Some of the best hikes in Norway are probably some you’ve never heard of! From hidden valleys to iconic fjord views, this guide shares our personal experiences, tips, and trail details to help you discover unforgettable Norway hiking adventures beyond the typical trails.
If you love hiking, Norway needs to be on your radar.
We’ve hiked all over the world—from New Zealand to the Himalayas—and Norway easily makes our top 5 hiking destinations. Think glacier-fed lakes, dramatic fjords, and trails that feel like they were plucked from a fairytale (with way fewer crowds than you’d expect).
Sure, you’ve probably heard of Trolltunga or Preikestolen, but on our most recent trip, we prioritized lesser-known hikes—and we’re so glad we did. Many of these were quiet, scenic, and still jaw-dropping.
Oh, and we did every one of these hikes with a 2.5-year-old in tow… while I was 6 months pregnant.
That said, we are experienced hikers, and most of these trails aren’t just a walk in the park. (Don’t let the distance fool you—its the elevation gain that’s killer!)
We’ve included stats, tips, and personal notes so you can decide what’s right for your own trip.
Let’s hit the trail…
1. Bondhusvatnet Lake
- Location: Sunndal
- Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 1,026 ft (313 m)
- Difficulty rating: moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
This is one of the easier hikes in Norway, making it a great pick for families or anyone looking for a low-effort, high-reward trail.
With gradual elevation gain and a wide, well-maintained path, the trail winds through lush scenery and ends at the breathtakingly beautiful Bondhusvatnet Lake, framed by dramatic peaks and glacial views.
If you go early like we did, you might have this magical place all to yourself. (Note: Paid parking at the trailhead.)
2. Hesten
- Location: Senja
- Distance: 3.2 miles (5.1 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 1,774 ft (541 m)
- Difficulty rating: challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
This short but steep trail might leave your legs burning—but trust us, it’s 100% worth it.
Reaching the summit of Hesten was one of the most memorable moments of our entire trip to Norway, and honestly, it ranks as one of our all-time favorite hikes ever. The views over Segla and the surrounding fjords are nothing short of jaw-dropping.
3. Innerdalen
- Location: Dalen
- Distance: 4.8 miles (7.7 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 1,020 ft (311 m)
- Difficulty rating: moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
Hidden away in a stunning alpine valley, the hike into Innerdalen feels like stepping into a postcard.
The trail is peaceful and not too challenging, leading you past meadows and rivers to a cozy mountain farm area. Don’t miss the little cafe at the end where you can enjoy fresh Norwegian waffles and a cup of coffee surrounded by epic views.
4. Vesterås Gard – Løsta
- Location: Geiranger
- Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 705 ft (215 m)
- Difficulty rating: moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
This quiet and underrated trail starts right behind a mountainside restaurant and leads through a working farm—goats and all!
It’s a gentle climb with sweeping views and ends with an incredible lookout over the fjord.
We saw just two other hikers the entire time, making it one of the most peaceful experiences we had in Norway. (Note: Paid parking near the trailhead.)
5. Reinebringen
- Location: Reine, Lofoten
- Distance: 3.6 miles (5.8 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 1,700 ft (518 m)
- Difficulty rating: challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
Prepare your quads—this hike is basically straight up a massive staircase carved into the mountainside. But it’s worth it!
Your reward is absolutely unbeatable views over the village of Reine and the turquoise fjords below.
While this trail is popular (for good reason), we still found it totally worth the effort. Try to start early or later in the day to beat the crowds and snag a parking spot.
6. Rampestreken
- Location: Åndalsnes
- Distance: 2.2 miles (3.5 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 1,500 ft (500 m)
- Difficulty rating: moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
This popular viewpoint hangs dramatically over the valley near Åndalsnes and offers incredible photo ops.
You can hike the entire trail from town if you’re up for a challenge, or cheat and take the gondola (like we did) to skip most of the uphill climb. From the gondola station, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the lookout, with a cafe and restaurant nearby if you want to treat yourself afterward.
7. Briksdal Glacier
- Location: Olden
- Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 650 ft (200 m)
- Difficulty rating: easy
- Trailhead location
*Note: the distances and elevation on AllTrails is incorrect for this hike. Listed above are our actual recorded stats.
This easy trail leads you through a glacier-carved valley to a stunning lake and the mighty Briksdal Glacier.
It’s a popular cruise excursion spot, so expect crowds—especially midday—but we still found it worthwhile. Some people ride small troll cars up the trail, but walking lets you soak in the scenery.
Insider tip: Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the scenic tables and check cruisetimetables.com to avoid cruise ship days.
8. Skageflå
- Location: Geiranger
- Distance: 5 miles (8 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 3,097 ft (945 m)
- Difficulty rating: challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
This hike combines a scenic fjord cruise with a short but steep climb to the historic Skageflå mountain farm ruins.
From the top, you’ll get stunning views of Geirangerfjord and waterfalls crashing down the cliffs.
You can either hike back to town or catch a return boat—either way, it’s a fun, memorable half-day adventure. Don’t forget to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the top!
9. Rui Old Farm
- Location: Dalen
- Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 650 ft (200 m)
- Difficulty rating:
- Alltrails trail notes
* Note: The Alltrails map continues on to Eidsborg, but we just turned around once we reached the farm.
This short trail leads to a charming historic farmstead perched on a hillside above Dalen.
It’s a quick climb with rewarding views, and if you read up on the fascinating history of the two elderly sisters who lived here, it adds a whole new layer of meaning to the visit. There’s even a picnic table for a scenic snack break.
