Hiking in Nordland – 7 long-distance trails and mountain tours from Saltfjellet to Lofoten

Nordland is one of Norway's longest counties. It stretches from Helgeland in the south, over Saltfjellet and Svartisen, through Ofoten and to Lofoten and Narvik in the north. Trøndelag is located south of the county and Troms is north of it. The distances are great, the weather changes quickly and the transport between can require more planning than the hike itself.

The Arctic Circle crosses Nordland. Midnight sun, short nights and later periods of darkness affect the season, but they do not solve the problems of fog, wind or low temperatures. Much land is state-owned or managed by Statskog, but protected areas, reindeer grazing land and private land have their own rules of consideration.

Here are seven hiking destinations with different requirements. The main number is the Nordland Route , but the list also ranges from long trails to independent wilderness and demanding Lofoten peaks.

1. Nordland Route – 650 kilometers through the border mountains

The Nordland Route, or Vuona gájnno , is a marked long-distance trail of approximately 650 kilometers from Hattfjelldal in the south to Narvik and Bjørnfjell in the north. It is divided into 43 stages and eight sections , passing through three national parks, the Laponia World Heritage Site and several nature reserves. The route is operated with the support of, among others, Statskog and DNT.

It is not a route that has to be done in one go. You can choose a stage between DNT cabins, plan a section or build a longer trip with tents and food for several days. DNT's stage descriptions for the Nordlandsruta should be the starting point, and stage descriptions, maps and GPX files are available from DNT and at UT.no.

A concrete part is the section over Saltfjellet , about 54 kilometers from Bolna to Lønsdal, normally divided into three stages. Another is the section along Okstindan , about 49 kilometers. Here the surface alternates between path, bog, banks, rocks and boulder terrain. Water is often found, but not always where you need it. Mosquitoes and gnats are noticeable on calm summer days.

The difficulty level varies between the stages. It is mainly a trip for experienced mountain hikers as help can be far away and mobile networks are missing in parts. Leave a travel plan, check reindeer calving, water levels and current trail status. Allow for spare days for weather and transport.

2. Telegraph Route – historical route over Saltfjellet

The Telegraph Route runs approximately 61 kilometers between Bjøllånes in Rana and Russånes in Saltdal through Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park. It follows the old telegraph line from the 1860s and was opened as a historic hiking trail in 2015 in collaboration with DNT and the Swedish Agency for Cultural Heritage.

The normal planning is four stages:

1. Bjøllånes–Krukkistua: approximately 24 kilometers
2. Krukkistua–Midtistua: about 11 kilometers
3. Midtistua–Bjøllåvasstua: approximately 11 kilometers
4. Bjøllåvasstua–Russånes: approximately 17 kilometers

UT.no's route description gives a total elevation profile for the trail. Krukkistua, Midtistua and Bjøllåvasstua offer the possibility of cabin-to-cabin planning, but always check the current season, trail status and status before setting off.

The first stage is long. It goes from forest land via the Arctic Circle and up towards Bjøllådalen. After that, the terrain becomes more open and drier, with mountain lakes, old telegraph monuments and easier mountain terrain. The surface is mainly path, bog and stone. Spans can be slippery when wet.

Telegrafruta is easier to follow than many other tours in Nordland, but weather changes can still make orientation slow. Take a map, compass and offline map. Public transport is limited; plan connections to the start and finish separately.

3. Rago National Park – independent wilderness

Rago is located close to the Swedish border and is one of Norway's smallest national parks. It is also a pronounced wilderness area with limited development. There are marked trails, suspension bridges over the larger rivers and stiles over wet areas, but no official DNT-arranged tour plan to take care of the logistics for you.

A concrete tour is the round trip from Lakshol via Storskogvatnet , often planned to be around 23 kilometers. Extensions towards Litlverivatnet and the waterfalls provide a more demanding tour. The terrain is hilly, rocky and often wet. The elevation changes come in short, steep sections rather than as a smooth climb.

Rago is suitable for experienced hikers who can handle themselves. There are no regular cabins to base the entire hike around and the mobile network is unreliable. Carry food, first aid, extra warmth and navigation equipment. Check water levels, bridge status and weather with Rago National Park , Norway's national parks and Midtre Nordland National Park Authority .

Camp on durable ground, not in sensitive vegetation. Use existing trails and do not build new cairns.

4. Oksskolten – Nordland and Northern Norway's highest mountain

Oksskolten is officially 1,916 meters above sea level and is located in Okstindan in Hemnes municipality. It is the highest mountain in Nordland and Northern Norway, but the summit is not an easy scenic hike.

A typical tour starts from the area around Kjennsvatnet and Kjensvasshytta. The guided version goes near Austre Okstindbreen, over glacial terrain and further up a steep ridge. Expect a long full day with large elevation changes, often eight to twelve hours depending on the route and conditions.

