One of the most beautiful countries in the world is also among the least densely populated: just over five million people in a land area of 385,207 square kilometers (95 million acres). This means that a vast part of the country is composed of beautiful natural resources that a great number of people can marvel at.
Norway, though, is very protective of its natural resources. It has over 40 national parks. Almost all motorized vehicles are not allowed in any of the parks to maintain natural growth and to bar pollutants. But everyone is free to roam the natural Norwegian environment.
The protected areas in Norway cover around 12% of its total land area. Eventually, the government wants to increase the protected natural resources of the country to 15%. Among the most popular natural characteristic of Norway is the fjord. Its largest fjord, the Sognefjorden, is also the third-largest in the world. It is the longest ice-free fjord in the world stretching over 200 kilometers.
Here are the top 10 unexplored national parks in Norway and their wonderful spots:
1. Anderdalen National Park
Located on the island of Senja in the county of Troms, the park was established as early as 1970 but was expanded in 2004. This is Norway’s oldest park. Its establishment was aimed at protecting the Northern Norwegian coastal landscape, which has some thriving primeval forest with some trees as old as 600 years old. As far as the bedrock is concerned, it has some hard granite rocks.
One of the common residents of the park is the moose. But there was a time when there was no moose in the park until 1940. The floodplains also have some grazing areas for reindeer. Other animals in various habitats of the park are the hares, red foxes, shrews, and stoats. The park’s fjord is home to some seals while the rivers are home to otters. Lake Andervath is also home to chars, salmons, and trout.
There are various trails in the park for hiking. Every hiking trail is expected to be breathtaking because of the vast greenery peppered with some trees. For the marshy and wet parts of the park, there are footpaths to follow. Camping is another popular activity because tourists should stay a night or two in such a beautiful place.
2. Blafjella-Skjӕkerfjella National Park
The third-largest national park in mainland Norway is located in Trondelag county. It is also considered one of the last authentic wilderness areas. It is home to some mountain plains, forested valleys, lakes, and marshes. Among the mountains, the highest peak is that of the Midtliklumpen with an elevation of 1,333 meters.
The area was inhabited by the Sami people, the indigenous people of Sweden and Norway, for many centuries. Some remnants of their culture can still be felt in the park and several monuments have been erected in the protected area to honor those distinctive cultural variations. The park is also packed with Sami gathering and sacred places, as well as burial sites.
One of the more unique activities in the park is hunting. The more common targets are the rock ptarmigans, as well as some smaller games. Fishing is also another popular activity in the park, which houses a few lakes that are rich in char and brown trout. The park also documented some 28 species of mammals, among them, are different species of deer, Arctic foxes, brown bears, gray wolves, lynxes, and wolverines.
It was also here that spruce trees were reportedly introduced to Norway. The valley is also home to the old-growth forest and some thriving alpine plants.
3. Dovre National Park
In between the mountain ranges of Dovrefjell and Rondane stands Dovre National Park, comprising of plateaus and hiker-friendly peaks that reach as high as 1,700 meters. Most of the peaks contain arctic features with remains of the permafrost. Thriving vegetation in the mountains is usually alpine plants, including some rare species.
A mountainous range is great for hiking opportunities, but this park elevates that with the Pilgrim Trail. This specific trail stretches from Oslo to Trondheim and passes through the park. The stretch in the park covers some of the most picturesque vistas in Norway. This path is believed to be the same one followed by the first king of Norway, Harald Fairhair. Imagine following the legend’s route while also enjoying the great Norwegian views.
Birdlife is abundant in the park and they live in various habitats. Reindeer are also commonly spotted in the park.
4. Folgefonna National Park
Named after its location, which is the Folgefonna Peninsula, the park was opened in 2005. The name also refers to the collective term for the three glaciers in the park: Midtre Folgefonna, Nordre Folgefonna, and Sondre Folgefonna. This represents the third largest ice cap in Norway. Its highest point reaches 1,662 meters. Aside from the three glaciers, the park is also home to the picturesque Bondhusbreen, an offshoot glacier of the Folgefonna. Lake Bondhus also provides a great foreground for the glacier.
With sparse vegetation, there aren’t a lot of animals thriving at the glaciers, but the ptarmigans sure do love to live there. Other birds in other habitats of the park include golden eagles and meadow pipits. Red deer is also abundant in the park.
5. Fulufjellet National Park
Located in the county of Hedmark, this park is named after the large plateau mountain that traverses Norway and Sweden. The Swedish park was established in 2002. The bedrock of the park is Precambrian sandstone, which has a reddish color. It is known to be rich in quartz. The mountain plateaus are characterized by differences in elevation ranging from peaks of 520 meters to 1,047 meters of the Slottet Mountain.
The bodies of water in the park are just as beautiful as the plateaus. The largest rivers are the Bergaa and Gira while among the more popular waterfalls are the Bratafalla and Bergaa. Vegetation includes primeval forest in the Brattfjellets side, which has some trees that are over 350 years old.
