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.

Related Attractions

Rondane National Park

The natural center of Rondane National Park is the Rondvassbu mountain hut, where all the trails in the mountains meet. The hut - a good base for walks, either short or long, in the surrounding area - is just under an hour's walk from the western border of the park above Otta. From here the long Rondesjö runs north through the mountains. To left and right are the highest peaks in the range. The ascent of the Rondeslott ("Ronde Castle"; 2178m/7,146ft) takes less than five hours for a climber of average fitness.

Around the Rondane National Park is a network of mountain huts run by the Norske Turistforening, making it possible to explore the area in convenient day trips on well-marked trails.

With E 6 on the west side and Road 27 to the east, the Rondane can be easily reached from Oslo. A very popular walk with Norwegians is through the Rondane and into the Dovrefjell, which lies immediately north.