Plizio Visual Lab

Hardangervidda

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

park

Weather…

Hardangervidda is the largest mountain plateau in Northern Europe, covering an area of approximately 3,422 square kilometers across the counties of Vestland, Buskerud, and Telemark. The plateau has an average elevation of 1,100 meters, with the highest point reaching 1,863 meters at the Hardangerjøkulen glacier. It was designated as a national park in 1981 to protect the fragile alpine ecosystem and the largest herd of wild reindeer in the world, which currently numbers around 10,000 animals. The region's geography is characterized by vast treeless heaths, numerous lakes, and moorlands formed by glacial activity during the last ice age. Historically, the plateau has served as a vital transit route between eastern and western Norway, with ancient trails like the Nordmannsslepa still visible today. The climate is arctic, supporting specialized flora such as mountain avens and various mosses and lichens. Modern research on the plateau focuses on climate change impacts on permafrost and migratory patterns of the reindeer population. It remains a significant site for both scientific study and traditional mountain trekking.

Location: Norway
Nearby: Røldal (42 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-9	-9	-7	-3	1	6	10	9	5	-1	-5	-8
Rain mm	155	108	107	95	114	139	171	167	159	162	155	159

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Access points to the high plateau are numerous and are mostly located along the national road crossing the area. Several traditional mountain lodges often serve as excellent starting points for extended wilderness tours.

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Best season

Summer hikes are best from mid-July onwards, when the snow on the plains has largely melted away. Winter provides endless expanses for ski touring, though conditions can be extremely harsh and physically demanding.

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Terrain & paths

The huge expanses consist of a mixture of rolling hills, deep bogs, rocky sections, and countless lakes. Although there are hardly any steep climbs, the sheer distance involved often makes the terrain highly challenging.

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What to bring

Waterproof hiking boots are absolutely essential due to the many wet bog areas and required river crossings. Even in the summer months, wearing warm layered clothing is a must in this highly exposed environment.

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Parking

Extensive parking facilities are mostly found at the large visitor centers and in the villages at the edge of the plateau. Hikers on multi-day tours can often safely leave their cars at the lodges along the main road.

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Safety

The immense size of the landscape demands that visitors be entirely self-sufficient and fully capable of map and compass navigation. Sudden fog and drastic temperature drops are not uncommon, even in mid-summer.

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Time needed

While a quick photo stop along the road takes only minutes, most visitors embark on hikes lasting from four hours to several days. Multi-day trekking is by far the most popular way to deeply experience this rugged wilderness.

Geography

Coordinates

60.00000, 7.50000

Facts

The plateau covers an area of approximately 3,422 km².
The national park was established on April 10, 1981.
Roughly 10,000 wild reindeer inhabit the plateau year-round.
The highest peak is Sandfloegga at 1,721 meters elevation.
The average elevation of the entire region is 1,100 meters.
Over 500 kilometers of marked trails crisscross the park.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Hardangervidda Plateau11 km · NExplore →

Røldal42 km · SWExplore →

Trolltunga44 km · WExplore →

Vøringsfossen49 km · NExplore →

Hovden50 km · SExplore →

Odda Industrial Site54 km · WExplore →

Folgefonna56 km · WExplore →

Eidfjord57 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Hardangervidda (1)

Storlega🏺 historical

Remains of old structures in the barren mountain landscape of Hardangervidda.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is Hardangervidda?

It is Europe's largest mountain plateau and Norway's largest national park.

Are there roads on the plateau?

National road Rv7 crosses the Vidda and is one of Norway's most beautiful scenic routes.

Can reindeer be seen here?

Yes, Europe's largest wild reindeer population lives here, with about 10,000 animals.

What is the weather like on Hardangervidda?

Extremely changeable. Even in summer it can snow and there can be strong storms. Good equipment is vital.

Is Hardangervidda suitable for cycling?

Yes, Rallarvegen on the northern edge is one of Norway's most famous cycling routes.

Hardangervidda: where is it located?

Hardangervidda is located in Norway.

Hardangervidda: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Hardangervidda: why is it worth visiting?

Hardangervidda is the largest mountain plateau in Northern Europe, covering an area of approximately 3,422 square kilometers across the counties of Vestland, Buskerud, and Telemark.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → Most beautiful beaches → OpenStreetMap →