The best hiking routes in Skaupsjøen / Hardangerjøkulen landskapsvernområde

Skaupsjøen / Hardangerjøkulen landskapsvernområde is a high-mountain plateau area that borders the northern edge of the Hardangervidda. Unlike the flatter, grass-dominated plains further south, this landscape is defined by its proximity to the massive Hardangerjøkulen glacier, which shapes the local climate and terrain. Walkers here will encounter a transition from barren, boulder-strewn blockfields near the ice cap to wetter, peat-filled depressions and lake basins further east around Skaupsjøen. There are no deep, forested valleys or sheltered woodlands in this protected area; the terrain is entirely alpine, situated well above the treeline.

Underfoot, the paths are dominated by rough, naturally occurring materials. You will walk primarily on coarse moraine till, loose scree, and bare granite bedrock that has been scraped smooth by historical ice movements. In the lower-lying basins between the ridges, the trail often crosses wet peat bogs and marshy ground where simple wooden planks or stepping stones are sometimes provided, though many sections require navigating wet mud and slippery rocks directly. The trail network is marked with stone cairns rather than painted signposts, requiring a basic level of route-finding vigilance.

By late August, the summer snow patches have mostly melted, exposing the grey bedrock and the low-growing dwarf birch, crowberry, and lichens that cling to the thin soil. The area is generally quieter than the main tourist routes directly ascending the glacier, offering a more solitary walking experience focused on the stark, glaciated geology. Walkers should expect a rugged, slow-going surface where progress is measured by navigating boulder fields rather than brisk striding on smooth dirt tracks.