Alvdal: Art, Gorge and Mountains

An artist’s museum, historic buildings and a deep gorge give Alvdal very different facets. Add mountain landscapes and activities for different seasons. To plan your stay, consider which of these aspects interests you most.

Art and history in Alvdal

Huset Aukrust in Alvdal is the national artist’s museum dedicated to Kjell Aukrust. Its collection includes around 3,000 of the artist’s original drawings and paintings, which can be viewed by the public. Alongside Aukrust himself, the museum therefore highlights an extensive body of drawing and painting.

Husantunet offers a different picture of the past. The farmstead is now part of the Alvdal Museum and is among Norway’s best-preserved farmsteads from before 1850. Its 18 buildings served different functions; most still stand in their original locations. Husantunet is open every summer from July to August. Check the exact dates for the relevant year before travelling.

The Alvdal Museum also includes Nyhus garveri, a tannery fully equipped with tools and furnishings. It operated from the 1860s until the late 1950s. The old Folldalsvei is also located near Sognan: this 1.8-kilometre cultural heritage road was built between 1860 and 1880, used as a transport route until 1915, and restored and reopened in 2012. Its construction and use therefore span several clearly distinct periods.

A seasonal destination for an outing is Flåklypatoppen, with the La Pollo XIII moon rocket. It is open in summer and until the snow arrives in autumn; operating dates can vary from year to year. It is therefore worth checking the current opening hours for your travel dates.

Jutulhogget and other nature experiences

The Jutulhogget gorge is about 2.5 kilometres long and up to 240 metres deep. It has been a protected nature reserve since 1959, and its flora and fauna are considered distinctive. You can hike through the gorge. Check local conditions before setting out. There is a car park and an information board at Jutulhogget, about 400 metres from the Rv 3.

The Sognan hiking area also offers several ways to spend time outdoors, including a swimming spot, a cultural trail and a shelter; swimming in the gorge is also possible. From the car park, Sognan is an estimated five- to ten-minute walk.

Tronfjell reaches an elevation of 1,666 metres, and a road leads to its summit. In Tronsvanglia, Tronsåfossen waterfall has a drop of 20 metres. The steep path to the waterfall is equipped with railings and stairs. These destinations offer different highlights: the summit, waterfall and gorge each represent a different type of landscape.

Trails and activities by season

Alvdal has more than 350 kilometres of natural trails for mountain biking. Trail conditions and maintenance can vary. In summer, various hiking trails in the Østkjølen area wind through lush landscapes shaped by mountain pastures. When planning your travel dates, you can compare these summer trails with the skiing opportunities in Alvdal Vestfjell.

In Alvdal Vestfjell, longer trips are possible on both touring skis and cross-country skis. Groomed ski trails run from Sølnsætra through Sølndalen to Follandsvangen; their availability depends on the season and conditions. Marked trails connect staffed and self-service DNT cabins, as well as private tourist cabins, in the area. This gives you a choice of longer ski trips and a marked trail network with different types of cabins when planning your tour.

Local traditions and getting around

During the Norsk Mandelpotetfestival, the grounds of Storsteigen videregående skole fill with stalls selling regional food, handicrafts, handmade products and almond potatoes. The festival has been held every year since 1998, on the last weekend before the moose hunt. As the exact date can vary, check the dates for the relevant edition when planning your trip.

For travel orientation: Alvdal lies between Oslo and Trondheim; the Rv 3 road and the Røros railway run through the municipality. Alvdal station is on Steia, in the heart of Alvdal.

Discover more destinations: Alvdal, Grimsbu, Løten, Rendalen, Stange, Ringsaker, Os, Tynset.

Return to the main travel overview: Hedmark.