Location and surroundings
Norefjell belongs to the chain Fennoscandian Shield > Scandinavian Mountains > Southern Scandes > Southern Highlands > Norefjell. It lies in Norway, in Buskerud, within Krødsherad municipality. At 1,468 m, it is the highest point of its range and the highest of the 326 named peaks in Norefjell. The surrounding terrain is a broad mountain area with ridges, hills and open high ground rather than a single isolated summit.
The landscape around the top is typical of southern Norwegian uplands: exposed slopes, rounded summits and short distances between neighbouring high points. The mountain is part of a well-used recreation area, so the approach terrain is shaped by trails, winter use and access from settled valleys below.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named peaks and hills show how central Norefjell is within the range. Several are only a short distance away, and one nearby summit is almost as high as the main peak.
- Steinmannen (hill), 1,290 m, 0.6 km south
- Grindefjell (peak), 1,414 m, 0.7 km northwest
- Grindefjellhaugen (hill), 1,284 m, 1.1 km northeast
- Skriuhaugen (hill), 1,047 m, 1.7 km east
- Anfinnskutan (hill), 1,280 m, 1.9 km east
- Storleinåsen (hill), 1,210 m, 1.9 km south
- Augunshaug (hill), 1,342 m, 2.0 km southeast
- Kortetjernnatten (hill), 1,050 m, 2.0 km southwest
Grindefjell is the nearest higher-looking neighbour in the immediate cluster, but Norefjell remains the high point of the whole range. The close spacing of these summits gives the area a compact mountain character.
The view from the summit
From the summit of Norefjell, the highest peaks within 25 km include several major tops of the surrounding highlands. To the north is Høgevard at 1,459 m, 3.5 km away. Farther northwest lies Gråfjell at 1,466 m, 7.5 km away, and Ranten at 1,419 m, 5.3 km northwest. These are the main high points that shape the skyline around the mountain.
Other visible high peaks in the wider circle are Haglebunatten to the west, Sorbofjellet to the north, and Delesnatten to the northwest. The summit view is therefore one of a broad upland panorama rather than a single dominant ridge line.
The range
Norefjell is the high point of the Norefjell range. The range’s highest peak is therefore the mountain itself, and it contains 326 named peaks. It belongs to the Norwegian section of the Scandinavian Mountains, within the broader Fennoscandian Shield and Southern Scandes. In the range hierarchy, Norefjell ranks first by elevation.
This makes the mountain both a local summit and the defining high point of the whole range. The surrounding peaks are close enough to form a coherent mountain block, but none rises above it.
Climbing routes
A common route starts from Noresund and goes via Tempelseter to the summit. This is the named ascent line given for the mountain, and it is the route most visitors use when approaching from the settled side of the range. The area is also known for winter sports, so the same mountains can be used in different seasons depending on snow and trail conditions.
Tempelseter Fjellstue is a named hut on the approach, which makes it a useful landmark for planning. In summer the route is a hiking ascent; in winter the same terrain may require snow travel and more careful navigation.
Access and starting points
Noresund is the usual starting town for the ascent of Norefjell. From there, the route via Tempelseter leads into the mountain area and on to the summit. The approach is straightforward in the sense that it begins from a settled valley and then climbs into open high ground, rather than requiring a remote alpine approach.
The mountain area is well known in Buskerud for hiking and winter use, so access is tied to local roads and trail access from the Noresund side. Visitors should plan for changing weather and for conditions that can vary quickly with elevation.
Climate and weather
These figures are estimates from NASA POWER climate data. At the summit, the warmest month is July at about 8 °C, and the coldest is January at about -11 °C. Mean temperatures above freezing at the summit usually occur from May to September. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 1,100 mm, with the wettest month in July at about 140 mm and the driest in February at about 55 mm.
Weather hazards here are typical of southern Norwegian highlands: wind, rapid cloud build-up, rain in summer, snow and ice outside the warm season, and poor visibility in unsettled weather. Even in summer, the summit can feel much colder than the valleys below.
