Top 5 little-known hikes in Norway
An inspirational list for adventures off the beaten path.
In two years of week-long road trips through Norway, you see a lot. Things you like and things you don’t like.
What I personally don’t like are tourist queues. No magic view can withstand the destructive force of hundreds of smartphones longing for attention-grabbing Instagram stories.
If you come to Norway for guided tours up Galdhøpiggen and other mountains, fair enough! You will have to deal with other tourists. If you’re just up for amazing views, you definitely don’t have to stand on Trolltunga like a herd of sheep waiting to be shorn just to take a picture that millions have taken before.
Over time we have been hiking many alternatives with no less stunning views that could help you in planning your next Norway trip a bit around the hoards of tourists that flood the country every year.
It happens to be that I filmed five hikes from start to end so you know upfront what you can expect.
Katthammaren:
Eikesdalvatnet, Katthammaren
- The peak is 1270 moh. (feels like more if the backpack is heavy).
- You will find free parking even in the high season. Google maps coordinates for one of the parking lots are: 62.50996483486725, 8.170869083505032
- Views 10/10, you can oversee all of Eikesdalvatnet.
- Duration is 3.5 H up, 3 H down. Better start early and take the whole day.
This trip is for experienced hikers and is only to be done in good weather conditions. Try to avoid any rain as the steep parts will get dangerous. At points, you will have to hold on to chains and bands to pull yourself up along the wall.
Not without reason, the path is called the base jumpers path. Pretty much everyone you will pass on the way up won’t walk down, they jump.
Dønnamannen:
Dønnamannen, The man from Dønna
- The peak is 858 moh. 50% easy 50% steep
- Arrival: Take the ferry from Sandnessjøen to Dønna (within the week it drives pretty frequently). Some rides make take a little longer as you’re stopping by a neighbor island along the way.
- Google maps for parking lot: (66.0461250, 12.3977206)
Free parking. Free Camping along the beach. You will even have access to a public toilet. Prepare for a good amount of wind. - Duration 2.5 H (one way)
- Views: 10/10 all from the seven sisters to Lovund!
The parking spot is magical. If you are into it, there are great fishing opportunities so you won’t have to bring dinner.
Prepare for a good amount of Norwegians as the hike rose in popularity within the country in the past years.
Dønnamannen is for semi-experienced mountain hikers but doable for most without any experience if the weather is warm and dry. Otherwise, it can get a bit slippery.
One thing upfront, the weather around Dønna changes rapidly, if you can see the peak, you better run for it!
Ånderdalen Nationalpark:
Ånderdalen Nationalpark, Åndervatnet, Senja
- There are many peaks in the national park but you most likely won’t aim for a specific one. This should be an overnight adventure.
- There is a parking spot right at the entrance of the national park. On google maps, it's called Trailhead Åndervatnet. The coordinates are 69.199039, 17.456935
- Duration to Åndervatnet 1.5–2 H(one way)
- Views depend on if you choose to head for the peaks afterward, I went to Ryphaugen and liked it quite a bit 8.5/10
Along the entrance of Åndervatnet, you will find a cabin with four sleeping spots that are free to use for everybody. Gas is available. So is firewood.
In the case it’s full already, you can stick to the left of the path for 20 minutes to reach a traditional Gamme (House with a grass roof) with another three sleeping spots. But well, always good to have a tent, right?
Be prepared for hoards of mosquitoes and blackflies on warm summer days!
PS: If you like fishing, up there is a great area to catch some big trout. Instructions for fishing cards can be found at the park entrance.
Lyngsdalen:
Lyngsdalen, Lyngseidet
- Hike number two without aiming for a specific peak. Here you aim for the cabin in Lyngsdalen. This could be an overnight adventure.
- There is a parking spot right at the community house in Furuflaten. It’s paid and damn expensive. The locals are upset about it too! One day is 30$ but I could not find an alternative place to stand. Here are the coordinates: 69.439725, 20.154705
- Duration to Lyngsdalen 2–2.5 H (one way)
I did not plan to hike Lyngsdalen. My destination in Troms was Blåisvatnet near Tromsø.
In talks with locals on the day before the hike, I got to know that is one of those places that got flooded with tourists in the past years.
Later, Lyngsdalen was mentioned as a similarly beautiful alternative and it was! After walking a few hours to the cabin, you can choose to go onward to three different glaciers.
The best thing is that the cabin is even free to use. If you have a key. Ask for it in the community house!
Segla:
Segla in Senja
- The peak is 639 moh. The hike is easy.
- It’s said to say but this is the second very expensive parking spot. One day will cost you 25$ but if you're just going up and down, you won’t need that long.
- Google maps for parking lot: 69.504451, 17.626064.
- Duration: 2H one way.
- Views: If you have them (which is rare) 9/10
Senja is Norway’s second biggest Island and Segla is located in the north of it not too far from Senjahopen. There isn’t too much infrastructure, so be prepared for that.
We have been sleeping in the van close to Senjahopen and made our way down to Segla in the early morning. Already halfway you have a nice view with fjords to both sides.
For me, this was on the brink of being too touristy. And we were there at the end of the season.