Mountain Adventure Holidays
Our hiking journey across Norway's Rondane mountain range, begins in the north and over the course of six days travels south through a wild landscape of towering mountains and lichen-covered plateaus. Ten of the peaks in the north are over 2000 metres (6,560ft) and attract hikers and mountaineers in search of solitude and a land where the wilderness rules supreme.
This is a scouting trip and only open to those with a sense of adventure. The trip fees reflect the un-tested nature of this trip. Any future departures for this trip will reflect a 15 per cent increase on the advertised price for 2025.
This is for keen hikers who love an adventure in the mountains carrying all kit for the trip. It is a rocky, and barren mountain terrain. Rondeslottet, the highest peak in the Rondane, sits at 2178 metres (7,143 ft) and if the weather is favourable we will aim to tackle this spectacular summit.
Your guide will meet you at your accommodation in Hjerkinn, Norway. There will be a briefing either after dinner, or on the first morning, when you have the chance to learn more about the trip and ask any questions required. For details refer to 'Arrival & Departure' under 'Trip Information'.
We begin our journey through the Rondane National Park at Hjerkinn a truly ancient and historic settlement. We will hike the King's road to Hageseter.
Ascent: 463m (1518ft) Descent: 440m (1443ft) Distance: 18.4km (11.5 miles) Duration: 06h00 - 07h00
Ascent: 804m (2637ft) Descent: 729m (2391ft) Distance: 15.6km (9.7 7miles) Duration: 06h30 - 07h30
Ascent: 477m (1295ft) Descent: 642m (262ft) Distance: 21km (9.7 miles) Duration: 06h30 - 07h30
Ascent: 396m (1299ft) Descent: 124m (406ft) Distance: 12.7km (7.9 miles) Duration: 05h00 - 06h00
Today we will be aiming for the highest peak in the Rondane, the mighty Rondeslottet which sits at 2178m (7143ft) and is considered a wild and challenging day out. Our route is an 'out and back' on steep and rocky ground, with a summit that rewards with views of the whole Rondane mountain Range. We begin by taking the trail behind Rondvassbu where the black peak, Svartnuten towers over the lodge. From here we cross the wild Rondholet valley, before climbing up Vinjeronden on our way to the king of the Rondane. We will only tackle the peak if the weather is favourable. There are other summits near Rondvassbu that are also very popular and we may have the option of climbing Veslesmeden, another 2000m peak which is a shorter day out. Its summit sits at 2015m (6609ft) above the lake of Rondvatnet.
Ascent: 1181m (3873ft) Descent: 1181m (3873ft) Distance: 12.4km (7.75 miles) Duration: 07h00 - 08h00
Today is our final hike as we leave Rondvassbu and Rondvatnet and head for our destination at Høvringen. We first of all head towards the Peer Gynt Hytta, which on holidays, is open for coffee and waffles. All around these mountains there is reference to Henrik Ibsen's five-act play Peer Gynt. But nowhere is Peer Gynt more tangible than at the stone hut on one of Rondane's most beautiful streams that bears his name. From here we head towards the lovely mountain lodge of Smuksjøseter. It is at this point that we may have the option to shorten the route with a bus ride, or to continue on to our overnight in the ancient high mountain settlement of Høvringen.
Ascent: 256m (1295ft) Descent: 465m (262ft) Distance: 19.9km (9.7 miles) Duration: 06h30 - 07h30
or if we choose to shorten the route at Smuksjøseter
Ascent: 256m (839ft) Descent: 298m (977ft) Distance: 14.1km (9.7 miles) Duration: 04h00 - 05h00
Today you depart from the mountains. For details refer to 'Arrival & Departure' under 'Trip Information'.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We strive to provide comfortable, cosy, family run accommodation. On this trip we are hiking in a remote area where the only options are the mountain cabins/lodges. In Norway the cabins are more like rustic characterful hotels and are quite lovely. Most are provided by the DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) and the food and facilities are excellent. All have showers, drying rooms for wet kit, small shops with basic items, and good food. You can read more about what it is like to stay in a DNT hut here. We also stay in two privately run mountain lodges at Hjerkinn and Høvringen.
In all the accommodation on this trip we aim to book rooms for two people to share, but due to the nature of the accommodation on this trip there are several nights when we will be in rooms for 4 people. This will be mixed gender, but only within our own group. We aim to avoid the larger rooms for 6 - 10 people, but we cannot rule out staying in a dormitory style room. Rooms for two people normally feature bunk beds. The ethos in the mountains is that no one is turned away from shelter, and occasionally means too many people and not enough beds. It is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and the accommodation on this trip does not have this facility.
DNT membership is not necessary on this trip.
Bed linen and towels; you can choose to carry a pack towel, and a sheet sleeping bag or hire from the huts. The hire cost is not included, and you can simply pay on arrival. Bed linen is around 250 - 300 NOK per person per night, and towels are around 35-45 NOK per night. By giving you the choice we avoid passing on this cost.
There is the possibility of a single room on two nights, but early booking is required. Contact us to discuss.
