Walking in Norway's Rondane

Walks on Venabygdsfjellet will help orientate us and provide good views of Rondane National Park.

Option 1 - Veslefjellet and Dørfallet waterfall

Distance: 6 miles (10km)

Ascent: 885 feet (270m)

From the hotel, we’ll walk out to the dramatic canyon and Dørfallet waterfall, passing the summer farm of Mysætrin. Our route then takes us over the small peak of Veslefjellet, which gives us great views of the Venabygdsfjellet plateau and surrounding hills. We’ll visit the DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) cabin, Veslefjellbua, on our way back for a short transfer back to the hotel.

Option 2 - Svartfjellet

Distance: 9 miles (15km)

Ascent: 1210 feet (370m)

A 10-minute transfer by minibus takes us to the start of our walk at Holtersætra, a summer farm with an infamous past. We’ll hike up over the craggy peak of Svartfjellet for extensive views over Venabygdsfjellet and beyond. Our walk is a loop which brings us along Flaksjøen, the largest lake in the area, and back to the hotel.

This expansive landscape is wild, rocky, and covered in reindeer ‘moss’. You might be lucky enough to see reindeer from afar.

Option 1 - Ringebufjellet
Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Ascent: 660 feet (220m)

Our walk takes in some of the small peaks above Ringebufjellet. The views are fantastic - to the west are the peaks and glaciers of the Jotunheimen, to the north Dovrefjell, and the Rondane National Park.

Option 2 - Rondane Trail
Distance: 10 miles (17km)
Ascent: 1210 feet (370m)

This hike takes us on a journey through breathtaking landscape and back to the hotel. We’ll follow the marked “T” trail that connects the DNT cabins of Jammerdalsbua and Veslefjellbua. This is a section of the long-distance Rondane Trail.

The mountains of Norway's Peer Gynt region are ideal for walking the cross-country skiing trails.

Option 1- Peer Gynt Trail

Distance: Both viewpoints - 8 miles (13km)/ One viewpoint - 6.5 miles (11km)

Ascent: 820 feet (250m)

We’ll walk along the Peer Gynt Trail from Vendalen to Fagerhøy taking in the viewpoints of Vendalshøgda and Kantaliaknappen on the way. This walk takes us through a gentle, open mountain landscape of summer farms. We’ll visit two small tops with extensive northerly views to the Rondane, Dovrefjell, and Jotunheimen national parks.

Option 2 - Gråkampen

Distance: 9 miles (15km)

Ascent: 1280 feet (390m)

This circular route takes in the top, Gråkampen, with views south towards Kvitfjell and beyond. On our return, we’ll visit the peaceful lake of Storrøgna and head along the Peer Gynt Trail. You can also add the bonus top of Dørdalsknappen, an extra 100m ascent and 2km.

Transfers are available to Ringebu railway station (20 minutes by minibus) if you’d like to visit Lillehammer. Maihaugan Open-Air Museum is a great option to understand more of Norwegian culture and heritage.

Or Visit Ringebu Stave Church, which dates back to around 1220, and IS one of 28 remaining in Norway today. The vicarage also hosts an art gallery and new exhibitions each summer, plus its garden has been carefully restored with heritage varieties of roses, fruits, and vegetables. Combined tickets are available (not included) and we can arrange transport here if needed.

One of the oldest National Parks in Norway.

Option 1: Søre Vola, Atnabrua, and Sohlbergplassen
Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Ascent: 720 feet (220m) (this walk can easily be extended to Midtvola, adding 4km and 60m ascent)

This walk takes us to Søre Vola for magnificent views of the peaks in the Rondane National Park. We’ll walk through Scots pine forest, passing pretty lakes, and up onto a grassy top with fantastic views over Atnasjøen and the Rondane. From there we’ll descend to Atnabrua where there are restored water-workings on Atnabrufossen. We can visit Sohlbergplassen, the classic viewpoint for the Rondane and the inspiration for Harald Sohlberg’s “Winter Night in the Rondane”, one of Norway’s most loved paintings.

Option 2 - Bjørnhollia DNT cabin and Sohlbergplassen
Distance: 9 miles (15 km)
Ascent: 885 feet (270m)

We’ll walk from Straumbu through the pine forest to the picturesque DNT cabin of Bjørnhollia where we can stop for refreshments. We’ll continue along a track under Langluppdalen before plunging once more into the forest and returning to our starting point. There are a lot of moose in this area and you might be lucky enough to catch sight of one.

Venabygdsfjellet is a beautiful alpine plateau surrounded by dense peaks that create a special internal microclimate.

Option 1 - Svarthammaren and Flaksjølia
Distance: 6.5 miles (11km)
Ascent: 1080 feet (330m)

From Spidsbergseter, a steady ascent takes us past summer farms and up onto Svarthammaren where the views out towards the Rondane peaks are stunning. We’ll walk past small mountain lakes to the top of Flaksjølihøgda for views over the largest lake on the plateau, Flaksjøen. From here we’ll descend into rocky Kvandalen before a short climb gives us further views of Svartfjell and the Jotunheimen in the far distance. We’ll return above the lake shore through more summer farms.

Option 2 - Muvatnet to Spidsbergseter via Svarthammaren and Flaksjølihøgda
Distance: 9 miles (15km)
Ascent: 1345 feet (410m)

A short transfer takes us out to Muvatnet and the start of our hike. Walking above the lake, we’ll head into a rocky pass to visit ancient reindeer traps. These prehistoric pitfalls were built by the hunters who followed animals into the mountains after the last ice age. Our walk then continues above Bølvatnet and up onto Svarthammaren where spectacular views open out. We’ll then join the route taken by the day’s shorter hike.

Depart Venabu via private transfer to Oslo Gardermoen and connecting international flights.