HardangerviddaAbout Hardangervidda
Hardangervidda is a high mountain plateau in southern Norway and the largest such plateau in northern Europe, protected largely within Hardangervidda National Park.
The plateau offers extensive marked hiking and ski touring routes across a treeless, tundra-like landscape, with a system of mountain huts and cabins used by walkers and cross-country skiers. The area supports large migratory herds of wild reindeer and wide open vistas that can extend for many kilometres.
Hardangervidda’s landscape was shaped by glaciation and postglacial processes; it has long been used seasonally for hunting and reindeer herding. Formal protection came with the creation of Hardangervidda National Park in 1981 to conserve its biodiversity and cultural landscapes.
The plateau stretches across southern Norway between inland valleys and the western fjord region, with common access points from towns such as Eidfjord, Geilo and the Finse railway stop on the Bergen Line.
- National park area: Designated a national park in 1981 and covering approximately 3,400 square kilometres, it is one of Europe’s largest mountain plateaus protected as parkland.
- Wildlife and trails: Home to one of Europe’s largest wild reindeer populations and a long network of marked trails and staffed mountain huts for multi-day treks.
What to See#
- Hardangervidda National Park: Hardangervidda National Park, established to protect the plateau’s alpine ecosystems and large reindeer herds.
- Finse access point: Finse area and railway stop on the Bergen Line, a common access point for hikers and ski tourers on the plateau.
Best Time to Visit Hardangervidda
Hardangervidda is best visited in summer for hiking and in winter only if you are prepared for snowy conditions and winter sports; weather is highly changeable year-round.
Weather & Climate near Hardangervidda
Hardangervidda's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -13°C to 13°C. Abundant rainfall (1083 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -12° - -6° | -16° | 105 mm | overcast | 97% | 4.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.4h |
| February | Poor | -13° - -6° | -16° | 77 mm | overcast | 96% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| March | Poor | -11° - -4° | -14° | 88 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | -8° - 0° | -9° | 47 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 14.4h |
| May | Poor | -2° - 6° | -1° | 51 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 17.0h |
| June | Poor | 3° - 12° | 5° | 82 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 18.5h |
| July | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 8° | 89 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.8h |
| August | Poor | 5° - 12° | 7° | 96 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 15.4h |
| September | Poor | 2° - 7° | 2° | 111 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.8 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.7h |
| October | Poor | -2° - 3° | -4° | 123 mm | overcast | 95% | 3.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.9h |
| November | Poor | -8° - -3° | -10° | 108 mm | overcast | 97% | 4.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.2h |
| December | Poor | -10° - -5° | -14° | 106 mm | overcast | 98% | 4.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.5h |
How to Get to Hardangervidda
Hardangervidda is Norway’s high mountain plateau and is crossed by National Route Rv7 (the Hardangervidda route) and reached from east or west via Rv7 or E134. Common access points and nearby towns include Geilo (served by the Bergen Line railway) and Eidfjord; many visitors travel by car on Rv7 or by train to Geilo/Finse and then continue on foot or by local roads into the national park. Road Rv7 is the principal driving route across the plateau between Oslo and Bergen.
Tips for Visiting Hardangervidda
- Use the Bergen Railway stop at Finse or Haugastøl to access Hardangervidda without long drives; Finse is a common gateway for high‑plateau treks and ski routes.
- Plan hikes during the main summer season (late June-September) when trails and DNT mountain huts are most accessible; weather on the plateau can change fast outside these months.
- Take shorter day routes from established trailheads if you want vistas without multi‑day logistics-many visitors miss the easy walks near Finse and Haugastøl that showcase the plateau's wide tundra and wildlife.