Walking in Norway's Rondane

Today’s walks on Venabygdsfjellet will help us get our bearings and provide wonderful views across Rondane National Park.

Option 1 – Holtersætra loop to Lundes

Distance: 5.5 miles (9km)

Ascent: 790 feet (240m)

A short 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, ending at the shop at Lundes where there is the opportunity to look around or have well-deserved coffee and waffles, before we continue back to our hotel.

Option 2 – Venabu circular

Distance: 8.5 miles (14 km)

Ascent: 820 feet (250m)

Our harder walk today follows the same itinerary as the easier option, however, we continue with a longer loop around the pretty Flaksjøen lake, before heading back to our hotel. Please note: If weather conditions are too wet to go around Flaksjøen, we will take a slightly longer route from the summit, under the crags of Svartfjellet, to join the path back to Venabu – this would be ascent 890 feet (270m) / distance 9 miles (15km).

Discover Norway’s Peer Gynt country, the setting for Ibsen’s best-known play. This is a landscape of mountains and traditional summer farms. UNESCO recently added Norway’s traditional mountain farming culture (seterkultur) to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and you’ll have a glimpse of that here.

Option 1- Peer Gynt Trail

Distance:  6.5 miles (10.5 km)

Ascent: 640 feet (195m)

We’ll walk along the Peer Gynt Trail through a gentle, open mountain landscape with extensive views to the Rondane, Dovrefjell, and Jotunheimen national parks. We pass the beautiful lake Storrøgna, with its idyllic fishing cabin before returning on the Peer Gynt Trail.

Option 2 - Gråkampen

Distance: 9 miles (15km)

Ascent: 720 feet (220m)

This circular route takes in the top, Gråkampen, with views south towards Kvitfjell and beyond. This circular route takes in the top, Gråkampen, with views south towards Kvitfjell and beyond - this is the highest point of 1212 metres that we reach on this programme. 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.

Another day exploring the local area, with both walks taking in the surrounding nature with its lakes and waterfalls.

Option 1 – Veslefjellet and Myfallet waterfall

Distance: 5.5 miles (9 km)

Ascent: 950 feet (290m)

From the hotel, we’ll walk out to the impressive Myfallet 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 – Kyrkjegardsfjellet and Myfallet waterfall                            

Distance: 9 miles (15km)

Ascent: 1940 feet (592m)

Setting out from the hotel, we cross the pretty river Freska before visiting the small peak of Kyrkjegardsfjellet, with stunning views all around before descending into the forest and down to the bridge at Døramota. We continue, taking in the waterfall at Myfallet, as we walk back to the hotel.

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.

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