Getting water in Norway

[popotla]

My wife and I are planning a two- or three-month trip in Norway, where we expect to normally stay overnight "in the wild" or at parking places and so on, in other words at locations where we wouldn't pay (as we do in Germany, where we live). Here, water and electricity at free Stellplätze is normally paid for (perhaps €1 for 90 or 100 liters; electricity is usually 'a coin in the slot'), a system which we - and others, one supposes - find to be convenient and in every way OK.

I've read that in Norway, "you can find water easily 'everywhere'", a statement I find unsatisfactorily vague. How is it there, then, for getting fresh water? Are there taps in public areas? Where does one get water, travelling the way we expect to?

 

[ceejayt]

When I was there I called in at campsites to empty grey and black and fill up for a small fee

 

[jumar]

My wife and I are planning a two- or three-month trip in Norway, where we expect to normally stay overnight "in the wild" or at parking places and so on, in other words at locations where we wouldn't pay (as we do in Germany, where we live). Here, water and electricity at free Stellplätze is normally paid for (perhaps €1 for 90 or 100 liters; electricity is usually 'a coin in the slot'), a system which we - and others, one supposes - find to be convenient and in every way OK.

I've read that in Norway, "you can find water easily 'everywhere'", a statement I find unsatisfactorily vague. How is it there, then, for getting fresh water? Are there taps in public areas? Where does one get water, travelling the way we expect to?

Had a few trips tp Norway, didn't have any problems that I can remember, Park4Night would be a good source of info....

 

[Robert Clark]

Water taps are widely available at petrol stations
Look out for a ‘Wam and vos’ sign (air and water)
Sometimes there is a box over the water tap for insulation.

We never had any issues getting water anywhere in Norway

 

[Coolcats]

My wife and I are planning a two- or three-month trip in Norway, where we expect to normally stay overnight "in the wild" or at parking places and so on, in other words at locations where we wouldn't pay (as we do in Germany, where we live). Here, water and electricity at free Stellplätze is normally paid for (perhaps €1 for 90 or 100 liters; electricity is usually 'a coin in the slot'), a system which we - and others, one supposes - find to be convenient and in every way OK.

I've read that in Norway, "you can find water easily 'everywhere'", a statement I find unsatisfactorily vague. How is it there, then, for getting fresh water? Are there taps in public areas? Where does one get water, travelling the way we expect to?

Just remember you cannot just camp anywhere you want as the land may be privately owned. This seems a reasonable guide. https://inspiredbymaps.com/wild-camping-in-norway/

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[Southdowners]

We had no problems getting water - we had two trips of four months each and only stopped on one site for a couple of days.

Garages, outside taps at shops supermarkets, ferry terminals, aires, once, when everything was frozen solid we asked at a fire station and were allowed to use their high pressure hose inside the station. Never had any problems - wherever we asked the answer was always a very friendly ‘yes’. We always travelled full, so even if we were 2/3rds full and had a filling opportunity we took it.

 

[Southdowners]

Just remember you cannot just camp anywhere you want as the land may be privately owned. This seems a reasonable guide. https://inspiredbymaps.com/wild-camping-in-norway/

Norway’s allemannsrett (every man’s right) allows access anywhere that isn’t cultivated and is 150mt from dwellings. The size of the country and it’s sparse population means you can stop virtually anywhere. We never found it a problem.

 

[Coolcats]

Norway’s allemannsrett (every man’s right) allows access anywhere that isn’t cultivated and is 150mt from dwellings. The size of the country and it’s sparse population means you can stop virtually anywhere. We never found it a problem.

As with a lot of these things yes and no, yes there is free camping roaming etc it does not have to be cultivated as such as it can also be designated fenced land.


Wild camping does not apply to certain parts of Norway. For example, you cannot camp on private land without the owner’s permission. The Outdoor Recreation Act of 1957 refers to this as ‘fenced land,’ but keep in mind that there does not need to be an actual fence in place for this rule to apply

 

[Southdowners]

As with a lot of these things yes and no, yes there is free camping roaming etc it does not have to be cultivated as such as it can also be designated fenced land.


