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Autumn in Døråldalen, Norway Photo: Anders Gjengedal/Innovation Norway
Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic life/Innovation Norway
Photo: Terje Borud/Innovation Norway
Photo: Terje Borud/Innovation Norway
Photo: Anders Gjengedal/Innovation Norway
Photo: CH/Innovation Norway
Photo: Anders Gjengedal/Innovation Norway
Photo: Anders Gjengedal/Innovation Norway

Rondane

Norway’s oldest national park is home to wild reindeer and has several peaks over 2,000 metres.
Tallest mountains
Rondeslottet - 2,178 metres above sea level Storronden - 2,138 metres above sea level Sagtinden - 2,018 metres above sea level

Rondane National Park is smaller than, and not as wild, as Jotunheimen National Park. However, it offers a good challenge for those who like the feeling of wilderness and roughness of high peaks combined with the possibility of exploring rounded and friendly moorland.

Most popular hiking routes

The trip from Mysusæter to Spranget and then on to Rondvassbu, and the trip from Høvringen to Peer Gynt-hytta.

Most popular cross-country skiing trail

The Troll Trail is a continuous marked ski trail, which passes through miles of untouched nature from Høvringen and the Rondane National Park in the north, via Ringebufjellet, to Lillehammer in the south. The trail is about 170 kilometres long and is normally marked from 1 February until after Easter.

Flora and fauna

Rondane is far more than moss and ermine. In the park you will find mountain birch, cranberries, cloudberries, fungi and mountain flowers. One of the flower species to survive very well is the beautiful glacier crowfoot, found up to 1,700 metres above sea level.

Together with Dovrefjell it has Norway's and Europe's last stock of wild reindeer of Beringia origin. Other large game, including deer, roe deer and elk are commonplace along the rims of the park.

Wolverines, fox, marten, mink, hare, lynx and a small population of bears are also present. Most lakes and rivers hold trout. Grouse, golden eagle and gerfalcon are the most special of all the birds that live here. 

Accommodation

There are many hotels, inns, cabins and lodges in Rondane. You can stay in town/village centres or up in the mountains.

The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) maintains a number of mountain cabins/lodges in the area. Within Rondane National Park are some of the best lodges of DNT: Rondvassbu, Bjørnhollia and Grimsdalshytta.

Most places that offer accommodation also serve food.

Camping

If you plan to sleep in a tent, caravan or mobile home you may do so anywhere, except in cultivated fields and lay-bys. You can stay for as long as you wish, as long as your tent, caravan or mobile home is no closer than 150 m to the nearest house or cabin.

Maps

Detailed maps of the area can be bought at the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT), local bookshops or the local tourist information offices.

Getting to Rondane

From Oslo
Rondane lies approximately 310 kilometres northwest of Oslo.

  • By car:
    The drive from Oslo takes approximately four hours. Follow the E 6 from Oslo to Otta. From there it is a short drive in to Rondane.
  • By train:
    You can take the train from Oslo to Otta (approximately three and a half hours) and from there you can get to Rondane by local bus or taxi. For train timetables and booking, please contact the Norwegian State Railways (NSB).
  • By bus:
    From Oslo there is a bus that takes you to Otta (approximately five hours) and from there you can get to Rondane by local bus or taxi. For timetables and booking, please contact Nor-Way Bussekspress.

From Bergen
Rondane lies approximately 520 kilometres northeast of Bergen.

  • By car:
    The drive from Bergen takes approximately seven hours. Follow the E 16 from Bergen to Lærdal, and then follow Rv 5 to Sogndal. From Sogndal you follow the beautiful Sognefjell Road (Rv 55) to Lom, and from Lom you follow Rv 15 to Otta. From Otta there is a short drive in to Rondane.
  • By bus:
    From Bergen there is a bus that takes you to Otta (approximately 10 hours) and from there you can get to Rondane by local bus or taxi. For timetables and booking, please contact Nor-Way Bussekspress.

From Stavanger
Rondane lies approximately 600 kilometres northeast of Stavanger.

