{"id":2654,"date":"2019-12-17T15:12:30","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T15:12:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/?post_type=topic&p=2654"},"modified":"2025-09-01T11:18:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T11:18:07","slug":"hiking-in-northern-norway","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/topic\/hiking-in-northern-norway\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking in Northern Norway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tFantastic views of sea and mountains from a mountain top, untouched wilderness along the border mountains, panoramic tours along the coast and cultural trails near the settlement. The hikes in Northern Norway are beautiful, varied and suited for every shape. \n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

Hiking around and above the Arctic circle seems like an extreme thing. It is, however, surprisingly accessible and safe. Some of the easiest hikes are found in Europe’s northernmost extremities, just remember a windproof jacket. Further south, the majestic peaks invite to all day …or all night… hikes with fantastic views. For trekking in untouched wilderness, go to the remote border mountains, like Nordlandsruta (The Nordland Trekking Trail<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\tHammerfest\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Hiking around Hammerfest<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tHiking\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\tNordkapp\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Hike across the hilltops to Skj\u00f8tningberg<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tHiking\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\tNordkapp\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Knivskjelodden is the northernmost north in Norway<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tHiking\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

The Finnmark coast means easier hiking with wide views<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One would think that the northernmost hikes in Norway were also the most extreme. That is far from the case. The landscape on the Finnmark coast is lower and rounder, with soft, springy heather terrain. This makes the trips on the Finnmark coast easier and more accessible. However, the weather conditions are changing, so good hiking clothes are important. Here you can follow marked paths to viewpoints, to abandoned fishing villages and to striking cliffs and mountains. The sparse vegetation does not block the sea view, and the wind gust keeps the mosquitoes at a distance.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Take a wander on the Arctic coastline of Kj\u00f8ttvikvarden<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
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Walk to the sea cliffs above the famous Finnkirka<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
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Kirkeporten is a window to the North Cape<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
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Coastal mountains make lovely summit hikes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The fantastic mountain, fjord and island landscape along the coast of Nordland and Troms invites to summit hikes. Some peaks are 2-300 metres high, and are taken in an hour. Others have over 1000 masl altitude difference, and will be a real day trip. However, the pattern is the same; you get a steep ascent through the birch belt and up on the barren rock. When you finally reach the top, it’s time to take a proper coffee break, change your sweaty shirt and admire the view of the fjord, mountains and sea. Then there will be a steep descent, usually the same way. Top hikes are hugely popular with locals, and there are a large number of marked trails.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Keipen is an easy hike with incredible views in Harstad<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tHarstad\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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Dronningruta – The Queen’s route – in Vester\u00e5len goes along the Atlantic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
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Natural highlights<\/div>\n\t\t\t

The Seven Sisters are the challenging beauties of Helgeland<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tHelgeland\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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M\u00f8ysalen has Northern Norway’s best views<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
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Lavkal\u00f8ypa is a tough mountain-bike trip across the mountains<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tLyngenfjord\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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Glacier Hiking<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Hike across the ice on Engabreen<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tHelgeland\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Trekking? Go to the remote border mountains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Nordkalott Route runs through the border mountains between Norway, Finland and Sweden. It crosses a border 10 times. It starts in Kautokeino, goes through national parks such as Reisa, \u00d8vre Dividal and Rohkunborri (Ca. 500 km), where it meet The Nordland trekking Trail east of Narvik and follow the same track to Sulitjelma (Ca. 300 km). The route is well marked, but there is no infrastructure along the trail, and it is so far between the cabins that you have to carry a tent. Therefore, this route is only suitable for the most experienced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nordlandsruta and Okstindan take you to the highest peaks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Nordland Trekking Trail<\/a> (Nordlandsruta) runs from Bj\u00f8rnfjell by Narvik 650 km to B\u00f8rgefjell National Park, and largely follows the border mountains south in untouched wilderness. Here, too, the infrastructure is absent, but there is a large number of cabins. Okstindan <\/a>is a particularly wild mountain area just south of the Arctic Circle. There are a number of cabins here, including the new Rabothytta<\/a>, which makes the area a fairly accessible area with a lot of wild nature.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\tBod\u00f8 og Salten\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Nordlandsruta – the longest trekking trail in Norway<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
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Okstindan has 11 summits and Norway’s oldest glacier<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
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Rabothytta is the coolest cabin in Norway<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tEat and stay\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Finnmarksvidda is the endless upland in the far north<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finnmarksvidda is a vast area of rolling hills, rivers and lakes between the big fjords in the north and Finland. Few people live here, but hundres of thousands of reindeer graze here in winter. In summer, it’s all very quiet. Most people who move into the area do so for fishing. Moving in this area requires that you are used to hiking and able to bring tents and all equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n

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6 hiking favourites<\/h2>\n\n
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Find your trail<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\tBod\u00f8 og Salten\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Engel\u00f8ya’s ancient past is laid bare on this Northern Norwegian Island<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tVikings\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\tNordkapp\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Take a hike across cultural Slettnes, flanked by the Arctic Ocean<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tHarstad\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Historical walks on Trondenes<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tWorld War II\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\tNarvik\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Rallarveien in Narvik is a historic hike for nature lovers<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
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Cultural trails<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the very lightest part of the scale are the cultural trails. They show archeological sites, remains of ancient settlements, war memorials, geology and botany. Most are easy to walk, and some have a universal design to suit wheelchair users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to behave more responsibly as a visitor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Northern Norway are not only treasure troves for outdoor activities, but also for landscapes, locals and sami people, cultural heritage, herding practices and biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Outdoor Life” by Bj\u00f8rnar Meisler, from the exhibition “Irreplaceable”. Photo: Laila Ingvaldsen \/ Nordland National Park Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What should you think about when hiking in nature?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are several things that may be regulated by other laws, regulations and recommendations that you should consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n