National park · Norway
Saltfjellet–Svartisen National ParkSaltfjellet–Svartisen nasjonalpark
Visit Saltfjellet–Svartisen: hike the Svartisen glacier with a guide (2–3 h) in summer, or do the Saltfjellet plateau trek (full day) in July–Sept; no entry fee, wild‑camp where allowed.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,200 km² (849 sq mi)849 sq mi (2,200 km²)
approximate
Established
1989
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Norway ↗Norway is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Norway ↗Wine and spirits are sold only at the state Vinmonopolet shops; supermarkets sell beer, and not in the evenings or on Sundays.
- Norway ↗The right to roam (allemannsretten) lets you hike and camp on most uncultivated land, keeping a distance from homes and leaving no trace.
At a glance
- Country
- Norway
- Area
- 2,200 km² (849 sq mi)849 sq mi (2,200 km²)
- Park covers roughly 2 200 km² of mountains, plateaus and the Svartisen glacier (approximate).
- Established
- 1989
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park in Nordland offers Arctic‑alpine landscapes, Norway's second‑largest glacier and extensive backcountry routes; no entry fee but guided glacier walks are required.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteOne of Norway’s largest national parks.
Size and age
2,200 km² (849 sq mi)849 sq mi (2,200 km²) · national park since 1989
Park covers roughly 2 200 km² of mountains, plateaus and the Svartisen glacier (approximate).
Why go
- Glacier views on Svartisen, Norway’s second‑largest glacier.
- High‑altitude plateau hikes across Arctic‑alpine scenery.
- Opportunities for backcountry skiing and multi‑day trekking.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep winter, heavy snow, limited daylight.
- FebWinter conditions, short days.
- MarSnow still deep, avalanche risk.
- AprMelting snow, muddy trails.
- MayLonger days, lower snow, but glacier still icy.
- JunStable weather, glacier accessible.
- JulWarmest, best for long treks.
- AugSimilar to July, good for skiing later.
- SepCooling, fewer tourists.
- OctEarly snow, shorter days.
- NovWinter conditions return.
- DecDeep snow, limited access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ReindeerJun–Sep · Often seen on the plateau. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| WolverineOct–Feb · Rare, avoid leaving food. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of prey (eagle, gyrfalcon)May–Aug | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bodø
Take the E6 south to Lønsdal (≈130 km (81 mi)); park gate is 5 km (3.1 mi) from the village.Take the E6 south to Lønsdal (≈81 mi (130 km)); park gate is 3.1 mi (5 km) from the village.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Trondheim
Train to Mo i Rana, then bus or car on E6 to Lønsdal.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Oslo
Fly to Bodø or Trondheim, then follow above routes.
≈7 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lønsdal gate | Main entrance, information desk, parking, trailheads to Svartisen and Saltfjellet. | Open year‑round. |
| Svartisen glacier area | Guided glacier walks, viewpoint platforms. | Guide required. |
| Saltfjellet plateau | High‑altitude trails, DNT huts. | Open to self‑guided hikers. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on park centre and major points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No fee (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Glacier guide permit or guide
Camping no permit
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from park authority.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stove.
- Camping
- Allowed only outside the immediate glacier zone; respect distance from wildlife.
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- Trail use
- Stay on marked paths; off‑trail travel may damage fragile alpine vegetation.
Where to stay
Near the park
DNT cabins (e.g., Hestefjell, Storgåsvatnet)
Simple wooden huts, self‑catering, reservation required.
Near the park
Mo i Rana
Hotels, hostels, and restaurants 30 km (19 mi) south of the park.Hotels, hostels, and restaurants 19 mi (30 km) south of the park.
Safety
Rapid weather change high
Glacier crevasses high
Avalanche in winter routes medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Lønsdal gate reachable by car; short walks to trailheads are wheelchair‑inaccessible due to terrain.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all waste; use designated toilet facilities.
- Choose DNT cabins that follow low‑impact practices.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park?
There is no entrance fee; only guided glacier hikes have a charge.
What are the best hikes in Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park?
Guided Svartisen glacier walk (2–3 h) and the Saltfjellet plateau trek (full day) are the top options.
When is the best time to visit Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park?
July to August offers stable weather and full glacier access; June and September are also good with fewer crowds.
Can I camp wild in the park?
Yes, outside the glacier zone; follow rules and be prepared for remote conditions.
Do I need a guide for all activities?
A guide is mandatory for glacier travel; other hikes can be done self‑guided.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park
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