  • By car:
    The drive from Stavanger takes approximately seven hours. The easiest route is to follow the E 39 to Kristiansand, and then the E 18 to Oslo. From Oslo you follow the E 6 to Otta which lies a short drive from Rondane.
  • By train:
    There is no direct train between Stavanger and Rondane. However, you can take the train from Stavanger to Oslo, and then catch a new train between Oslo and Otta. From there you can get to Rondane by local bus or taxi. Total travel time is approximately 13 hours. For train timetables and booking, please contact the Norwegian State Railways (NSB).

From Trondheim
Rondane lies approximately 250 kilometres south of Trondheim.

  • By car:
    The drive form Trondheim takes approximately three and a half hours. Follow the E 6 from Trondheim to Otta. From Otta there is a short drive in to Rondane.
  • By train:
    You can take the train from Trondheim to Otta (approximately three and a half hours), and from there you can get to Rondane by local bus or taxi. For timetables and booking, please contact the Norwegian State Railways (NSB).
  • By bus:
    From Trondheim there is a bus that takes you to Otta (approximately four hours) and from there you can get to Rondane by local bus or taxi. For timetables and booking, please contact Nor-Way Bussekspress.

Getting around

Once in Rondane, the only way of getting around is walking, skiing, cycling or riding.

During the summer season (July and August) you can also experience the wild and narrow Lake Rondvatnet with the passenger boat Rondegubben II. Of course you can drive your car on certain roads, but generally all motorised vehicles are banned.

Last updated:  26 July 2011
Tourists at Sohlbergplassen viewpoint, Norway - Photo: Roger Ellingsen/Statens vegvesen
Tourists at Sohlbergplassen viewpoint, Norway
Snowshoeing during the winter in Rondane, Norway - Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic life/Innovation
Snowshoeing during the winter in Rondane, Norway
Cross-country skiing in Rondane, Norway - Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic life/Innovation Norway
Cross-country skiing in Rondane, Norway
Child skiing in Rondane, Norway - Photo: Terje Rakke/Nordic life/Innovation Norway
Child skiing in Rondane, Norway
Dog sledging on Lake Rondvatnet, Norway - Photo: Anders Gjengedal/Innovation Norway
Dog sledging on Lake Rondvatnet, Norway

Interest:  Mountains, National parks

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Autumn in Døråldalen, Norway - Photo: Anders Gjengedal/Innovation Norway

Rondane

Norway’s oldest national park is home to wild reindeer and has several peaks over 2,000 metres.

Rondane

Source: Visit Norway

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Attractions in Rondane National Park

The national park is an attraction in itself. Hiking in the mountains in the summer or skiing in the winter offers you spectacular views.
Interest: Nature attractions, Farm activities, Mountains, National parks

What to do in Rondane National Park

Hiking in summer and skiing in the winter are favourite actvities. Rafting, horse riding, biking, hunting and fishing are other popular activities.
Interest: Hiking, Riding & Sledging, Rafting, Canoeing & Kayaking, Mountains, National parks

Tour suggestions in Rondane National Park

The Rondane region offers a great variety of tours. Summit tours on majestic mountains or easy walks in valleys with a rich wildlife.
Interest: Tour suggestions, Mountains, National parks

What to do in Lillehammer

Take a trip with Skibladner, the world's oldest paddle steamer, go hiking, and travel at high speed down the bobleigh track at the Olympic Park.
Interest: Tours & Safaris, Biking, Hiking, Mountains

About Rondane

Rondane National Park

The first national park of Norway welcomes you to its high peaks and varied, wild and beautifull nature.

Getting to Rondane National Park and around

Mysuseter, Høvringen and Grimsdalen are all important gateways to Rondane. These are all easily accesible from the main road E6.
Interest: Getting here and around

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Hiking in the Venabu and Espedalen areas

Tour suggestions include reindeer safari, canyons and waterfalls around Venabu, Ringebu Stave Church and hikes in the Espedalen Valley.
Interest: Tour suggestions, Hiking, Mountains

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