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DISCOVER NORWAY

Five berries and flowers you can forage for in Norway this summer 

Summertime is the season for foraging in Norway. But what can you pick during the warmest months of the year, and where can you find the ever-elusive cloudberry? 

Pictured is a blackberry bush.
Here are five berries and flowers you can pick in Norway this summer. Pictured is a blackberry bush. Photo by Annie Jiao on Unsplash

Thanks to allemannsretten (the right to roam), the public’s access to nature in Norway is enshrined in law. The same rules also make it possible to forage for berries and wildflowers. This is the public’s right to harvest. 

When in nature, you can forage for berries, mushrooms, wild nuts, and herbs. However, there are some conditions to these rules. You can pick wildflowers and forage for mushrooms if the population isn’t threatened or protected. Additionally, wild nuts must be eaten on the spot. 

Also, you are forbidden from picking berries on farmland or close to other people’s houses without the landowner’s permission. You can also not forage in protected areas, such as nature reserves. Luckily the Norwegian Environment Agency has a map of all protected areas that you can view here (in Norwegian). 

There are also special rules which apply to northern Norway. In Nordland and Troms, you can eat cloudberries you pick on-site but cannot take any with you if the landowner has prohibited foraging. Additionally, any cloudberries you pick in these areas must be for your own use, even if there is no signage saying foraging is prohibited. 

When you pick your plants, remember to wash them thoroughly, be respectful of nature, and not take more than your fair share. 

Hyll (elderflower) 

Elder bushes have two uses. First of all, when flowering, you get elderflower. This can be used to make elderflower cordial or hylleblomst saft

The flowers bloom in June and July. Then you get the elderberries in August, which you can use to make jams, cordial or even vinegar. When unripe, you can pickle them in salt. The end result, when pickled, is something similar to a caper.

Elder bushes are similar to red elder, which is toxic. Elderflowers grow in wide, flat round groups, and the berries are dark purple in colour. 

Pictured is an elderflower.

Pictured is an elderflower. Photo by Cam James on Unsplash

Markjordbær (wild strawberries) 

In June and July, you will find wild strawberries in Norway. These are small plants that grow strawberries smaller than you will typically find in supermarkets. However, what these strawberries lack in size, they make up for in flavour. 

Wild strawberries are found on sunny forest floors and as far north as Finnmark, the northernmost county in Norway, and at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres above sea level. These strawberries are also found in meadows. The name in Norwegian translates to field strawberries in English. 

These berries can be best enjoyed straight off the plant. You can also pick strawberries in most areas covered by Norway’s right to roam. 

Due to their size, it can be hard to find enough to make jam or cordial with (you need around 1,400 berries for a litre of liquid), and a lot of the flavour disappears once the berries are cooked. 

Pictured are wild strawberries.

Pictured are wild strawberries. Photo by Mats Hagwall on Unsplash

Bringebær (raspberries) 

Raspberry bushes are around a metre tall and form dense thickets. Raspberries are common all over Norway and are typically ripe between July and August. The berries are great eaten on their own and can be used to make smoothies, jams and desserts. 

You can tell a raspberry is ready when it is dark red and easily comes off the plant. When foraging, you should be sure only to pick fully ripe berries and leave some for your fellow outdoors enthusiasts. 

Multer (cloudberries) 

Cloudberries can be found between August and September. Don’t expect a lot of help finding a good spot to forage for them, though, as most Norwegians keep their go-to spots as closely guarded family secrets. 

The plants can be found in lowland peatlands, swamp lands, heaths and wet, open areas with lots of sunlight. These berries can be tricky to find, and it can be anywhere up to eight years between a good harvest. The berries can be found as high as 1,400 metres. 

The berries are ready when they are an orange or gold colour. When picked early, they are normally hard and sour. The berries are eaten fresh, frozen, saved for Christmas, or turned into jam. 

Pictured is a bucket of cloudberries.

Pictured is a bucket of cloudberries. Photo by Jørgen Håland on Unsplash

Bjørnebær (blackberries) 

When picking blackberries, with the season being between August and September, you’ll need to be careful of the thorns. Blackberries are perhaps the most abundant berry in Norway and are found all over southern Norway. 

