Tinnhølen parking lot

Welcome to Hardangervidda National Park! Hardangervidda is Northern Europe's largest high mountain plateau and varies between steep mountains in Hardanger to gentle, expansive landscapes in the east. Hardangervidda appears as a massive and endless landscape consisting of untouched nature. Approximately half of the plateau is protected as a national park. More than half of the national park is private land that has been utilized for hunting, fishing, summer farming, and grazing for countless generations. Here, there are several thousand-year-old traces of wild reindeer hunting. Many farms, especially in Hardanger, had summer farms several days' march into the plateau. Old summer farms and stone cabins adorn the landscape and hold significant cultural and historical value. A vast network of trails and ski tracks makes Hardangervidda accessible to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The trail and track network connects a number of serviced and unserviced tourist cabins. July-August is the best time for hiking at Hardangervidda. The western part offers spectacular scenery with high mountains, deep valleys, and beautiful waterfalls. The eastern part invites to hiking in open and gentler landscapes. Many lakes and rivers make the area a paradise for sports fishing. Hardangervidda has plant and animal life associated with the high mountains. Europe's largest wild reindeer population lives here, surviving by freely roaming the plateaus in search of food. The wild reindeer avoid humans, so keep your distance. Humans have been hunting reindeer for over 50,000 years, so fear of humans is ingrained in their genes. Arctic foxes have been reintroduced in recent years and appear to have reestablished themselves at Hardangervidda. The plateau has many shallow lakes and marshes with large numbers of wetland birds. Birds of prey like the hunting falcon, merlin, and rough-legged buzzard soar in harmony with the populations of prey animals. Traveling on Tinnhølvegen road is allowed, but please read the text below for more information. You are welcome to use the Hardangervidda National Park on foot or by bike on Tinnhølvegen road and on approved tractor trails. All motorized travel in the national park (inside the gate) is illegal without authorization or dispensation from the Act on Motor Traffic and the Protection Regulation for Hardangervidda National Park. In the national park, e-bikes are considered motor vehicles and are not allowed to be used. Eidfjord Mountain Board administers hunting and fishing in the state common land. The use of motorboats on lake Tinnhølen is only permitted in connection with net fishing and transportation related to wild reindeer hunting. Hardangervidda is known for its many fish-rich lakes and watercourses with fine mountain trout. There are many marked trails and several serviced and self-serviced tourist cabins. The wild reindeer requires vast areas, and it’s important to consider the reindeer's need for peace. To avoid disturbing the reindeer, follow the marked trails. The areas near roads and north of Road 7 are less frequented by the wild reindeer and are good hiking choices considering the reindeer. You can get information about hiking opportunities at Hardangervidda at the tourist office in Eidfjord town center as well as on ut.no. The wild reindeer has traditionally been an important food resource utilized by the communities around Hardangervidda. The same applies to trout, which is the most common fish species in the mountain lakes on the plateau. Hunting and fishing are rights belonging to landowners and rights holders. For state-owned land (statsalmenningen), it is possible to purchase fishing and hunting licenses at inatur.no. The tourist office is happy to provide further information about such offers. (Copyright https://www.norgesnasjonalparker.no/nasjonalparker/hardangervidda/):