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The best stops on
the DOVRE RAILWAY

Travel through 'the king of the valleys', and experience  the Dovrefjell mountain plateau, and Norway's biggest lake, Mjøsa.

This six and a half hour train trip takes you through some of Norway's most amazing places on its way from Oslo to Trondheim.

Plan a full holiday! The train can be a perfect starting point for your adventures. No car required.

Read on and let Erik Sveberg Dietrichs, author of Togferie, ("Train Holidays"), be your guide to the Dovre Railway.

Let the journey begin

Join us from Oslo Central Station. 

You can also start your journey from the train station at Oslo Airport.

The Mjøsa region 

Sit back and enjoy the view as the train runs along Mjøsa, Norway’s biggest lake.

Enjoy the view as you pass by quaint farms in this agricultural region before stopping at Hamar, the biggest city in the area.

"Hamar has many great museums, like The Norwegian Railway Museum and Domkirkeodden."

Erik Sveberg Dietrichs

Spend the night in the world-famous Wood Hotel, the world's tallest timber building. 

Or simply admire the impressive building from the train.

The Lillehammer region

Lillehammer, the city which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994, is a one-hour journey from Hamar. 

Explore the Norwegian Olympic Museum.

Enjoy the idyllic surroundings of the open-air museum Maihaugen, which is perfect for families.

If you are travelling with kids, you should also plan to stop at the next station.

There are two very good family adventure parks within walking distance of Hunderfossen station: Hunderfossen and Lilleputthammer.

Stay an extra day and get your adrenaline pumping with some downhill mountain biking in the world-famous bike park in Hafjell.

In winter, you can bring the family along and enjoy the ski resorts at Hafjell or Kvitfjell

The Gudbrandsdalen valley

Hop on the train again, you have so much more to explore! 

The train now enters 'the king of the valleys', The Gudbrandsdalen valley, with its tall mountains, mighty rivers, and rich cultural heritage.

Visit historic Ringebu stave church, built around 1220.

"Bring along a copy of The Bell in the Lake by Lars Mytting. It's a great novel that's set in the church and the local area."

Erik 

Gudbrandsdalen has for centuries been home to picturesque farms in a beautiful countryside setting.

Hop off the train and enjoy a relaxing farm stay. This is also an excellent option if you decide to walk from Ringebu on the Gudbrandsdalsleden pilgrim route.

The pilgrim route runs all the way from Oslo to Trondheim!

It's a walk that takes you through historical and cultural landscapes. Walking the route is an experience you will never forget!

If you’re looking for more action, you should go rafting in Sjoa. It's lots of fun for the whole family! 

Hop off the train at Kvam or Otta if you want to try this exciting activity.

At the top of the Gudbrandsdalen valley, the trains stops at Dombås station, 659 metres above sea level. From here, you travel to the national parks Dovrefjell and Rondane.

Here, you can also switch trains to the world-famous Rauma line.

Join Erik on a tour of the Rauma line.

Get in the mood for the next part of your journey with Dovregubbens Hall ("In the Hall of the Mountain King") by famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

You are now entering the kingdom of the musk ox, Dovrefjell mountain.

See the majestic animal on a guided tour in the mountains. 

There are multiple tour operators close to Hjerkinn and Kongsvoll train stations.

Hike to Snøhetta mountain, go horse riding on an Icelandic horse, or enjoy a bike ride through scenic mountains.

Relax in a traditional, Norwegian fjellstue (mountain lodge) afterwards!

The historic Kongsvold Fjeldstue lodge even has its own train station (Kongsvoll).

You can see the train station here. The station is in the black buildings at the upper left of the photo. It's just a five-minute walk from the mountain lodge.

"Get your camera ready for the next part of the journey! From Kongsvoll train station, the train passes through the dramatic and scenic Drivdalen valley."

Erik 


Further down the valley, it's time to put your camera away and get ready for some action in Oppdal.

Try canyoning with experienced guides in Festajuvet. It's guaranteed to get your pulse racing!

In the winter, choose between four mountains for your skiing adventure!

The Pilgrim Route also passes by Oppdal, where some pilgrims finish and others start their walk. 

"Before arriving at the final destination, the train stops at Støren station. Here, you can switch trains to the Røros Line, which brings you to the quaint town of Røros."

Erik

Sit back and relax during the final hour of your journey.  Why not enjoy a Norwegian waffle? 

Welcome to Trondheim!

One hour later, you will arrive at the end station: Trondheim – the home of Nordic flavours.

Or maybe Trondheim is your starting point? In any case...

Enjoy your journey!

About the Dovre Railway 

The journey from Oslo to Trondheim takes about six and a half hours.

During the 485 kilometre-long trip, the train passes through the Gudbrandsdalen valley, as well as the Rondane andDovrefjell mountains. This gives you an excellent opportunity to experience varied Norwegian nature, and some of Norway’s most stunning national parks.

The Dovre Railway passes several stations that connect to other lines, including the Rauma line and the Røros line. When you arrive at Trondheim, you can hop on the Nordland line, which brings you all the way to Bodø in Northern Norway. From Bodø you can take a boat further on to the Lofoten Islands and the coast of Helgeland and Salten.

The Dovre Railway has 26 departures a week in each direction: four on weekdays, two on Saturdays and four on Sundays.

There is also a night train service. Note that if you want your own sleeping compartment, it's a good idea to book the tickets early, as these sell out quickly. Get more train travel tips from a train expert.

Watch the video below and learn all about the train journey from Oslo to Trondheim:

Explore top destinations

You don't need a car to explore Norway.

Learn more about the Dovre Railway

with train expert Erik Sveberg Dietrichs

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