Scandinavian MountainsScandinavian Mountains at a Glance
About Scandinavian Mountains
The Scandinavian Mountains are the principal mountain chain running along the length of Norway and into western Sweden, forming the major highland backbone of the region. They contain many alpine plateaus, glacial valleys and high summits.
The mountains include differentiated regions from the high peaks of southern Norway to plateau and tundra areas in the north; they host national parks, glaciers and established routes for hiking, climbing and ski touring. High-alpine environments give way to forested foothills on the lowland margins.
These ranges developed through tectonic uplift and long-term glacial shaping and have been used historically for pasture, travel routes and more recently for outdoor recreation and tourism. Protected areas and mountain infrastructure support access and conservation.
The chain extends for many hundreds of kilometres across Norway and Sweden and forms an important climatic and ecological divide in Scandinavia.
- Geographic extent: The range runs broadly along the spine of Norway and into western Sweden, forming the principal mountainous backbone of Scandinavia.
- Highest peak: Galdhøpiggen, within the range in southern Norway, is the highest peak in mainland Scandinavia at 2,469 metres.
What to See#
- Major peaks: Galdhøpiggen and other high summits that are popular objectives for mountaineers and hikers in southern Norway.
- Alpine landscapes: Extensive alpine plateaus, glacial valleys and national parks that provide routes for trekking and backcountry skiing.
Best Time to Visit Scandinavian Mountains
Visit in summer for hiking and accessibility, or winter for ski touring and aurora, taking seasonal road and weather risks into account.
Weather & Climate near Scandinavian Mountains
Scandinavian Mountains's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -13°C to 16°C. Moderate rainfall (969 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -13° - -6° | -15° | 104 mm | overcast | 98% | 3.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.0h |
| February | Poor | -13° - -6° | -15° | 81 mm | overcast | 97% | 3.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.2h |
| March | Poor | -10° - -3° | -11° | 64 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | -6° - 2° | -6° | 48 mm | overcast | 94% | 3.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.9h |
| May | Poor | -1° - 7° | 0° | 46 mm | overcast | 90% | 3.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 18.2h |
| June | Acceptable | 4° - 13° | 7° | 66 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 20.4h |
| July | Good | 7° - 16° | 12° | 83 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 19.3h |
| August | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 9° | 84 mm | overcast | 88% | 2.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 16.1h |
| September | Poor | 2° - 9° | 3° | 102 mm | overcast | 93% | 2.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | -1° - 3° | -3° | 106 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| November | Poor | -7° - -2° | -9° | 87 mm | overcast | 98% | 3.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.0h |
| December | Poor | -11° - -4° | -13° | 98 mm | overcast | 98% | 3.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 3.6h |
How to Get to Scandinavian Mountains
The range stretches across much of central Scandinavia; access points depend on which region is chosen. For the Norwegian side in Trøndelag, Trondheim is a common gateway: from Trondheim, drive north on E6 and Rv3 toward the mountain areas (Varied access depending on the specific massif). Several national parks and trailheads are reachable by regional bus services and car rentals.
Tips for Visiting Scandinavian Mountains
- When crossing mountain passes, check local weather forecasts - conditions change fast and roads can close in winter.
- Bring a map and layers; mobile reception is patchy in higher ridges.
- Plan hikes around daylight: in winter the day is very short; in summer the midnight sun makes long treks tempting but tiring.