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Photo: Midt-Agder Friluftsråd (Midt-Agder Outdoor Recreation Council)
Norway
THE GREAT OUTDOORS OF NORWAY
Even if not all Norwegians are interested in the great outdoors, Norway is a nation that
loves outdoor recreation. Wherever you live in Norway, you will have easy access to the
countryside, and activities such as hiking, skiing and fishing are very popular. Outdoor
recreation activities help people relax from the stress and hubbub of day-to-day life and
escape the noise and pollution of the city. Outdoor recreation in Norway is diverse. It might
be a long hike where you camp in your tent in unspoilt areas, or perhaps a short walk
in the woods after work. You can do everything from hiking or climbing, to kayaking and
hunting. The great variation in seasons ensures that there will always be new activities to
look forward to in the approaching season.
Photo: Staffan Sandberg
It is not just closeness to nature that makes Norway a good country for outdoor recreation.
The public right of access allows us to take walks and camp without having to ask for
permission from the landowner, if we are not too close to other people’s homes or cabins.
This brochure gives you tips about activities in nature that are easy to get started with. You
will also find information about what is permitted and not permitted in Norwegian nature.
We hope you will find the inspiration to go out into the Norwegian countryside and enjoy
the abundance of opportunities it boasts.
HIKING
The peak season for hiking starts after the snow has melted and the ground has started to
dry out in the spring and ends in the autumn when the rain and cold come. Most Norwegian
cities are surrounded by terrain that is highly suitable for hiking. Only a few hours away by
car, bus or train you will find more unspoilt nature where cabins are available for staying
the night. There are also areas which you can only reach on foot, where the tent in your
backpack will be your accommodation. Hiking can range from technically demanding
climbing to reach a peak, or simply the more common pleasant stroll in the local forest to
enjoy the countryside and relax.
The public right of access allows you to take walks in the wilderness (forests, marshes,
mountains, moors and islets) without first obtaining permission from the landowner. You
may also set up camp and spend the night for up to two nights running if you are at least
150 meters from a house or cabin where people live. You may not take walks on arable land
(fields and pastures) from 30 April to 14 October. During other seasons you may walk on
such land if the ground is frozen or covered by snow. Arable land does not mean plots for
houses – you cannot go for walks there.
:
TIP Take a walk to a hilltop on a day with nice weather. Take lunch with
Photo: Asgeir Våg
you and enjoy the view of forests, fjords or mountains while you eat.
OUTDOOR RECREATION BY THE BEACH
Norway has a long coast and many lakes and rivers. This provides opportunities for
swimming and boating. The public right of access allows you to swim and moor your boat
for up to 24 hours in the wilderness. Furthermore, it is permitted to sail and row both in the
sea and in lakes. You are free to use your motorboat on the sea, but you cannot go boating
on a lake if the owner has banned such activities. You may not use a motorboat on any lake
smaller than 2 km2.
FISHING
Norway boasts great opportunities for sea, river and lake fishing. You can fish freely in the
sea using a fishing rod, but to fish in rivers and lakes you must first buy a fishing licence.
In some places children and young people can fish without a licence.
P: Information about where to obtain
a fishing licence for most lakes,
and the rules that apply, can be found
at the websites www.INATUR.NO and
www.STATSKOG.NO.
Photo: Kristoffer Øverland / Oslo og Omland Friluftsråd (Oslo and
Omland Outdoor Recreation Council)
TI
PICKING MUSHROOMS AND BERRIES
You may pick berries and mushrooms in the wilderness without asking permission from
the landowner first. Exceptions apply to some areas in the counties of Finnmark, Troms
and Nordland, where it is not permitted to pick cloudberries to take home with you if
the owner of the land prohibits it. Norway has many edible mushrooms, but some are
poisonous. If you are not absolutely certain whether a mushroom is safe, then do not eat
it. Attend a course on mushrooms or buy a book to learn more about them before you start
picking!
The most popular berries to pick are blueberries, raspberries, lingonberries and
cloudberries. All these ripen towards the end of summer. There are some poisonous
berries, but the risk of making a mistake is less than with mushrooms.
:
TIP
Bring a pail with you to a clearing in the forest. Pick blueberries
or raspberries. Eat them later with milk and a little sugar.
HUNTING
Photo: Staffan Sandberg
Photo: Kristoffer Øverland/Oslo og Omland Friluftsråd
Hunting is a popular pastime in Norway. Many species can be hunted, from willow grouse
to elk. Hunting is governed by many rules, and you must pass a hunting test before you will
be allowed to hunt. If hunting tickles your interest, you should contact Norges Jeger- og
Fiskerforbund (The Norwegian Association of Hunters and Anglers). They arrange courses
and can tell you where you can go hunting in the area where you live.
