Hardangervidda Traverse

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Hardangervidda Traverse: Finse to Haukeliseter Guide

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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Ranked #589 of 974

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HikeList Score

Hardangervidda Traverse scored 78/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 93
Balanced challenge 84
Scenery & wildness 66
Varied terrain 100
Accommodation 58
Food & support 65
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 76

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Hardangervidda Traverse is a ~122 km, 6-day, hard hut-to-hut crossing of the Hardangervidda plateau in central southern Norway. The classic DNT route runs point-to-point from Finse to Haukeliseter on waymarked mountain paths, with about 2,400 m of cumulative ascent. It suits fit, experienced hikers who can handle long remote days, exposed weather, boggy ground, river crossings and navigation across open, often featureless high plateau.

Route Overview

The standard traverse runs north to south from Finse, a road-free station on the Bergen Line, to Haukeliseter on the E134 at Haukelifjell. The DNT hut sequence is Finse/Brebua, Krækkja, Stigstuv, Sandhaug, Litlos, Hellevassbu and Haukeliseter. It can also be walked in reverse. Sandhaug sits in the middle of the vidde, while Litlos is deep on the roadless western plateau. Hårteigen is the main landmark on the western half; consider the separate Hårteigen Peak Trail if conditions and time allow. For other Norwegian planning, compare the plateau crossing with the Aurlandsdalen Valley Trail or Besseggen Ridge.

Hardangervidda history and reindeer country

Hardangervidda has been crossed between eastern and western Norway since the Stone Age, and old reindeer hunting traps and trapping pits are found across the plateau. The Norwegian Trekking Association, DNT, built and maintains the modern hut-and-path network used on this traverse. In 1942–43 the plateau’s remoteness made it the operating ground for the Norwegian heavy-water sabotage against Vemork at Rjukan. Hardangervidda National Park was established in 1981 and protects a major wild mountain reindeer range.

Notable highlights

Hårteigen (1,690 m): A flat-topped landmark mountain on the western plateau, historically used for bearings and visible from much of Hardangervidda. It is a popular side objective from the main route when weather and time allow.
Hardangerjøkulen glacier and Finse: The route starts at Finse, Norway’s highest railway station on the Bergen Line, below the Hardangerjøkulen glacier. The glacier provided the snowy backdrop for Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back.
Wild mountain reindeer: Hardangervidda holds Europe’s largest wild mountain reindeer herd, with roughly 7,000–10,000 animals in recent counts. Hikers should keep distance and avoid disturbing animals if encountered.
Vast plateau and DNT huts: The core experience is crossing open, roadless vidde between DNT huts such as Sandhaug and Litlos. The paths are natural rather than engineered, so the remoteness feels immediate.
Glacial lakes and river crossings: The route passes many snow- and glacier-fed lakes, streams and fordable rivers. Water levels can rise after rain or during early-season melt.

Challenges to expect

Expect long, exposed days on rough natural paths, with bog, rock, gravel, river crossings and possible lingering snowfields early in the season. The main difficulty is not technical climbing but weather, distance and navigation on open plateau where visibility can collapse quickly. DNT red “T” marks and cairns help, but map and compass or GPS are essential. Hut spacing means you still need to be self-sufficient between stops.

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Ranked #589 of 974

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