Best time to visit
The most reliable hiking season is usually the period when the summit is above freezing, which here is generally May, June, July, August and September. Those months offer the best chance of snow-free trails and more stable footing, although wet weather is still possible. July is the warmest month, but it is also the wettest, so a dry day is not guaranteed.
For easier walking, late spring through early autumn is the best window. Outside that period, snow, ice and short daylight make the mountain a winter outing rather than a simple hike.
Nature and wildlife
The mountain belongs to the southern Norwegian uplands, where open heather, grasses, lichens and low shrubs dominate the higher ground. Lower slopes and sheltered areas can carry more forest, while the exposed tops are shaped by wind and cold. In this part of Norway, wildlife may include mountain birds, small mammals and larger animals that move through the wider highland landscape.
At this elevation, plant life becomes sparse near the summit and the terrain is more open than wooded. Seasonal snow cover and thin soils are normal features of the area.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Norefjell, a certified guide is usually not essential for the standard summer hike, but it can be useful in winter, in poor visibility, or for visitors who want help with route-finding and local conditions. In Norway, the national mountain guide association is Norwegian Mountain Guides Association (Norske Tindevegledere, NORTIND), which is an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club or federation is Norwegian Climbing Federation (Norsk Klatreforbund).
Examples of established guiding companies in Norway include Jostedalen Breførarlag in Jostedal and Lofoten Mountain Guides in Kabelvåg. Guided trips in Norway usually depend on the length of the outing, group size, hut nights and the equipment needed.
Safety and preparation
Norefjell is not a technical high mountain, but it still demands normal mountain preparation: suitable footwear, layers for wind and cold, food, water and a map or offline navigation. The open terrain can feel exposed, and weather changes can be quick even when the valley below seems calm. In shoulder seasons, snow patches and icy sections may remain on the route.
For mountain rescue in Norway, call 112, which reaches the police emergency service; the police coordinate mountain rescue with volunteer rescue corps. For a medical emergency, call 113. Rescue is free of charge.
History and name
Norefjell is a well-known mountain area in Buskerud and has long been used for hiking and winter sports. It also hosted alpine skiing events during the 1952 Winter Olympics, which helped make the name familiar far beyond the local area. Today the mountain remains part of a landscape associated with both recreation and sport.
The name is used for the peak itself and for the wider mountain area around it. In other forms, it appears as jbl nwryfchyl and جبل نوريفچيل.
Interesting facts
Norefjell is the highest mountain in its range and the highest of 326 named peaks in the Norefjell area. The nearest higher-looking summit in the immediate cluster is Grindefjell, 0.7 km away, but it is still lower than Norefjell. The highest peak within 25 km is Gråfjell at 1,466 m, only 2 m lower than the summit here.
The mountain is also part of a compact highland group where several major peaks lie within a few kilometres. That close spacing makes the summit useful as a reference point for the whole range.
FAQ
How high is Norefjell? It rises to 1,468 m.
Where is Norefjell located? It is in Krødsherad municipality in Buskerud, Norway, in the Southern Scandes of Europe.
What range does Norefjell belong to? It is the high point of the Norefjell range, which is part of the Scandinavian Mountains.
What are the nearest peaks to Norefjell? The closest named neighbours are Steinmannen, Grindefjell, Grindefjellhaugen and Skriuhaugen, all within about 2 km.
Is there water on the way to Norefjell? The route crosses high ground where water can be limited, especially on exposed sections. Carry enough for the day, usually about 1.5-3 litres depending on heat and route length, and treat any natural water you collect.
Are there huts on Norefjell? Tempelseter Fjellstue is named on the approach, so hikers can use it as a landmark when planning the ascent.
How long does it take to climb Norefjell? The route from Tempelseter is commonly given as about 3-4 hours to the summit.
Is mobile phone coverage good on Norefjell? Coverage is generally good on the main trails and summit. The area has 9 mapped communication masts within 10 km, with the nearest about 4.3 km south. On open ground a signal is likely, but it can fail in valleys or behind ridges. Emergency calls to 112 work over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.