Rondane is ideally located between Lillehammer and Dovre, offering excellent transport connections and public transit options for your trip. In this article, you will find an overview of the most popular and accessible starting points for entering the Rondane mountains.
Otta – Western gateway to Rondane
Otta is one of the main transport hubs for the Rondane region. With both train and bus connections, it is an ideal starting point for your journey.Check timetables and prices at entur.no.
From Otta, you can easily reach several trailheads. We recommend starting your trip at Spranget or Mysusæter, which offer short and easy access to the staffed DNT cabin, Rondvassbu.
Summer season
Bus from Otta
A local bus operates between Otta, Mysusæter, and Spranget several times a day throughout the summer. The bus is synchronized with train arrivals at Otta station, ensuring a seamless connection from the train to the bus.
From Spranget
Spranget is just a short distance from Rondvassbu. From here, you can either hike along the gravel road or rent a bike to pedal into the cabin.
During the winter, you will need to take a taxi from Otta up to Mysusæter.
From Mysusæter, it is a 10 km ski into Rondvassbu, where you can continue your journey further into Rondane. The first few kilometers follow groomed ski trails, before transitioning into a winter-marked (staked) route leading to the cabin.
Hjerkinn – The northern gateway
Hjerkinn Station is uniquely located between two mountain ranges: Dovrefjell and Rondane. The station has a rich history dating back to 1921, when the Dovre Line railway between Dombås and Trondheim was completed. As a well-established starting point, Hjerkinn invites hikers to explore a wide variety of both short day trips and multi-day treks.
Today, there are daily train departures to Hjerkinn Station from both Oslo and Trondheim.
In the summer, you can start your hike the moment you step off the train. The red-marked trails start right at the station, whether you want to head south into Rondane or north into Dovrefjell.
In the winter, the winter-marked (staked) routes start from Hageseter. It is about a 1-hour walk from the station to Hageseter, but taking a taxi is also an option.
Winter routes at UT.no
Every year, DNT stakes out hundreds of kilometers of winter routes across the mountains. At UT.no, you can find a complete overview of these winter routes and the exact dates when they are staked.
Straumbu is a large, scenic rest area located east of Rondane. This is the main gateway for those looking to hike into the mountains from the eastern side. There are excellent parking facilities here. While parking is free, please show consideration for day visitors when parking your vehicle.
From Straumbu, it is just a short hike to the DNT cabin Bjørnhollia
By train and bus to Straumbu
Getting to Straumbu by public transport is easy and straightforward.
Summer time:
From Ringebu to Straumbu
The quickest and easiest way to reach Straumbu is to take the train to Ringebu and catch a connecting bus from there. There are daily train connections from both Oslo and Trondheim.
Check timetables and book your journey at entur.no.
To Bjørnhollia
In the summer, it is just a short 6 km hike from Straumbu to Bjørnhollia. From Bjørnhollia, the rest of Rondane is at your feet, allowing you to head north toward Dørålseter or west toward Rondvassbu.
Winter
Public transport from Oslo
During the winter season, there are no bus connections from Ringebu over Venabygdsfjellet, as regular bus routes across the mountain pass do not operate in the winter. However, special seasonal bus routes normally start running in time for the Easter holidays.
Public transport from Trondheim
If you are traveling from Trondheim, you can either take the train to Koppang and catch a connecting bus to Furulund, or take the train to Hjerkinn and take a bus onward via Folldal to Furulund.
Show Consideration for Wild Reindeer
The natural habitats of Europe’s wild reindeer are facing unprecedented fragmentation. As a hiker, understanding how to minimize your impact is essential when traveling through these vulnerable alpine ecosystems.