SKIING
Skiing is an important part of Norwegian outdoor recreation, and many Norwegians value
it highly. The public right of access allows you to ski anywhere you could also walk. A tip
for beginners is to start in an area which is relatively flat, and to start skiing shortly after
snow has fallen. (Ski trails may become icy when many skiers have used them.) When it
snows heavily, many ski trails are prepared in the vicinity of most Norwegian cities. It is
also possible to make your own trails in the forest and in the mountains.
For those with more experience, hiking from one mountain cabin to the next is a great
adventure. Den Norke Turistforening (The Norwegian Trekking Association) has many
cabins that can be used. This type of winter trekking is more demanding. You need to
have good skiing skills and knowledge and equipment to cope with the cold and strong
winds. The weather changes very quickly in the mountains, and harsh winds are cold,
impede your movement and can reduce visibility drastically. Around Easter conditions in
the mountains are more favourable, there are many hours of daylight and milder weather.
But, the weather can still be unfriendly at times, with high winds and the thermometer
dropping many degrees below zero.
:
TIP On a sunny day after it has snowed, go skiing on the trail closest
Photo: Midt-Agder Friluftsråd (Midt-Agder Outdoor Recreation Council)
to you that is not too hilly. Take something hot to drink with you
and pack some warm clothes in your backpack.
COOKING FOOD ON YOUR CAMPFIRE
Campfires are a big part of camping outdoors and are used to prepare food, keep you
warm or simply to make it cosy. To prevent forest fires there is a ban on lighting a campfire
between 15 April and 15 September. The right to public access allows us to use dry
branches that we find in the forest, but in areas with many people it may be difficult to find
dry wood. The most common food prepared on a campfire in Norway is hot dogs, which are
eaten in a bun or wrapped in a thin flat potato cake, called lompe. Also try winding some
dough on a stick and frying it over the fire to make nice stick bread. Remember to put out
your campfire completely before you leave. Never light a campfire on bare rock. The heat
may cause cracks that will be visible for a very long time.
PINNEBRØD (STICK BREAD)
5 dl flour
½ tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1.5 dl water
Mix the dry ingredients at home in a bag.
Add the water to the bag when you have
reached your destination and roll the dough
in the bag. Cut into long pieces and drape
them around a stick. Bake over the embers.
Photo: Staffan Sandberg
CLOTHING AND OTHER HIKING GEAR
A daytrip in your neighbourhood during summer when the weather is nice does
not require much in the way of clothing or other gear. Regular clothes, comfortable
shoes, and a small backpack for your lunch are all that is required. If it starts to rain
or is cold, you should bring a little more with you. Here is a list of useful things when
outdoors on a cold day in autumn and spring, in all types of weather.
Waterproof and windproof clothing
Keeping the rain out is important if you want to stay warm. If the wind is strong and you are
not wearing windproof clothing on a cold day, it doesn’t really matter how much else you are
wearing.
Inner layer
If you are going to do something that might make you sweat, you should not be wearing cotton
garments next to your body – cotton absorbs moisture and will become wet and then cold.
Woollen garments will keep you warm even if the garment is wet, and clothing made from
synthetic fibres may allow perspiration to evaporate. But when garments made from synthetic
fibres get wet, they will feel cold.
Warm clothing
Between the inner layer and the windproof and/or waterproof layer you may at times need an
extra layer to keep you warm. Wool or fleece is best. You may want to put on several layers so
that you can vary how much you are wearing according to how cold or warm you feel.
Shoes/boots
Even if you do not go out when it’s raining, the ground can still be wet. That is why it is good to
wear shoes or boots that will keep your feet dry. If it’s cold, you should wear warm boots. The
soles in some boots may not insulate well, but you can replace the inner sole with a better one.
Woollen soles reduce the heat transfer from your feet to the ground. In cold weather you also
need warm socks in your boots. The reason why you will want an inner layer for your body also
applies to your feet.
Hat and mittens
A hat and mittens do not take much space and are important on cold days. It is always smart to
bring a hat and mittens when you leave home.
Water bottle and thermos flask
A water bottle is not absolutely necessary if you are covering a lot of ground. You can drink the
water in the lakes and rivers in the forest, unless farm fields drain into them. A thermos flask
with something hot to drink is a good idea when temperatures are low.
Mobile phone
A mobile phone can be useful if an accident occurs, but bear in mind that you will not
always manage to get a signal.
Map and compass
Bring a map and compass with you if you are not familiar with the terrain you intend to hike
in. These tools, however, will not be of much help if you have not learned how to use them.
Winter gear
: A well-known Norwegian saying: There is no
TIP
such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!
Photo: Olav Saltbones/Red Cross
In winter it is extra important to bring warm clothes and something hot to drink. In the cold
of winter your water bottle can freeze, so a thermos flask is the smart choice. If you are
planning to stay in one place for some time, it is a good idea to bring a jacket and pants that
are lined. If you are in continuous movement, this may not be the best solution because
it makes it more difficult to regulate your temperature when you get warm from walking.
