The 18 Best Hikes in Norway

One of the highlights of Norway is certainly the incredible nature that it has to offer. We visited the country for two weeks, and some of our favorite moments were experiencing the different hikes.

With some of the most rewarding views, hiking in Norway is a photographer's dream, and you won't want to forget your camera on these adventures.

Having done about 20 different hikes around the country, we're here to share with you some of the best hikes Norway to add to your bucket list!

Does Norway Have Good Hiking?

Norway doesn't just have good hiking, it has some of the best hikes in the world! 

In the south, you can experience long hikes with dramatic formations at the end, while in the north you'll be able to experience stunning panoramas of archipelagos with short and steep trails.

Whether you like fun and challenging hikes, or long, scenic trails, there is something for everyone in Norway, and we're sure you're going to love the hiking in this country just as much as we have.

Check the map below to see where all of the best hikes in Norway lie:

The Best Hikes in Norway

There are so many incredible hikes in this beautiful country! From north to south and islands in between, we're here to share all of the best hikes in Norway with you.

🥾 The Best Hikes in Norway's South

The south of Norway is home to the country's most popular hikes. These are for the true adventure-lovers out there, that are willing to put in some effort for some truly rewarding views.

1. Trolltunga

Are you looking to experience one of the most iconic spots in Norway? Well, then hiking Trolltunga is definitely something that you have to add to your bucket list. 

This is certainly one of the best hikes in Norway, and while it's no easy feat, it's certainy worth it,

This unique rock jutting out over the surrounding fjords has stirred the internet the past few years with its wildly breathtaking views, and and its incredibly terrifying photo opps.

The end is the most fantastic, but you'll also get to experience gorgeous views of the fjord and a waterfall along the way.

📊 Trolltunga Hiking Stats:

Length of trail: 10 miles (6.2 km) roundtrip

Elevation gain: 800 meters (2,600 ft)

Time it took us to hike up: 3 hours and 20 minutes

Time it took us to hike down: 2 hours and 40 minutes

Parking: there are 3 parking lots with different prices and distances, or you can park in Odda

Best time to hike: sunset (start 3 1/2-4 hours before), camp overnight, and leave in the morning

2. Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)

This giant rock overlooking a cliff tucked away in a fjord looks like something straight out of a movie, and is absolutely one for the bucket list.

Formerly known as Preikestolen, the Norwegian name translates to the "preacher's chair" due to its unique shape.

The cliff sits 604 meters high, with a flat top of 25x25 meters. It was one of our favorite places to photograph in the whole country, and is definitely also one of the best hikes in Norway.

📊 Pulpit Rock Hiking Stats:

Length of trail: 5 miles (8 km) roundtrip

Elevation gain: 600 meters (1,969 ft)

Time it took us to hike up: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Time it took us to hike down: 50 minutes

Parking: lot next to Preikestolen Fjellstue, or the Pulpit Rock Tourist Center

Best time to hike: sunset (start 1-1 1/2 hours before)

3. Kjeragbolten

Would you stand on a boulder wedged between two cliffs? Well, the hike to Kjeragbolten in Norway drives people around the world insane for its very controversial photo opportunity.

This Instagrammable spot is certainly not for the faint of heart, but is truly one of the most stunning spots in the country, and one of the best hikes in Norway. Would you dare to take the risk?

📊 Kjeragbolten Hiking Stats:

Length of trail: 6.8 miles (11 km) roundtrip

Elevation gain: 800 meters (2,625 ft)

Time it took us to hike up: 2 hours

Time it took us to hike down: 1 hour 45 minutes

Parking: located right in front of the Kjerag Cafe & Restaurant

Best time to hike: sunset (start 2-3 hours before)

4. Nigardsbreen

While most of the best hikes in Norway lead to breathtaking rock formations and iconic viewpoints, another one of our favorites is to a glacier!

Nigardsbreen is a beautiful icy spectacle that you can experience in summer, and is one of the easiest hikes we did in the country, with some truly rewarding views.

Not only can you hike to a viewpoint of the glacier, but for the adventure-lovers out there, you can also trek along top of the glacier!

📊 Nigardsbreen Hiking Stats:

Length of trail: 2.4 miles (3.86 km) roundtrip

Elevation gain: 162 meters (532 ft)

Time it took us to hike up: 40 minutes

Time it took us to hike down: 33 minutes

Parking: located right next to the boat launch

Best time to hike: early in the morning

🏝 The Best Hikes in Norway's Lofoten Islands

While the most popular hikes in Norway are located in the south, some of the best hikes in Norway (in our opinion) lie up in the picture-perfect Lofoten Islands.

The Lofoten Islands are a hiking lover's dream, as the trails are often shorter, allowing to squeeze more into a short peiod of time. We averaged 2 a day, and in 5 days still didn't even get to scratch the surface! 

We're here to narrow it down to some of the most stunning views in the Lofoten Islands, so you can choose a few of the best hikes in Norway's gorgeous archipelago to add to your itinerary.

5. Reinebringen

When we first started seeing pictures of the Lofoten Islands, we saw photographers over and over again posting photos of this incredible spot. But oddly enough, they were not revealing the location!

You know what's crazy though? It's actually not a hidden gem by any means, and is one of the most popular hikes in the Lofoten Islands.

We felt totally played by all of the creators out there trying to "gatekeep" the location. Well, don't worry- we're here to share these beautiful places with you, and not leave you in the dark.

Reinebringen was actually our first hike of our trip, and it surely did not disappoint! With 1,600 steps to the top, it's actually to date one of the best hikes in Norway we've done, and one you won't want to miss out on it.

📊 Reinebringen Hiking Stats:

Length of trail: 1,600 steps up/ 3.6 miles roundtrip

Elevation gain: 1,712 ft

Time it took us to hike up: 44 minutes

Time it took us to hike down: 33 minutes

Parking: located above Reine, right after the tunnel, which is a 5-7 minute walk from the trail

Best time to hike: sunrise

6. Ryten & Kvalvika Beach

Another one of the best hikes in Norway lies in the Lofoten Islands, which is the hike to Ryten & Kvalvika Beach. This hike is actually a two-in-one adventure! You can decide to hike to Kvalvika Beach, climb up to Ryten, or combine the two.

The hike up to Ryten overlooks Kvalvika Beach and has panoramic views of the mountains surrounding it. Its main star though is its epic ledge that people like to sit on for the perfect Instagrammable photo. It looks super risky, but it actually isn't as scary as it looks in the photos.

📊 Ryten & Kvalvika Beach Hiking Stats:

Length of trail (Ryten): 4.5 miles 

Elevation gain (to Ryten): 1,958 ft

Time it took us to hike up: 1 hour and 20 minutes 

Time it took us to hike from Ryten to Kvalvika: 45 minutes

Time it took us to hike down: 1 hour 45 minutes

Parking: There are three lots. The most popular one is Fredvang, which is 100 NOK.

Best time to hike: between sunset and sunrise

Want to learn more about hiking here? We have a full Ryten & Kvalvika Beach hiking guide that you can check out!