Hjerkinn Fjellstue has been welcoming travellers for over 1200 years! It is a working farm, with a range of livestock, which has been run by the same family for generations. A truly historic overnight stay in the mountains. It is believed that there was activity at some of the mountain lodges here earlier than 900 BC. The rooms in the hotel were built in 1992 and renovated in 2020. There are four single rooms and 22 double rooms in the main building. The rooms have a private bathroom with shower and toilet, and free wifi.
There is said to have been settlement at two of the mountain lodges at Hjerkinnbefore King Eystein's time, at Hjerkinn and Drivstua. But it is King Eystein who is considered the originator – he was the one who started the organized operation of mountain lodges.
Grimsdalshytta DNT hut is, like all DNT accommodation, a cosy and welcoming place to stay in a beautiful location. Grimsdalshytta is situated between Rondane and Dovre national parks, in one of Norway's most beautiful high valleys, Grimsdalen. It has space for 54 people in a range of rooms, as well as a drying room for clothing and kit. All rooms are provided with pillows and duvets, and you can either hire linen on arrival or use your sheet sleeping bag liner. Electricity is provided by a generator, and it is advised to bring your head torch, just in case!
Since the mid-18th century, there has been a farm in Dørålen. The main house, the actual tourist lodge, was completed in 1940, and since then hikers and mountain lovers have been able to stay here. Until the summer of 2006, it was still a dairy farm. Today, Øvre Dørålseter Turisthytte is run by Marius Rindal, in the same spirit as his great-great-grandfather who built the lodge. In 2017 the accommodation was renovated and the showers and toilets upgraded. It now has 100 beds, in a range of rooms from singles, to family rooms. Like all these mountain lodges it is in a lovely situation.
Bjørnhollia DNT lodge is one of our favourites with a stunning lounge area with central fireplace overlooking the valley. Bjørnhollia lies in the south of the Rondane range, with its sheltered valleys and wonderful scenery. The lodge is a true gem and in 1984 it was awarded the Muncipality of Sel Architecture Prize for the best trekker facility in the mountains. Enjoy chilling out in the lounge, and indulging in the excellent food.
The DNT hut at Rondvassbu is in a stunning location next a lake The hut is more like a cosy mountain hotel and offers great food, and comfort in the wilderness. Enjoy a local beer, and some waffles with cream and jam at the end of your day of hiking. Rondvassbu is in the middle of Rondane National Park, next to Lake Rondevatnet. Svartnuten, the black peak, towers behind the lodge, and behind it you will find various summits at over 2000 meters, (6560ft), such as Storronden, Vinjeronden, and the highest of them all, Rondslottet at 2178m (7143ft). Sleeping arrangements are in either room for 2 or 4 people, or large dorms. We always aim to secure rooms for a maximum of 2 people sharing, but this is not always possible.
Rondane Haukliseter Fjellstue is very typical of traditional Norwegian mountain hotels. It is cosy, welcoming and perched on the hillside with great views to the mountains. The rooms are all en suite, and there are characterful living rooms with local painted wooden furniture. The meals are created with local produce and are plentiful. There are a total of 22 bedrooms and various lounge areas to relax. There is also a wooden sauna in the ground with a glass-front offering fabulous views while you steam! The hotel is run by Tore whose family have been offering hospitality for several generations.
Arrival
To reach the start of the tour you will travel north by train from Oslo to Hjerkinn.
On your trip arrival day you should take the train at 1429 hrs to Hjerkinn, which is likely to be on the Departure board as the line to Trondheim S. It arrives at Hjerkinn at 1836 hrs. The train station is in the airport building at Gardermoen and it all works efficiently in terms of connecting with your flight. Tickets are easily booked on line, and you will usually have a reduced price if you do this in advance at Norwegian Trains. On arrival at Hjerkinn we will be collected by our accommodation.
Travelling to Oslo by Train: There are options for rail travel to Norway from all major European cities. For example from the UK you can overnight in Copenhagen, Denmark, however, there are many possibilities.
The easiest way to book is via www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. It is worth looking at the multi-day pass travel system provided by Eurail.
If you would like to book each stage as an individual journey then using the UK to Copenhagen, Denmark, as an example here is how.
Travel from London, UK, to Brussels, Belgium using the Eurostar www.eurostar.com, these tickets can be purchased up to 6 months ahead of your travel date. From here you can book a train from Brussels, Belgium to Gothenburg, in Sweden, (Gotëborg) adding a stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark. For this you can use the German Railway website int.bahn.de. The final leg of your journey is from Gothenburg Central Station, in Sweden, to Oslo, Norway, and this can be booked using Vy the Norwegian rail network website www.vy.no.
Departure
On your departure day, which is a Saturday, we will organise a private transfer from your accommodation to Otta Railway Station. The timetables are still to be published, but we are expecting to take the train at 1127hrs arriving into Oslo Airport at 1421hrs. Note: Timetables are generally published and confirmed between 60 - 90 days before the departure date. Train information is available here.
Please contact us to discuss travel if required.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. If you have any questions with regards to what to bring, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
The terrain in the Rondane can be rocky, so boots with a good tread are very important. Most of the huts we will stay in have a 'drying' room to dry kit overnight.