The most common animals in the park are the elk and hares. But it is also a significant area for thriving bears. It is significant because it is one of the places in the entire country where the bear population is becoming abundant with the possibility of reaching other places.
Like most parks in Norway, anything with an engine is not allowed in the park. But people can walk, bike or bring their skis. They can also camp in the park.
6. Jostedalsbreen National Park
Named after the largest glacier in the European mainland, the park was established in 1991. The area was expanded in 1998, it is now 1,310 square kilometers (323,708 acres). More than half of the park, about 800 square kilometers (197,684 acres), is glaciers.
With the mountainous landscape of the park, it is great for some serious mountain climbing. It’s not for the faint of heart, though, as the park’s highest peak is at 2,083 meters. The highest point of the glacier is called Brenibba, which has an elevation of 2,018 meters. The glacier has been shrinking and if global warming continues at its pace, it will become even smaller at a much faster pace. This is why part of a person’s visit to this park involves education about climate change. The visitor centers in the park will have resources about climate change and tourists will learn more about how they can help the environment.
One of the favorite nature activities in this park is the glacier walk. This is a unique guided walking tour. But visitors have to make sure they are in good physical condition to do the strenuous walk. Under the glacier is another magical tourist attraction known as the blue ice cave. Another unique thing about the park is the various terrains one will experience in the entire area. Tourists can see the fjords that flank the park: the Sognefjorden and Nordfjord, cascading waterfalls, creeks, and some farmlands.
7. Lofotodden National Park
Norway’s youngest park is locally referred to as “yttersia,” which means the outer side. This park represents among the most rugged and wild parts of Norway. The park was established in 2018 but opened only in June 2019.
While still a very young park, Lofotodden is still largely unexplored. All the hiking trails in the park go through the best parts of Lofotodden. The Bunes Beach, Horseid Beach, and Kvalvika Beach hike all go through the park. The same goes for the following mountain hikes: Andstabben, Branntuva, Fuglhuken, Helvetestind, Markan, Rouen, and Ryten.
Bunes Beach is one of the most beautiful spots in the park—picturesque and isolated. It is also a great area for camping and for watching sunrises and sunsets. Horseid is the least visited beach among the three in Lofotodden. Kvalvika has some high cliffs, golden sand, and turquoise waters. The mountains in the park also have some stunning views.
8. Raet National Park
Mostly a marine protected area with some islands and coastal areas, this park is located in the county of Aust-Agder. It is also among the youngest parks in Norway, established in 2016. It is named after the long moraine formed because of a glacier that retreated some 12,000 years ago. This prompted boulders, clay, gravel, and pebbles deposited in the region over the years.
One of the islands covered by park territory is the Jerkholmen, which is mostly the moraine landscape. There is also Maen, which is a small pebble island. There are many shipwrecks in this area, which make it attractive for divers. Swimming is also a favorite in the park with its various beaches. Canoeing is another exciting activity adventurers would love to engage in. But for those who just want to watch beautiful sceneries without making an effort, the park also has some boat trips for that. Of course, inland, tourists can also bike around the park.
9. Reisa National Park
While the park was named after the magnificent Reisa River, it is the Mollisfossen Waterfall. Various publications have considered this among the most beautiful waterfalls in the world and probably the most stunning in Norway. The waterfall is about 269 meters high. It has a wonderful cascade along with rocky natural structures and gorges. The waterfall plunges into the Reisa Valley.
The serious trekkers could go up the waterfall for a staggering eight-hour climb. The view from the top of the waterfall is even more gorgeous, watching the water loudly cascade down. The Reisa River is also great for paddling. It allows tourists to paddle with a moving scenic view of the park, which is surrounded by lush forest.
Among the animals one may spot in the park are Arctic foxes, brown bears, lynxes, and wolverines—it’s going to be rare, though, especially since the park is quite large. Among the birds are the golden eagle, gyrfalcon, kestrel and rough-legged buzzard.
10. Skarvan and Roltdalen National Park
Ice and forests, mountains and valley—these are the things that people expect at this park in Trondelag county. Part of the park is named after the Skarvan Mountains and the Roltdalen Valley, a collision of two different landforms providing a majestic sight. This is also one of the most untouched areas in Norway, which provides tourists a perfect opportunity to experience virginal nature.
The centerpiece in the Skarvan area is the huge massif with a peak of 1,171 meters. On the part of the Roltdalen, it has spruce forests and valuable woodlands. There is also a primeval forest in the area with trees that are over 200 years old. The park also has some wetlands abundant in bogs and mires. The areas are popular among aquatic birds with some 20 threatened species spotted in the park.
The nearby areas are not exactly affected by major developments and the park. There are various trails in the park for hiking. It is also a great place for hunting and fishing—of course, visitors need to check regulations about these activities before they partake. Roltdalen also contains some cultural monuments especially those involving the Sami people. The cultural sites include old settlements and gathering spots for reindeer.