10. Litlefjellet
- Location: Åndalsnes
- Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 350 ft (107 m)
- Difficulty rating: moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
An absolute hidden gem, this short hike offers mind-blowing views with minimal effort.
Litlefjellet overlooks dramatic valleys and craggy peaks, and on a clear day, you’ll feel like you’re standing on top of the world.
We only saw one other couple the whole time, and there are amazing spots nearby for wild camping. Heads up: it’s the only place in Norway where we lost cell signal.
Bonus: Innersand – Ryten (Kvalvika Beach Trail)
- Location: Ryten, Lofoten
- Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 1,922 ft (586 m)
- Difficulty rating: challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
This hike takes you over a low mountain pass and down to a wild, remote-feeling beach surrounded by cliffs.
We hiked on this trail for about 2 hours, but had to call it quits because we had absolutely miserable weather (and no view). But on a clear day, this one is absolutely worth adding to your list!
After completing it, grab a sandwich at By The Way Loften (trust me!)
Advice for hiking in Norway
Before you hit the trails, there are some things you should know about hiking in Norway:
1. Trails in Norway are STEEP.
We are used to hiking in the mountains, but even so, the hikes in Norway have some intense elevation gain.
Because so many of them are situated at the edge of fjords, you’re going from essentially sea level, straight up for a great view.
Be prepared and do a bit of training prior to your trip if you think you’ll need it.
2. Hiking poles may be a good idea.
Personally, we’re not big on hiking poles and we rarely use them. We didn’t bring them to Norway, which was fine for us.
However, if you prefer hiking with poles, Norway is THE place to pack them. You’ll be doing lots of uphill and lots of downhill, and poles really can be helpful.
3. You want to have good hiking boots.
Not only will you be putting on lots of miles, but you may be doing so in the rain. (Norway is known for wet weather, so you will want to be prepared!)
This means you not only want boots that have great grip, but you’ll also want a pair that is truly waterproof.
I can tell you with 100% honesty that these boots are the best I have ever worn.
They’re not the cheapest boot out there, but my only regret is not buying them sooner.
Good to know: If you buy them through REI (use this link) and for whatever reason you don’t love them, you can return them up to a year later.
4. Bring a decent rain jacket!
If you buy one new item for your trip to Norway, I’d recommend a good pair of hiking boots (break them in first!). Or a good rain jacket!
Rain jacket recs:
If you’re looking for a rain jacket recommendation, here are the ones Ben and I have (and love!):
5. Download Alltrails
We swear by this app and love tracking our hikes with it. We also love that you can see your real-time location on the offline hiking maps (which you need an Alltrail+ subscription for).
(Get your first week of using Alltrails+ for FREE when you sign up using our link!)
6. Yes, you can hike with kids!
We personally hiked with our daughter who was nearly 3 years old at the time of our trip. (I was also 5 months pregnant!)
This is the hiking carrier we used and it worked perfectly for all our hikes. We especially love it for international trips because it folds up.
Insider tip: We stashed this carrier inside our car seat bag on the flights to save space.
I’d say you can still do some truly epic hikes with kids, but there may be some longer ones that you skip. The longest hikes we did with our toddler were between 3-4 hours.
This meant we chose to turn down some of the 5-8 hour hikes that looked epic and we would have undoubtedly done if it had just been the two of us.
Note: This limit is a completely personal thing and depends on your experience and comfort level. We do a lot of hiking at home, so this was within our limits.
7. Don’t sleep on the less popular hikes
There are a few hikes in Norway that seem to get all the attention. Here’s just a few that come to mind:
They are all popular for a reason, but that does come at a price:
- Very busy (especially during peak tourist season)
- You may have to wait in line to take pictures at the popular viewpoints
- Expensive and logistically tricky parking situations
This doesn’t mean you should skip these hikes. But don’t dismiss the trails on this list that get less attention, because they are often just as epic and have fewer crowds (which is, in our opinions, a big plus!).
Plan your trip to Norway
Dreaming of fjords and cozy saunas and epic mountain views? We’ve got everything you need to plan the perfect trip—from city guides to campervan tips, packing hacks, and must-do experiences! Start with our Norway homepage or read some of our favorite articles below…
- Read up on all the top things to do in Oslo (including unique and free activities!)
- If you’re just getting started, this Oslo travel guide has everything you need to know.
- Only have a short stop? Follow our 2-day Oslo itinerary to hit the highlights without feeling rushed.
- Headed west? This Bergen travel guide will help you fall in love with Norway’s most charming city.
- If time is tight, here’s exactly how to spend 24 hours in Bergen.
- Not sure what to pack? Our Norway packing guide has you covered for every season (and surprise weather!).
Want the perfect Norway road trip planned for you?
We spent two unforgettable weeks road tripping through Norway—hiking to epic viewpoints, cruising through fjords, soaking in saunas, and camping in jaw-dropping landscapes.
After that trip, we took everything we learned (plus hours of additional research!) and crafted the ultimate 2-week Norway itinerary that hits the must-see spots and lots of lesser-known hidden gems.
It’s completely done-for-you and includes scenic drives, epic hikes, unique stays, and practical tips—plus access to our custom Norway map and helpful resources to make planning easy.
If you want a stress-free way to see the best of Norway, this is it.
Don’t miss your chance to grab our Norway Packing Checklist!
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We want to hear from you!
Which of these Norway hikes are going on your bucket list? Do you any other hikes you think we should add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!