Alvdal

Alvdal offers a range of themes to consider when planning your trip: art and a world of characters, historic farm architecture, and railway history. The wider Alvdal destination also includes nature and recreation areas. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider which of these themes matter most for your stay.

Art, characters, and a seasonal experience

Huset Aukrust in Alvdal is the national art museum dedicated to Kjell Aukrust. It features the artist’s drawings, paintings, and stories. The collection includes around 3,000 original drawings and paintings that can be presented to the public.

Another seasonal experience in Alvdal is a ride on the La Pollo XIII rocket to the moon. During the summer season, visitors can earn an astronaut certificate. Summer is the relevant time of year for this activity.

The Aukrustmonumentet features a bust of Kjell Aukrust alongside Solan Gundersen and Ludvig. Sculptor Nils Aas created the monument, which was unveiled in the centre of Alvdal on 5 August 1989. The initiative came from Alvdal idrettslag.

Farm history at Husantunet

Husantunet is one of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved farm complexes from the 19th century, and is now a protected open-air museum in Alvdal. North of the centre, between the Glomma and the Rørosbanen railway, it comprises 18 buildings. They represent the typical architecture of Nord-Østerdal from 1650 to 1850.

When visiting Husantunet, you can use KulturPunkt, a digital guide with audio clips, texts, and images. In the wider Alvdal destination, Husantunet is open every summer from July to August; check the exact dates for the year before your trip.

Railway and local history

Lille-Elvedalen station opened in 1877 after the Rørosbanen railway was completed. Architect Peter Andreas Blix designed the station building in the Swiss style. Alvdal station is in the centre of Steia and is the heart of the historic railway town of Lille-Elvedalen. The town’s history thus brings together the historic railway line and the architecture of the station building alongside the farm history of Husantunet.

More themes in the wider Alvdal destination

The natural attractions in the wider Alvdal destination offer a different focus. The Jutulhogget gorge is about 2.5 kilometres long and up to 240 metres deep. It has been a protected nature reserve since 1959, with distinctive flora and fauna, and it is possible to hike through the gorge. There is a car park and an information board at Jutulhogget, around 400 metres from the Rv 3. Check local conditions before entering the gorge.

Tronfjell reaches an elevation of 1,666 metres, and a road leads to its summit. In summer, various hiking trails in the Østkjølen area pass through a lush landscape shaped by mountain pastures. These regional themes differ from Alvdal’s museums and local history and can provide a distinct focus for your trip planning.

Another regional event is the Norsk Mandelpotetfestival. It has been held annually since 1998 on the last weekend before the moose hunt; the exact dates may vary. The grounds of Storsteigen videregående skole host stalls selling regional food, handicrafts, handmade products, and almond potatoes. If you would like to include the festival in your trip plans, check the dates and programme for that year’s event.

For the wider travel overview: Alvdal.