Soknedal: Farm Culture and Hiking

For a trip to Soknedal, architectural heritage, hiking terrain and summer-farm landscapes offer different areas of interest. Soknedal Church and the Gammeltunet Hanshus farmstead give the village a historical dimension; in Håkkådalen, hiking terrain and the summer operation of the summer farms take centre stage. Dining options can also be factored into your plans: one is available during the ski season, while another specifies a particular mealtime.

Cultural History in Soknedal

Soknedal Church dates from 1933. Gammeltunet Hanshus tells a different story of architecture: the farmstead consists of eight old wooden buildings and is protected as a national cultural monument. The traditional Trønderlåna is part of a square farmyard complex with a storehouse (stabbur), a tenant farmer’s house (kårstue), a grain store (onnbu), connected farm buildings and an årestue. Seven of the buildings are protected by law. The complex thus includes several types of buildings and a clearly defined farmyard layout, not just a single house.

Hiking Terrain and Summer-Farm Culture

Soknahytta is located at Veltet in Håkkådalen, Soknedal, in the municipality of Midtre Gauldal. The area offers good hiking terrain year-round, although conditions depend on the weather. Håkkådalen is the summer-farm valley of Soknedal and Hauka. Many well-preserved summer farms shape this cultural landscape and are fully operational in summer. Hiking terrain and seasonal farming therefore sit side by side, without describing the same kind of travel experience.

Soknahytta serves refreshments on Sundays during the ski season. Gammeltunet Hanshus serves regional dishes at 7 pm at a communal table in the Gildesalen or Astridstuen. Check the dining information before your trip, especially the seasonal option at Soknahytta.

More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Midtre Gauldal

The wider destination of Midtre Gauldal offers another connection with nature: Forollhogna National Park lies partly within Midtre Gauldal, and Forollhogna is an important habitat for wild reindeer. The summer-farm valleys in Budal have protected landscape status and are designated cultural landscapes. Cattle and sheep graze on open pastures at active summer farms. These landscapes add a regional perspective to the summer farms of Håkkådalen.

In Budal, the Storbekkøya museum summer farm includes farm buildings dating from the early 19th century. From there, visitors can follow the Pilgrim’s Path uphill through the birch slope to the Rogneskletten viewpoint at 1,019 m; the viewpoint is in Forollhogna National Park. The pilgrim route can thus be described by its specific starting point, course and named destination, without making assumptions about walking time or difficulty.

Routes in the wider destination also have different points of reference. The Pilegrimsleia through Østerdalen is about 70 km long within Midtre Gauldal. The Østerdalsleden is a separate route: Singsås railway station is on the old Røros Line and is a natural hub along this pilgrim route; its first stage to Trondheim begins at the station. Soknedal’s local culture and the region’s pilgrim routes and landscapes therefore offer different starting points for planning a trip.

Discover more destinations: Engan, Støren.

Back to the wider destination overview: Midtre Gauldal.