Norsk Natursenter – Hardanger

About the museum

Norsk Natursenter – Hardanger in Øvre Eidfjord is an authorised visitor centre for Hardangervidda National Park. The centre was formerly called Hardangervidda Natursenter and is run as a limited company (AS). It lies on National Road 7 between Bergen and Oslo, near the Hardangerfjord, Måbødalen and Vøringsfossen at the foot of Hardangervidda.

The exhibition across three floors takes visitors on a journey through time from 2.9 billion years ago to the present, with interactive stations, rocks, minerals, fossils, models, aquariums and theme videos. Visitors meet reindeer, elk and red deer, see Arctic char (fjellaure) in aquariums, and learn how people have settled and made use of nature’s resources. A separate art and nature theatre shows the interplay between Norwegian art and nature, with Professor Gunnar Danbolt as guide.

The centre’s panorama film “Norge mitt land – fjord, fjell, foss og Hardangervidda” is shown on one of Europe’s largest panoramic screens, 21 metres long and 4 metres high, with a 225-degree field of view. The restaurant Hardangerviddahallen and a souvenir shop are in the building, and the centre offers free teaching for school classes through Nordisk Naturskule.

Highlights

• The panorama film “Norge mitt land” on a 21-metre-wide screen
• Three floors of interactive exhibitions on nature and climate
• Aquariums with Arctic char and animals from Hardangervidda
• Art and nature theatre
• The restaurant Hardangerviddahallen and souvenir shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Utstillingen om norsk natur og klima – Three floors of interactive stations, aquariums and a journey through time from 2.9 billion years ago to the present, with a focus on Hardangervidda.
• Panoramafilmen «Norge mitt land» – Film about fjord, mountain, waterfall and Hardangervidda on a 21-metre-wide panoramic screen.

Operated by

Norsk Natursenter AS

Admission & discounts

Nature guiding and teaching for school classes at Nordisk Naturskule is free. Tickets can be bought online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The centre is universally designed and has a lift between the floors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

The exhibition has interactive stations and is designed for all age groups. Children aged 3–15 pay NOK 100, and a family ticket for two adults with children costs NOK 440. Toilets and changing facilities are available.

Getting there & parking

The centre is in Øvre Eidfjord on National Road 7, the main road between Oslo and Bergen. From Bergen the journey takes about 2.5 hours and from Oslo about 4.5 hours. Electric car charging stations are along the road and in Eidfjord.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant and café Hardangerviddahallen with Norwegian food and local ingredients, and a souvenir shop. Open wifi network “norsknatursenter”. Cloakrooms and space for luggage. Food and drink brought from outside are not permitted in the centre.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit