

Where the harmony of nature comes first

The harmony of nature makes its beauty, and its fragility is preserved through the huge national parks. Endangered animals and rare plants have optimal premises for survival.

As the national parks are scattered all over Norway, you will often find one relatively close to where you are.

Nearly 85 percent of Norway’s national parks are mountains, from gently rolling high plateaus to sharp peaks, ravines, and glaciers. In contrast, four of the national parks are defined as marine, which means that 98 percent of the preserved area in these parks are underwater. People have been exploring many of these areas for about 10,000 years, and now it's your turn.

Norway’s national parks

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

The national parks are found both in the mountains and by – and in – the sea.

The national parks are there to ensure the preservation of different types of nature for future generations.

Hiking in Rondane national park.
Photo: CH / Visitnorway.com

Musk oxen in Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella national park.
Photo: Asgeir Helgestad / Artic Light AS / Visitnorway.com

Folgefonna.
Photo: Reisemål Hardanger Fjord / Désiré Weststrate

Finse.
Photo: Anders Gjengedal - Visitnorway.com

Two people enjoying the view of Rondane national park

People on a guided hike on the Folgefonna glacier in the Hardangerfjord region, Fjord Norway

Help preserving by exploring

There are always room for more people to discover the beauty of the national parks. Exploring them helps build awareness of their existence and the importance of preservation. The famous Norwegian right to roam also applies to the national parks, although some areas may have restricted access in the season of nesting and breeding.

Dynamic Variation:

Your contribution to the preservation of the harmony of the national parks is to remember to leave nature as you found it.

Today there are 47 national parks in Norway, seven of them located on Svalbard. Many offer arrangements for outdoor activities with a network of marked paths and trails and overnight accommodation in either staffed lodges or self-service cabins.

Things to do in the national parks

Activities

More than 10% of mainland Norway is covered by national parks.

All of Norway’s 47 national parks are suitable for hiking.

Other popular activities are skiing, kayaking, fishing and hunting.

Norway’s national parks

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

The national parks are found both in the mountains and by – and in – the sea.

The national parks are there to ensure the preservation of different types of nature for future generations.

Find a national park near you

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

Welcome to one of Norway’s most iconic mountain areas! A place which has shaped Norwegian identity for thousands of years. Home of the wild… 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

Gutulia National Park

Gutulia was made a national park in 1968. The area, measuring 19 km², is located between the Gutuli Lake and the Swedish border. Due to its… Read more

Gutulia 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. The… Read more

Jostedalsbreen National Park

Breheimen national park

Breheimen 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

Welcome to Jotunheimen National Park Jotunheimen provides you with mountain experiences that you will never forget. It is a place that has something… 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

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

Folgefonna National Park

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

Raet national park. Read more

Raet National Park

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 consists of muddy seabeds and rocky seabottoms with its rich underwater ecosystem containing corals and kelp forest. Land… Read more

Ytre Hvaler National Park

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Leaving it as you found it

Norway is a country of outstanding natural beauty, with dramatic waterfalls, crystal clear fjords, majestic mountains, and spectacular glaciers. Preserving this landscape, its communities, and the way of life is essential for locals and visitors alike.

Norwegian philosophy is very much that conservation is everyone’s responsibility. Try to leave as small a footprint as possible. Leave it as you would like to find it is the mantra - Take only pictures, keep only memories.

Quality of life is what it is all about, not only now, but for the time to come as well. It’s about recognizing that everybody else are just as important as ourselves, and taking steps to implement that thought in all aspects of life. It’s neither easy nor quickly done. But it is definitely worth it.

The right of access

As long as you understand and follow a few basic rules and regulations, you are free to walk almost everywhere in the Norwegian countryside. Outdoor recreation is an important part of the national identity, and access to nature is considered a right established by law.

The so called right of access (“allemannsretten”) has been part of the Outdoor Recreation Act since 1957, it ensures that everybody can experience nature, even on larger privately owned areas.

The main rules are easy: Be considerate and thoughtful. Make sure you pick up your rubbish and show respect for nature and people – leave the landscape as you would want to find it.

Safety in the mountain

Norway is an incredible place to explore, with untamed mythical landscapes, mountains, valleys, and fjords. Before you enter the outdoors, get familiar with the nine simple rules of the Norwegian mountain code to help you stay safe.

Plan your trip and inform others about the route you have selected.
Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings.
Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.
Bring the necessary equipment so you can help yourself and others.
Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
Don’t be ashamed to turn around.
Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.

Read the mountain code with supplementary comments.

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