Remember that winter in the mountains requires more gear and better skills.
OUTDOOR RECREATION IN AND AROUND TRONDHEIM
For those who live in Trondheim, Bymarka, Strindamarka and Tillermarka are the closest
outdoor recreation areas. Nidelvskorridoren and Ladestien also provide opportunities for
nature walks in more central parts of the city area. Maps of these areas are available. A
map may come in useful if you are planning longer hikes. Numerous ski trails are prepared
in Bymarka, Strindamarka and Tillermarka during winter. Just in Trondheim alone, more
than 300 km of ski trails are prepared, and it will certainly take time to explore them all!
In summer you will find narrow paths and broad gravel roads for walking, depending on
where you go. When daylight fades, lighted trails make it possible to hike in the evening.
The area called Brungfjellet south of Selbusjøen (Selbu lake) is a good choice if you are
seeking peaceful and quiet recreation close to Trondheim. Here you can take long hikes
without bumping into other people.
Further away from Trondheim, the Dovre, Trollheimen or Sylane mountain areas have a
network of cabins where you can hike from one to the next. This means you can go on a
long trip without having to carry a tent or other heavy gear.
:
TIP Buy a map of Bymarka. Hike to the five highest peaks in the course
Photo: Olav A. Saltbones/Røde Kors
Photo: Asgeir Våg
of one year. You’ll find many great views and wonderful outdoor
experiences. You can find more ideas for hikes at www.UT.NO.
Below you will find a brief description of the most popular points from which to start
your hike in Trondheim. All have parking lots, lighted trails, bus connections to and from
downtown and prepared ski trails in winter.
Dragvoll
Northwest in Strindamarka you will find Bekken, a parking area where it is easy to start
your hike. Not far away is the bus stop for routes no. 5, 9, 36 and 66. In periods of heavy
snow ski trails are prepared from Tyholt and Berg.
Granåsen
Southeast in Bymarka you will find the Granåsen skicenter, where the city of Trondheim
has hosted skiing and orienteering World Championships. This is also a good place to start
your hike in summer and winter. Bus routes no. 4, 7, 9 and 19 will take you to Granåsen.
You can also get here via a walking path from Buenget.
Ferista and Teisendammen
Photo: Asgeir Våg
Just behind Byåsen shopping centre you will find Ferista and
Teisendammen. These are good places to start your walk in the
northeast parts of Bymarka. Buses no. 8 and 10 will take you here.
You can also walk by following Ilabekken (Ila Creek) from Ila all the
way up to Teisendammen.
ORGANIZATIONS
There are many organizations for those who wish to learn more about outdoor
activities and want to contact others sharing the same interest. Here is a list of some
organizations for those who are interested in outdoor activities:
4H
4H arranges activities for children and young people in nature and on farms. www.4h.no
Den Norske Turistforening (DNT – The Norwegian Trekking Association
DNT arranges many trips all over Norway, on skis or on foot. They have several cabins
in popular tourist areas. www.turistforeningen.no
Norges Jeger- og Fiskerforbund – NJFF – The Norwegian Association of
Hunters and Anglers
NJFF will help you get started with hunting. They arrange many courses. www.njff.no
Norges speiderforbund (NSF – The Norwegian Guide and Scout Association
NSF has arranged activities in nature for children and young people for many years.
Scouts can be found all over the world. www.speiding.no
Norsk Botanisk Forening – The Norwegian Botanical Association
They arrange trips for those who are interested in plants. www.botaniskforening.no
Norsk Ornitologisk Forening – The Norwegian Ornithological Society
This is an organization for those who are interested in birds. They arrange birdwatching trips. www.birdlife.no
Syklistenes Landsforening – The Norwegian Bicyclist Association
For those who like to go cycling. www.slf.no
Trondheims Kajakklubb – TKK – Trondheim Kayak Club
TKK arranges trips and courses for those who would like to start kayaking on rivers
and in the sea. www.tkk.no
Trondheim Turmarsjforening – Trondheim Hikers’ Association
They arrange walks in Trondheim. www.trondheim-turmarsjforening.org
Prepared by Forum for natur og friluftsliv (FNF – Forum for Nature and Outdoor Recreation, www.fnf-nett.no) and
Sør-Trøndelag Felles Innvandrerråd (STFIR – Sør-Trøndelag Joint Immigrant Council, www.stfir.no) with funding from
Trondheim City (www.trondheim.kommune.no), Sør-Trøndelag fylkeskommune (STFK – Sør-Trøndelag County Authority,
www.stfk.no), Friluftslivets fellesorganisasjon (FRIFO – Joint Organization for Outdoor Activities, www.frifo.no) and
Trondheimsregionens Friluftsråd (intermunicipal council for outdoor activities in the region of Trondheim, www.friluftsrad.
no/trondheimsregionen).