The rules for trail driving — simply explained
Motor driving in nature is forbidden in Norway — unless it takes place in an approved trail or falls under a clear exception. In Varanger there are two types of approved trails: snowmobile trails in winter and off-snow trails in summer. Both are governed by the individual municipality, and the rules are stricter than many think. Here you get the overview you need to drive legally and safely.
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The municipality owns the trails
The municipality is the motor driving authority. It is the municipality that decides on the trails, opens and closes them, and marks them in the terrain. The County Governor is the appeals body, and FeFo is the landowner. Always check your municipality's website and trail regulations before you go.
Snowmobile trails — when are they open?
A snowmobile trail is only legal to drive when two things are in place at the same time: the trail must be marked in the terrain (with stakes or similar), and it must be announced as open by the municipality. Even if the trail is on the map, it doesn't mean it's open right now.
The municipality can close trails on short notice — for example due to bad weather, little snow, reindeer herding or avalanche risk. Therefore you must always check the municipality's website for updated status on open and closed trails before you set out on a trip. The trails on our map are taken from the Norwegian Environment Directorate's official dataset, but the real-time status is controlled by the municipality.
The old state-owned trails in Finnmark were abolished in 2021. Today's trail network has been decided anew by each municipality according to the new motor driving law.
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Driver's license
Class S is required for snowmobile
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16 years old
Age limit for driving a snowmobile on a trail
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60–70 km/h
Speed limit (lower with sledge/passenger)
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0.2 ‰
Alcohol limit — same as for cars
Off-snow trails — Finnmark's special arrangement
Off-snow trails are driving tracks for motorized travel on snow-free ground, and are found almost only in Finnmark. They are intended for utility driving — transport to cabins and in connection with hunting, trapping, fishing and berry picking — not for pleasure driving. Of the Varanger municipalities, Nesseby, Tana, Vadsø and Vardø have their own off-snow trails with municipal regulations.
Because off-snow driving leaves lasting marks in nature, the rules are much stricter than for snow. The trails often have weight restrictions, and the standard varies from simple driving tracks to barely marked routes. Which rules apply can be found in the municipality's off-snow regulations on Lovdata.
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Season for off-snow
The off-snow trails open earliest on 1 July and close latest on 31 October — but opening and closing dates can vary between municipalities. In addition, in Finnmark and North Troms there is a separate ban on off-snow driving from 5 May to and including 30 June to protect vulnerable nature during breeding season.
What is allowed without application?
Outside the trails, motor driving in wild land is forbidden, but some purposes are allowed without application: police, ambulance and rescue, public inspection, necessary transport to permanent residences, and business within agriculture, forestry and reindeer herding. Note that hunting, fishing and berry picking are not counted as business here.
Also remember that roads not built for ordinary cars are counted as wild land — so it is not allowed to drive four-wheel vehicles on tractor roads in the forest. For utility driving beyond this you must apply to the municipality.
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Control and fines
The State Nature Inspectorate (SNO) and the police control motor driving in wild land, and SNO can issue violation fines on the spot. Illegal driving can also result in prosecution. Drive legally — nature and your wallet thank you.
Before you drive
- 🗺️Check the municipality's official trail map and regulations — that is the answer key for where and when you can drive.
- 📱Follow the municipality's website/Facebook for open and closed trails. Status can change within hours.
- 🧭Stay on the marked trail. Leaving the trail is illegal — even to take a shortcut or a photo.
- 🦌Show consideration for reindeer herding and wildlife. Stop and give way if you meet reindeer.
- ❄️Assess snow and ice conditions yourself. An open trail does not mean the ice holds everywhere.
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