Norway in winter is absolutely breathtaking. It’s also so cold that it takes your breath away. But, with the right gear, you’ll be able to focus on the beautiful countryside and not on how cold you feel.
Given that I live in Minnesota (USA), I’m no stranger to frigid temperatures. It took me 8 years of living here to figure out how to stay warm while I’m out on my cold weather adventures. Luckily for you, I’m here to share all the details!
For your winter hiking in Norway packing list, be sure to include these must-have items and consider these optional ones.
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Must-Have Items for Winter Hiking in Norway
Before we dive into winter hiking essentials, be sure to check out my day hike packing list. This includes the ten essentials plus my tips and recommended gear that you should take on any day hike.
Winter Boots
Always check the temperature rating on boots before you purchase them to be sure that they are at least rated for 32F (0C) or below, typical for winter in Norway (though temps can drop much below this!). Be sure to buy them big enough that you can fit 1-2 pairs of socks comfortably. I wore the Columbia Women’s Heavenly Omni-Heat Lace Up boots and absolutely loved them. My feet were comfortable, even after hiking all day, and they had good grip on the ice. This was the only pair of shoes I brought for 8 days in Norway.
If you want more sturdy ankle support, try the Oboz Bridger women’s hiking boot.
While they are cute (I have a pair myself), pass on bringing Sorel’s Joan of Arctic boots. Two of my fellow travelers brought them and were not happy with their bulkiness and lack of grip on the ice.
Winter Jacket
The Patagonia Nano Puff jacket is my absolute favorite for winter hiking. But,you don’t need to break the bank on a winter jacket. I wore a Calvin Klein packable down coat that I bought for $50 on a discount designer website years ago, similar to this. It was surprisingly warm and breathable for a packable jacket.
Look for jackets that fully cover your neck and extend down to cover your booty. If you want something more rugged and waterproof, try the Columbia jackets with Omni-Heat, such as their Mighty Lite series. These will also be thin, but warm. Trust me, bulky is not necessarily better.
Wool Hat
There are loads of cute hats, but what you want is warmth. Trust me. Luckily, it is possible to find warm hats that also look good! I’ve worn The North Face Cable Minna beanie for years, which is sadly no longer available. What I would look for is a wool hat that is lined with fleece on the inside to keep your ears warm.
Wool Socks
Having the right socks is such a game-changer when you’re winter hiking. I cannot say enough about how much I love SmartWool Women’s Hike Full Cushion Crew socks. I brought one “other” brand of wool socks with me and that day was the only day my feet were cold.
Gloves & Mittens
Norway in wintertime is one of the most photogenic places I’ve experienced. Nobody’s got time for freezing cold hands when you’re trying to snap photos!
It’s best to have two pairs of gloves or mittens for winter hiking in Norway. First, bring a pair of lightweight touchscreen running gloves. These are perfect for short hikes or as a base layer under warmer gloves for longer hikes. Second, be sure to bring a pair of gloves or mittens that are waterproof and rated for below freezing temperatures. These should fit over the other pair of gloves you bring, if possible. Find my recommendations on gloves and mittens here.
I prefer mittens to gloves because I can put a hand warmer packet inside of them to keep my fingers toasty without restricting movement of my fingers. But, go with whatever you’re most comfortable with!
Crampons
Like an idiot, I arrived to go winter hiking in Norway without crampons. As a result, I actually had to turn back before the summit on Ryten in the Lofoten Islands because it was simply unsafe. Don’t be me.
The great news is that there are very affordable, yet effective, crampons available. Be sure to buy crampons with actual spikes and not just microspikes (such as Yaktrax). Microspikes are great for walking around town, but not for winter hiking in icy conditions.
If you’re unsure of what size to purchase, opt for a smaller size so they don’t slide off of your boots while hiking.
Pro Tip: Crampons are not allowed in carry-on luggage on many airlines. Check regulations before traveling or plan to purchase at your destination if you want to carry-on your luggage.
Neck, Face, and Leg Warmers
Even if your winter jacket covers up your neck, it’s helpful to have something close to your skin to keep you warm. Consider wearing a neck gaiter that you can pull up to cover your face in windy conditions. Buff brand has a nice range of options, including wool and fleece-lined.
At the last minute, I threw an old pair of legwarmers into my suitcase. These were the real MVP of my winter hiking in Norway. I ended up wearing these everyday!
First Aid Supplies
It’s always a good idea to bring a first aid kit with you when hiking (it’s on my day hike packing list!).
Even if your boots don’t usually give you blisters, they may with the addition of crampons and thick socks. Learn more about how to prevent and care for blisters. I always travel with Compeed blister pads (this brand specifically) because they stay in place, no matter the conditions.
Other Winter Hiking Packing List Essentials
Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean there isn’t sunshine. Be sure to bring sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare off of the fjords and snow. Similarly, with the sun, cold and wind make sure your lips are taken care of with your favorite lip balm. My must-have for cold weather is Chapstick medicated.
Winter days are so short in Norway! If you want to get the most of your time on the trail, be sure to bring a headlamp (with batteries) so you don’t miss out on a minute of the adventure!
