Hiking trip Norway Dovrefjell - Rondane 2009

In June 2009 I've made a hiking trip through two Nationalparks in Norway, Doverfjell an Rondane, both situated South of Trondheim. The trip went from Dindalshytta (Dovrefjell) to Rondvassbu (Rondane)

Dovrefjell is a mountain range in central Norway that forms a natural barrier between Eastern Norway and Trøndelag, the area around Trondheim. As a result, it has been heavily trafficked during and probably preceding historical times. Several mountain inns were established in the Middle Ages to house pilgrims traveling to Trondheim, and there are even ruins of an old leper colony in the northern area of it. Dovrefjell has a stock of Musk Oxen. Do not come close to them, they might react very agressive.

Rondane National Park is the oldest national park in Norway, established on 21 December 1962. The park contains ten peaks above 2,000 metres (6,560 ft), with the highest being Rondslottet at an altitude of 2,178 m (7,146 ft). The park is an important habitat for herds of wild reindeer.

Details

• easy to moderate trip
• 135 km (8 days)
• Overnight stay in tent and/or cabins (plenty of cabins in the area)
• Marked by red T. In Dovrefjell average trails, in Rondane very good trails
• 'Turkart 88 & 66'
• Reference 'Bergtochten in Noorwegen' (Jolanda Linschoten, Dominicus Adventures 2006)

Summary of the trip
I flew from Amsterdam to Trondheim and then continued with the bus to Oppdal. Change bus towards Blokkhus (along the 70). Then a short walk to the Dindalshytta (DNT key needed). I camped close to the cabin. The first hiking day I had good weather conditions. Headed West passing Gammelsetra (cabin) then continued South heading for Loennechenbue the smallest cabin of Norway. Loennechenbue is situated at a beautifull lake. When you enter from the North you need to climb a bit to reach the plateau.

I slept at Loennechebua. There are more pitures, at the end of this blog you will find the link. If you ever pass this cabin you definately want to stay there! After a good sleep and breakfast in the sun I continued South through the Amotsdal towards Amotsdalhytta, a fantastic and very good high quality cabin. From the cabin I headed more South climbing the pass just North of Snohetta (you can also go via the top of Snohetta, when I was there the weather did not alow me) and pitched my tent East of Snohetta along a stream.



Good weather when I woke up, breakfast outside in the sun. Continued South keeping Reinheim cabin at my right hand. Easy going down through the valley and in the middle I did encounter a few Musk Oxen! As they were on the trail I needed to go around. The last bit of the trail is easy going towards Kongsvoll Fjellstue, a very good and famous Fjellstue along the E6. I left the beautifull Dovrefjell with mixed feelings behind me. I found it very beautifull and remote with very rare other hikers.

After a nice lunch at Kongsvoll I mananged to get a ride to Hjerkinn Fjellstue where I camped at the campsite. I enjoyed the shower and decent meal and was ready for part two, Rondane National Park. A major change already with Dovrefjell were the number of people walking the trails, significant more.

From Hjerkinn followed the trail South towards Grimsdallhytta. Not very difficult but the weather had changed...heavy rain showers. I arrived at the Grimsdalshytta and camped at a simple camping place. From there again South to Doralseter cabin. First climbing up the hill through the woods and reaching the fjell. The trails goes up and down. The last bit is quite steep downhill. I camped close the Doralseter. The raining continued and I did not use sealskin for my tent for a while...so it resulted in leakage.



The next day I packed my wet and leaking tent to head for Bjornhollia. A wonderfull trip through a nice valley. Bjornhollia is a good manned cabin. I slept in the cabin. The last day I took the low level route through the Illmanndal to reach Rondvassbu, a large complex of cabins and pretty crowded. I stayed in one of the cabins and walked the next day to Spranghaugen, took the bus to Otta and from there the train to Oslo Airport.

Recommendation

Although the weather was not so good all the time it was a great trip. I really enjoyed Dovrefjell as it is more wild and remote then Rondane. Rondane is beautifull but relatively crowded at the time a walked there.

For more picures please click here