Oksstindbreen and the other glaciers require a guide, a rope team and the right glacier equipment. Crevasses, blue ice, boulder terrain and rapidly changing visibility mean that experience in glacier travel is necessary. Those who want to avoid the glacier can use a longer alternative route, but this also requires mountain experience and good orientation.

Suitable season is normally summer and early autumn, when snow and ice conditions allow. Check guide, weather, glacier status and road conditions before departure. Current route information and guide booking should be checked with local operators and on UT.no.

5. Reinebringen – short height, long load

Reinebringen is 484 meters above sea level and has Sherpa stairs maintained by the municipality and local actors. The limited height says little about the difficulty. The tour is steep, very popular and physically demanding.

Here the challenge is less about the long stretch and more about persistent stairs, slippery steps, crowds and exposure. There is no official tour guide organization connected to the mountain. Wear sturdy shoes, keep your distance from the edge and turn around if weather or queues make the trip unsafe.

Reinebringen is practically a summer destination. The trip is strongly discouraged in winter due to avalanche danger, ice and difficult conditions. Check the trail status via Visit Lofoten's information about Reinebringen and local authorities. Winter-closed stairs must be respected.

Transportation goes to the Reine area, but parking and walkways are heavily congested during peak season. Plan with accommodation, fishermen's cabins and private land in mind.

6. Festvågtind – separate the peak from Heiavatnet

Festvågtind near Henningsvær is a demanding summit hike for people with mountain experience. The path is steep, rocky and exposed in some parts. The terrain and visibility can change quickly when clouds move in from the sea.

There is an important difference between walking towards Heiavatnet and continuing towards the summit. Heiavatnet is the easier option and can be a good destination for a shorter day in the mountains. The summit, on the other hand, requires more sure-footedness, better weather conditions and experience with steep terrain. You should not continue just because you have already spent time on the trail.

Commercial guided tours are offered during the summer season. Check current trail status, weather and guide options locally. In winter, ice, snow and avalanche risk increase. Without avalanche knowledge and the right equipment, it is better to choose a low and coastal tour.

7. Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park – mountains, valleys and glaciers

Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park encompasses mountains, valleys and parts of Svartisen. The Telegrafruta is the most concretely marked multi-day hike through the area, while trails towards Svartisen and Svartisleden provide the opportunity to experience the glacial landscape as a day trip.

A glacier front is not a safe place to walk. Ice can calve, rivers can rise and crevasses can be hidden. Glacier hiking should be done with a guide and the right equipment. On your own, you should keep your distance from the glacier and follow the park's regulations. UT.no is a planning tool, not a permit to go anywhere or organize an activity.

The park has special rules for motorized traffic, organized activities, burning and traveling near sensitive natural environments. Read current information at the National Park Board for Saltfjellet–Svartisen , Norway's national parks and UT.no.

Public access in Nordland

Norway's right of access to the public is based on the distinction between outland and inland . Outland is mainly forest, mountains and other uncultivated land. Inland includes farmyards, fields, gardens and land near homes.

In the open countryside you may camp for a maximum of two days in the same place and at least 150 meters from inhabited houses and cabins. Camping in the countryside, near buildings and in special tent areas requires a permit or follows local regulations. In Lofoten there is a lot of private land, fishing villages, fishermen's cabins and buildings near the shore. There, more distance and consideration is required than in the large border mountains.

There is a fire ban in or near forests and other open land from April 15 to September 15. Local bans may be stricter. Check fire bans on the same day. A closed fire pit is safer than an open fire, but even that should be used responsibly.

Dogs should normally be on a leash from 1 April to 20 August . Municipalities can extend the period. Motorised traffic in open areas is not included in the right of way. You must also comply with the right of way : show consideration, leave no litter, do not damage nature and do not disturb people, animals or reindeer.

Nordland has large, continuous mountain and forest areas, often state-owned or managed by Statskog. This provides good camping opportunities in the open, but national parks, nature reserves and wild reindeer areas have their own regulations. This differs from Denmark, where access to free camping is more limited, and from Swedish and Finnish public right, which has other rules for, for example, lighting fires, dogs and overnight stays. Read DNT's summary of public right before your trip.

Equipment for long distances and cold nights

Long-distance trails without cabins require a wind-resistant tent , a backpack that can carry several days' worth of food, and a warm enough sleeping pad . Cold ground and wet nights affect recovery more than a few hundred grams of extra pack weight. For cabin-to-cabin, you can reduce the tent, kitchen, and food, but still need rainwear, reinforcements, and navigation equipment.

Choose a backpack by load, not by desired volume. For the sleeping system, there are sleeping bags and quilts. Also read HikingStore's guide to down in sleeping bags , especially about CUIN, fill weight and the difference between high loft and actual warmth. A light sleeping bag is not enough if the fill weight is too low for the night's temperature.

Always bring a map, compass, GPS or phone with offline maps, a headlamp, power bank, first aid kit and extra food. Expect mosquitoes, gnats, slippery rocks, mud, rocky terrain and fog. The best equipment is the one that works when the weather changes and you are already tired.

The next county in the series is Troms .