Gaustatoppen

Viewpoint · Norway

Telemark's highest peak at 1,883 m, reached by a red-marked trail from Stavsro or by tunnel and funicular blasted into the mountain in the 1950s for a NATO relay station. On clear days the summit view spans roughly a sixth of mainland Norway, with the heath and dwarf birch below the ridge flaring red as autumn arrives at altitude first.

Best for: a summit hike with a wide panorama

Don’t miss

  • Funicular tunnel built for a 1950s NATO relay station
  • View of roughly a sixth of mainland Norway
  • Red dwarf-birch heath near the summit

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More things to do in Norway

Sognefjellsvegen

Scenic drive

Typically September 20–October 8

The highest mountain pass road in Northern Europe, climbing to 1,434 m at Fantesteinen on the 110-km run between Lom and Gaupne through Jotunheimen. Mountain birch along the roadside turns bronze through late September, with glaciers and 2,000-meter peaks in view most of the drive.

Don’t miss: Highest mountain pass road in Northern Europe (1,434 m) · 110 km through Jotunheimen and Hurrungane · Roadside birch bronzing against glacier views

Sohlbergplassen

Viewpoint

Typically August 23–September 20

A cantilevered viewing platform built around living pine trunks on the Rondane tourist road, framing the same view of Lake Atnsjøen and its round-shouldered peaks that Harald Sohlberg painted in 1914's Winter Night in the Mountains. Birch on the slopes below turns gold from late August into September.

Don’t miss: Platform built around living pine trunks · View that inspired Sohlberg's 1914 painting · Birch slopes above Lake Atnsjøen

Aurlandsdalen

Trail

Typically September 1–October 10

A 19-km hike descending from the Østerbø lodge at 820 m to Vassbygdi at 80 m near the Aurlandsfjord, through a glacier-carved gorge nicknamed Norway's Grand Canyon for its sheer walls and waterfalls. Birch along the Aurlandselvi river turns gold from September into early October.

Don’t miss: 19-km descent from 820 m to fjord level · Glacier-carved gorge called Norway's Grand Canyon · Birch forest along the Aurlandselvi river

See all things to do in Norway →

Frequently asked

What is Gaustatoppen best for?
A summit hike with a wide panorama.
See it on the map

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