Here’s How To Explore All Of Norway’s National Parks For Free
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It is 100 percent free to explore the Nordic wilderness. You can pitch a tent and sleep under the stars in any wide-open space thanks to the Norwegian “right to roam.”
The ancient premise, “allemannsretten” in Norwegian, means that everyone has the ability to walk across open country. Any land that isn’t cultivated, even if it’s privately owned, is fair game for travelers to explore. This generally includes most lakes, fjords, forests and mountains (a.k.a. there are no national park entry fees and there is no need to reserve a camping spot).
There are a couple caveats, though. Hikers can’t cut across crop fields or pastures during growing seasons. And if you’re camping, your tent has to be at least 492 feet from any houses, you must ask permission to stay more than two nights and you can’t set fires in the forest in the summer. But you can pick berries and wildflowers while you roam.
So whether you want to drive to the nearest meadow or trek into the fjords, do it. It’s your adventure by law. Just please don’t camp on the edge of a fjord — not even for the killer Insta.
Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of possibilities in the Nordic wild? We have some thoughts on where to start.
1. Jotunheimen National Park
Jotunheimen is located directly in the middle of the tourist triangle formed by Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim. It is home to Northern Europe’s two highest mountains and has plenty of untouched nature.
2. The Hardangervidda Plateau
At nearly 4,000 square miles, this Arctic plateau is bigger than Yellowstone National Park. Not all of the plateau is within the national park of the same name, but all of it is open for exploration. Thanks, allemannsretten!
3. Sørfjorden
The Sørfjorden views are unmatchable at the top of Eidesnuten peak in Hardangervidda National Park. But there’s also a nearby waterfall if you’d prefer that scene.
4. Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Island archipelago has seven main islands, sometimes called the Lofoten Wall because of their giant granite rock formations. Lofoten is famous for its rock climbing, but you can see plenty by just walking cross-country.
5. Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park
We also want to stake a claim on this prime hammock spot in the alpine Dovrefjell park. This stunning spot might challenge the two-day stay rule. How could you ever leave?
6. Geirangerfjord
There is no place in the world like the UNESCO heritage site of Geirangerfjord. Waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and endless hiking call to nature lovers.
7. Trolltunga
The right to roam extends even to Norway’s most famous landscape of Trolltunga. Camping in the awe-inspiring cliffs truly make you feel like you’re sleeping in the clouds.
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