Opphaug: Nature, History and Art

Opphaug offers several starting points for planning your trip: trails and birdlife at Rusasetvatnet, the summit of Osplikammen, archaeological heritage and changing art exhibitions. Which side of the place you explore depends on whether you want to focus on landscapes, outdoor activities or culture.

Around Rusasetvatnet

At Rusasetvatnet, you can walk, run or cycle in peaceful surroundings. The trails offer views of water, wetlands and mountains; the area is also known for its rich birdlife. This combines outdoor activity in the landscape with a place where nature observation also plays a part.

An accessible path runs along the southern shore of the lake. There are barbecue areas and benches along the path; a toilet is located in the service building at Rusasetvatnet. These landmarks distinguish the shoreline from destinations on the surrounding trails and help you plan your visit around your own interests.

Trails to viewpoints and summits

At 285 metres, Osplikammen is the highest point of Rusasetfjellet. Hiking trails lead to the summit from both the southeast and northwest. From the top, the view stretches across Ørlandet and the offshore islands. This makes Osplikammen a clearly defined hiking destination with far-reaching views.

The yellow Opphaug–Uthaug cycling route offers a different option: it leads to a viewpoint and a shelter on Storhaugen. You can choose between different destinations: the summit views from Osplikammen, or the viewpoint and shelter along the cycling route.

Burial mound, local tradition and gallery

The large burial mound at Opphaug is one of three monumental burial mounds on Ørlandet. When sea levels were higher than they are today, all three mounds faced the sea. The mound’s archaeological significance can therefore also be considered in the context of the coastal landscape of that time.

According to local tradition, there was a hov on a knoll near the burial mound. Two different aspects of the area’s history sit side by side here: the large burial mound and the possible former significance of a nearby knoll. Galleri Empati is set in a rural location in Røstad, Opphaug, and presents changing thematic, solo and group exhibitions. The gallery programme is a distinct cultural highlight alongside the landscape and history.

In the wider Ørland destination

The wider Ørland destination also offers a range of ways to explore the landscape. Hovsfjæra Bird Protection Area is one of Ørland’s four protected wetlands with international Ramsar status. Grandefjæra Nature Reserve has Norway’s largest tidal flat. Its mosaic includes mudflats, ponds, sandy and rocky shores, seaweed banks and seagrass meadows. Grandefjæra is particularly well equipped for birdwatching, with viewpoints at Grande, Hoøya and Rønsholmen.

History and walking trails also add to the regional context: Austråttlunden was historically the hunting grounds and manor park of Austråttborgen and has a 3.5-kilometre walking trail. Austrått Fort is a former German fortification with a five-storey gun turret. A guided tour lasting just under an hour goes underground through the entire turret, the power station and the barracks, which were designed to accommodate up to 200 people.

Discover more destinations: Storfosna, Brekstad, Kråkvåg

Back to the main travel overview: Ørland.