Musk oxen and Nordic legends - Hiking in Norway

The route

Your journey begins at the highest point on the Dovre Railway at Hjerkinn, more than 1,000 metres above sea level. Join the included musk ox safari, after which pilgrim trails, royal roads from the past, dirt roads and simple footpaths lead you over mountains above the tree line to the birch and pine forests of Folldalen. Enjoy the historic accommodations built for travellers over the mountains - some with original buildings dating back to the 17th century. Views of the Snøhetta and Rondane mountains, forested valleys and summer grazing areas will accompany you on your way through the highlands and forests.

See the elevation profile

Itinerary

See the day-by-day itinerary below.

Arrive at Hjerkinn where you will be picked up by your accommodation, Hjerkinn Fjellstue. You have the option to have your luggage transported to your accommodation while you hike to the iconic Snøhetta viewpoint, which in 2011 was named World Building of the Year in the Display category. From here there are magnificent views of the mountainous area. It's a 9 km hike to Snøhetta Viewpoint and from there to your accommodation.

Join a musk ox sightseeing hike with a local guide. This Ice Age-like mammal was originally native to Norway, but was actually wiped out by the Ice Age itself, when almost all of Norway was covered by a huge ice cap. The current population of around 200 musk oxen was reintroduced from Greenland in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The meeting point is a 1.8 km hike from your accommodation.

These mountains have been a challenge for travellers throughout the ages. The trails lead over the mountains with a few overnight stops. When King Olav was canonised in Nidaros, now Trondheim, the number of travellers on these trails increased in the Middle Ages. In the 18th century, the Nordic kings utilised the known routes and ordered the roads improved. Your hike takes you along Pilgrimsstien and Kongevejen to Kongsvold. A large part of the route is above the tree line with great views in all directions.

Legends tell of two Faroese youths on an epic journey through Norway where they met Ulf in the forest near Dovrefjell. Ulf means wolf, one of the Nordic gods Odin's animals, and it is probably Odin in disguise that the young people meet and live with for years in these legends. Ulf is also known as Torkjel Barfrost, and a monument is erected in Folldalen, where an ancient ruin was found near Kvistli, your next overnight stop. Your route takes you through forest trails, gravel roads and on mountain paths. If you're lucky, you might see the shy red deer or moose.

Note: Dinner is served at 19:00

Morning hike to the menhir/building stone Torkjel Barfrost, which is well hidden in the forest like the man of the legend and the two Faroese youths who later became important figures in the Faroe Islands together with their female Norwegian partners. Hike 5.1 km. Allow a minimum of 2 hours for the hike. Pick-up with transfer at 12.00 noon, which brings you to the mountain village of Folldal. Optional hike to the Kampherhaugen viewpoint from where you can see a large part of Folldalen, one of the highest agricultural areas in Norway.

A hike to the mountain peak of Haaneskletten. On the way you pass Geitryggen, a former local mining town. In the harsh climate, it was difficult to make a living on the farm and many farmers also had a job in the mines in Folldal, which began in 1748 and, with periodic stops, continued until 1993. At the top of Håneskletten you have a panoramic view of the mountains and valleys, including Kakkeldalen.

In the morning, you'll be transferred to Grimsdalen. Your hike takes you to the gorge where the beautiful waterfall Fallfossen is squeezed in. The Grimsa Bridge from 1870 allows you to cross the river once more on your route through the pine and birch forest back to Folldal. Along the way, you'll see some of the many pitfalls from the past that were used to catch both reindeer and moose.

Morgenmad på overnatningsstedet. Afgang fra Folldal.

Pictures from the trip

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

Price includes

Included in the price

2 nights at Hjerkinn Fjellstue
1 night at Kongsvold Fjellstue
1 night at Kvistli
3 nights in Folldal (Own cabin in Folldal with kitchenette and fridge. Food for breakfast and lunch will be delivered on arrival in Folldal)
Breakfast every day
3 days with lunch
Luggage transport between accommodations
Optional personal transport Hjerkinn Station to Hjerkinn Mountain Lodge
Musk ox safari
Transfer from Kvistli to Folldal with luggage
Transfer to Grimsdalen
Access to the route in our GPS-app which works offline
24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
This is a package holiday and is covered by the Travel Guarantee Fund and the Package Travel Act - see what benefits this brings you - click here

Not included

Transport to Norway round trip.
Tourist tax (if due)
Handling fee (€20)

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about the trip

General information

Check the price quickly

You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:

Choose your desired start date
Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).

Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.

The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.

Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.

How to get there

It is possible to park at Hjerkinn Fjellstue or take the train from Oslo.

Transport to Norway is not included in the price of the trip.

We recommend that you wait to arrange transport until we have confirmed your trip.

If you arrive in Oslo, it is possible to take the train from there to Hjerkinn. The ticket is purchased at vy.no.

Here's how it works:

You book the tour with us
We confirm your journey (usually within 5-8 business days)
You arrange your transport

Upon arrival at Hjerkinn
Your luggage will be picked up at Hjerkinn Station and depending on your arrival time, you can choose to hike to Hjerkinn Fjellstue.

Parking
If you are driving to the first hotel, it is possible to park there the whole week.

accommodation

On this tour you will stay in small hotels and mountain lodges. You have private rooms with private shower/toilet every day.
In Folldal you stay in your own cabin, where the fridge is stocked with food for breakfast and lunch. You prepare the food yourself.

Food & Drink

Breakfast is included every day. Lunch is included for three days.
In Folldal you stay in your own cabin where the fridge is stocked with food for breakfast and lunch. You prepare the food yourself.

On days when there is no lunch, you can pay to have a packed lunch from the breakfast buffet. On days when there is no lunch, you can pay for a packed lunch from the breakfast buffet.

Dinner can be purchased at the accommodation or close to it.

Luggage transfer

Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.

Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.

Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.

Difficulty levels

The day trips described in the program are grade 3.

Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.

Read more about our grading system here.

Travel Insurance

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

Equipment and special deals

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

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