Hardangervidda National ParkAbout Hardangervidda National Park
Hardangervidda National Park covers the Hardangervidda mountain plateau in southern Norway and was designated a national park in 1981. It is one of Norway’s largest protected areas and preserves extensive highland tundra.
The area has long been used for seasonal grazing and reindeer hunting; national park status was introduced to protect the plateau environment and its wildlife in the late 20th century. Traditional Sámi and local pastoral activities continue to be part of the cultural landscape.
The park spans interior southern Norway between the Oslo and Bergen regions, with common access points from nearby mountain towns such as Eidfjord and Geilo. Terrain is high plateau and moorland at elevations generally above 1,000 metres.
- Size and designation: Established as a national park in 1981 and covering roughly 3,400 square kilometres, it protects Europe’s largest mountain plateau and important wild-reindeer habitat.
- Access and activities: Accessible from towns such as Eidfjord and Geilo, with marked trails and a network of mountain huts that support summer hiking and winter ski travel.
What to See#
- Hardangervidda plateau: The broad, flat highland that gives the park its name covers extensive tundra and moorland and is crossed by marked long-distance hiking routes and winter ski tracks.
- Visitor centres and mountain lodges: Local visitor centres and mountain lodges provide route information, safety advice and accommodation for multi-day crossings; these are operated by regional services and the national hiking association.
Best Time to Visit Hardangervidda National Park
Visit Hardangervidda in summer for the best hiking and trail access; winters are harsh and suited only to experienced winter travel.
Weather & Climate near Hardangervidda National Park
Hardangervidda National Park's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -12°C to 12°C. Abundant rainfall (1201 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -12° - -6° | -17° | 121 mm | overcast | 97% | 5.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.4h |
| February | Poor | -13° - -6° | -17° | 87 mm | overcast | 96% | 5.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| March | Poor | -11° - -5° | -15° | 97 mm | overcast | 95% | 5.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | -8° - -1° | -9° | 51 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 14.4h |
| May | Poor | -2° - 5° | -2° | 56 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 17.0h |
| June | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 90 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 18.5h |
| July | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 93 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.8h |
| August | Poor | 5° - 12° | 6° | 107 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 15.4h |
| September | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 121 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.5 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.7h |
| October | Poor | -2° - 2° | -5° | 134 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.9h |
| November | Poor | -8° - -3° | -12° | 123 mm | overcast | 97% | 5.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.2h |
| December | Poor | -11° - -5° | -15° | 121 mm | overcast | 98% | 5.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.5h |
How to Get to Hardangervidda National Park
Hardangervidda National Park is reached mainly by road or by rail to nearby mountain towns. By car from Oslo it takes roughly 3.5-4 hours to reach the plateau using the E16/Rv7 corridor westwards (the Rv7 route crosses the Hardangervidda). From Bergen the drive is also about 3.5-4 hours via E16 and Rv7.
By train, the Bergen Line (Bergensbanen) stops at mountain stations such as Geilo and Finse; Geilo is a common gateway for southern access-from Geilo you can reach trailheads and visitor centres by local bus, taxi or short drives.
Tips for Visiting Hardangervidda National Park
- Take the Bergen-Oslo train to Finse to access the central plateau without driving; Finse is a convenient rail gateway onto Hardangervidda and reduces the need to navigate remote mountain roads.
- Visit in mid‑June to August for the most reliable snow‑free trails and alpine wildflowers; early‑summer conditions still can include snow at higher elevations, so check local trail and hut status before setting out.
- Use the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) hut network for multi‑day routes - many visitors miss quieter routes by sticking to the busiest day‑hikes, whereas DNT huts let you spread across the plateau and avoid the most crowded trailheads.