At 1,883 metres, Gaustatoppen is Norway's most spectacular viewpoint. On a clear day from the summit you can see one sixth of the entire country — a panorama that stretches from the coast to the high mountains in every direction. We drive you there from Oslo and back in a single day.
We pick you up at your hotel in the morning and head southwest into Telemark, one of Norway's most dramatic landscapes. The hike begins from Turisthytta at around 900m, climbing steadily through open moorland, past rocky outcrops and along an ever-widening ridgeline to the summit plateau. The views open up progressively as you climb — by the time you reach the top, the scale of the Norwegian landscape is simply astonishing.
The descent follows the same route, giving you time to absorb the scenery at your own pace. We stop for a coffee on the way home and are back in Oslo by early evening.
Yes, comfortably. Gaustatoppen is 2.5 hours by car from Oslo. We pick you up at your hotel in the morning, drive to Telemark, hike to the summit and back (4–5 hours hiking), and have you back in Oslo by early evening.
We rate it Moderate. It's a sustained climb of around 980m from the trailhead at Turisthytta, on a well-marked trail with no scrambling required. Good walking fitness is needed, but no prior mountain experience is necessary.
On a clear day you can see one sixth of the entire area of Norway from the summit — a panorama stretching from the coast to the high mountains in every direction. It is widely considered Norway's most spectacular viewpoint.
No previous mountain experience is required. The trail is well-marked all the way to the summit. Good fitness for a sustained uphill walk of 4–5 hours is the main requirement.
Gaustatrikken is a mountain railway built inside the mountain, originally constructed for military use, which now carries visitors to near the summit. It can be used on the descent as an optional extra — ask your guide on the day if you'd like to try it.