Nature in Norway
A guide to 26 Nature in Norway — with descriptions, photos and traveler visits from the NextOnTrip community. Locations spread across 23 cities and towns. Most visited by the community: Gutulia National Park, Valursfossen, Rafossen.
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Rafossen
Kvinesdal
Rafossen is a 42-metre waterfall on the Kvina river, about seven kilometres north of the centre of Kvinesdal in southern Norway. It is a place where raw nature meets modern engineering: beside the falling water stands a hydropower plant, together with solutions designed to help fish continue their journey upstream. What is Rafossen? Rafossen is one of the major drops on the Kvina. Norwegian tourism material gives the fall as 42 metres, and the water thunders down with the most force during high flow, for example during spring snowmelt or after heavy rain. The river runs through the valley that gives Kvinesdal its name. The falls have long been a natural barrier for salmon migrating up the Kvina to spawn. Some local sources also mention historical records of the place name reaching back to the Middle Ages, but exact dates differ between accounts, so they are best treated with care. The power plant and the salmon ladder The biggest change in the area is the Rafoss power plant, operated by Sira-Kvina. According to the operator it is rated at 9.9 MVA, with two horizontal Francis turbines of 6.6 and 3.3 MW and annual output of around 35 GWh. Visit Norway states that the new plant opened in 2022; different sources give slightly different dates for individual stages of the project. The fish ladder is the interesting part. It runs through a tunnel starting at the water intake at the top of the falls. A research paper on fish passage at Rafoss gives a head of about 45 metres for the plant and ladder, and states the aim of making Rafoss one of the most salmon-friendly power plants in Norway. The power station has a room for watching salmon, and a footbridge crosses above the falls. How to get to Rafossen From Kvinesdal, drive north on road 465. Visit Norway describes the route this way: look for a small wooden sign, turn onto a narrow road and follow it to the end, then walk about five minutes. A newer listing mentions a marked parking area near the junction. Older traveller reports mention construction work that obstructed access, so check current conditions before you go. What to know before visiting Higher water flow in spring and after rain gives the most impressive view. The access road is narrow, and the ground near the water can be slippery. Combine the falls with other stops in the Kvinesdal valley and along the river. The salmon season is a good time to visit the observation room, if it is open. Frequently asked questions How tall is Rafossen? Tourism sources give a drop of 42 metres. Where is the waterfall? On the Kvina river, roughly seven kilometres north of Kvinesdal in southern Norway. Is there a power plant at the falls? Yes. The Rafoss plant belongs to Sira-Kvina and uses the river's drop, with a salmon ladder alongside. Is the walk difficult? From the end of the narrow road it is about a five-minute walk, according to Visit Norway. Can salmon get past the waterfall? The falls are a natural barrier for them, which is why a fish ladder was built to allow passage upstream.
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Gutulia National Park
Engerdal
Gutulia National Park is Norway's smallest national park, set in Engerdal Municipality in Innlandet county, close to the Swedish border. It was established in 1968 to protect a patch of old forest that stayed almost untouched for centuries. Why visit Gutulia? Small as it is, the park has real character. The whole area lies between roughly 615 and 949 metres above sea level, and its heart is ancient pine and spruce forest. Some spruces are more than 300 years old, and the oldest pines pass 400. In old-growth forests like this one, which are increasingly rare in Norway, dead wood is left to decay, so the park supports many uncommon fungi, lichens and plants, along with threatened animal species. Walking among fallen trunks wrapped in moss and lichen gives you the sense that the forest runs on its own schedule. What is the landscape like? The river Gutua and the lake Gutulisjøen mark the park's western and southern edges. The highest point is Gutulivola. The terrain is rolling and wooded, with bogs and small ponds, so paths can be soggy after rain. Waterproof boots are a good idea. What is Gutulisetra? At the southeastern end of the lake stands Gutulisetra, a former mountain farm whose history goes back to around 1750. Farming stopped in 1949, and the buildings were later restored as a cultural heritage site. Three protected mountain pastures are still hayed to keep the traditional open landscape alive. In summer a seasonal serving place operates here, which makes it a natural spot for a break. How do you get to Gutulia? The starting point is the parking area by Gutulisjøen. From there a nature trail reaches the park in just under an hour on foot. Routes are fairly gentle and need no special gear, but mountain weather can turn quickly and mobile coverage may be patchy. Frequently asked questions Is Gutulia a big park? No. It is the smallest national park in Norway, which makes it ideal for a day trip. What is most valuable here? The old, little-disturbed pine and spruce forest, with trees hundreds of years old and the rare species that depend on it. Will I see reindeer? Wild reindeer died out in the area around 1880, but you may meet semi-domesticated reindeer belonging to Southern Sámi herders nearby. When should I go? Summer and early autumn are most convenient, when Gutulisetra is open and trails are drier. Are there rules? Expect no gates or tickets, but normal conservation rules apply: take your litter, leave plants alone and keep to the paths. Gutulia suits anyone who wants to see what a Scandinavian forest looked like before industrial forestry, and to pair it with a short visit to a historic mountain farm.
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