Meet the Norwegian moose

The lush Norwegian forests are home to many animals, and the moose is the largest of them all. Find out where you can go on a moose safari or which animal parks to visit to get a kiss from the king of the forest.

Have you ever been to “moose country”, or seen one of the world’s largest moose sculptures? You can do both in Norway!

It’s safe to say that the king of the forest is a special part of our wildlife. Chances are you'll find several items with a moose on them if you visit a tourist shop. And if you embark on a road trip that takes you through the municipality Stor-Elvdal, you'll get to see one of the world’s largest moose statues.

The silver moose stands in the Bjørå rest area along the road Riksvei 3, about 110 kilometres north of the city Elverum in Eastern Norway. It was built to wake up sleepy drivers and draw attention to the moose living in the area.

The statue Storelgen (The Big Elk) at Bjøråa rest area in Eastern Norway

The statue Storelgen in Stor-Elvdal.
Photo: Tore Sandberg / Stor-Elvdal kommune

The message that Storelgen sends is important to remember whenever you’re driving through areas with lots of moose. Keep an eye out for them, because they haven’t learned to use road crossings yet.

Moose roam freely in several Norwegian forests, and over the years, they have found their favourite hang-out spots. This makes it easier to find them, and when you do: Remember to keep a safe distance. If you want to get close enough to pet them, you should visit one of the animal parks that have tame moose.

These are the best ways to get a memorable moose encounter.

Join a guided moose safari

All over the country

On a safari, local guides help you navigate the vast forests and increase your chances of seeing moose in their natural habitat. They will also make sure you’re observing the animals from a safe distance.

Get more information about moose safari from these tour providers or check out the map further down to see where in Norway they are located.

Get close to the moose in animal parks

All over the country

In several animal parks in Norway, you can meet moose up close. In Bygland in the Setesdal valley, you can stop by the moose park Elgtun, which is a park dedicated to friendly encounters with moose. In Bjørneparken in the Hallingdal valley, just a couple of hours from Oslo, you get to kiss the tame moose and feed them carrots. The nature park Langedrag, also in Hallingdal, is home to several moose (and lots of other animals).

Other nature parks with moose are the Norwegian moose centre in Stor-Elvdal, Dyreparken Zoo and Amusement Park in Kristiansand, the wildlife park Namsskogan familiepark in Namdalen, Polar Park in Narvik, and Svartisen Moose, located south of Bodø.

Stay in the moose observation tower Elgtårnet

Espedalen valley in the Lillehammer region

Spend the night in a unique accommodation that also functions as a moose observation tower, 12 metres above “The moose highway” in the Espedalen valley. Here, hundreds of moose migrate to and from the mountains every spring and autumn. Don’t worry if you miss the great wanderings, though – you’ll spot moose here all year round. The tower, drawn by Hilde Grøneng of RAM arkitektur, has accommodation for eight, and the large windows make sure that you don’t miss a single movement outside.

Visit Elgland (moose country)

West of Lake Mjøsa and the Gudbrandsdalen valley

Every spring and autumn, a moose migration that counts up to 700 animals takes place in the lower areas west of Lake Mjøsa and the higher areas in Espedalen, Skåbu, and Murudalen west of the Gudbrandsdalen valley. In contrast to migrating moose in other parts of the world, the moose in Elgland wander to spend the winter at high elevation, before they stroll back down in the spring. They are highly faithful to their migration route, which they’ve been following for the last 10,000 years.

Bonus: the taste of the wild

Several restaurants across Norway

At a road crossing in Elverum, you’ll stumble across Norway’s most famous moose restaurant. Elgstua has been serving delicious homemade food since 1959. Besides variations of moose, you’ll find plenty of other lovely food on the menu. You can also have a taste of moose in several other Norwegian restaurants, especially in areas where they are plentiful – and the flavours of the wild are delicacies.

Moose in Norway

The moose is a yoke-toed species in the deer family and the world’s largest deer game. It is Norway’s largest land mammal and differs from other deer species in size and appearance. The largest males can weigh up to 800 kilos.

Moose are really made for winter. Even on days with temperatures down to -30 degrees Celsius, they only react with a light attack of gooseflesh.

In warmer weather, though, it only needs to get slightly above the freezing point for a moose to start panting.

The moose is also a great swimmer, as they experienced on the remote island Træna in 2005. 40 kilometres from the mainland, a moose suddenly climbed onto dry land a day in July. The sight is so unusual on the island that they raised a statue of the moose Tare.

Moose in Norway

Moose are really made for winter. Even on days with temperatures down to -30 degrees Celsius, they only react with a light attack of gooseflesh.

In warmer weather, though, it only needs to get slightly above the freezing point for a moose to start panting.

