About Hardangervidda
National Park
On Hardangervidda you will find sweeping plateaux, glistening lakes and a rich diversity of wildlife and plants. As Northern Europe's largest mountain plateau, the national park is a vital habitat for wild reindeer, offering unforgettable natural experiences throughout the year.
Northern Europe's largest mountain plateau
Hardangervidda National Park was established in 1981 and covers 3,422 km² across three counties: Vestland, Vestfold og Telemark, and Viken. The park is the largest contiguous mountain plateau in Northern Europe, with an average elevation of around 1,100 metres above sea level.
The plateau is characterised by an open and expansive landscape shaped by ice and water over millions of years. It contains more than 7,000 lakes, countless rivers and streams, and varied vegetation ranging from mountain birch forest at lower altitudes to bare mountain and snowfields at higher elevations. Norway's 6th largest glacier, Hardangerjøkulen, also lies on Hardangervidda.
Europe's largest wild reindeer herd
Hardangervidda is home to the largest wild reindeer herd in Europe, with around 4,500 animals. The wild reindeer is an important umbrella species in the national park, migrating across the plateau throughout the year in search of food and favourable grazing conditions.
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Geology and landscape
The bedrock of Hardangervidda consists of ancient Precambrian granite and gneiss — over one billion years old. The last ice age shaped the characteristic plateau landscape, and when the ice melted around 10,000 years ago, plants and animals began to colonise the area.
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Facts about the national park
Contact us
Visitor Centre Hardangervidda national park
E: post@hardangervidda.com
T: +47 970 74 300
Møsvannveien 1149, 3660 Rjukan
We are a certified Eco-Lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn).
See our latest environmental report →