Located in the heart of telemark, next to Hardangervidda National Park and the UNESCO world heritage site Rjukan, Gaustatoppen is claimed to be the most beautiful mountain in Norway.

With a peak measuring 1883 meters above sea level, the view from Gaustatoppen is spectacular. It can be reached year-round, and provides magical ski experiences during the wintertime and breathtaking hiking opportunities during the summer months. On a clear day, you’ll have a view stretching over one-sixth of the country, making this an iconic peak of Telemark.

Gaustabanen

You can reach the peak of the mountain by hiking or jumping on Gaustabanen, a tram that takes you to the summit from inside the mountain. Racing through the mountain, the tram takes you 1800 meters above sea level in only 15 minutes. Gaustabanen was originally planned as a tourist attraction, allowing more people to experience the spectacular mountain. However, NATO soon seized control of the facility. It was as recently as in 2010 that the first commercial trip of the Gaustabanen tramway took place. From here you may hike back down if you want to experience walking this spectacular terrain.

From the summit, you may choose to hike back down to the parking lot or purchase a return ticket with Gaustabanen. Please keep in mind that the temperature may be considerably colder on the top of the mountain than in the parking lot so remember to pack or dress accordingly.

Hike Information

Height                 1883 meters above sea level
Length.                4,6 km one way
Duration             3 hours and 30 minutes one way
Difficulty.             Demanding
Season                May – October

Check out my guide on how to plan a road trip in Norway

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