Clothing
Plan to wear layers for winter hiking in Norway. Each day, I wore a sports bra, a breathable tank top base layer, 1-2 long sleeve breathable layers, and two layers of running tights. Sure, you could get more technical and purchase gear designed for the weather, but being budget-minded I opted to layer up the workout gear I already had at home. Combined with the outerwear recommended, I was plenty warm.
Pro Tip: Bring enough for 3-4 days and plan to do laundry to minimize your packing.
If you choose to invest in some cold weather layers, SmartWool is my favorite brand. Their items are high quality and last forever, so worth the investment in my opinion. When winter hiking today, I wear a pair of SmartWool base layer pants and long sleep top. Depending on the conditions, I may add a SmartWool quarter zip top and a pair of wind- and water-resistant cross-country skiing pants on top.
Pro Tip: Still not sure if visiting Norway in winter is for you? Here are 8 reasons why January is the best time to visit Norway!
Optional Items for Winter Hiking in Norway
Gaiters
Expect winter hiking in Norway to include snowy conditions. Gaiters are a great way to keep your feet dry in deep snow, especially if your boots don’t extend up past your ankles. I did not bring these, but did end up with wet feet on one particularly snowy day of hiking.
Packable Down Vest
A down vest is a nice addition to your selection of layers. For some hikes, it was a bit too warm for my full winter jacket, so I wore a vest instead. It was also a nice extra layer to wear under my winter jacket for added warmth at night when I was chasing the Northern Lights. The Patagonia Nano Puff vest is a great option that’ll last forever! If you’re in the US, I actually bought an off-brand at Costco for $15 and am very happy with it.
Dry Bag
You will inevitably get wet while winter hiking in Norway, but you want to keep your electronics dry. A dry bag is nice to have, especially if you visit during a high precipitation month at the beginning or end of winter. Even on a sunny day of hiking, the wind blew snow into crevices in my bag and I was glad my gear was safe and sound. I use a 3L dry bag year round. It’s light as a feather and just big enough to hold all my critical electronics.
Hiking Poles
Hiking poles are helpful to keep you stable in icy trail conditions, especially on steep trails. There are so many ultra lightweight options that they’re easy to strap onto your daypack and bring along just in case. These poles from Hiker Hunger are great because they collapse into a carry-on case and each way less than 1/2 lb! Their fliplock adjustment mechanisms were reliable on rough terrain (I used them on the Inca Trail) and the cork handle withstands nature and sweat!
Pro Tip: Poles are not allowed in carry-on baggage so be prepared to check your bag if you bring them along.
Pro Tip: If you’re a little nervous about winter hiking, check out these helpful winter hiking safety tips!
Are you ready for winter hiking in Norway?
With the right gear, you’ll be saying “ooh” and “ahh” instead of “brrr” while hiking Norway in winter! And, you won’t have to break the bank either.
Want to tackle one of the most epic hikes in Norway? Check out this guide packed with Trolltunga hiking tips.
Related content to read next:
Epic Adventure Guide to Tromso in Winter
Why You Should Visit the Lofoten Islands in Winter
Checkout my Norway archives for more tips to plan your trip!
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Ha ha – yes, I was the same way when I lived in southern California. A few key pieces make winter hiking really enjoyable. And, yes girl, get yourself a first aid kit OR make your own at home. You just never know what could happen out there!
Thanks, Melinda! That’s great to hear. Finding warm winter gear that isn’t bulky is like hitting the jackpot!
Ha ha – I know! The boots are super cute, just wish they were more functional. As for crampons, it really depends. Microspikes are often fine but if you’re anticipating steep inclines or declines, you’re going to want crampons. You can spend a fortune on them but I have a pair that cost about $30 that has worked just fine for me. The real key is to remember to bring the crampons with you lol (made that mistake several times!).
Thanks, Kez! I can totally relate – it’s amazing how quickly the temperatures change in the mountains. I’ve definitely made a similar mistake before!
haha, I find anything under 70 degrees to be cold (how I survived on the east coast-ish for the past decade is still a mystery) so this list is definitely gonna be helpful! I really need to start carrying a first aid kit along with me!
This is a great list. I have a Columbia ski jacket with that heat liner and though thin it is really warm!
I have to admit, i LOVE the look of those fluffy, furry boots. They looks so warm and cozy. Ah well that they are no good for the ice!
Crampons-wise, do you normally bring full crampons with the big spikes, or do you think mircro spikes might be enough? We have so far only really used micro spikes, but i guess i will need to have real crampons at some point if we really want to walk on ice.
Such a comprehensive list to make sure you’re totally prepared for winter hiking in snow. I once ended up hiking a snowy mountain in summer in Central Asia and cursed the fact that I hadn’t brought gloves with me.
Thanks so much! Glad to hear that you found the list helpful, especially since you’re from Norway! I agree on First Aid kits… they are so light and small, it’s not worth it to leave them behind. 🙂
Great post! I’m Norwegian and I’ve seen a lot of people are underprepared when they come here for hiking especially in winter! I definitely agree with everyone you’ve listed – eg the first aid kit.. so many people don’t hike with one, to begin with. Yikes?! I didn’t realised crampons weren’t allowed in carry on so great tip!