Hiking in the Røros Region's National Parks

Are you an experienced mountain hiker or one of those who are trying an activity you haven't done before? Mountain hiking, canoeing, camping, and hammocking? Many of us want to try something we haven't done before – and these four activities are at the top of the list. 
Røros and Østerdalen offer magnificent nature experiences, with a low threshold to try out everything – preferably on the same trip.

Femundsmarka National Park

Ten thousand years ago, the ice retreated, leaving behind a desolate, primordial landscape. A landscape that invites beautiful walks and good memories. Femundsmarka National Park is relatively easily accessible from both the south and the north. From the south, you have easy access to the wilderness via Elgå in beautiful Engerdal, southeast of Femunden. You can also travel here by bus. In Elgå, you will also find the Visitor Center for Femundsmarka and Gutulia National Parks, where you can get better acquainted with the national parks. At Båtstø Camping, you can rent a cabin, boat, or camp before venturing further into the wilderness. At the northern end of Femunden, Synnervika is a good entry point to Femundsmarka. You can travel by bus between Røros and Synnervika and take the ferry Femund II further with several stops southward all the way down to Elgå.

Lakes and Waterways

In the countless lakes and waterways, you can fish for trout, perch, whitefish, grayling, char, burbot, and pike. If you want to paddle in a canoe or kayak, you will find a connected lake system in the inner parts of the national park. If you have time, you can paddle for days between the waterways and lakes. In the upper parts of Røa, Reva, Revsjøen, and Styggsjøen, there are many opportunities for great trips. Røros Guide can accompany you on the trip, plan the route, or you can rent the canoe here, and it will be transported for you. Røros Guide welcomes you to your next wilderness adventure. They rent out bikes and canoes and can tailor wilderness experiences for you based on your desires, your level of experience, and taking into account the prevailing weather conditions. That way, you are ensured that you and your travel companions will experience Femundsmarka at its best. This guide knows Femundsmarka and its secrets as well as his own pocket.

Another nice option is to paddle with the canoe from Synnervika to Nordvika and paddle to Røros. Then you need an overnight stay, and you can do that on one of the nice, white sand beaches, located in the middle of the river in the area around Håa. Feragshåen is a beautiful place for camping in a tent and hammock. Whatever you do, we strongly advise against paddling out onto Femunden itself. Femunden is a large and capricious lake; it quickly gets windy, and the water temperature is between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius in the summer. Paddle on the many lakes and waterways, and stay close to land if you are going to paddle short distances on Femunden.

Mountain Farms, Animals, and Family Experiences

If the children want to meet animals and see the traditions of past generations' mountain farms, go to Ljøsnåvollen mountain farm, located in the middle of Femundsmarka National Park and built in the late 1600s. Here you can stay in simple cabins and be served traditional mountain farm food. Many prefer to drive to Feragen and then cycle 12 km into the idyllic mountain farm. If you're staying for a couple of days, we recommend that you also hike up to Storviglen (1561 m above sea level), which is a 3-4 hour hike from Ljøsnåvollen. The mountain farm is located on the DNT's marked trail network, so there are many nice hiking trails to follow.

Mountain Hikes and Peaks

The landscape is beautiful and easy to walk in with children. But if you want, you can also choose to climb several peaks. The highest one is Storviglen, right in the north of Femundsmarka, while in the south, you will find Store Svuku (1415 m above sea level), Grøthogna (1401 m above sea level), and Elgåhogna (1460 m above sea level).

Cultural Heritage from the Copper Works Era

Many of the traces you find in and around Femundsmarka stem from the Røros Copper Works. The smelting hut on the west side of Femunden, Femundshytta, was in operation from 1743 to 1822. According to the census in 1801, there were 11 settlements and 58 people living here who worked for the copper works, hunted, farmed, and fished. Along the waterways, there are traces of log driving in the form of dam structures, timber chutes, sluices, and log driving arches.

