Hallingskarvet National Park

Popular Hiking Trails in Hallingskarvet

Hallingskarvet offers fantastic hiking opportunities both summer and winter. While you are free to explore the national park, we recommend sticking to the marked trails to make the most of your hike. The park does not have staffed or self-service cabins, but there are a few emergency cabins where you can stay if space is available. For additional accommodation options, you can find staffed cabins just outside the park boundaries.

The weather at Hallingskarvet can be unpredictable, so it's important to come well-prepared. We suggest bringing a map and compass for longer hikes, and always carrying a first aid kit. Be sure to inform someone of your route before heading out.

Summer Hiking Suggestions

Family-friendly hikes in Hallingskarvet National Park

Prestholtstien, also known as Prestholttrappa, was constructed by sherpas in 2013. This hike is approximately 3 km one way, featuring 2000 stone steps along part of the route. The sherpa steps have made it easier for visitors to reach the summit. At the top, around 1705 meters above sea level, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Hallingdal, Hardangervidda, and, on clear days, even Gaustatoppen. The hike up and down is suitable for most people, and you don't have to reach the summit; many opt to stop at Prestholtskaret at about 1600 meters.

Hallingskarvet panorama is a round-trip hike starting and ending at Prestholtseter. This trail is easy to walk and covers approximately 8.5 km of flat terrain. It's a wonderful hike through beautiful landscapes, with the majestic Hallingskarvet looming in the background the entire way.

Tvergastein, built as Northern Europe's highest private cabin at 1505 meters above sea level, is a longer yet manageable hike for most. If you start from Prestholtseter, the ascent is less steep compared to starting from Ustaoset. The round-trip hike from Prestholtseter is about 12 km.

Prestholtseter is a service cabin at the base of Hallingskarvet, located at 1242 meters above sea level and serves as the starting point for the hikes mentioned above. It's about a 25-minute drive from Geilo, and remember to bring cash or use Vipps for the toll road. The road is only open during summer. Prestholtseter is open throughout the summer, every weekend in the fall and winter, and during holidays. The café offers traditional food and homemade baked goods, and we highly recommend stopping by for a friendly chat and delicious meal.

More hiking suggestions in summer

Hiking Map of Hallingskarvet National Park

Ut.no provides a comprehensive interactive map that offers a clear overview of hiking areas, cabins, summer trails, and winter trails throughout Hallingskarvet.

Hiking map at ut.no

Experiences in Hallingskarvet National Park

Hallingskarvet has been a site of human exploration for nearly 8,000 years, with numerous cultural relics from ancient hunting and trapping, as well as traces of prehistoric and medieval use. Today, the park offers a wealth of exciting experiences.

Skarverennet is the third-largest cross-country skiing event in the world, first held in 1974. The 37 km course runs from Finse, across the high plateau, to Ustaoset. Each year, more than 12,000 enthusiastic skiers participate in late April, earning it the slogan "Spring's Most Beautiful Adventure!" The unique views, fascinating landscape, and vibrant atmosphere make this event truly special.

Lordemarsjen is a scenic hike through majestic terrain, taking you from Raggsteindalen over Folarskaret to Haugastøl Turistsenter. Organized annually in early August, this 21 km hike can also be done independently. The highest point is Lordehytta at 1,620 meters above sea level, reached after about 9 km. The entire trail is well-marked and follows a pleasant path.

Sherpatrapper at Prestholtseter leads you up to Prestholskaret. Built by sherpas in 2013, the staircase consists of 2,000 steps and makes the climb to the top more accessible.

Tvergastein and Skarvereiret were constructed by the renowned philosopher Arne Næss. Tvergastein, built in 1937 at the base of the steep cliffs, served as his retreat, while Skarvereiret, built on the summit of Hallingskarvet, was designed as a climbing hut.

Winter at Hallingskarvet is a breathtaking sight on clear days, with a snow-covered landscape stretching as far as the eye can see, dominated by the imposing mountain. There are groomed ski tracks on both sides of the mountain, and it's possible to ski, snowshoe, or break your own trail on mountain skis. Prestholtseter, located right at the base of the mountain, offers dining and accommodation year-round.

Fishing in Hallingskarvet

Some of the lakes on the southern side of Hallingskarvet are managed by the Geilo Hunter and Fishermen's Association (GJFF), while most of the lakes on the northern side fall under the Østre Hol Hunter and Fishermen's Association. You can purchase fishing permits for Geilo JFF at the Tourist Information Office and sports shops in Geilo town center, as well as at most tourist cabins. There are also private lakes where permits are often available at the nearest tourist cabin or on inatur.no. Permits for Østre Hol JFF can be bought at Kiwi in Hagafoss and Coop in Hovet. More about fishing in Geilo

Hallingskarvet: A Mountain of Character

The Hallingskarvet massif majestically dominates the surrounding plateaus, with steep cliffs on both the north and south sides, and Folarskardnuten towering at its peak. The terrain flattens out to the east and west, while the northern side is marked by several glaciers formed from valley glaciers. The distinctive cliff edge, which has given the mountain its name - “Skarv,” meaning bare mountain - lies between the challenging high plateau and the lush areas surrounding it.

