Østre Gausdal: Church, School Museum and Viewpoints

If you’re looking for a hotel in Østre Gausdal, you can choose where to stay based on specific interests: the medieval church, the history of the school museum, or the viewpoints at Bjørga and Hovdekollen. The wider Gausdal destination offers additional nature and cultural attractions.

Church and school history

Østre Gausdal Church is located at Voldsbruvegen 54, 2651 Østre Gausdal. It is a medieval stone church with a rectangular floor plan. The chancel is as wide and high as the nave—a distinctive feature of its architecture.

Østre Gausdal vicarage houses the Gausdal Historical Association and the Gausdal School Museum. The museum opened on 10 November 2013 in the vicarage’s Strømsalen hall. Its collection includes furniture, books, display boards and teaching materials from several subjects. These varied items give the history of schooling a tangible focus. The museum offers guided tours and a short lesson from earlier times; arrange access in advance.

A description published in 2021 states that Østre Gausdal vicarage is available to rent for weddings, meetings, confirmations and birthday celebrations. If you are planning one of these events, check current availability in advance.

Viewpoints: Bjørga and Hovdekollen

A well-marked trail leads to Bjørga, with an ascent of about 180 metres. The viewpoint is at an elevation of 956 metres. Hovdekollen is a viewpoint at 824 metres; a sign there points out the view towards Øygardan. The elevation figures put the two viewpoints 132 metres apart. Bjørga also has a stated approximate ascent, while Hovdekollen is associated with a specific viewing direction.

More destinations in the wider Gausdal area

Langsua National Park extends into Gausdal. The part in Gausdal includes birch forests, old coniferous forests, rolling high plateaus and diverse wetlands. Helvete Nature Park is in upper Gausdal and offers Northern Europe’s largest potholes, as well as a family park, an archery trail, a café and a souvenir shop. Seasonal services may vary. From the car park, it is a walk of a few hundred metres to the start of the descent to the potholes.

The cultural attractions in the wider Gausdal area also have their own distinctive focus. Aulestad is the historic home of Nobel laureate and writer Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and his wife, Karoline. Guided tours, exhibitions, authentic interiors and a beautiful garden offer insights into their lives and work; programme details may vary. Kittilbu Utmarksmuseum offers tours and courses on flora and fauna. At its own mountain farm dating from the mid-19th century, it also introduces visitors to seter culture. Individual course dates may vary.

Around Skeikampen in the wider Gausdal area, you’ll find cycling routes, mountain hikes, and waters for swimming and fishing. These natural and cultural attractions add to the range of places to visit, though each has a different focus.

Discover more destinations: Vestre Gausdal, Follebu, Svingvoll, Gausdal, Espedalen, Svatsum.

Return to the main travel overview: Gausdal.