Rondane and Dovrefjell: musk oxen and mountain views

Route description

Start in Lillehammer, host of the 1994 Winter Olympics, with a visit to the Maihaugen open-air museum. Then drive up the E6 through the Gudbrandsdal valley to Ringebu, where the stave church stands above the valley floor.

At Ringebu turn off onto the Fv27, the National Scenic Route Rondane, which climbs over Venabygdsfjellet and runs along the east side of Rondane National Park. Stop at Sohlbergplassen for the view over Atnsjøen towards the rounded peaks, then continue north to Folldal, an old mining village.

Route 29 takes you west to Hjerkinn on the Dovrefjell plateau. A short walk leads from the car park to the Snøhetta viewpoint pavilion, and guided musk-ox safaris start here in summer; never approach the animals closer than 200 m.

Finish down the E6 at Dombås, where the roads to Åndalsnes and Trondheim part. The Fv27 is a good road but high and exposed, and snow can fall from September; late June to early September is the easiest season.