The 10 Best Things to do in Oppland, Eastern Norway

Activities Worth seeing Events Accomondation Transport Eat and drink Useful information Jotunheimen> National tourist routes> Sognefjell Explore the region Click the map to visit the regions Select region Sognefjell - Across the roof of Norway In majestic surroundings, high in the mountains past blue ice, jagged peaks and emerald lakes, the Sognefjell Road runs between Sognefjord, the world’s longest fjord, and the Gudbrandsdal valley. The Sognefjell Road was designated Norway’s first tourist route in 1997 and has just been upgraded to a National tourist route in 2003. The Sognefjell Road has carried traffic since time immemorial. Fish and salt from the west and butter, hides, iron and tar from the east were carried by people on their shoulders or on horseback. The cairns helped travellers find the way in all kinds of weather. The Sognefjell Road gives you access to Jotunheimen National Park, with Galdhopiggen, Norway’s highest mountain, and several of the other of the highest peaks in Norway, and to Jostedalsbreen, Norway’s largest glacier. Here your can poke about on your own among soaring peaks, take a tour over glaciers and mountain tops with experienced guides, and go skiing all year round. The route between the inland valley, high mountains and fjord offers breathtaking contrasts in climate and topography and a variety of plant and animal life, from lower elevations with farms, pine forests and the conditions for human settlement to the alpine terrain approx. 1,000 metres above sea level. Up here you’ll find bare rock with clear traces of the last Ice Age, with grass, moss, lichen interspersed with juniper and willow. Here you’ll also find hardy polar plants such as arctic buttercup, with mountain birch here and there. Wild as well as tame reindeer live on Sognefjell, and down towards the valleys there are moose and deer. In the high mountains, eagles and rough-legged buzzards thrive. In eastern regions there may be bears, lynx and wolverines, though they are few and very shy. For more informaton on the touristroutes

Maihaugen offers activities and experiences for the whole family. Enjoy the idyllic surroundings and experience life like in the old days. The museum has more than 200 historic houses from as far back as the 13th Century to homes of the different decades of the 1900s, including Queen Sonja’s childhood home. Grazing animals in the open-air museum. All year you can look into historical houses and visit great exhibitions, the museum shop and café. Don't miss our popular Christmas Market in November/December.

Galdhopiggen is the highest mountain in Norway, 2.469 m.a.s.l. It is also one of the most visited peaks in the country, apart from some hills in more densely populated areas. The hight is fascinating, and Galdhopiggen is also relatively easy to reach. You can follow the normal t-marked route from Spiterstulen 1.103 m.a.s.l., four hours to the top, two and a half- three hours back down.

GJoVIK OLYMPIC CAVERN HALL - The world's largest underground auditorium. 120 meters into the mountain in the center of Gjovik. Open 7 days a week. Price: NOK 20pp Groups NOK 15pp Guided tour NOK 350. Top-class hockey arena. Hosts arrangements and activities as cultural events, trade fairs, exhibitions and sport events. Activities: Major rock carving exhibit Ice skating (periodically) Rental of ice skates Mountain climbing wall

Moderately demanding walking (no climbing or scrambling) ascent. Highly rewarding view from the summit towards Jotunheimen and Valdres. Length: approx. 4 km one way Duration: approx. 2 hrs up Altitude difference: ca. 550 meters Suitable for children: from 6-7 yrs. Follow road 51 North from Beitostolen in the direction of Bygdin. After approx. 10 km, you will see a parking lot on the left side of the road, opposite the Lappish Camp. From there, follow the T-marked path for about 1 km. After passing through a reindeer fence, the route up to the summit of Bitihorn turns left and uphill. (The T-marked path continues straight ahead to Yksendalsbu). The route to Bitihorn is clearly marked and not very challenging. However, it does get a little steeper near the top. Enjoy the panoramic view towards Bygdin, Jotunheimen, and most of the northern region of Valdres. Markings Cairnes and red markings on stones. Equipment Standard clothing for high mountain walks: Solid hiking boots, wind- and waterproof outer layer, warm sweater, hat, mittens, daypack. No special equipment required.

The Lom stave church was timber dated to 1158. The church is still in use as the main church in Lom. Inside the church you will find a large collection of paintings from the 1700s and a lot of beautiful acanthus carvings. Over time the church has been rebuilt and enlarged several times, something one can see clear traces of. When the church was restored first in the 70'ies, there was an opportunity for extensive excavations. It was made ​​several interesting findings of pilgrimage brand, rune staves, parchment documents and the largest total of coins found in Norway of 2,245 coins.