Hardangervidda — Europe's largest mountain plateau

Hardangervidda is its own ecosystem — a mountain plateau stretching over 3,422 km² between Telemark, Buskerud, and Vestland counties. It lies at 1100–1400 meters above sea level and is home to Europe's largest remaining wild reindeer herd.

The plateau has been a thoroughfare for thousands of years. Stone Age hunters followed the wild reindeer, and until modern times, the area has been important for hunting, fishing, and summer farming. Today, Hardangervidda is one of Europe's most important areas for nature conservation, and large parts of the plateau are completely protected.

For you as a traveler, the Hardangervidda National Park Centre at Skinnarbu — just 30 minutes from Rjukan — is the perfect starting point. The center has exhibitions on wild reindeer, geology, Stone Age hunting, and modern national park management.

Many visit Hardangervidda as part of a longer stay in Rjukan. You drive through the world heritage town's western exit route, pass the Møsvatn reservoir, and reach Skinnarbu in 30 minutes. From there you can:

• Visit the National Park Centre (open all year)
• Drive on to Mår, Møsstrond, or Kalhovd for fishing and cabin visits
• Take a day trip to DNT cabins like Mårbu or Helberghytta — the latter has strong ties to the Heavy Water sabotage
• Cross the plateau by bike via old service roads (summer, requires experience)