Pilegrimsleden

Here you'll will find information about:

Season, climate, and weather
Rivers and streams
Emergency numbers
Camping, campfires, and drinking water
Wildlife and domestic animals

Season and Climate

The pilgrim paths in Norway consists of nine different routes. The main season for pilgrimage is in summer between 1 June and 1 September, this is when the accommodations along the pilgrim paths are open.

Pilgrimage routes that cross the mountains have a shorter season due to snow and snowmelt, and accommodations in the area may also be closed until the snow has melted. For example, it is advised not to cross Dovrefjell mountain range on the Gudbrandsdalsleden trail by foot before mid-June, take the train instead.

Some other pilgrimage routes are accessible and have open accommodations in both spring and autumn. Check the opening times for accommodations on the digital map. Contact the regional pilgrim center for the area where you plan to walk to check the recommended time to go.

Changing Weather

The Norwegian summer is unpredictable, and temperatures can change from 30 degrees Celsius and sunshine to 10 degrees Celsius with wind and rain. In the mountains, it can snow even in summer. So you might want to pack both sunscreen and sunglasses, and woolen clothes, a hat, and gloves. Here you can find advice on what to pack. Also, bring some extra food and drink, a headlamp, and first aid supplies in case of unforeseen situations.

It is important to check the weather forecast along the way. Be flexible with changing plans or seeking shelter. If you are crossing mountain areas, familiarize yourself with the Norwegian Tourist Association's Mountain Code.

Rivers and Large Streams

In some places, the trail crosses streams, and when the water is shallow, you can cross them without problems. However, when there is a lot of rain or meltwater, the water level rises, making it unsafe to cross.

If you need to wade across a stream or creek, consider where it is best to cross. Always wade diagonally, upstream. Do not wade in water deeper than your knees. Keep your shoes on; never wade barefoot. You can use a walking stick or two for better balance. Put on dry socks and shoes after wading and warm up again by walking.

If you are unsure whether it is safe to cross, you should turn back.

On Dovrefjell mountain (on the Gudbrandsdalen trail), summer bridges are placed over the rivers Hondyrju and Vesle-Hondyrju when the snow has melted. This usually happens in mid-June, and they are removed again in autumn. It is not safe to cross the rivers before the summer bridges are in place, as the water flow is strong with ice-cold meltwater. When there is snow on Dovre, we strongly advise against crossing the mountains on foot; take the train instead.

Emergency calls

Make sure your phone has enough battery when you are hiking, and bring a power bank, especially if you are going through areas with few people. This is important so you can call for help if you or others get injured. A god advice is to download the Norwegian emergency call app Hjelp 113 before your trip. The app lists the emergency phone numbers, and if you call emergency services through the app, they can see your location. The map in this app shows the locations of all defibrillators in Norway.

Emergency phone numbers:

Fire: 110
Police: 112
Medical emergency: 113
Non-emergency medical service: (+47) 116 117
Poisons Information Centre: (+47) 22 59 13 00

There is good mobile coverage in almost the entire country, except in areas rarely visited by people. You can check the area where you plan to hike on the coverage maps of Norway's two mobile networks, Telia and Telenor.

Sleeping outside

Some people prefer to sleep in a tent or hammock during parts of their pilgrimage. The Norwegian Outdoor Recreation Act regulate trips, stays, overnighting, and resting in uncultivated land with a set of rules called The right to roam. You may put up a tent anywhere in the Norwegian countryside, forests or mountains, as long as you stay at least 150 metres away from the nearest inhabited house or cabin. If you want to camp for more than two nights in the same place, you must ask the landowner's permission, except in the mountains or in very remote areas.

Remember, you are always responsible for your own safety, and even though it is allowed to roam in most places in Norway, it is important to respect both nature and people.

If you want to camp during your pilgrimage, use a tent and sleeping bag suitable for the season. Bring a good quality sleeping mat that insulates against the ground's cold. Place your tent on a dry, level, and preferably soft surface where water cannot collect. Whether you sleep on the ground or in a hammock, it can be useful to have a tarp (lightweight tent cloth) for protection against rain.