Wild camping does not apply to certain parts of Norway. For example, you cannot camp on private land without the owner’s permission. The Outdoor Recreation Act of 1957 refers to this as ‘fenced land,’ but keep in mind that there does not need to be an actual fence in place for this rule to apply

Well it’s down to common sense really. You’re not likely to go onto land that’s fenced or obviously private or cultivated - there’s simply no need to as the country is so vast and sparsely populated. You are allowed to go on private land though as long as you leave it as you find it.

On one occasion we were parked beside a community hall alongside a beach. Not only were the people in the village really friendly - they came down to say hello - they told us to help ourselves to fish from the community hall’s freezer and plug into their electricity! We stayed a few days and asked about going for a walk when the tide was right up but that would have meant walking through the bottom the the gardens of a couple of houses. They looked surprised and said of course… just walk through the gardens and wave if someone is there. They’re very laid back because they have such wide open spaces and aren’t cramped in like in the UK… they are free and easy. It’s rare to see fences around homes there’s no need.

 

[Coolcats]

Well it’s down to common sense really. You’re not likely to go onto land that’s fenced or obviously private or cultivated - there’s simply no need to as the country is so vast and sparsely populated. You are allowed to go on private land though as long as you leave it as you find it.

On one occasion we were parked beside a community hall alongside a beach. Not only were the people in the village really friendly - they came down to say hello - they told us to help ourselves to fish from the community hall’s freezer and plug into their electricity! We stayed a few days and asked about going for a walk when the tide was right up but that would have meant walking through the bottom the the gardens of a couple of houses. They looked surprised and said of course… just walk through the gardens and wave if someone is there. They’re very laid back because they have such wide open spaces and aren’t cramped in like in the UK… they are free and easy. It’s rare to see fences around homes there’s no need.

Well it’s down to common sense really. You’re not likely to go onto land that’s fenced or obviously private or cultivated - there’s simply no need to as the country is so vast and sparsely populated. You are allowed to go on private land though as long as you leave it as you find it.

On one occasion we were parked beside a community hall alongside a beach. Not only were the people in the village really friendly - they came down to say hello - they told us to help ourselves to fish from the community hall’s freezer and plug into their electricity! We stayed a few days and asked about going for a walk when the tide was right up but that would have meant walking through the bottom the the gardens of a couple of houses. They looked surprised and said of course… just walk through the gardens and wave if someone is there. They’re very laid back because they have such wide open spaces and aren’t cramped in like in the UK… they are free and easy. It’s rare to see fences around homes there’s no need.

I am to saying there is not abundant 'free' camping but there are rules and you know someone is always going to abuse it...
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/
"The right to roam applies to open country, sometimes also known as "unfenced land", which is a land that is not cultivated. In Norway, the term covers most shores, bogs, forests and mountains. Small islands of uncultivated land within cultivated land are not regarded as open country.
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/
It does not apply to “fenced land”, which is private, and includes cultivated land, such as plowed fields with or without crops, meadows, pastures and gardens, as well as young plantations, building plots and industrial areas.
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/
However, you have access to fields and meadows from 15 October to 30 April when the ground is frozen or covered with snow. Note that “fenced land” does not need to actually be fenced."
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/

Useful guidelines to the right to roam​

"You may put up a tent, or sleep under the stars, for the night anywhere in the countryside, forests or mountains, as long as you keep at least 150 metres away from the nearest inhabited house or cabin. This rule of a 150 metres distance also applies to camping cars and caravans.
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/
If you want to stay for more than two nights in the same place, you must ask the landowner's permission, except in the mountains or very remote areas.
Places for emptying toilets are signposted. Doing so elsewhere is strictly prohibited"

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[Geistguy]

The Norwegians are the most friendly people and all seem to speak perfect English. Ask for help anywhere and they will go out of their way to assist.

 

[BreweryDave]

Surely a better question would be ‘where can I legitimately empty my cassette’

 

[Red Sonja]

When we were in Norway I remember that at stops where there were toilets there was also chemical waste points. I'm not sure about water.

