Hike enough in Norway and sooner or later you will hear hooves behind you. Riding is popular across the country, from forest tracks outside Oslo to open mountain plateaus, and many of the paths hikers love are shared with riders.
Some hikers go a step further and plan trips with horses: a guided trek where the horses carry riders or gear, or a mixed holiday with riding days and walking days. It is a very old way of moving through the Norwegian mountains.
This guide covers both sides: how to share a trail safely with horses, what Norwegian access rules say about riding, and what to expect if you want to try hiking with horses yourself.
Horses in the Norwegian mountains
Before roads and cars, horses were how people and goods crossed the mountains. Pack horses carried loads over old trading routes, and summer farms in the high valleys relied on them to move butter, cheese and supplies.
The cover photo shows members of Norway's high mountain commission crossing the Bjoreia river on horseback in 1923, on Hardangervidda. Fording rivers with loaded horses was a normal part of mountain travel then.
Today most riders are out for pleasure. The Norwegian Fjord horse is the native breed you will see most often, but Icelandic horses are also very common in Norway, popular for trail riding because they are sure-footed, hardy and comfortable over long distances.
What the law says about riding on trails
Norway's right to roam, allemannsretten, is set out in the Outdoor Recreation Act. It covers riders as well as walkers, but with some differences that are worth knowing.
In outfield land, utmark, which covers most forest, mountain and moorland, you may ride on roads and paths, and you may ride anywhere on open mountain terrain. The municipality can ban riding on specific stretches with the owner's consent.
On infield land, innmark, such as farmyards, cultivated fields and pasture, the rules are stricter. Riding is allowed on roads and established paths that lead through to outfield land, as long as you do not pass through a farmyard or cause a nuisance. Organised riding club activity is not covered.
The Norwegian Environment Agency also asks riders to avoid soft ground such as bogs, to keep off ski tracks, and to stay away from the busiest hiking paths where possible. That last point matters to hikers too: if a trail is very crowded, the riders have probably chosen another route. If you want the full picture for walkers, see our guide to the rules of wild camping and allemannsretten.
Meeting horses on the trail
Horses are prey animals. Their instinct is to run first and think later, and something as ordinary as a rustling rain jacket, a sudden movement or an off-lead dog can startle them.
When you see riders coming, step to one side of the path, ideally the downhill side so you are not above the horse. Stand still, stay visible and say hello. Hearing a human voice helps a horse recognise you as a person rather than a strange shape with a backpack.
If you are coming up from behind, call out well before you reach them and wait for the rider to tell you how to pass. Never walk straight up behind a horse, and do not try to touch it unless the rider invites you to.
Trekking poles can look alarming to a nervous horse. Hold them still and close to your body while riders pass. The same goes for umbrellas, flapping maps and anything else that moves unpredictably.
Dogs, horses and narrow paths
Dogs and horses can be the trickiest mix on a trail. In Norway, dogs must be kept on a lead between 1 April and 20 August, but even outside that period it is wise to clip your dog on as soon as you see horses.
Move off the path with your dog on the side away from the horse, and keep it calm and close until the riders are well past. Our guide to hiking with dogs has more on trail manners for four-legged hiking partners.
On narrow ridges, bridges or steep sections, communication is everything. Agree with the rider who goes first. Usually it is easier for the hiker to find a safe spot to wait than for a horse to turn or back up.
Trying a horse-supported hike
If you like the idea of travelling with horses, you have a few options in Norway. Many stables in mountain areas offer guided trail rides from an hour to a full day, and some run multi-day treks with overnight stops at cabins or mountain farms.
These trips often combine riding with time on foot. On steep descents riders usually dismount and lead their horses, which spares the horse's back and legs. Expect to walk more than you might think, so good boots still matter.
Most guided treks ask for at least some riding experience, especially for multi-day routes. Be honest about your level when you book. A beginner on a calm, experienced horse can have a wonderful day; a beginner who overstates their skills can have a frightening one.
Many Norwegian trekking stables use Icelandic horses because of their gait. Alongside walk, trot and canter, most Icelandic horses have the tölt, a smooth four-beat gait where the rider sits almost still. Some also have flying pace, a fast lateral gait used over short distances. If you want to understand the breed before you go, you can read about tölt and Icelandic horse gaits at icelandhorse-shop.de, a German magazine about the breed.
What to pack for a day with horses
Your normal day hike kit still applies, but a few things change. Wear sturdy boots with a heel, and leave very chunky lugged soles at home if you will be riding, since they can catch in stirrups.
Long trousers that do not chafe are essential. Many riders wear stretchy hiking trousers or proper riding tights. Bring layers you can add or remove without dismounting, and a waterproof jacket that does not rustle too loudly.
A riding helmet is standard on guided trips and is usually provided. If you have your own, bring it. Keep your daypack small and tight, or use saddlebags if the stable offers them, so nothing bounces against the horse.
For the rest of your packing, our ultimate day hike packing list is a good starting point. Add sunscreen, insect repellent for horseflies in summer, and a small snack the guide approves before offering anything to a horse.
Leave no trace, with hooves
Horses leave more of a mark than boots do. Riders are expected to keep to paths that can take the traffic, avoid bogs and other fragile ground, and not water their horses at bathing spots or drinking water sources.
As a hiker you will occasionally step around droppings on shared trails. It comes with the territory and breaks down quickly in the open, but stables and riders who clear it from car parks and busy stretches are always appreciated.
The spirit is the same for everyone: move with care, respect other users and leave the trail as you found it. Whether you arrive on foot or on horseback, the Norwegian mountains are meant to be shared.
A slower way to see the mountains
Spending a day with horses changes the rhythm of a hike. You stop more often, you notice the ground under your feet in a different way, and you get a small taste of how people crossed these mountains for centuries.
And if you simply meet riders on your next walk, a friendly greeting and a step to the side is all it takes. Hikers and horses have shared Norway's paths for a very long time.
Cover photo: members of the High Mountain Commission crossing the Bjoreia on horseback, 1923. National Archives of Norway (Riksarkivet), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Erik Lindqvist
Erik Lindqvist is a Scandinavian trail guide and outdoor writer based in Norway. He has spent fifteen years hiking fjord paths, mountain ridges, and forest tracks across Norway, Sweden, and Iceland.