The towering cliffs and dramatic landscape of Hallingskarvet appear almost impregnable. Erosion has left behind a solid remnant of the hard gneiss that defines the mountain. This geological formation is the result of processes that have occurred over 1.5 billion years.

At 1933 meters above sea level, Folarskardnuten is the highest point on Hallingskarvet and in the entire Buskerud county. Not far away are Hardangerjøkulen and Hårteigen, and together with Hallingskarvet, they represent the last remnants of a thrust sheet that once covered the entire Hardangervidda. The steep southern and northern faces are the exposed sides of this thrust sheet. Flakavatnet, on the west side of Folarskardnuten, is Norway’s highest lake, located 1453 meters above sea level. Hallingskarvet also features several high peaks, including Storeskuta (1870 masl.) and Prestholtskarvet (1859 masl.).

Flora and Fauna in Hallingskarvet National Park

The plateau of Hallingskarvet is covered with stones and jagged rock blocks, creating a harsh environment where only hardy vegetation like the alpine buttercup can thrive. Lower down the mountain, the climate is milder and the soil richer, supporting a diverse mountain flora including snowbell, mountain veronica, and alpine cow-wheat. The slopes leading up to the plateau are rich in phyllite and lime, contributing to the particularly lush alpine vegetation.

Hallingskarvet National Park is one of the few places in Southern Norway where you can still find the elusive arctic fox. The steep cliffs provide ideal nesting sites for several bird species, including the peregrine falcon and golden eagle. The grazing areas to the north and south of Hallingskarvet are perfect for reindeer, which roam here throughout the year. In Ulvik municipality, there is a habitat protection area established to safeguard an important migration corridor for wild reindeer and to connect their habitats in Nordfjella and Hardangervidda.

Accommodation Near Hallingskarvet National Park

Haugastøl is a family-run hotel offering modern apartments, breakfast, and dinner service, as well as a café, bike shop, and bike rentals. The hotel also features conference and meeting rooms. Located at the foot of both Hardangervidda National Park and Hallingskarvet National Park, Haugastøl serves as an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area.

Storestølen Fjellhotell sits at 1013 meters above sea level in the heart of Skarvheimen, along Road 50 between Hol and Aurland. Adjacent to Hallingskarvet National Park, the hotel emphasizes locally sourced food and provides excellent outdoor experiences that cater to the well-being of guests.

Geilo, located at the base of Hallingskarvet, is just a 20-minute drive from the national park. Access to Prestholt, Vestreim, and Raggsteindalen is via private roads that require toll fees. These roads are not plowed in winter and are typically open for driving from early July.

History and Cultural Heritage of Hallingskarvet

Hallingskarvet National Park is rich in cultural heritage, with several historical sites including hunting and trapping facilities dating back to 6000 BC. The park also holds traces of prehistoric and medieval activities. In more recent history, drovers frequently bought horses and cattle in the western valleys and drove them across the national park to sell them in Eastern Norway. Along these routes, simple shelters, known as felæger, were constructed, and remnants of these can still be seen today.

On the southern side of Hallingskarvet, goats graze during the summer months, providing milk for the award-winning Prestholt Geitost. If you want to purchase this distinctive brown goat cheese or other local cheeses, a visit to Ostebygda in Hol is recommended. You can also find these cheeses in local stores such as Matkrok'n and Spar Geilo.

Lords and Philosophers at Hallingskarvet

Hallingskarvet has inspired both Irish lords and Norwegian philosophers. The Irish lord John Garvagh, renowned for his passion for reindeer hunting, spent considerable time at Hallingskarvet. In 1880, he enlisted the help of Lars Lein to build a stone hut in Folarskardet, at an altitude of 1620 meters. This stone hut, now known as Lordehytta, is accessible only by foot, with a hike taking approximately 3.5 hours from either Haugastøl or Raggsteindalen. Garvagh and Lein developed a close friendship, and Lein, a skilled hunter and trapper, taught Lord Garvagh the art of reindeer trapping. Following the restoration of Lordehytta, it is now available for public use.

The Norwegian philosopher and mountaineer Arne Næss was also a frequent visitor to Hallingskarvet. Fascinated by the mountains from the age of 10, he fulfilled his dream of living near Hallingskarvet at 25. In 1937, he built "Tvergastein" under the cliff, a retreat for contemplation and philosophical reflection. Næss was a pioneer in Norwegian mountaineering, introducing bolt climbing, which significantly improved climbing techniques and safety for free climbers in Norway. He also constructed a climbing cabin at the top of Hallingskarvet, known as Skarvereiret. Arne Næss is considered one of Norway's most influential philosophers, and his contributions to both philosophy and climbing are still celebrated today.