When travelling to meet the group we suggest that your 'hand luggage' contains as many items as possible to allow you to hike should your main bag be misplaced or delayed.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Documentation
Personal First Aid
Additional Items
* We do not include bed linen at the DNT huts nor towels as this would increase the trip cost by around £220 per person and we prefer that you can choose to bring your own sheet sleeping liner and pack towel, or you can hire on arrival.
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and will carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
On this trip a single room is available on the first night in Hjerkinn and there are other possibilities during the week, but it will depend on how busy the huts are. Please contact us if you would like to know more, and we will provide a quote.
Most likely you will find yourself in a room with two beds sharing with one of the group, and at other times we may have a larger room with 3 or 4 people in the same room. If this is the case be assured that we always group people according to gender, relationships or friendships. This type of accommodation is normal in the mountains.
We would add that the huts in Norway are wonderful, and are certainly not the very basic huts you might find in the French/Swiss Alps. The food is usually excellent and the accommodation cosy. It is normal to have good hot showers, and a drying room for any damp boots or clothing. There are charging point for electrical items usually in the rooms, or in a common area.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation for the countries that they work in.
Note your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your hiking guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have a map detailing the hike you can refer to the one below:
Calazo.no - Rondane 1:50 000
The weather in Norway is very similar to that found in the Scottish Highlands, in short you can have 4 seasons in one day. Everything from snow showers to strong sun. You should come equipped to deal with wet weather, and have sufficient waterproof stuff sacks in your rucksack to keep items dry. You can check a ten day forecast here.
Even in summer you may need a thick pair of winter gloves if the weather turns inclement, so do refer to our Kit List. Water proof socks are a very good idea as we will often have to cross streams and rivers, hopping from rock to rock, and your feet may get damp. Most huts have a 'drying' room to dry kit overnight.
In June and July the average temperature for the mountains ranges from a high of 12°C (54°F) to a low of 5°C (41°F). In late autumn it ranges from 7°C (44°F) to 1°C (34°F). Winter snow can lie on the trails till mid-summer.
The DNT system of cabins in Norway is a wonderful concept. 'DNT' stands for Den Norske Turistforening, which translates to the 'Norwegian Trekking Association'.
According to the DNT local member associations operate 550 cabins across Norway. They maintain a network of about 22,000 km (13,730 miles) of marked hiking trails and about 7000 km (4375 miles) of branch-marked ski tracks. Each year, volunteers work a total of more than 800,000 hours maintaining this system.
DNT Cabins are either 'staffed' or 'self-service'. Staffed cabins usually have showers, and drying rooms for damp clothing. They also have a licence to serve alcohol and normally sell a few basic items such as snacks, batteries, first aid items etc. If you wish further details about your particular trip and the accommodation please look at the individual accommodation items which have a hyperlink to the cabin website for further information.
Staffed cabins
Staffed cabins serve all meals; breakfast, dinner and a picnic lunch which you make yourself from the breakfast buffet. Meals are excellent in both quality and quantity. Almost all of them have showers and electricity, either from the power grid or from a local generator and you will be able to charge electrical items. They are very cosy and traditional in style and are just as comfortable as a rustic hotel. Staffed cabins are open only in certain seasons.
Self-service cabins
The self-service cabins are equipped with all that we need for cooking and sleeping. Firewood, gas, kitchen utensils, table linen and bunks with blanks or duvets and pillows. We do require you to bring a 'sheet sleeping bag liner' for reasons of hygiene. The cabins are also stocked with tinned and dried food which means we do not have to carry provisions! It is not possible to 'reserve' beds in self-service cabins and it is a case of 'first come, first served'. We aim to arrive in good time to secure the necessary number of beds which are usually in rooms with between 2 - 8 bunk beds. If we arrive late in the day and the cabin is already crowded then as 'members of the DNT' you will have priority over non-members in terms of acquiring a mattress. Please note this may be a mattress on the floor, think of it as camping, but with a roof!
In the self-service cabins we look after ourselves: fetch water, cook food, wash up and chop wood. At the cabin we fill out a payment form which details everything we have used. The DNT then contact us on our email addresses and we make payment for your stay.
You can read more about the DNT system and what to expect in terms of accommodation at the cabins in our Blog.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water, otherwise it is normal to be able to drink from the tap.
In some countries such as Switzerland and Italy it’s not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will pay for the tap water at the accommodation during the evening meal when on half board, but not at lunch stops.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
In the mountains the 'waste water' in refuges (huts) often runs into the nearby streams and rivers with potential impact on the eco-system, though in many places steps are now being taken to avoid this. Whether or not your trip involves staying in a mountain hut we would nevertheless recommend that you use nature friendly soaps, sunscreen, shampoos etc.
You can read our full policy here.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 21 Jun - Sat 28 Jun Code: RON1 |
Price: £1995 | Guaranteed | Contact Us |
| From Price | £1995 |
| Holiday Type | Walking |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2178 m (7143ft) |
| Countries Visited | Norway |
| Meet In | Hjerkinn, Norway |
