Forollhogna National Park

Forollhogna National Park (Forollhogna nasjonalpark) was established in 2001 and spans roughly 1,062 km² across the municipalities of Midtre Gauldal, Holtålen, and Røros in Trøndelag, with a portion extending into Os and Tolga in Innlandet county. Often called "the gentle mountain national park" (den snille fjellheimen), it is characterised by broad, rounded mountain plateaus, sweeping alpine meadows, and wide U-shaped valleys carved by glaciers during the last ice age. The park protects one of Norway's last remaining wild reindeer herds — the Forollhogna reindeer population numbers around 2,000–3,000 animals — along with wolverine, lynx, golden eagle, and ptarmigan.

The landscape sits in a transition zone between the maritime climate of Trøndelag and the continental interior of Østlandet, producing drier, more stable weather than the western fjords. Summers are mild (12–18 °C in the valleys) with long daylight hours, while winters are cold and snowy (commonly −10 to −20 °C), making the area ideal for both summer hiking and winter ski touring. The park has no roads within its boundaries — access is on foot from trailheads along the Røros–Trondheim corridor and from the Østerdalen valley to the east.

Sámi reindeer-herding culture has shaped this landscape for centuries. Seasonal migration routes cross the park, and remnants of Sámi settlement sites (gammer and hearths) dot the valleys. The surrounding communities of Røros (a UNESCO World Heritage copper-mining town) and the Gauldal valley add significant cultural depth to any visit. Forollhogna is one of Norway's least-visited national parks, which is precisely its appeal: solitude, silence, and an unbroken mountain panorama that has changed little in millennia.

By Plane

The nearest major airport is Trondheim Airport Værnes (TRD), approximately 180 km from the park's western trailheads near Støren and 230 km from Røros. TRD is served by SAS, Norwegian, and Widerøe with domestic connections to Oslo (1 hr), Bergen, and Stavanger, plus limited international routes. From Værnes, take the regional train or the Flybussen airport bus into Trondheim, then onward by train or car. Røros Airport (RRS) is a small regional airfield with Widerøe flights from Oslo Gardermoen (about 1 hour, limited frequency). Røros airport is only 5–10 km from the town centre, with taxis available.

By Train

The Rørosbanen (Røros Line) runs from Hamar through Røros to Trondheim and is the most scenic rail approach. The train stops at Røros, Ålen, and several smaller stations along the Gauldal valley (Haltdalen, Støren). The journey from Trondheim to Røros takes approximately 2.5 hours. Trains are operated by Vy (formerly NSB); book at vy.no. The Dovrebanen (Dovre Line) from Oslo to Trondheim passes through the Gauldal valley with a stop at Støren, useful for accessing the park's western trailheads. Advance tickets on both lines are significantly cheaper than walk-up fares.

By Car / Road

From Trondheim: take the E6 south to Støren (about 1.5 hours, 100 km), then follow county roads east toward the park. Alternatively, drive the Rv30/Rv705 route via Røros (about 3.5 hours, 250 km). From Oslo: the E6 north to Tynset or the Rv3 through Østerdalen reaches the park's eastern side in about 4.5–5 hours (350–400 km). From Røros: the park's southern trailheads are 30–60 minutes by car. Roads are well-maintained but narrow in places; watch for reindeer crossings, especially in autumn. Bus services (AtB regional routes and NOR-WAY Bussekspress) connect Trondheim to Røros and Støren, but onward connections to trailheads are infrequent — a car is strongly recommended for independent access.

There is no public transport within the national park itself. The park is roadless, and all exploration is on foot or (in winter) on skis. Access trailheads are reached by private car via county and farm roads. Key trailhead areas include Graftås and Einunndalen from the east (near Alvdal/Tynset), Budal and Haltdalen from the west, and Dalsbygda from the south near Røros. Parking is available at most trailheads but is not formally maintained — expect gravel pull-offs.

