Fishing
Great fishing is to be found in rivers and lakes throughout the area, both in the forest areas and in the high mountains. Take the opportunity of catching fine sized fish of great quality. Brown trout is the most common, but whitefish and Arctic char can also be found in a few lakes. The summer season starts at the beginning of June and lasts until well into the autumn. In winter you can fish through the ice.
Fishing licenses may be purchased at www.inatur.no.
Further information about fishing opportunities and regulations can be found on the websites of these local properties:
Hunting
Hunting is permitted according to national hunting regulations in the national park, the protected landscapes and in Skardberga Nature Reserve. In other nature reserves only the hunting of moose, grouse and hares is permitted. The licensees manage all the practicalities regarding hunting.
Further information abouthunting opportunities and regulations can be found on the websites of these local properties::
Kittilbu bird hide
At the mountain hamlet of Kittilbu in Gausdal, you can follow the trail from the national park information stand at the museum to a small birdwatching hide at Kittilbutjernet pond. Here, right on the edge of Hynna Nature Reserve, both common and rare species of birds can be spotted. During the spring and early summer the common crane can be heard in the area, as well as the common snipe’s characteristic drumming sound and the curlew’s call across the landscape.
The area is also home to Slavonian grebes, and at the pond you may be lucky to observe some of them, as well as many ducks, divers, waders, owls, birds of prey and smaller birds.
Dog sledding
Around Langsua National Park you can find excellent trails for dog sledding. This activity is one of Langsua’s signature products during the winter. Around the national park, there are trails for dog sledding that are used for recreation, training, racing and events. Inside the national park there is no marked trails, but dog sledding is allowed. There are many starting points to choose from.
Hiking trails
Langsua boasts an extensive network of well-marked hiking trails, winding through forests and mountains. The Jotunheimstien Trail passes through the area, together with many other DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) trails. Visit some of the many mountain peaks with Topptrimmen in Gausdal, Fjellstafetten in Øystre Slidre or Toppvandring in Torpa, or try guided tours with Espedalen aktiv fritid and guided tours by horse back with Fjellrittet. More information can be found on www.ut.no and outtt.com.
Skiing
The Langsua area offers an extensive network of groomed ski trails adjacent to the national park. Inside the national park there are only seasonally marked trails and no groomed tracks. Visitors can find many starting points for skiing near the protected areas, such as Yddin in Øystre Slidre, Lenningen in Etnedal, Synnfjell in Torpa, Værskei and Synstgardseter in Gausdal, likewise Vassenden at Espedalsvatnet lake, and Verket in Espedalen valley. Have a look at the map and keep yourself updated regarding trail conditions at Skisporet.
Welcome to Langsua National Park
Remember, you are nature’s guest when visiting our protected areas. The first rule is to show consideration for all life around you – including other people.
The Right to Roam under the Outdoor Recreation Act gives everyone the opportunity to free non-motorized travel also in protected areas. All visitors must, however, show consideration so that animals and plants are not harmed or disturbed. Certain restrictions on activities are often in place in the nature reserves, such as restriction during certain seasons or all year round on use of boats, bikes, horses, dogs, camping, groups and events and the use of model boats. Check out the regulations for the nature reserve you want to visit. Read more about The Norwegian right to roam the countryside at the Norwegian Environment Agency.
General information
- You have the freedom to roam through uncultivated land.
- Do not harm or disturb plant, animal or bird life, or other fellow visitors.
- All wild animals are protected except when hunted legally with a license in the hunting season.
- Cultural heritage sites may be protected, so don’t move stone structures or other objects.
- Tidy up after yourself and don’t leave rubbish behind.
- The use of motorized transport outside of roads is prohibited.
Dogs and livestock
- You have a duty to give way to livestock.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash between 1. April – 30. September in the municipalities of Gausdal, Nordre Land, Etnedal, Nord-Aurdal and Øystre Slidre. And in the municipalities of Nord-Fron and Sør-Fron until 15. October.
- Keep gates and other barriers closed at all times so that livestock can’t escape.
- Rubbish can kill animals, so don’t leave any behind!
- Duty of notification: If you see any injured animals, immediately contact the owner, the police +47 02800 or the Norwegian Food Safety Authority +47 22 40 00 00
Special information regarding organized activities in protected areas
For all organized activities, separate rules might apply. Contact the National Park Administration for information and permits.
Picking and gathering
Picking mushrooms, berries and common plants for one’s own use is permitted in the national park and in the protected landscapes. Picking berries and mushrooms for one’s own consumption is also permitted in the nature reserves. Apart from this, all gathering of plants and parts of plants is subject to application.
Campfires
- Campfires are prohibited from 15. April to 15. September, except in places and at times where there are no obvious fire hazards. Follow the local regulations.
- Do not chop down trees or branches to use as firewood! In the national park and the nature reserves, visitors are permitted only to take as firewood branches and twigs found on the ground. In the protected landscapes it is permitted to use dry branches from fallen trees as well. Make small fires and don’t use more firewood than necessary. Please make sure campfires are managed in a safe manner and properly extinguished after use.
Camping in tents
In the national park, individual visitors and small groups, like a family, can camp in the same place for one week without permission from the national park authority. Organized groups must always apply for permission for any length of time.
Bicycling
- In the nature reserves, biking is only permitted on roads. In Hynna Nature Reserve, biking is permitted along Reinsåsvegen road and on the road from Reinsåsen to Hornsjøen from 20. June to 31. March.
- Electric bicycles are only permitted on roads open for motorized traffic. In the protected areas, electric bicycles are considered motorized vehicles.
Horseback riding
- Horseback riding is permitted in the national park and in the protected landscapes.
- In the nature reserves, horseback riding is permitted only along roads, approved lanes and waymarked trails. In Hynna Nature Reserve, horseback riding is permitted along Reinsåsvegen road and on the road from Reinsåsen to Hornsjøen from 20. June to 31. March.
Fishing and hunting
- Fishing is permitted in accordance to fishing regulations.
- Hunting is permitted according to national hunting regulations in the national park, the protected landscapes and in Skardberga Nature Reserve. In other nature reserves only the hunting of moose, grouse and hares is permitted.
Drones and model aircraft
- The use of drones and model aircraft is not permitted in the national park and in the nature reserves.
- However, their use is permitted in the protected landscapes.
Dog sledding
We recommend that visitors follow the extensive, approved trail network out of consideration for vulnerable wild animals during winter.
Use of boats
The use of boats is restricted in the nature reserves. Familiarize yourself with the rules of the specific reserve you are visiting.