You do not have to sleep outdoors on a pilgrimage in Norway; there are many nice accommodations along most stretches of the Pilgrim's Way, in various price ranges. You can see accommodations in our digital map.

Campfires

There is a general ban on campfires in Norway from 15 April to 15 September. It is also not allowed to barbeque in the forest during this period, except in certain designated grill areas set up by the municipality. It is allowed to light campfires in winter, but not in private areas, farm fields or indutrial areas. In private areas, you need the landowner's permission.

You can use a primus or camping stove during the campfire ban period, but you are responsible for being careful and assessing whether it is safe. Use it on a flat and stable surface, and never inside a tent.

Drinking Water

In Norway, you can drink tap water at hotels and accommodations. It is wise to fill your water bottle before you leave your accommodation in the morning. Many hikers drink from streams and creeks along the way, but you should take some precautions. Running water is safer than water that is standing still. Avoid streams running through grazing areas or cabin areas, as they may be contaminated with bacteria and parasites. Also, avoid drinking water in areas with many birds or in years with many lemmings and mice. If you are unsure, boil the water before drinking it.

Warning Signs

If you encounter warning signs, it is important to take them seriously. The threshold for putting up warning signs varies from country to country, but in Norway, the threshold is relatively high. Therefore, you should take it seriously if you see a sign about, for example, power cables or the risk of rockfalls.

Wildlife, Insects, and Ticks

In Norwegian forests, it is not uncommon to encounter wild animals, and if you are lucky, you might see moose, deer, or foxes. Keep your distance from moose during the calving season in spring and summer.

Wild reindeer is a vulnerable species found in Dovrefjell mountain range, among other places. We advise against hiking across Dovrefjell (Gudbrandsdalen trail) before mid-June, partly because that's when the wild reindeer calving period is over.

It is very rare to see bears or wolves in Norwegian forests, and you do not need to worry about these animals, as there have been no reported attacks on humans in recent times. But if you see a bear, wolf, or other predators, you should keep your distance.

Mosquitoes in Norway are not dangerous, but they can be annoying. Therefore, it is wise to bring mosquito repellent and cover yourself with clothes if there are many mosquitoes.

Ticks can carry serious diseases. Read up on advice about ticks; how to remove a tick that has attached to your skin, and what to look out for if you have been bit.

There is only one venomous snake in Norway, the common European adder (Hoggorm in Norwegian). It is rare to see adders, and they avoid humans, but they can bite if you get too close. If this happens, you should contact the emergency medical service. For severe symptoms, call 113.

Livestock and Grazing Animals

If you are walking with a dog, it must be kept on a leash (or properly enclosed) from 1 April to 20 August to ensure that it doesn't scare or chase birds, wild animals, and grazing animals. Be aware that if you bring a dog through a fenced area with cows, the cows may feel threatened and attack the dog. This can put both animals and humans in a difficult situation.

Young animals such as calves and lambs must be left alone; they will find their way back to their mothers even if they leave them for short periods. Do not walk through a herd or between young animals and adults. Reports of injured livestock can be made to the nearest house or farm.

If you walk through a fenced area with animals, remember to close the gate behind you. If you are in a group, the person who opens the gate must inform the last person to close it. It is also good to remember that fences for grazing animals may be electrified.

Avoid throwing metal cans in nature and near cultivated land. It is a problem that, for example, soda cans sometimes end up in the farmer's mower, get chopped up, and mixed into the winter feed for the animals. Always take all your trash with you and dispose of it in a trash can!

Ask for Advice

Although there are some rules for hiking in Norway, the responsibility lies primarily with the individual. You are responsible for making decisions that do not put yourself and others in danger. Remember that you can get help and advice from the 12 regional pilgrim centers in Norway; they have real-time information about local conditions on the trail. You can contact them before or during your pilgrimage.