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Hardangervidda

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Soon after it was founded, DNT sought to offer trekking on the Hardanger plateau, Northern Europe's highest. Krokan at Rjukanfossen was DNT's first cabin, and in 1878, Krækkja to the north on the plateau was opened.

As now, hikers then were drawn by the expanses of the plateau, the fishing, the wildlife and the mountain flora. Between Haukelifjell to the south, Sørfjorden to the west, the Bergens railway line to the north and Numedal and Rjukan to the east, there are today some 100 bird species and 21 animal species. Not least, Northern Europe's largest wild reindeer herds impress anyone who sees the waves of wild reindeer flocking over the Hardanger Plateau.

Hårteigen, the peak to the right is visible from large parts of Hardangervidda
Hårteigen, the peak to the right is visible from large parts of Hardangervidda

Even though the furrowed face of the plateau dominates, there are extremes of mountain topography. The western part of the plateau is hilly, with many fascinating valleys, and in the northwest lies one of the country's largest glaciers, Hardangerjøkulen.

Hårteigen peak in the centre of the plateau is the signpost. With its 1690 metre summit elevation and characteristic hat shape, it can be seen from almost everywhere on the plateau, even though Sandfloegga to the south is a few metres higher.

Most popular routes:
Kinsarvik to Stavali (Husedalen). Hjølmo to Hadlaskard (Veigdalen). Trondsbu/Tinnhølen to Sandhaug. Tuva to Heinseter. Haukeliseter to Hellevassbu and Litlos. Finse to Blåisen. Stavsro to Gaustatoppen.
Cycle tour on Rallarvegen, the haul road named for the navvies who built the Bergen railway line.

Good starting points:
Haukeliseter, Kinsarvik, Hjølmo, Finse, Trondsbu/Tinnhølen, -Haugastøl, Tuva, Solheimstulen, Mogen, Kalhovd and Rjukan.

Maps:
In addition to the main 1:50,000 scale main series, well updated maps cover the Plateau:
The 1:100,000 Ugland IT map of Hardangervdda (2001) and Cappelen Hardangervidda East (2000) and West (2002) cover the entire area, whilst the 1:50,000 trekking maps for Haukelifjell (1996), Finse (1995) and Geilo (1995) cover parts of the Plateau.. The 1:50,000 Odda outdoor sports map covers the southwest corner, and the well-updated 1:30,000 trekking and tourist map of Tuddal-Gaustatoppen, Rjukan Vest-Møsvatn covers the southernmost corner.