Historical Hiking Route

In the summer of 2021, Malmveien, a facilitated historical hiking route between Femundsmarka and Røros, was opened. The tour can be completed in three day stages of 15 km each, and the entire route lies within the circumference of the copper works at Røros – part of UNESCO's World Heritage. Along the trail, you will find many traces of past times, from the Stone Age to mining, ore transporters, and extensive charcoal burning. The waterways were connected around 1750, and even today, you can walk along the timber chutes between Femunden and Feragen.

The self-service cabins Marenvollen and Fjølburøsta are natural places to stay. Along the way, you will find over 20 signs providing information about what you see and experience.

Important to Know About Femundsmarka

Femundsmarka is located east of Lake Femund on the border between Trøndelag and Innlandet, bordering Sweden. You are nature's guest when visiting the national park. The right to access allows you to move freely. Act considerately so that animals and plants are not harmed or disturbed, and leave nature as you would like to find it. The trees in the national park are protected, including the dry and old pine trees, even if they are lying on the ground. You can use small twigs found on the ground for a fire.

From April 15 to September 15, there is a fire ban, but it is allowed to light fires where the fire cannot spread. Use existing fireplaces. 
Dogs are allowed on the hike, but from April 1 to August 20, they must be on a leash. 
Garbage should not be left in the national park or burned. Take it back with you. 
Go where you want, but be considerate so that you do not leave traces. 
In the spring during the nesting and breeding season, wildlife is particularly vulnerable to disturbances. It is not allowed to camp on islands. 
Pick berries and mushrooms, but be aware that there are several rare plant species in the national park, so it is important not to pick other plants than berries and mushrooms. 
You can find hunting and fishing licenses on inatur.no. Everyone under 20 and over 67 years old fishes for free.

If you want a guided tour, several can help you.

Røros Guide offers rental of canoes, pacrafts, and bikes, and can arrange anything from simple trips to several days.

Change Wild takes groups on canoeing or hiking trips in the national parks.

Femund Friluft guides you in the area to Destination Femund Engerdal.

Forollhogna National Park

Forollhogna is a mountain area on the border between Østlandet and Trøndelag. The national park is an untouched mountain area with gentle valley slopes and round, friendly terrain formations. If you are lucky, you may see the largest wild reindeer bucks in Norway on your hike. Here it is important to show consideration and let the animals be at peace. Admire the impressive animals from a good distance. The highest point is Forollhogna, which is 1332 meters above sea level. Lush and traditional mountain farm valleys extend into the mountain plateau from all sides. The two mountain farm valleys, Kjurrudalen and Vangrøftdalen, are part of Selected Cultural Landscapes in Agriculture. Here are over 100 mountain farms, with 30 of them actively engaged in dairy production. In this area, you will find a significant network of mountain farm roads well suited for cycling. Alternatively, old trails and animal tracks can lead you from the village and mountain farm up to the mountains. Here are many fine mountain lakes known for large and fat fish.

The mountain villages Kvikne, Vingelen, Dalsbygda, Budalen, and Hessdalen are good starting points for hikes and experiences in the national park. If you bring a tent, it's no problem. There are many nice tent spots to find. One tip is Fosskleiva in Dalsbygda. Then you have the river flowing nearby.

Vingelen is an adventurous mountain village that is well worth a visit in itself and is an exceptionally good starting point for exploring Forollhogna National Park. The mountain village Vingelen has the status of a national park village, one of four places in Norway. The well-preserved building environment is unique in Norway. If you want to stay at a cozy and intimate farm, you should try Vingelsgaard Gjestgiveri. They serve good homemade farm food from their own production and local food from other small-scale producers.

A nice way to experience Vingelen is to bring your bike. Then you can make small stops at all the exciting places you find along the way. Some places you can find the extremely endangered and protected orchid Svartkurle. Let the bike take you on adventures in the gently undulating landscape and all the way out on the wilderness adventure in Forollhogna National Park.

Everyone is welcome in our national parks. Whether you want to hike, stay overnight, swim, paddle, fish, or just enjoy the great outdoors is entirely up to you. It is the right to access that ensures us all these rights, which is a fantastic free offer, while at the same time, the right to access gives you as a guest some duties. You should, among other things, take good care of nature and not leave traces. We call this leaving no trace.