The best hiking routes in Naustdal-Gjengedal landskapsvernområde

Naustdal-Gjengedal landskapsvernområde offers a transition between the deep fjords of western Norway and the high inland plateaus. Unlike the sheer, vertical walls found directly on the coast, this protected area is characterized by wide, U-shaped glacial valleys, rounded summits, and an extensive network of lakes and rivers. Walkers will find a landscape shaped by traditional summer dairy farming, where active mountain pastures still dot the lower valleys, giving way to barren rock, scree, and snow patches at higher elevations.

Underfoot, the terrain is demanding and largely undeveloped. There are few built boardwalks or gravel paths; instead, you will walk on rough, natural tracks that cross peat bogs, wet mires, and slippery gneiss bedrock. Route marking is sparse, often consisting of simple stone cairns that require careful navigation, especially when low cloud covers the high passes. Stream crossings are common, and many require wading through cold meltwater, as bridges are only present on the primary routes.

By late July and August, the snow has melted from most passes, revealing alpine vegetation such as dwarf birch, heather, and cloudberry mires. This area is not a place for those seeking dramatic, jagged peaks or manicured tourist trails. It is a quiet, rugged expanse of mountains and valleys where the challenge lies in navigating the uneven, often boggy ground and self-sufficient route-finding.