Guide for Wild Camping in Norway
I woke up at the edge of the world.
After wrestling out of my sleeping bag, I crawled out of my tent and stretched my arms out at the panorama. I scrunched my toes in my socks and felt the grass prick through the wool. Deep breath.
The world rolled and evolved around me as the sharp morning sun spiked through the horizon. The seaside cliff where we pitched our tent dropped 200 m into the North Sea.
We were completely alone. The only sound touching my ears were of the wind and the waves stumbling onto the rocks far below. So, this is wild camping.
Falling asleep 200 m above the North Sea.
Wild Camping
Wild camping is camping outside of campsites, like when backpacking in the wilderness. It’s colouring beyond the lines and breaking bread with nature. Where I come from, it’s unheard of; but in Norway – it’s the way of life.
There has been an increase in camping across Europe. Campsite bookings in the UK have reached a record high this year, and Germany has a 43% boom in registered van owners. Time in nature is becoming more popular, and people are flocking to the great outdoors.
I still prefer carrying my tent in my pack and traversing landscapes on foot. It leads me to more remote places where I can spend time in the wild away from the crowds. It’s easy to do that in Norway. Here’s why it’s possible.
Carrying everything in our packs is still my preferred way of spending time in nature.
The Right to Roam
Norway and the rest of Scandinavia practise the right to roam, or ‘allemannsretten’, meaning ‘everyman’s right’. It is a law that allows everyone to roam free on uncultivated land in Norway. By cultivated land, it means privately owned land, meadows, pastures, gardens, building plots, and industrial sites. In other words, you are free to hike, camp and enjoy the fresh air in forests, mountains, and coastal areas, which make up the majority of Norwegian nature.
This Outdoor Recreation Act, created in 1957 by the Norwegian government, states that:
Uncultivated land is accessible.
Cultivated land is only accessible when frozen and covered in snow (between October and April).
Hikers may camp no closer than 150 m to any dwelling, and they may do so for no more than 48 hours. If more time is needed, permission needs to be asked from the landowner.
All rivers are accessible for canoes and swimming, except water reservoirs.
Foraging certain berries are permitted.
Finding your hiking route
Norway is rich in different hiking routes. We picked routes in the western region for our hiking expedition. This area is famous for its natural wonders, such as fjords, waterfalls and glaciers. Here are some resources that offer good advice on different hiking routes, their grading level and their seasonality.
Remember, you cannot rely on your phone’s GPS, as you are in the wilderness and there is little cellphone signal. Ensure that you get a hard copy of the map with the route you are hiking and keep it with you at all times. To be extra safe – put it in a Ziploc bag to keep it dry.
Visit Norway: Visit Norway is a site that includes all the information you need to know about travelling to Norway, including different hiking routes.
UT.no: This tool is the ultimate tour planner. It offers information on all the hiking routes throughout Norway, including opening times, maps, route grading and useful tips.
Fjord Norway: Fjord Norway is another useful site to find hiking inspiration and information on different hiking routes. It includes guided hikes and glacial hiking.
WILD Guide: WILD Guide is a book about the Scandinavian wilderness. It offers a great overview of the different activities Norway has to offer, including hiking, camping, swimming, kayaking and more.
When there’s no cellphone reception, you need to be able to use a map to navigate.
Keep a weather eye on the Norwegian sky
Norway’s weather is very changeable and localised. It could be raining on one side of the mountain and have decent weather on the other. Use both the weather apps and maps to plan your multi-day adventure.
Remember, no weather forecasting service or app is always correct. Ensure that you are equipped for the cold and rain, as well as warmer sunny days. Here are a few weather sources which we used while preparing for our hiking trip.
YR.no: This is Norway’s very own weather application. It is a joint service by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. We have found this mobile app to be the most reliable.
Accuweather: This is another weather forecast app/website. Accuweather provides hourly updates and lets you see forecasts for up to a week in advance.
The weather can change quickly, so pack for every occasion.
Nine rules for mountain safety:
I know you must be excited to pull on your hiking boots, but remember to put safety first. The weather in Norway is unpredictable. To help prepare you for your expedition, look at the Norwegian Mountain Code, or ‘Fjellvettreglene’:
Plan your trip and inform others about your route.
Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings.
Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.
Bring the necessary equipment to help yourself and others.
Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
Don’t be ashamed to turn around.
Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.
For more information about the Norwegian Mountain Code, please visit the following sites:
Emergency numbers to save before hiking:
When heading out into the Norwegian wild, remember to put safety first. Ensure that you have these emergency numbers saved on your phone before heading out on your adventure.
Fire: 110
Police: 112
Ambulance: 113
Emergency at sea: 120
Poisons Information Centre: 22 59 13 00
TDD (text if hearing impaired): 1412
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is a central philosophy for spending time outdoors. It provides a framework of minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors.
Remember to leave your campsite as you found it, and make sure to remove any rubbish when you continue.
Happy wild camping!
Any wild camping tips? Let me know or share your own and tag @inwilderplaces.
May you also wake up in the wild.