Øyer: Discover skiing, trails and culture

In the Trettenstryka bird sanctuary, the focus is on protecting birdlife and its habitat along the Gudbrandsdalslågen; in Hafjell, activities range from skiing to a lift-served bike park. There are also hiking trails, pilgrimage sites and events. If you’re planning a stay in Øyer, you can start by considering whether winter sports, cycling, culture or trails will shape your travel plans.

Skiing, cross-country trails and cycling

Hafjell Alpinsenter offers skiing for all ability levels, from beginners to experts. Two specific details are useful for cross-country skiers: Hafjell has 300 kilometres of groomed trails; Øyerfjellet offers more than 600 kilometres of trails in a network connected with Nordsetra and Sjusjøen. This makes it easy to plan around the different locations of the cross-country trail networks mentioned.

Hafjell Bike Park also has some clear figures: its 19 lift-served trails cover a total of 25 kilometres, with difficulty levels ranging from green to black. This gives cyclists a different kind of trail experience from the cross-country trails and skiing options.

Activities for children and families

Lilleputthammer Familiepark in Hafjell is especially suited to children aged 1 to 8. Attractions include trains, cars and boats, as well as a Ferris wheel, carousels and a roller coaster. There are also Ola’s Frog Jump and Ola’s Climbing Park. In the centre of Øyer, Lekeland Hafjell gives children opportunities to climb, slide, crawl, balance and explore.

Hiking trails and protected birdlife

On Vardkampen, a marked trail leads to a hillfort; along the way, there are views of Tretten, Øyer and Musdal. The marked Nordbygdsmorka rundt circular route is 8.3 kilometres long. It passes through varied woodland, follows old mountain-farm trails and goes by the old mountain farms Smørkampsætra and Hundberget, as well as the small farm Veslestulen.

Another route option is the Strandpromenaden: this easy, 5.3-kilometre route runs between the bridge over the Lågen at Tingberg in the south and Rustberg Camping in the north. Its length, difficulty rating and route type can be compared with the details given for the Nordbygdsmorka rundt circular route. Near Tretten, the Trettenstryka bird sanctuary protects birdlife and its habitat along the Gudbrandsdalslågen.

Pilgrim trails and practical information

The Pilgrimsleden passes through the southern, central and northern parts of Øyer. The municipality is responsible for marking and maintaining the trail, with volunteer support from Tretten Musikkforening. Pilegrimsbu at Ensby offers hikers toilets, water, information, electricity for charging GPS devices and mobile phones, and covered seating. Skjønsberg Gard is an approved pilgrim accommodation on the Gudbrandsdalsleden.

Gamle Tretten also offers a cultural-history walk along hiking trails, covering 300 years of history. For a general sense of the road layout, it is also useful to know that the E6 runs through Øyer municipality.

Events and local experiences

Stavsmartn is the largest annual event at Stavsplassen and attracts around 10,000 visitors every October. Stavsplassen is a year-round event arena for sport, agriculture, culture and business. Historically, Stavsmartn began as a horse market: at the time, the focus was on buying and selling horses and on demonstrations for the armed forces’ Remount Committee. Stav Kjøre- og Rideklubb has also hosted the Dølahestmesterskap, the NM Fjordhest and district events in driving, show jumping and dressage.

Bringebærgården Moe offers a seasonal experience: during berry season, you can pick your own raspberries there by booking in advance. The season and the need to book are part of planning this visit.

When choosing a hotel in Øyer, you can first decide which activities matter for your trip, such as skiing and cycling in Hafjell, the trails mentioned above, pilgrimage destinations, or culture and events.

Discover more destinations: Øyer, Tretten, Sør-Fron, Nordre Land, Sel, Etnedal, Ringebu, Sør-Aurdal.

For the wider travel overview: Oppland.