Midway between Hardangervidda and Jotunheimen lies Skarvheimen. A great hiking area where you will find both short and long walks, across the plateau and down into deep valleys. The area is easily accessible by public transport, has a number of DNT cabins and a well-developed trail network.
Published: March 04, 2025
Inspiration
Tailwind - The mountain road to the Aurlandsdalen valley
Here, Eastern Norway and Vestland meet in a beautiful mountain area. The Aurlandsdalen valley can take your breath away, with the extreme wildness of the river digging its way through the landscape, and the fantastic view out towards the fjord far below.
Four-day tour of Skarvheimen
Length: 72 km Duration: 4 days Grading: Medium Starter: Storestølen Finishing: The Geiterygg tunnel
This trip goes through large parts of the beautiful mountain area of Skarvheimen, passing 4 serviced mountain cabins and in great high mountain terrain. Skarvheimen is the mountain area between Jotunheimen in the north and Hardangervidda in the south, and is a perfect mix of these mountain areas.
Long trip through the whole of Skarvheimen
Length: 70.4 km Duration: 5 days Grading: Demanding Start: Skarvheim Finishing: Finsehytta
This trip takes you through the entire Skarvheimen National Park, through Hallingskarvet National Park and via a number of fantastic natural gems.
This is stage three, out of four on the long-haul route MASSIV. Skarvheimen is the mountain area that contains a little bit of all mountain areas; Nice peaks and mountain ridges, deep valleys, great variations in landscape, lovely waters, rich wildlife, clear trails and many great serviced and self-service cabins.
Weekend trip from Iungsdalshytta to Finsehytta
Length: 42.3 km Duration: 3 days. Grading: Medium Start: Iungsdalshytta Finishing: Finsehytta
Classic tour in Skarvheimen that goes by all the serviced DNT cabins in Skarvheimen.
This trip takes you through large parts of Skavheimen National Park. You get to experience all the good bare mountains and plateaus to lush and deep valleys.
Hemsedal is more than what happens on the ski slopes and in the nightclubs. Here you will also find the small, charming, and very little-visited DNT cabin, Kljåen. Why not take a three-day trip with the possibility of public transport and return.
How to calculate the time
Standard pace: 3.5 km/h (adult carrying a 10 kg backpack)
Steep climbs: 15 min per 100m
Steep descents: 30 min per 400m
Breaks: 1 hour per 5 hours
Children <10: Double the time
Children 10-14: Add 50%
Example: 10 km route with 500m elevation gain
Distance: 10 km ÷ 3.5 = 2.9 hours
Climb: 500m ÷ 100 × 15 min = 75 min (1.25 hours)
Total hiking: 4.15 hours
With breaks: ~5.5 hours
Packing list for mountain hikes in the summer
Are you wondering what to take with you on a summer trip in the mountains? DNT's recommended packing list gives you an overview.
