Hiking | Mountain tour | Nature

HM Queen Sonja’s panoramic hiking trail

@ Visit Hardangerfjord

+ 14 Images

Experience "Dronningstien" in Hardanger – one of the most beautiful and popular hiking trails in Norway. Get up close to mighty nature and enjoy the beautiful views from one of H.M.Queen Sonja's favorite hikes.

Contact information

Address

5780 Kinsarvik

Phone

+47480 70 777

Mail

turist@ullensvang.kommune.no

Website

Hardangerfjord.com/en/

Three hikers at the top of Dronningstien, enjoying a stunning view of Sørfjorden and Folgefonna glacier in the background.

Hikers standing next to a cairn on Dronningstien with a spectacular view of the fjord.

Marked parking areas Kinsarvik and Lofthus

+ 14 Images

Group of hikers with a view over the Hardangerfjord from Dronningstien.

Hikers walking along a trail in the mountain landscape on Dronningstien.

View from Dronningstien over the blue fjord and mountains under a clear sky.

Tourist exploring "mini trolltunga" on the Dronningstien Hike in Hardanger.

View towards a large valley with waterfalls seen from Dronningstien.

Her Majesty Queen Sonja at the start of "H.M. Queen Sonja's Panoramic Hike" in Hardanger.

Trail opening day 29 June 2013 with HM Queen Sonja, mayor Solfrid Borge and Hans Edmund Utne of Hotel Ullensvang.

"Gutta på tur" with Her Majesty Queen Sonja.

View from Dronningstien over the Hardangerfjord with snow-capped mountains in the background.

A cairn at the top of Dronningstien with a view of the fjord and the village of Lofthus.

Panoramic view over the Hardangerfjord seen from Dronningstien under a clear, blue sky.

Two hikers at the top of a mountain on Dronningstien, overlooking the Hardangerfjord.

Fjord view with steep mountain sides seen from Dronningstien.

View over the Hardangerfjord from Dronningstien with green forests and mountains in the background.

About

Note: Forestry work is currently taking place along the forest road in Lofthus from Monday to Thursday until the end of June. Please keep a safe distance from machinery and timber trucks, follow all signage in the area, and do not stay near stored timber.

The H.M. Queen Sonja’s Panorama Hiking Trail, known in Norway as “Dronningstien” (Queen’s Path) in Hardanger, has become one of Norway’s most popular hiking trails. It is also one of H.M. Queen Sonja’s favorite hiking trails – given the spectacular view over the Sørfjorden during the entire hike, that is easy to understand!

The trail leads through the high mountains between Kinsarvik and Lofthus. The hike takes about 6 - 9 hours and has a total difference in altitude of 1,100 meters - in other words; it is a strenuous hike. But you will be rewarded with the unique contrasts in the Hardanger landscape - the terrain varies from forest to high mountains and lush orchards with thousands of apple trees. Additionally, you will have a fantastic view over the Sørfjorden, parts of the Folgefonna Glacier, and scenic nature.

The 16-kilometer-long hiking trail connecting Kinsarvik and Lofthus can be walked in both directions. Most hikers choose to start in Røte near Kinsarvik. To do this, turn off at the Esso petrol station in Kinsarvik and follow the road as far as it is paved. Here you can park for a parking fee of NOK 100 (payable by Vipps or bank transfer).

At the beginning of the hike, you follow the gravel road from Røte up to Heng, 750 meters above sea level. From Heng, the hiking trail is marked with blue D-letters (D stands for Dronning, which means queen). The last part of the hike down to Lofthus leads over the well-known monk stairs. This part is marked with red T-letters (the hiking trail markings of the Norwegian Hiking Association).

Shuttlebus Hardanger offers transportation service between the start and end of the Dronningstien. You can find the timetable and booking information here.

Both in Lofthus and Kinsarvik, there are numerous other exciting activities and attractions nearby. In the area around Sørfjorden, you will also find many accommodation options. More information about accommodation experiences all over Hardanger follow below on this page.

Altitude profile

Start: Røte. Leave the main road R.V. 13 in Kinsarvik near the Esso station and follow the asphalt road up to Røte.

Parking: We prefer it if you park at Røte or Vassmyrane (where the hike starts form the Kinsarvik side) or by the old ferry parking in the centre of Kinsarvik (opposite Esso, by the fjord). There is a 200NOK fee for parking at Røte or Vassmyrane. In the centre of Lofthus there is only short term parking (max. 4 hours). If you have to park in Lofthus you can park by Hordatun sports arena or by the church (when there are events in the church there will be fewer parking spaces available). It is possible to take a shuttle bus or taxi between the different parking areas and each starting point for the hike. Please see all the parking areas on the map amongst the photos.

Length: 16 kilometers
Total difference in altitude: 1,100 meters
Duration: 6-9 hours
Season (average year): July - mid-September

Contact information

About

Map