Find your moose experience

Featured

Moose safaris

Moose safari

Guided excursion to see the moose, king of the forest. Read more

Moose safari

Moose Safari at Øyerfjellet

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Moose Safari at Øyerfjellet

Elksafari in Marnardal - Adventure Norway

Join Adventure Norway on an extraordinary experience in the forest. Read more

Elksafari in Marnardal - Adventure Norway

Moose Safari in Offersoy

Join us on an exciting moose safari on Offersøy in Lødingen Vestbygd. Read more

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Moose safari in Trøgstad

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Moose safari in Trøgstad

Moose Safari Personal Tour

Personal Guide only for you when you want it. Guided excursion to see the moose, king of the forest. Read more

Moose Safari Personal Tour

Moose Safari under the northern lights

A moose in it self is majestic sight, but to see it under the northern lights in moonlight is magical. Read more

Moose Safari under the northern lights

Moose safari with Dovre og Lesja Aktiv

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Moose safari with Dovre og Lesja Aktiv

Rent a photohide in the mountains – catch the moose

Our photohides are placed either by a big wetland or by a meadow where the moose is grazing regularly. Read more

Rent a photohide in the mountains – catch the moose

Skjåk Adventure | Moose safari

Join us for a genuine forest adventure and meet the king of the forest, the mighty moose. Our experienced guide will take you on an exciting journey… Read more

Skjåk Adventure | Moose safari

Moose safari in Finnskogen - the Finnforest

Finnskogen Adventures arranges various events. You can learn to cook your food on a bonfire, perhaps take a guided tour in the forest. On request the… Read more

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Nature parks with moose

Norwegian Moose Center

Welcome to the Norwegian Moose Centre, and to Ronja, Idun and Mattis - our three living moose Read more

Norwegian Moose Center

Langedrag Nature Park

Langedrag Nature Park is open for overnight and daily visits, all year round, and offers a number of unforgettable activities and meetings with more… Read more

Langedrag Nature Park

Bear Park

Get up close and personal with bears, elk, lynx and other exotic animals! In Bjørneparken our presenters will give free animal talks and escort… Read more

Bear Park

Dyreparken - Kristiansand Zoo and amusement park

Kristiansand Zoo and amusement park- Dyreparken - is the most visited attraction for families with children in Norway. Explore Nordic wilderness and… Read more

Dyreparken - Kristiansand Zoo and amusement park

Namsskogan Wildlife park

Namsskogan Familiepark has Norway’s largest collection of Nordic animals. Over 30 species, among them wolverine, lynx, wolf and bear, live in… Read more

Namsskogan Wildlife park

Svartisen Moose

Welcome to Svartisen Moose and our tame Moose. Meet Arnljot, Wilma and Embla and get an unforgettable experience! Read more

Svartisen Moose

Elgtun, Landeskogen - Close encounter with the moose

Now you have the opportunity not only to see, but also to meet the king of the forest. Visit the elk park Elgtun at the Landeskogen Peace Center in… Read more

Elgtun, Landeskogen - Close encounter with the moose

Other moose tips

Elgland - Home to the Moose

A journey through the area where one of Europe's largest and most unique moose migrations take place every year. Read more

Elgland - Home to the Moose

Kittilbu Utmarksmuseum

Kittilbu Museum provides and insight into how the natural resources of Gausdal Vestfjell have been used from the Stone Age until modern times. Read more

Kittilbu Utmarksmuseum

Moose observation tower

A unique experience with overnight stay in the world's only moose observation tower. Read more

Moose observation tower

The taste of moose

Elgstua Guest House

Norway's most famous elk restaurant! A charming café that has been serving delicious homemade food since 1959. Wonderful open-faced sandwiches,… Read more

Elgstua Guest House

Mykland Vilt

Mykland Vilt - a local slaughterhouse by the Telemark Road. Read more

Mykland Vilt

Nermo Hotel

Nermo Hotel is located in the middle of a great region of locally produced ingredients. Here you will find game meat and fish from the mountains,… Read more

Nermo Hotel

Valdres Vilt og tradisjonsmat

Welcome to our farm outlet in Ulnes! Directly from our farm, we sell locally produced products, from our own production as well as other small local… Read more

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Max Ivan

At Max Ivan in Eidskog you find really good products from elk, Eidskog beer and Eidskog aquavit. Read more

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GeiloMat AS

Local Food Production with focus on fish and meat. Read more

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Café Elias

At Tullinløkka you find Elias, a friendly and informal place that offers homemade Norwegian food at reasonable prices. The menu includes everything… Read more

Café Elias

Havsdalskroa

Havsdalskroa is located by the lifts Havsdalen. It serves hot and cold dishes after the principle; healthy food is good food! Read more

Havsdalskroa

Siljanhjort

In Siljan you will find Siljanhjort, a farm full of deer. Here you can experiense the deer and maybe you will be able to feed them. Read more

Siljanhjort

Hallingstuene

Restaurant Hallingstuene, located right in the center of Geilo and is run by the famous chef Frode Aga and his wife Berit Kongsvik. The restaurant is… Read more

Hallingstuene

Skei Kulturtun - Lekamøya Spiseri

Lekamøya Restaurant is a cafe / restaurant / catering offering local and traditional dishes. Welcome into a distinctive and homely environment. Free… Read more

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Terråk Guesthouse

The guest inn is located in the centre of Terråk in Bindal municipality with great ocean views and accommodation in 11 large, newly renovated rooms.… Read more

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Helle Kjøtt

Hellekurv (cured sausages) and Hellekaker (meatballs/burgers) are both products that are well known specialities in Valdres. Helle Kjøtt AS combines… Read more

Helle Kjøtt

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Meet the Norwegian moose

Join a guided moose safari

Get close to the moose in animal parks

Stay in the moose observation tower Elgtårnet

Visit Elgland (moose country)

Bonus: the taste of the wild

Find your moose experience

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Details

General

Accessibility

Age limit

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Effort level

Landscape

Price range

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Accommodation

Camping

Hotel facilities

In-room facilities

Ski resorts

Outdoor Activities

Activities

Alpine Skiing

Biking

Canoeing & kayaking

Cross-country skiing

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Wildlife safaries