Rondane

The Rondane is the range of mountains lying between the Gudbrandsdal to the west and the Atnedal to the east, 572sq.km/221sq.mi of which were declared a National Park in 1962. Although the Rondane has 10 peaks over 2,000m/6,600ft, it is a very popular and relatively easy walking area. It is a region of dry Alpine climate and sparse vegetation, with grayish-yellow lichens covering the calcareous limestone which predominates in the Rondane.

In the Middle Ages the Rondane formed a natural barrier for peasants and merchants traveling to the important markets in the copper town of Røros. Numbers of ruined stone cottages bear witness to the traffic on this route and to the popularity of this area with British sportsmen in the 19th century - successors to the men of prehistoric times who hunted reindeer in this area. Walkers will come across pits dug in Viking times to trap game.