🌼Flower boom: where and when to experience Arctic spring
In spring, the mountains of Norway turn into a giant garden full of flowers. In the mountains, there are lots of flowers, from alpine meadows to rocky areas and snowy slopes. This is wildflower season, when northern nature is at its most beautiful.
We have prepared a seasonal photo guide to Norway's three most beautiful national parks — Jotunheimen, Hardangervidda and Røndane. Find out when and where to see the rarest and most beautiful flowers, how to photograph them and how to look after the special plants of the northern latitudes.
Get your cameras ready and go out to enjoy the arrival of spring in the Arctic!
📅 Flowering calendar: May–July
Flowering times vary greatly depending on altitude and climate, but the main periods are as follows:
🌼 May (early spring)
- Hardangerfjord: primroses, wood anemones, snowdrops
- Rondane: mountain anemones, alpine anemones (white flowers).
- Jotunheimen: low-lying meadows with polar poppies and pasque flowers.
🌺 June (peak flowering)
- Hardangerfjord: polar willow glades, mountain heather, Arctic violets.
- Rondane: orchids (lady's slipper), cloudberries, meadow bellflowers.
- Jotunheimen: edelweiss, polar poppies, gentian.
🌸 July (peak of the Arctic summer)
- Hardangerfjord: Arctic poppy, alpine daisy, polar willow.
- Rondane: purple bellflowers, cloudberries (berries), mountain forget-me-nots.
- Jotunheimen: dense-flowered meadows, spring gentian, saxifrage.
📗 Botanical notes: rare plants for photo hunting
The most beautiful and rare flowers for your collection:
- Arctic poppy (Papaver radicatum)
- Jotunheimen and Hardangervidda (late June–July). Yellow and white petals, ideal for macro photography.
- Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)
- Jotunheimen (June). A symbol of alpine purity and romance, photograph it on rocky slopes.
- Lady's slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus)
- Rondane (June). A rare and protected orchid with a striking bright yellow flower.
- Spring gentian (Gentiana verna)
- Jotunheimen and Hardangervidda (May–June). A rich blue flower that looks stunning in macro photography.
- Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus)
- Rondane and Hardangervidda (June–July). White flowers in June, golden berries in July.
📸 Story spots: ideal locations for flower photography
🌿 Jotunheimen
- Leirvassbu Valley: fields of blooming polar poppies and gentians.
- Besseggen Trail: panoramic views with flowers in the foreground (gentians, saxifrage).
🌾 Hardangervidda
- Plateau near the Krækkja hut: Arctic poppies and willows against the backdrop of mountain lakes.
- Route to the Vøringsfossen waterfall: flowering meadows with orchids and bluebells.
🍃 Rjukan
- Lake Rondvatnet: shores with meadow flowers (forget-me-nots, bluebells).
- Trail to the Rondvassbu hut: the best places to photograph lady's slipper orchids and mountain forget-me-nots.
⚠️ Rules and ethics: how not to damage flowers
Follow these simple rules to preserve Norway's unique flora:
- Never pick flowers or dig up plants.
- Take macro shots carefully so as not to break the stems or damage the roots.
- Stay on the marked trails so as not to disturb the natural habitats of the plants.
- Do not use flash for macro photography — daylight is sufficient for beautiful photos.
Remember: fines of up to NOK 5,000 can be imposed for damaging rare plants in national parks.
Tips for macro photography of flowers
- Use lenses with a macro function or special macro lenses for smartphones.
- Choose soft daylight (the best time is early morning or evening).
- Shoot flowers from a low angle to emphasise their shape and details.
- Use a shallow depth of field (large aperture) to blur the background beautifully.
- Wait patiently for the perfect light — this is the key to a successful photo.
🎒 Checklist for a flower trip
- Camera or smartphone with macro lens
- GPS route tracks and map of the national park
- Lightweight tripod or mini tripod
- Reference book or app for identifying plants (e.g. PlantSnap)
- Thermos with tea and snacks for a long photo session
- Sun and insect protection
🌎 Where to stay nearby
- Hardangerfjord: Krækkja or Tuva cabins (DNT cabins).
- Jotunheimen: Gjendesheim or Leirvassbu cabins.
- Rondane: Rondvassbu or Smuksjøseter cabins.
🔔 Bottom line: your flower adventure awaits!
The best time to see the wild flowers in the national parks in Norway is in spring and early summer. Be careful and pay attention, don't forget your camera, and set off in search of the most beautiful and rare shots of nature.
I hope you have a great trip! Use the hashtags #wildflowersNorway and #springhikesNorway to share photos of the northern spring.
