ARE WILD MUSK OX IN NORWAY? WHERE & HOW TO SEE THEM!
WONDERING IF THERE ARE WILD MUSK IN NORWAY?
ARE THERE WILD MUSK OX IN NORWAY?
Yes, there are now wild Musk Ox in Norway! After several failed attempts around the 1930’s, a small Musk Ox population was successfully re-introduced to Norway around the 1950’s, importing approx. 20 oxen from Greenland to Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park (or Dovrefjell for short).
Dovrefjell is located in central Norway, set in the Dovre mountains. Click here for Google Maps location.
Since then, and more specifically over the most recent 20 years, Musk Ox numbers in Dovrefjell National Park have thrived, with approximately 240 individual musk oxen known in the most recent 2019 study.
This is fantastic news not only for the species, but for us wildlife lovers who want to see these gargantuan creatures up close roaming freely in their natural habitat!
HOW TO SEE MUSK OX IN NORWAY:
GUIDED TOUR OPTION
WHY IS A GUIDED MUSK OX SAFARI TOUR IN NORWAY RECOMMENDED?
The best and most convenient way to see the Musk Ox in Norway is by booking onto a guided group Musk Ox safari tour! Booking a Musk Ox safari is highly recommended because:
BENEFITS OF A GUIDED MUSK OX TOUR:
- The experienced guides will highly increase your chance of safety, safeguarding you during your entire guided tour through the Dovrefjell National Park.
- With a guide, sightings of wild Musk Ox in Norway are almost guaranteed. The guides are so well versed and familiar with the land and the herds, they will know exactly where to go and look, wasting no precious time.
- The experienced guides will impart invaluable knowledge and intriguing wisdom of these epic creatures as you complete your walking tour.
- Be given plenty of time to photograph and view the Musk Ox.
WHO IS THE BEST MUSK OX SAFARI TOUR OPERATOR?
The highest-rated Musk Ox safari tour operator in Norway is with Oppdal Safari, on their ‘Musk Ox Safari in Dovrefjell’ tour.
Honoured with a Badge of Excellence on Viator, this full day 6-7 hour tour includes a guided hike through Dovrefjell National Park in search of the rugged Musk Ox.
HOW MUCH DOES THE MUSK OX SAFARI TOUR WITH OPPDAL SAFARI COST IN 2024?
This incredible Musk Ox safari tour costs just £56 per person in 2024. In our opinion, this is brilliant value for money for a wildlife packed, full-day tour with the invaluable addition safety and knowledge from the guide!
HOW TO SEE MUSK OX IN NORWAY:
SELF-GUIDED OPTION
It is possible to see Musk Ox in Norway on your own, without going on a guided tour.
There is an official ‘Musk Ox walking trail’ (established 2017) that leads you deep into the forest and open plains of Dovrefjell National Park.
It was purposefully created to increase tourism whilst also protecting wildlife, encouraging hikers to follow the dedicated routes only.
‘MUSK OX WALKING TRAIL’: WALKING ROUTE OPTIONS
There are a few circular routes with varying lengths to choose from, the shortest being 4.5km return and the longest being 15 km return. There are two entry starting points to join this trail, at either Kongsvoll or Grønbakken.
Click here for the full Musk Ox trail map on the official Dovrefjell website showing all hike options.
On our favourite trail app, OutdoorActive, we have also found a 13km pre-planned walking route of the Musk Ox trail, which you have follow in real time on GPS. This one in particular starts at Kongsvoll. Click to download it for your trip here!
IS THE MUSK OX WALKING TRAIL OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND?
No, the Musk Ox trail on Dovrefjell is only open for the public to use in the Summer months, between June to September.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE MUSK OX WALKING TRAIL?
The Musk Ox trail covers varying terrain, from canopied birch forest to vast open plains. The trail, plus varying land elevation, is described as moderate, so a reasonable physical ability and experience in hiking would be ideal.
IS THE MUSK OX WALKING TRAIL DANGEROUS ON YOUR OWN?
Though the Musk Ox trail is a dedicated trail with clear signposts to follow, the potential danger here is not getting lost. The danger is potentially encountering and, in the worst case scenario, accidentally angering a Musk Ox.
If you plan to hike into Dovrefjell without a guide, you absolutely should be prepared and educate yourself well on how to safely back away or behave around the Musk Ox if accidentally encountered.
Remember, you are heading willingly into their territory – and will not always necessarily just be a safe 200 metres set away from you to view from afar. For example, Musk Ox do tend to venture into the birch forests in the early Summer, where sections of the Musk Ox walking trail is!
Don’t let the slow docile nature of these heavy 450lb beasts fool you. If they feel threatened, Musk Ox will not run away, they have the potential to charge at you and attack. Musk Ox can reach speeds of up to 60km per hour, so there is no chance of out running them.
To avoid this, familiarise yourself with the official advice of the Musk Ox Code of Conduct before you go.
WHERE TO STAY IN OPPDAL
The main Musk Ox walking trail (and guided tour with Oppdal Safari) is based in Oppdal – a small municipality located on the North East border of Dovrefjell National Park.
For convenience, we recommend staying here the day before your guided tour or self-guided trail to be based super close by.
See below our top accommodation picks for Oppdal, Norway to consider when arranging your Musk Ox safari:
(160m / 2 minute walk from the tour pick-up point)
(260m / 4 minute walk from the tour pick-up point)
(600m / 8 minute walk from the tour pick-up point)
MUSK OX IN NORWAY:
ADDITIONAL FAQ’S
WHAT ARE MUSK OX?
DO MUSK OX ORIGINATE FROM NORWAY?
Uncovered fossils of Musk Ox remains point to Musk Ox populations existing in Norway (as well as other more prominent Arctic regions such as Northern America and Greenland) over 20,000 years ago during the time of the last Ice Age.
Unfortunately, for many centuries after, Musk Ox’s ceased to exist and were extinct in Norway for thousands of years.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO SEE MUSK OX IN NORWAY IN WINTER?
The only way you can see Musk Ox in Norway in the Winter months is a part of a specialised guided tour, which only a handful of tour operators offer.
This is because the wintery weather conditions in Dovrefjell National Park can be quite challenging, requiring participants to venture off the marked pathways and trudge through the snow.
One recommended tour operator who offers a specialised Winter Musk Ox safari tour is Dovre og Lesja Aktiv. If you are in Norway this Winter, go check them out!
MUSK OX WALKING TRAIL PACKING LIST
- A packed lunch.
- Refillable water bottle!
- A good quality camera with a good zoom!
- Binoculars (optional)
- Loose comfortable clothing in layers to suit the predicted weather. T-shirts, thin activewear leggings / shorts (assumed Summer months).
- Comfortable (ideally waterproof) hiking shoes with good grip and ankle support.
- High factor sun cream.
- Additional sun protective clothing, including a sun cap and sunglasses.
CONCLUSION: MUSK OX IN NORWAY
To conclude, there is the incredible opportunity to see wild Musk Ox in Norway in Dovrefjell National Park!
Whether you embark on a self-guided hike on the official Musk Ox walking trail or sign up to the budget-friendly 5* ‘Musk Ox Safari in Dovrefjell’ tour with Oppdal Safari, take the opportunity this Summer to see these prehistoric giants in their natural habitat!
This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!
Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com
A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.
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