Støren: Gaula, culture and hiking at Varfjellet

Støren brings together the Gaula River, culture in the town centre and a suggested mountain hike. If you are looking for a hotel in Støren, these different travel profiles can help you choose what to explore based on your interests: Would you like to learn about salmon, are you interested in architecture and culture, or are you planning time for a summit hike?

The Gaula and the hike to Varfjellet

The Besøkssenter villaks Støren is located by the Gaula River. Its exhibition covers salmon, from its habitat to its anatomy. The river and the salmon’s development and physical characteristics are therefore at the heart of what the centre offers.

Varfjellet is a 705 m-high peak and is recommended as a mountain hike from Støren. The hike from Flatreitan first follows a toll road for about 1.5 km to the car park. From there, continue along an old road and a trail. The ascent is estimated to take about 1.5 to 2 hours. The actual duration depends on conditions and the hikers, so this time range should be regarded as an estimate.

Cultural venues, the church and local history

Støren Kulturhus is one of four regional cultural centres in Sør-Trøndelag and is centrally located in Støren, the municipal centre of Midtre Gauldal. The cultural centre includes Kultursalen, with about 430 seats; Støren Kino, a cinema with 50 seats; and the Kulturkafeen café. Uteamfiet is an open-air stage with a natural amphitheatre. It belongs to the cultural centre and is connected to the Støren Museum premises at Prestegården.

Støren kirke also makes its own architectural statement: this octagonal wooden building was completed in 1817 and stands just outside the centre. Støren Museum opened to the public on 14 June 1986. Together, these places offer a glimpse into different aspects of Støren’s cultural life and history.

The railway station and finding your way around the region

Støren station is on the Dovre Line. It opened in 1864, when the Trondheim–Støren railway line was completed. The station’s location and opening date place it in the history of this railway connection.

Gauldalsporten is located in Prestteigen in Støren and is recommended as a good starting point for experiences in Midtre Gauldal. Local food is sold there, and there is also a café. If these offerings are important to your plans, check the details before your trip.

More nature and cultural experiences in the wider destination of Midtre Gauldal

Beyond Støren, the wider destination of Midtre Gauldal offers more nature and cultural experiences. Forollhogna National Park is partly in Midtre Gauldal and is an important habitat for wild reindeer. In Budal, Storbekkøya museumsseter includes summer farm buildings dating from the early 19th century and is a family-friendly excursion destination.

From Storbekkøya museumsseter, visitors can follow the Pilgrim Path uphill through a birch slope to the Rogneskletten viewpoint at 1,019 m in Forollhogna National Park. The summer farms in Seterdalen, Budal, also shape the regional landscape: they have protected landscape and selected cultural landscape status. Active summer farms let cattle and sheep graze on outlying pastures.

The Pilegrimsleia through Østerdalen offers another perspective on the region and runs for about 70 km within Midtre Gauldal. These regional landscapes and pilgrimage routes complement Støren’s local profile, which is defined mainly by the Gaula, cultural offerings and the hike to Varfjellet.

Discover more destinations: Soknedal, Engan.

Go to the wider travel overview: Midtre Gauldal.