Hike to Gaustatoppen from Stavsro
The easiest and most popular hike to Gaustatoppen takes you along the southern side of the mountain and begins in Stavsro. The hike is 4.5 km one way and takes around 2 hours.
Hike to Gaustatoppen from Stavsro
The easiest and most popular hike to Gaustatoppen takes you along the southern side of the mountain and begins in Stavsro. The hike is 4.5 km one way and takes around 2 hours.
Hike to Gaustatoppen from Stavsro
The easiest and most popular hike to Gaustatoppen takes you along the southern side of the mountain and begins in Stavsro. The hike is 4.5 km one way and takes around 2 hours.
The route in brief
Start: Stavsro
Length: 4.5 km one way
Time: 1.5 – 2.5 hours one way
Vertical rise: ca 700 m (approx. 1,170-1,883 metres above sea level)
Difficulty: Easy/medium
Child-friendly: For children used to hiking
MAP
Getting there
Park at Stavsro, where there is a small pay car park with a limited number of spaces. If there are no spaces available, you could park at Bygget or Gaustablikk and take the bus to Stavsro instead.
The mountain-top hike from Stavsro to Gaustatoppen begins at Stavsro car park. The hike is steep but the trail is wide, which makes it easy to walk. The trail is clearly marked with red ‘T’s painted on stones. Follow the trail to the summit and, on a clear day, a view of one-sixth of Norway.
Useful information
Gaustatoppen is known for its changeable weather so make sure to bring both rainwear and sun protection – you never know what to expect. The best time to do this mountain-top hike from Stavsro to Gaustatoppen is in the summer, from the beginning of July until September.
As the hike includes an ascent of a couple of hundred metres and rocky sections, it’s described as ‘Easy/medium difficulty’ – but it’s quite a simple hike for anyone used to hiking in the mountains. We recommend wearing hike-friendly trainers or hiking boots.
Hiking to Gaustatoppen
Begin your Gaustatoppen adventure from the Stavsro parking lot and follow the popular route along the southern side.
Experience a fantastic summit hike from Svineroi to Gaustatoppen and be rewarded with a spectacular view from Norway's highest mountain.
Take part in an exciting summit hike from Selstali to Gaustatoppen and experience the beautiful nature up close.
With a climb of 1600 meters, the north side of Gaustatoppen is a full-day adventure if you start from Rjukan. This is a challenging hike that requires previous experience.
Hikes on Gausta
Skipsfjell is the name of the mountain located in the middle of Gausta. It has one of the best viewpoints in the area. From the top at 1088 metres above sea level, you can enjoy magnificent views of the entire Gausta area, including Gaustatoppen, Kvitåvatn and Rjukan. Hiking up here (or around the whole mountain) is suitable for all ages and takes a few hours.
Ørnenipa is a popular mountain in Vatnedalen, located in the northeastern part of Gausta. The peak is located at 1315 metres above sea level and offers good hiking and beautiful views of Gaustatoppen the Gausta area. The popular trail from Vatnedalen takes about 4 hours (round trip).
This moderate hike to Toreskyrkja starts at Lake Heddersvatn next to Stavsro. The hike is 3,6 km and approximately 1–1,5 hours long (one way).
This challenging hike takes you from Vatnedalen to Toreskyrkja at 1,371 metres above sea level. At the summit you can enjoy spectacular views of Gaustatoppen, Tuddal, and the mountains in Telemark.
On the mountain crest south of Gaustatoppen you'll find Lille Gaustakne. The hike takes around 2 hours return, and from the summit at 1.443 metres you can enjoy magnificent views.
Remember
Dress appropriately and follow the Norwegian mountain safety code, which is a set of rules and advice that you should always have with you when you go out in the mountains. For example, make sure that you always plan your hike carefully and be prepared for bad weather and the cold, even on short hikes.
Download the Gausta app
Would you like to download the map to your phone? Download the Gausta app from App Store or Google Play! The app also has plenty of other useful information for your visit to Gausta.
