Hardangervidda Plateau Crossing
Cross Europe's largest mountain plateau
The Hardangervidda stretches like a frozen ocean between Bergen and Oslo, covering 8,000 square kilometers of high plateau where wild reindeer still migrate as they did 10,000 years ago. Route 7 cuts straight across this emptiness, climbing through Hol and Geilo to reach 1,300 meters elevation, where the tree line disappears and you’re driving through landscape that looks like northern Mars. Stone cairns mark the route when snow closes visibility to ten meters, and emergency huts dot the roadside every few kilometers—this plateau has killed travelers since Viking times. The Dyranut cabin at kilometer 47 sits exactly where medieval pilgrims sheltered on their way to Nidaros cathedral.
Any vehicle can handle the paved road, but weather here changes faster than you can react. Summer brings midnight sun and lupine flowers; winter means complete road closures for weeks at a time. Fuel up before leaving civilization—the plateau has two gas stations across 100 kilometers. Keep emergency supplies: this plateau generates its own weather systems, and even July can bring snow squalls. You’re crossing the roof of Europe here, through country so empty that NASA trains astronauts on its moonscape terrain. The reward is solitude you can’t find anywhere else on the continent.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Paved |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109.4 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4265 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle |
| Nearest town | Geilo, Buskerud |
| Land manager | Hardangervidda National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a 4x4 or high clearance vehicle for this crossing?
No. The route runs on paved road (RV7) the entire way, so any car — sedan, camper van, whatever you're driving — can handle it without issue.
When does the road close for winter and when does it reopen?
The high plateau section typically closes between October and May due to heavy snowfall and whiteout conditions. June through September is your window; even early June can see snow on the ground at elevation.
Are there permits or fees required to drive through Hardangervidda National Park?
No permit or entrance fee is required to drive the RV7 through the plateau. If you're camping in the national park, Norway's allemannsretten (right to roam) law allows dispersed camping, but you must stay at least 150 meters from the nearest dwelling and move after two nights in the same spot.
It's listed as Moderate — what actually makes it challenging if it's all paved?
The difficulty comes from the environment, not the road. The plateau sits above treeline at over 4,000 feet, weather shifts fast and hard, and there's essentially no shelter for long stretches. Fog, sudden storms, and near-zero visibility are real risks even in summer.
Is there any cell service or gas on the plateau crossing?
Cell service is effectively nonexistent across most of the plateau — plan accordingly and download offline maps before you leave. Gas up in Geilo before you start; fuel stops on the plateau itself are extremely limited and you should not count on them.
Trail track
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