Holtålen: Nature, Winter and Culture

Holtålen offers several themes to consider when planning a trip: nature experiences around Hessdalen, different forms of winter sports, and cultural and historical sites in Ålen and Haltdalen. There is also a railway connection to help you get your bearings locally. The themes you want to shape your days around are a good starting point for planning your stay.

Hiking and experiences in Hessdalen

Hessdalen is a gateway to the Øyungen Landscape Protection Area and a starting point for several mountain hikes in the northeastern part of Forollhogna National Park. There are also a variety of local activities: in Hessdalen, you can go horseback riding, join guided hikes, take UFO safaris and experience life at a mountain summer farm. Providers and availability may change, so it is best to check specific offerings before making plans. This makes it possible to distinguish hikes in the national park from guided experiences and other activities in the valley.

At the entrance to Hessdalen, on Hessdalskjølen, there is an information point about the valley and the Hessdalen phenomenon. It complements the information available in the region by focusing on these two topics. Visitors interested in the connection between the landscape and the phenomenon will find a dedicated information point here.

Winter: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowmobile route

Ålen has a modern alpine ski resort with several runs of varying difficulty. Check the latest operating information before setting off. In Holtålen, cross-country ski trails are also groomed throughout the winter at several locations. Gauldalsløypa is a recreational snowmobile route connecting Holtålen and Tydal. The winter activities also differ in how you get around: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and the snowmobile route each offer a different focus.

Railway, the Gaula and getting your bearings in the region

Ålen station is a stop in Holtålen on the Røros Line. Trains run from there towards Trondheim S, Røros, Hamar and Oslo S. If you are travelling by train, check the timetable for your travel date. These named connections provide specific guidance for planning your journey, without assuming a particular travel time.

The Gaula also offers anglers a clearly defined point of reference: in Holtålen, salmon fishing is permitted between Dragåsen in Haltdalen and Eggafossen in Svølgja. Half of the Gaula that flows through Holtålen is accessible to salmon. This provides both a specific fishing stretch and an indication of the river’s extent within the municipality.

Cultural history in Ålen and Haltdalen

Ålen Bygdemuseum comprises twelve buildings and around 2,500 objects. The museum at Eggen farm includes a main building dating from the early 18th century. The figures convey the scale of the museum, while the age of the main building adds a specific historical reference.

There is a dedicated cultural trail among the ruins of the Eidet smeltehytte. Another memorial site is Armfeldtleden, which commemorates around 3,500 Swedish soldiers who died in the mountains of Holtålen and Tydalen. The new stave church in Haltdalen was completed in 2004 and offers opportunities for larger musical, cultural and spiritual experiences. Gammelgården in Haltdalen is the restored former vicarage.

Beyond its individual sites, Holtålen is one of the municipalities touched by the Circumferensen around the Røros World Heritage Site. This buffer zone covers around 5,000 square kilometres. It places Holtålen within a broader cultural and historical context, while the museum, cultural trail, memorial route and stave church each explore distinct local themes.

If you are looking for a hotel in Holtålen, first decide whether nature experiences, winter sports, cultural history or the railway connection is most important for your trip. This will help you tailor your search to the activities you have planned.

Discover more destinations: Renbygda, Haltdalen, Ålen, Rennebu, Bjugn, Orkdal, Hemne, Selbu.

For the broader travel overview: Sor-Trondelag.