Rennebu: Mountain Landscape, Pilgrim Trail and Y-shaped Church

Rennebu covers the upper part of the Orkla Valley. To the west, the municipality extends into Trollheimen; part of Forollhogna National Park is also located in Rennebu. Forollhogna is an important habitat for wild reindeer. These landscape features give the place a distinctive character, reflected both in its nature experiences and in its cultural history.

Mountain Landscape and Historical Traces

At 1,548 metres above sea level, Svarthetta is Rennebu’s highest mountain. Forollhogna links reindeer habitat with a cultural history associated with mining, Sámi settlement and seasonal summer farming. Those interested in both will find different perspectives on the same landscape: its importance to nature and its history of human use.

Water, Trails and Fishing

The Minnillstien runs alongside the river in Nerskogen. Rapids and spectacular waterfalls characterize this trail. Information boards cover pitfall traps and charcoal kilns. Along the route, the waterscape and subjects from the area’s history come together, without one replacing the other.

Fishing is another key attraction in Rennebu. The Rennebukortet fishing permit is valid across large parts of the municipality and covers more than 160 fishing waters and kilometres of fish-bearing waterways. Before your fishing trip, check the current map of the area covered, along with the applicable fishing permits and seasons.

Recreation Areas and Routes

Buvatnet is a well-developed recreation area just north of the centre of Berkåk. If you plan to visit, check in advance which facilities are available on site. Its location near Berkåk also provides a clear reference point for finding your way around Rennebu.

Barnas Naturverden is a mountain area in Rennebu known as Ramsfjella. The routes between the tourist cabins there are adapted for children.

The 2026 Nerskogsrittet is described as a 44-kilometre route with 661 metres of elevation gain. It follows gravel roads, tractor tracks and asphalt, as well as a short section of hiking trail with views of Trollheimen. The start and finish are at Granasjøen in Nerskogen. These route details refer to the 2026 event.

Church and Pilgrim Tradition

Rennebu Church in Voll is the oldest of Norway’s three Y-shaped churches. Its heritage status is “automatically protected (1650–1850).” For visitors interested in architecture, it combines a clearly defined architectural form with a specific place in Norway’s church heritage.

Gammelbua is a museum shop on the Gudbrandsdalsleden in the centre of Voll. It provides information about the last 101 kilometres of the pilgrimage route towards Nidaros Cathedral. This gives the place a different focus from church architecture: here, the emphasis is on finding your way along the final stretch of the Gudbrandsdalsleden.

Transport Links for Getting Around

The Dovre Line runs through Rennebu, with a railway station in Berkåk. The E6 follows roughly the same route as the railway through the municipality. National Road 700 also runs from Berkåk through Rennebu’s main valley to Orkanger. When planning your trip, you can consider which of the landscapes, routes or cultural sites described here are most important to your stay.

Discover more destinations: Rennebu, Roan, Malvik, Agdenes, Frøya, Ørland, Tydal, Skaun

For the broader travel overview: Sor-Trondelag.