Within the park, the DNT (Den Norske Turistforening) maintains a network of marked summer trails and several staffed and self-service mountain huts. The marked routes are cairned (varden) across the plateaus but can be hard to follow in poor visibility or early-season snow. Carry a 1:50,000 topographic map (Statens Kartverk) and a compass; GPS is useful but not a substitute. There is no mobile coverage across most of the park interior.

The nearest towns for resupply are Røros (full services: supermarkets, outdoor shops, petrol, hospital), Tynset (smaller but adequate), and Støren/Gåsbakken in the Gauldal valley.

• Forollhogna summit plateau (1,332 m): The park's highest point and namesake, a broad, flat-topped mountain with panoramic views across the Trøndelag and Østerdalen mountain ranges. The ascent from the Einunndalen side is a long but non-technical day hike.

• Einunndalen valley: One of Norway's longest alpine valleys, stretching east from the park. A classic approach route with wildflower meadows in July, abundant reindeer sightings, and historic Sámi settlement sites.

• Budal old church trailhead area: The western gateway to the park, with a charming medieval stave-church heritage landscape and access to the gentle Budal plateaus.

• Røros (60 km south): UNESCO World Heritage copper-mining town with colourful wooden buildings, artisan workshops, and the Rørosmuseet. A cultural counterpoint to the wilderness experience — easily combined in a single trip.

• Wild reindeer observation: The Forollhogna herd is one of only a handful of truly wild (non-domesticated) reindeer populations in Norway. Sightings are most reliable in September during the rut and in June–July when the animals move to high plateaus. Binoculars and patience are essential; maintain at least 200 m distance.

• Glacial geology and moraines: The park's U-shaped valleys, erratic boulders, and terminal moraines are textbook examples of Quaternary glaciation. The landscape around Holøydalen and Fånetjønna is particularly striking.

• Multi-day hiking: The classic route traverses the park west to east (or vice versa) over 3–5 days, using DNT huts as overnight stops. The Forollhogna Traverse from Budal to Einunndalen covers roughly 60–80 km depending on route and is rated moderate.

• Day hikes from Einunndalen: Several excellent day routes fan out from the eastern valley, including ascents to viewpoints above 1,200 m with minimal technical difficulty. Allow 6–8 hours for a full day.

• Fishing: Arctic char and brown trout inhabit the park's lakes and streams. A fishing permit (fiskekort) is required and can be purchased from Statskog (statskog.no) or locally in Røros and Tynset. Permits typically cost kr 100–200 per day (2024 prices). Fly-fishing is popular in the larger streams.

• Ski touring (topptur): In spring (March–May), the park's plateaus and valleys offer outstanding backcountry skiing on gentle-to-moderate terrain. Routes from Røros and Tynset are popular with experienced Nordic ski tourers.

• Reindeer and wildlife watching: September is prime time for observing the wild reindeer rut. Golden eagles, gyrfalcon, and ptarmigan are year-round residents. Guided wildlife tours are available through operators in Røros.

• Day trip to Røros: Spend a day exploring the UNESCO-listed mining town — visit the Olav's mine, Rørosmuseet, and browse the coppersmith and textile workshops. The Røros Christmas Market (late November–mid December) is one of Norway's most atmospheric seasonal events.

Røros is the culinary hub of the region, with several excellent restaurants using hyper-local ingredients. The area is known for its wild game (reindeer, grouse), freshwater fish (trout, char), and Rørosmeieriet's award-winning organic dairy products (cultured butter, sour cream, yoghurt).

• Vertshuset Røros (Røros): Upscale Norwegian cuisine in a historic building. Reindeer fillet, trout, and seasonal game menus. Main courses kr 280–450.
• Bergstadens Hotel Restaurant (Røros): Solid mid-range Norwegian fare — lamb from the mountain farms, locally-caught fish, and traditional rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge). Mains kr 200–350.
• Kaffestuggu (Røros): Casual café in a timber building, serving open-faced sandwiches, waffles, and baked goods. Budget-friendly (kr 80–180).
• Coop Marked Røros: Supermarket for self-catering — stock up here before heading into the park. Limited groceries also available at Joker Dalsbygda.

