The best hiking routes in Finndalen landskapsvernområde

Finndalen landskapsvernområde protects a wide, high-altitude mountain valley shaped by traditional summer farming and grazing. Unlike the rugged, jagged peaks of neighboring alpine regions, this area is characterized by a broad, gently sloping valley floor flanked by rounded, weathered mountains. The landscape is dominated by open birch woodlands, dry mountain heaths, and extensive mires, offering a more open and less claustrophobic walking environment than the deep, steep-sided valleys nearby.

Underfoot, walkers will mostly encounter natural soil paths, peat sections, and stony tracks. The terrain is relatively easy to navigate, though the ground can be soft and boggy near the river Finna and its tributaries, where low-growing willow shrubs and sedges thrive. In July, the valley floor is marked by active summer dairy farms, known as setrer, which have kept the vegetation short and open through centuries of grazing.

This protected area is ideal if you prefer long, steady walks along a valley axis rather than steep, technical climbs. It is generally quieter than the nearby national parks, attracting those who value cultural landscapes and subtle terrain transitions over dramatic rocky summits.