The best hiking routes in Grimsdalen landskapsvernområde

Grimsdalen landskapsvernområde is a wide, open mountain valley characterized by its exceptionally gentle, U-shaped profile and dry, light-colored soil. Unlike the rugged, craggy peaks of nearby massifs, this protected landscape is dominated by vast terraces of river gravel and extensive mats of yellow-grey reindeer lichen. The valley floor sits around 1000 meters above sea level, meaning you walk mostly above the tree line, though sparse stands of mountain birch cling to the lower slopes.

Underfoot, the walking is defined by dry, sandy tracks and old farm roads rather than muddy peat or steep boulder fields. The lack of dense vegetation and the flat valley bottom make it easy to navigate, though the gravelly ground can feel hard under a boot. The river Grimsa winds through the center of the valley, creating a network of gravel bars and low willow scrub that requires occasional detours if you leave the main paths.

This area is ideal if you prefer long, steady walks with clear sightlines over steep climbs. It is a working agricultural landscape where traditional summer dairy farming still shapes the land, so you will encounter free-ranging sheep and cattle along the tracks. While the main dirt road through the valley attracts some vehicle traffic and cyclists in July and August, the walking paths quickly lead away into quieter, open terraces.