Vegetarian options are available in Røros restaurants but limited outside town. For multi-day hikes, pack all food — there are no services in the park. Tap water throughout the region is excellent and safe to drink; stream water in the park should be boiled or filtered.

Røros has a modest but quality drinks scene. Røros Bryggeri produces local craft beers including a pale ale and a seasonal porter — available at Vertshuset and Bergstadens Hotel. The town also has an active akevitt (aquavit) tradition; look for locally-distilled varieties flavoured with caraway and dill. In summer, cloudberry (molte) juice and lemonade are popular non-alcoholic options — the boggy areas around the park are famous for cloudberries, and locals jealously guard their picking spots. Cafés in Røros serve good Norwegian-filter coffee (Norwegians are among the world's highest per-capita coffee consumers). There are no bars or alcohol vendors within the park itself; the legal drinking age for beer and wine in Norway is 18, and 20 for spirits.

Budget:

• Røros Turisthytte / Røros Hostel (Røros): Dorm beds from kr 300–400/night, private rooms from kr 700. Central location, basic but clean.
• DNT self-service huts (in the park): The DNT maintains several unmanned huts along the traverse routes (e.g., in Einunndalen and along the Budal plateau). Sleeping in DNT huts requires a DNT membership key (available from dnt.no, kr 750/year for adults) and you bring your own food and sleeping bag. Hut fees kr 200–350/night for members.

Mid-range:

• Bergstadens Hotel (Røros): A well-established 150-room hotel in the town centre with restaurant, bar, and conference facilities. Rooms from kr 1,200–1,800/night including breakfast.
• Røros Hotell (Røros): Modern hotel with spa and indoor pool. Rooms from kr 1,000–1,600/night. Good base for park day-trips.

Upscale / heritage:

• Erzscheidergården (Røros): A beautifully restored 17th-century merchant's house with individually decorated rooms, antique furnishings, and a renowned breakfast. Rooms from kr 2,000–3,000/night. One of Norway's most characterful heritage stays.
• Vertshuset Røros (Røros): Boutique accommodation above the restaurant, combining upscale rooms with fine dining. Rooms from kr 1,800–2,500/night.

Note: accommodation within the park is limited to DNT huts and wild camping. Norway's allemannsretten (right to roam) permits tent camping on open land, provided you pitch at least 150 m from the nearest inhabited house and leave no trace.

The national park itself has no shops or commercial services. Røros is the nearest shopping destination and is excellent: look for hand-knitted Røros-ull wool products (sweaters, blankets), Sámi-inspired silver jewellery, copper crafts (the town's mining heritage), and local food products including Rørosmeieriet organic dairy, cured meats, and cloudberry jam. The Røros Farmers' Market (Rørosmartnan) in late February is a centuries-old winter market with regional produce, crafts, and cultural events — worth timing a trip around. In Tynset, the Kjerkstu craft centre stocks local textiles and woodwork. Standard outdoor gear and maps are available at sports shops in Røros.

• Røros (60 km south): UNESCO World Heritage copper-mining town — essential cultural add-on. 1 hour by car.
• Trondheim (180 km northwest): Norway's third-largest city with Nidaros Cathedral, vibrant food scene, and good transport links. 2.5 hours by car or train.
• Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park (150 km west): Home to musk oxen, wild reindeer, and Norway's highest peaks outside Jotunheimen. Access from the E6 at Hjerkinn. 2–2.5 hours by car.
• Femundsmarka National Park (120 km southeast): Pristine wilderness with canoe routes, lakes, and the historic Femundshytta copper works. A different character from Forollhogna — flatter, wetter, and laced with waterways. 2 hours by car via Røros.
• Tynset and Alvdal (80–100 km east): Gateway towns to the Østerdalen valley with trail access to Forollhogna's eastern side. The Aukrust Centre in Alvda (a whimsical museum dedicated to Norwegian humourist Kjell Aukrust) is a surprising delight. 1–1.5 hours by car.