🔄 10 circular routes for 2–4 days: create your own ‘fjord-to-summit’ experience

What could be better than a short but exciting trip through the most beautiful parts of Norway? With a light backpack, you can enjoy amazing views of mountains, lakes and fjords on a route that is so convenient it will take you right back to where you started.

We have selected 10 circular routes through Norway's national parks that are perfect for an active weekend. There are routes that last between two and four days, and they are divided by region. You will find all the necessary information, such as maps, places to stay overnight and transport.

Pick your perfect route, from the top to the bottom, and get ready for an adventure this weekend!

🧭 Southern Norway

✅ 1. Lysefjord and Preikestolen (2 days, moderate difficulty)

Start/finish: Forsand village

Day 1: From Forsand to Preikestolen (8 km, +500 m). View of the famous sheer cliff above Lysefjord.

Day 2: Return along a scenic trail through mountain lakes and forests.

Tip: There is a regular bus and ferry service from Stavanger; buy tickets online.

✅ 2. Hardangerfjord and Trolltunga (3 days, medium/high difficulty)

Start/finish: Skjeggedal

Day 1: Ascent to Ringedalsvatnet lake, overnight in a tent by the water. Day 2: Trolltunga (the famous ‘troll's tongue’) and the route around the mountain.

Day 3: Return via a beautiful mountain pass.

Tip: Take enough food with you, as there are no shops along the route.

✅ 3. Gaustavatn and Gaustatoppen area (2 days, easy difficulty)

Start/finish: Rjukan village

Day 1: From Rjukan along a picturesque trail to the foot of Gaustatoppen, overnight stay at Lake Gaustavatn. Day 2: Climb to the summit of Gaustatoppen (1,883 m), enjoy panoramic views of southern Norway, and return.

Tip: An excellent route for beginner hikers and families with children.

🧭 Central Norway

✅ 4. Jotunheimen: Besseggen + Gjende Lake (3 days, moderate difficulty)

Start/finish: Gjendesheim

Day 1: Gjendesheim – Memurubu (by boat), then along the Besseggen ridge back to Gjende Lake.

Day 2: Circular track to Lake Russvatnet with an overnight stay in a hut.

Day 3: Return along the shore of Lake Gjende back to Gjendesheim.

Tip: Book the boat in advance online, as the route is very popular.

✅ 5. Rondane: Ring around Rondvatnet (2 days, easy)

Start/finish: Spranget

Day 1: From Spranget to the Rondvassbu hut, walk around Lake Rondvatnet.

Day 2: Return through wooded hills and valleys to Spranget.

Tip: A wonderful route for a family hike, the Rondvassbu hut provides hot meals and cosy accommodation.

✅ 6. Dovrefjell: circular route through Snøhetta (3 days, moderate difficulty)

Start/finish: Hjerkinn

Day 1: Hjerkinn – Reinheim hut, across a plateau with views of musk oxen. Day 2: Ascent of Snøhetta (2,286 m), overnight stay at Snøheim hut.

Day 3: Return to Hjerkinn via panoramic mountain plateaus.

Tip: An excellent route for observing wild sheep and wildlife.

🧭 Northern Norway

✅ 7. Lofoten: Ryenebringen and Lake Agvatnet (2 days, moderate difficulty)

Start/finish: the village of Reine

Day 1: Climb to Ryenebringen (panoramic views of the fjords), overnight stay at Lake Agvatnet. Day 2: Descent back through picturesque villages and along the coast.

Tip: The views of the Lofoten Islands are some of the best in Norway, so bring your camera!

✅ 8. Senja: Ånderdalen National Park (3 days, easy/moderate difficulty)

Start/finish: Ånderdalen car park

Day 1: Trail along the coast and lakes of the national park, overnight stay by a mountain lake.

Day 2: Circular route through picturesque peaks and forests.

Day 3: Return via quiet forest trails back to the starting point.

Tip: The route is ideal for solitude and bird watching.

✅ 9. Ljung Alps: from fjord to glaciers (3 days, medium/high difficulty)

Start/finish: Lyngseidet village

Day 1: Ascent from the fjord to the mountains, overnight stay at a campsite.

Day 2: Route through a glacial plateau, panoramic views of fjords and peaks.

Day 3: Descent to Lyngseidet village along a picturesque trail.

Tip: For experienced hikers, there may be steep ascents and descents.

✅ 10. Senja Island: route through Husfjellet and along the coast (2 days, easy/moderate difficulty)

Start/finish: Skaland village

Day 1: Climb to the top of Husfjellet, overnight stay by the coast.

Day 2: Descent back through picturesque coastal trails and bays.

Tip: An excellent route for photography, the views of the Senja coast are incredible.

📊 Route difficulty table

📝 Logistics tips

• Use buses and boats to access routes, book tickets in advance online on the carriers' websites (vy.no, nor-way.no).
• Check ferry schedules at fjord1.no and tromskortet.no.

Choose one of these circular routes and set off on an unforgettable journey through the best national park hikes in Norway. Enjoy being able to move around, see beautiful views and relax in nature for 2–4 days!

Make your weekend an unforgettable adventure in the middle of Norway!