 

[Southdowners]

I am to saying there is not abundant 'free' camping but there are rules and you know someone is always going to abuse it...
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/
"The right to roam applies to open country, sometimes also known as "unfenced land", which is a land that is not cultivated. In Norway, the term covers most shores, bogs, forests and mountains. Small islands of uncultivated land within cultivated land are not regarded as open country.
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/
It does not apply to “fenced land”, which is private, and includes cultivated land, such as plowed fields with or without crops, meadows, pastures and gardens, as well as young plantations, building plots and industrial areas.
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/
However, you have access to fields and meadows from 15 October to 30 April when the ground is frozen or covered with snow. Note that “fenced land” does not need to actually be fenced."
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/

Useful guidelines to the right to roam​

"You may put up a tent, or sleep under the stars, for the night anywhere in the countryside, forests or mountains, as long as you keep at least 150 metres away from the nearest inhabited house or cabin. This rule of a 150 metres distance also applies to camping cars and caravans.
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/
If you want to stay for more than two nights in the same place, you must ask the landowner's permission, except in the mountains or very remote areas.
Places for emptying toilets are signposted. Doing so elsewhere is strictly prohibited"

I can’t imagine how you can abuse a system which pretty much gives you freedom to roam. You’d have to be extraordinarily stupid to park somewhere that was private when there’s miles and miles of open space! If at the end of the day you do park somewhere you shouldn’t then you’d get politely told to move on.

We spent eight months there, travelled the length of the country to the Russian border and never received anything other than a warm welcome and kindness.

 

[Bailey58]

As said above water is freely available at many pull ins and every garage we stopped at had water and most had dump facilities too, we filled with diesel every third day I reckon so never a problem. Just pulling in for supplies at a garage enabled us to fill and dump. I read a year or so back they were putting up no over nighting signs at many of the roadside laybys where there were toilet facilities.
We lifted a lot of info from the blogs of Zagan Our Tour including detailed locations of stopovers from Nordkapp to the channel ports and you can pick up a leaflet in Norway on water and wc locations.

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[Coolcats]

I can’t imagine how you can abuse a system which pretty much gives you freedom to roam. You’d have to be extraordinarily stupid to park somewhere that was private when there’s miles and miles of open space! If at the end of the day you do park somewhere you shouldn’t then you’d get politely told to move on.

We spent eight months there, travelled the length of the country to the Russian border and never received anything other than a warm welcome and kindness.

I think we can all be amazed by stupid people, it happens all the time and tales of such behaviour are retold on threads on this site.

 

[popotla]

Thank you for so many useful and interesting answers (and also discussion and comments about the "right to roam").

In short, getting water in Norway shouldn't be a problem.

Bailey58 mentioned that Just pulling in for supplies at a garage enabled us to fill and dump.

This is encouraging. Here in Germany, our experience has been (after a few rebuffs we stopped asking) that even after filling up, getting water for the tank was either not allowed or allowed grudgingly. Once we drove into a campsite, rather in need of water and offering to pay for it, and the guy at the desk refused. At other times, though, at motorhome sites we weren't staying at, access to paid-for water was graciously agreed to. Once we went onto a site (zero visitors, due to the plandemic) and knocked on the house door. The owner invited us in to take the water we needed and we left a non-monetary gift, one which clearly made the lady happier than money was likely to.

BreweryDave commented that Surely a better question would be ‘where can I legitimately empty my cassette’.

Since, fortunately, we don't have one, we don't need to ask this. We use instead a composting toilet for which the new supply of coconut fibre bricks arrived yesterday.

 

[bilM]

BreweryDave commented that Surely a better question would be ‘where can I legitimately empty my cassette’.

Since, fortunately, we don't have one, we don't need to ask this. We use instead a composting toilet for which the new supply of coconut fibre bricks arrived yesterday.

Jim put this in a post a few posts down.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewe...E&ll=68.07336414561064,26.556201664040337&z=5

 

[popotla]

Wonderful! Thank you.