Blackberries can be eaten on their own or can be made into tasty jams. Foragers can tell they are ready when they are glossy, black and pull away from the plant easily.  

Pictured is a blackberry bush

Pictured is a blackberry bush. Photo by Ulvi Safari on Unsplash

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PROPERTY

Why do all homes in Norway seem to look the same?

Of course not every home in Norway is identical but there are several major trends that are easily identifiable in most cities that might give you the impression that they all look the same.

Why do all homes in Norway seem to look the same?

Before we explain the similarities there is plenty of variety among homes in Norway.

Different regions in Norway have their own styles, and people’s personal tastes and modern trends also play a role.

Furthermore, urban areas are way more eclectic compared to rural and more isolated regions, and at the same time, the biggest cities need to deal with population pressure.

READ MORE: What you need to know about the Norwegian housing model

However, it is undeniable that a few significant trends dominate the landscape in most of Norway’s towns and cities.

The traditional wooden house

The first trend is the traditional wooden house, which is often medium-sized and square.

These homes, painted in classic colours such as white, dark red, ochre yellow, or brown, are omnipresent across Norway.

While you will easily spot them in any smaller town, even the two largest cities – Oslo and Bergen – still boast many traditional wooden houses.

READ MORE: Oslo versus Bergen: Five big differences between Norway’s two largest cities

If you take a walk to Bergen’s Old Town, you’ll find an array of traditional wooden houses in the area behind the UNESCO-protected Bryggen Wharf. Many wooden houses can also be found in the centrally located Verftet neighbourhood on the Nordnes peninsula.

Their uniform appearance stems from historical building practices and the practicality of using wood as a primary construction material in a forest-rich country.

These homes not only serve as a testament to Norway’s architectural heritage but also adapt well to the country’s climate, providing insulation against the cold.

Additionally, local building regulations often dictate specific architectural styles to preserve the cultural heritage of Norwegian towns and villages – especially in neighbourhoods with a rich past.

Lofoten houses

Wooden houses in Reine, Lofoten Islands, northern Norway. Photo by Jonas Geschke on Unsplash

Modern Norwegian housing

The second trend includes more modern housing solutions, such as terraced houses, new builds, and apartment blocks.

These structures are increasingly common in urban areas where space is at a premium. Many construction projects in the outskirts of Bergen feature this kind of development as the city expands to accommodate its growing population.

This trend reflects contemporary architectural styles and is often designed with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind.

The uniformity here is driven by modern urban planning in cities like Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger.

Aker Brygge

The Aker Brygge wharf area in central Oslo. Photo by Meriç Dağlı on Unsplash

Traditional vs modern: What advocates of the two styles say

Supporters of traditional Norwegian homes argue that these old structures are very durable. They point out that the wood used in homes from 40 to over 80 years ago comes from slow-growing trees, making it dense and rot-resistant.

Compared to modern building materials, which they often view as inferior, they claim that wood in these older homes ensures longevity – as long as the house has been adequately maintained.

READ MORE: What you should know before buying a house in rural Norway

Furthermore, the longevity of old wooden houses in Norway is well-documented. Many homes built in the early 20th century still retain their original structure despite multiple renovations.

As long as the wood remains dry, it can last for decades – or even centuries.

On the other hand, with advancements in building technology, modern houses are designed to minimise heat loss, reduce energy consumption, and lower utility bills – particularly relevant in the cost-of-living crisis plaguing Norway and Europe in recent years.

These homes often feature high-level insulation, double or triple-glazed windows, and advanced heating systems, which make them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run.

Another key advantage of modern homes is their adherence to strict building codes and standards.

Today, Norwegian houses are built to high specifications, ensuring safety, comfort, and durability. Mandated ventilation systems improve indoor air quality and prevent issues like mould and dampness.

In addition to technical improvements, modern homes are also designed with contemporary lifestyles in mind. Open floor plans and larger windows create bright and adaptable living spaces.

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