The best hiking routes in Ottadalen landskapsvernområde

Ottadalen landskapsvernområde offers a transition from the deep, pine-forested valley floor of Ottadalen up to the barren alpine tundra of the Reinheimen high plateau. Unlike the rugged, jagged peaks found further west, this protected area is characterized by wide, glacial valleys, gentle mountain slopes, and vast scree fields. The landscape is heavily shaped by ancient ice movement, leaving behind moraine ridges and lateral terraces that you can easily trace along the valley sides as you walk.

Underfoot, the terrain varies from soft, mossy forest tracks in the lower elevations to rough, trackless stone deserts and blockfields higher up. Dwarf birch, willow shrubs, and lichens dominate the open slopes, where the ground is often dry and stony, though you will encounter boggy patches and meltwater streams in the depressions. There are few marked paths or boardwalks here compared to busier national parks, meaning walkers must be comfortable with map navigation and uneven, rocky footing.

This area is particularly suited for those who prefer quiet, self-reliant route-finding over structured trail networks. While the lower pine forests provide sheltered walking, the high-altitude zones are completely exposed, with low-growing vegetation that offers no protection from the elements. It is a landscape of subtle gradients, where the transition from forest to tundra happens gradually over several hours of steady climbing.