The Right to Roam – showing consideration
The Right to Roam applies in uncultivated areas, and with it comes a responsibility to show consideration towards the natural environment and wildlife. You are allowed to pick berries, mushrooms and common flowers, but do not pick endangered and protected species. Stopovers, travel and foraging must take place in a considerate manner. The basic rule for being in the great outdoors is that you do not leave any traces behind. Leave nature the way you would like to find it yourself!
Campfires and garbage/waste
Visitors are permitted to light campfires between 15 September and 15 April, and throughout the rest of the year in places where there is no risk of causing wildfires. Be aware of local restrictions. Show consideration when collecting firewood – do not damage trees, use dry twigs and branches you find on the ground. Preferably use existing fire pits or a bonfire burner.
What you take with you on a trip must return back home with you. Make sure you clean up after yourself and take all your garbage home with you.
Means of transport and bicycles
Typically, using motorized transport in Reinheimen national park is prohibited. This also applies to electric bikes.
Cycling is also prohibited in Reinheimen National Park. It is permitted to use bicycles on roads outside the national park and on toll roads in parts of the protected landscape.
Roads
Some roads are open to car traffic in the summer; this applies to the private toll roads Slådalsvegen, Lordalsvegen, Finndalsvegen and Brøstdalsvegen. The Norwegian Scenic Route over the Trollstigen pass is open in the summer.
Application for the use of motorized vehicles on the national park board’s website
Do not disturb cultural monuments
Traces of ancient wild reindeer hunting and trapping are protected cultural monuments. These include pitfall traps, trapping sites, hunting hides and the stone foundations of old houses and shelters. Do not move stones from old walls.
Cairns located along trails should also be left undisturbed. Do not make new cairns or add stones to existing ones.
Drones
Drones are prohibited in Reinheimen National Park. Familiarize yourself with where the use of drones is permitted and the applicable regulations.
See overview on the national park board’s website.
Feel free to contact the national park management team if you have any questions.
Relevant links:
Dogs
Visitors are welcome to take their dogs with them on a trip. Dogs must be kept on a leash between 1 April and 20 August, but several municipalities in Reinheimen have extended this period. Check which rules apply in the different areas.
Always keep your dog under control. Birds that build their nests on the ground are especially vulnerable to dogs that are on the loose.
Clothing and equipment
The weather in the mountains can change abruptly. Even in July, the weather can change from brilliant sunshine to snow within minutes. Always have extra clothing and equipment with you on your trip. Assess the weather and general conditions, and your own or your group’s capacity, knowledge and experience before setting out on a trip. Hiking with a mountain guide can provide safety and rewarding experiences. Have a great trip!
Hunting, fishing and trapping
You may hunt and fish in the national park but remember to buy a hunting/fishing license. Using live fish as bait is prohibited. Visitors are also prohibited from taking live fish or wet fishing gear from one watercourse to another.
Fishing licenses can be purchased at iNatur.no
Hunting licenses can be purchased at iNatur.no
Mountain hiking
Reinheimen is primarily a habitat for wild reindeer, which are very shy and vulnerable to human disturbance. We therefore advise visitors to plan their trips along the edges of the national park, where there is the least chance of encountering wild reindeer. If you encounter wild reindeer on your trip, keep at a good distance and move slowly away from the herd in the opposite direction. Otherwise, show consideration towards all wildlife and plant life, and do not leave any traces behind.
Advice regarding the general rule of ‘Leave No Trace’
At the trailhead
- Park in parking spaces that do not create dangerous traffic situations or cause inconvenience to landowners and others.
- Read information signs to obtain useful information about the conservation values in the area.
On the trail
- Follow the waymarked trails.
- Pick up any litter you find while on your trip.
- If you are hiking in the high mountains and encounter wild reindeer, keep your distance and slowly move away from the herd.
Wild reindeer are vulnerable to disturbance and will flee over great distances if they see or smell humans.
Going to the toilet
- If you need to go to the toilet, make sure you move away from the hiking trail or away from drinking water.
- It is a good idea to have a small shovel with you to dig a hole for a toilet. Make sure to place any toilet paper in the hole and cover it over. If you do not have a shovel with you on your trip, cover with stones or moss/heather.
At the campsite
- Use an established campsite or fire pit to avoid wear and tear on the terrain and vegetation. If you make a new fire pit with stones, put the stones back in their original places when you leave the area.
- Use dry twigs to make your campfire, preferably those found on the ground. Do not remove any twigs or branches from old dry pine trees.
- Despite the fact that these old distinctive trees are dead, they help shape the landscape and are important in terms of biodiversity. Please avoid damaging them.
- It is prohibited to light campfires between 1 April and 15 September.
- Make sure that no litter or waste is left behind when you leave your campsite. Take all your garbage home with you.
Foraging
Visitors are permitted to pick berries, mushrooms and flowers for personal consumption and use. Pick in a way that allows regrowth the following year, and do not pull up the roots of plants and flowers.
Tents/hammocks
- If there are places designated for the use of tents/hammocks, please use these. You should not stay in the same place for more than two days.
- Do not make notches or cut marks in trees to hang your hammock.
- On uncultivated land, visitors must make sure their camp is at least 150 meters from houses or cabins, and must not inconvenience others in the area.
Do not disturb cultural monuments
Traces of ancient wild reindeer hunting and trapping are protected cultural monuments. These include pitfall traps, trapping sites, hunting hides and the stone foundations of old houses and shelters. Do not move stones from old walls.
Cairns located along trails should also be left undisturbed. Do not make new cairns or add stones to existing ones.
Grazing livestock
- Keep your distance from grazing livestock and walk around the herd.
- Do not walk between the animals. Cows are large animals that can be rather inquisitive. Unsafe situations may arise.
- Do not approach calves. Cows may attack you to protect their calves.
- Dogs should not be taken on trips to areas where there are grazing animals. Remember to keep your dog on a leash from 1 April.
- If you see injured livestock, take a photo of the ear tag and report it to the owner.
- Remember to close gates behind you!
Dogs
- Remember to keep your dog on a leash between 1 April and 20 August. Several municipalities in the area have extended this period, so familiarize yourself with the local regulations. The reason for keeping dogs on a leash is that wildlife is especially vulnerable during this time of year, and it ensures that dogs do not disturb or chase birds, wild animals, or grazing livestock.
- Be considerate and dispose of dog waste well away from the trail.