Scenic Views & Nature Experiences

Gaustatoppen, rising 1,883 meters above sea level, is one of Norway’s most iconic mountain peaks. It offers one of the best panoramic views in the entire country. On a clear day, you can see more than 60 peaks in every direction. If you visit the summit in clear weather, you can at the same time enjoy views of Jotunheimen to the north, Nordmarka in Oslo to the east, Hardangervidda to the west, and, if you are lucky, even the lighthouse at Færder at the very edge of the Oslofjord.

Sit down with a warm waffle and a cup of coffee at Gaustatoppen Turisthytte and let your gaze wander across one of Norway's most beautiful mountain landscapes. The views stretch from Jotunheimen in the north to Hardangervidda in the west, and on a truly clear day all the way to the lighthouse at Færder at the outer edge of the Oslofjord. There are not many cafés in the world that can offer anything quite like it.

You are in good company. Gaustatoppen Turisthytte has welcomed guests since 1893, built from the mountain's own natural stone. There is something special about resting your legs, feeling the warmth of the cup and knowing that people have sat in this very spot looking out over the same landscape for over 130 years.

The rocks on Gaustatoppen tell a story spanning over a billion years. The bedrock consists of pale quartzites that were once sand along an ancient shoreline, and on certain stones you can still see clear wave marks from that time.

The rocky landscape surrounding the summit is known as a block field, formed as water seeps into cracks in the rock, freezes to ice and splits the stone apart year after year over thousands of years.

Even in the middle of summer, the weather can change suddenly and snow can fall on the summit – a reminder that you are in a true alpine environment, even as the valley below is green and warm.