A hiking adventure: Simskardrunden in Børgefjell
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit HelgelandExperience a taste of what Børgefjell has to offer with Simskardrunden, with a pitstop at the Simskards cabin to enjoy a cup of coffee along with your packed lunch.
Key info
Degree of difficulty: Easy/Intermediate. For the most part, easy and pleasant terrain with occasional rough sections.
Distance: 8,5 km round trip
Altitude to climb: 158 km
Duration one way: 2 to 3 hours
Season: June-November
Trailhead: Parking at Simskardet during summer and parking by the road leading to the entrance gate during winter.
Special precautions: Børgefjell / Byrkjie is among our least facilitated national parks, with few or no marked trails, bridges, or DNT cabins. Here, it’s primarily about tenting, maps, and compass navigation.
Simskardrunden is a great alternative for those who want a taste of Børgefjell, with a visible trail and coverage throughout the loop. Alternatively, if you want to use the great lean-to shelter equipped with toilet facilities and a gravel road leading directly to the lean-to shelter located right by the river.
Simskardrunden is for those who wish to visit Børgefjell in facilitated terrain with well-maintained trails in fantastic nature, with coverage all the way.
A stop at Simskardhytta to enjoy a cup of coffee and a good packed lunch is recommended. Simskardhytta is divided into two parts, consisting of an open day-use area and a locked rental section. In the day-use area, you can use a wood stove if you need some extra warmth. For more information about Simskardhytta and booking, see ut.no or inatur.
The hike takes you further on the opposite side of the river and across suspension bridges, fantastic waterfalls, and beautiful scenery. You will also see reindeer husbandry facilities in the area.
If you only want to enjoy the view into the National Park, you can do so from the fantastic lean-to shelter located right by the Simskardelva river with a view towards the national park. Here, you can enjoy grilling your packed lunch or brewing coffee on the fire pits while enjoying the peaceful surroundings of Simskardet. If you want a short walk from here, there is a facilitated gravel road from the lean-to shelter along the river as a small loop. The entrance gate is a facilitated area with toilets right by the parking lot, information about Børgefjell National Park, and a short walk with a gravel path to the lean-to shelter.
View the Skimskard cabin here
View trailheads using Google Maps: Summer parking / Winter parking
1. Follow the Norwegian Mountain Code and plan according to your ability and equipment
Short hikes on easy terrain don’t require much. If you’re heading out for an hour or two in the lowlands and not gaining much elevation, you won’t need a lot of gear or be in top shape. If it gets cold or you get tired, you’re usually not far from your car.
But if you’re heading into more challenging terrain—steeper, rougher, and above the treeline where the weather is more unpredictable—you’ll need to be better prepared. You should plan the trip based on weather and conditions, be fit enough to complete it, and be ready for uneven ground, boulder fields, slippery roots, and stream crossings. That means carrying a heavier pack with extra clothes and gear, and wearing sturdy hiking boots that support your ankles.
If you’re unsure about taking on a demanding mountain hike, start with an easy or moderate one and see how it feels.
Learn more about the Norwegian Mountain Code at rodekors.no
See what you should bring on your hike on VisitNorway.com
2. Stick to marked trails
A shortcut through unfamiliar terrain can easily turn into a long and difficult detour. What looks like a trail might just be a sheep path that leads you somewhere completely unexpected. If you want the hike to be as easy or challenging—and as long or short—as planned, it’s best to follow marked trails.
If you’re heading off-trail, it’s smart to follow a GPS track. You can download a GPX file from a hike description and use it on a GPS device, a smartphone app, or a GPS watch.
UT.no and the UT app offer hike descriptions with GPS tracks. If your hike doesn’t have one, you can upload a track to ut.no/mine-turer and access it in the app. It’s free, but you’ll need to create an account.
Always carry a map and compass as backup.
UT app for Android / UT app for iPhone
3. Talk to locals or join a guided hike
Locals often have useful tips about your planned hike. They can tell you where to park, whether there’s phone coverage, if the trail is wet, if rivers are high, or suggest a better alternative. Talk to the people where you’re staying, at the local tourist office, or other hikers on the trail—you might get some truly valuable advice.
The best option is to hike with a guide. You can join a group tour or book a private guide. These are experienced locals who know the area well. They’ll help tailor the hike to your needs and share insights that add to the experience.
4. Look out for cultural landmarks
Even high up in the mountains, you’ll find traces of past human activity—some hundreds or even thousands of years old. These can include ancient trail markers, signal cairns, hunting fences, huts, and shepherd shelters. If you spot something interesting, check the KulturPunkt app to see what it is—or use the app to find a cultural site as your hiking goal.
KulturPunkt app for Android / KulturPunkt app for iPhone
KulturPunkt.org
5. Remember your responsibilities under the Right to Roam
Norway’s Right to Roam means you can hike, bike, pick berries, camp, fish, and ski almost anywhere in nature. But it also comes with responsibilities—what we call the “duties of the Right to Roam.” Leave no trace, respect wildlife, and know the rules for hunting, fishing, cycling, and access in protected areas like national parks and nature reserves.
Read more about the Right to Roam and your responsibilities at VisitNorway.com
Thank you for respecting the local communities, and for helping us preserve the natural beauty of Helgeland!
Please:
- Strive to leave no trace of your visit. Bring back all your rubbish, including used toilet paper, and discard it in the nearest rubbish bin.
- Plan your toilet visits and use the opportunity when you pass a toilet. In the wilderness, make sure you are not a nuisance to others.
- Respect the local wildlife. Keep a good distance from wildlife, livestock and birds. Keep your dog leashed.
- Respect private property. Keep a respectful distance from houses and cabins.
- Show good boating sense. Keep a good distance from shore and drive at a low speed, especially when you are close to anyone or anything on the water, including birds or animals. Avoid loud and disturbing engine noise. Be aware that some islands and nature reserves are important nesting sites, and that going ashore is prohibited during the nesting season.
- Follow the Norwegian Mountain Code (Fjellvettreglene). Plan your excursion according to the weather forecast, your skills and experience.
- Join a guided excursion or consider hiring an experienced guide, especially when you don’t have sufficient experience or knowledge to guarantee a safe trip.
Find accommodation, food, and activities nearby
Gateway to Northern Norway – souvenir shop & fast food
Begin your journey through Helgeland with a good meal and a visit to the shop that has everything you need for the adventures awaiting you in Northern Norway.
Salmon fishing at Korgen Camping
Korgen Camping is nestled idyllically right by the salmon river Røssåga. Here, you’ll find an easily accessible and well-facilitated salmon fishing area, with a dedicated zone for fly fishermen, fishing trails, and several shelters with fire pits. The river flows wide and calmly, making it ideal for fishing both from the shore and with waders.
Korgfjellet Lodge
Come and stay right in the heart of a beautiful mountain area, in the heart of Helgeland. From Korgfjellet Lodge, you have a beautiful hiking area right outside your cabin door, both in summer and winter. Perfect for those who want to go hiking or skiing, fish in mountain lakes, hunt, or pick berries.
The Mountain Way
Join us for a majestic journey to Rabothytta in the Okstindan mountain range, the roof of Northern Norway. You’ll be following in the footsteps of the mountaineers and pioneers who first explored and summited these peaks and pinnacles. With local food and pastries in your backpack, you’ll be guided on a journey through vast and wild nature, to the peace and quiet found deep within the mountain wilderness. Great natural experiences meet compelling storytelling in this package tour from The Trail Way.
Fjellfolket Hus – in the middle of Hattfjelldal
Experience the beautiful natural areas along the Wilderness Road starting from the mountain village of Hattfjelldal. At Fjellfolkets Hus, you’ll find accommodation, tourist information, a museum, and a handicraft shop, allowing you to be close to both nature and culture in this fantastic mountainous region.
